Changes to Short-term Rental Accommodation (STRA) planning regulations

The State Government has introduced new planning regulations for short-term rental accommodation (STRA) in order to provide greater consistency and certainty about planning approval for STRA proposals.

 What has changed?

• New definitions to be introduced into all Local Planning Schemes including Hosted STRA (where the host lives at the property) and Unhosted STRA (where guest have the use of the entire dwelling)

• Statewide exemptions from planning approval for hosted STRA properties

• Unhosted STRA in Perth is exempt if rented for up to 90 nights per year. Development application is required for STRA exceeding this timeframe

• Regional Local Governments (including Peel) can tailor planning rules to their needs and can choose when to require approvals for unhosted STRA

• All STRA properties must be registered by January 1, 2025 on the state-wide registration scheme

• Local governments need to update their planning schemes to comply with these new regulations

Need help or have questions?

• Local Governments can prepare a local planning policy to guide the assessments of unhosted STRA.
• Refer to the new WALGA guidelines to help prepare policies.
• Go to the Planning Online website.