Patios, Pergolas & Shade Sails

Installing a patio, pergola, or shade sail at your property in the Shire of Narrogin? These additions can add value, comfort, and shade, but before construction begins, it’s important to understand whether building approval is required and what documentation you’ll need to provide.

What’s the Difference?

  • Patios are roofed, unenclosed structures that may or may not be attached to a dwelling. They are typically roofed with a water-impervious material.

  • Pergolas are open-framed structures, often unroofed or covered with water-permeable material.

  • Shade sails are flexible canopies that also fall under patio regulations and are treated as such during assessment.

Do I Need Building Approval?

✅ Patios

  • Building approval is not required if the patio is:

    • Freestanding

    • Less than 10m² in area

    • Not taller than 2.4 metres

  • Building approval is required if:

    • The structure is larger than 10m², taller than 2.4m, or attached to a dwelling

    • The roofline is less than 900mm from a boundary (requires a Certified Building Application with a performance solution)

💡 Note: The 900mm boundary rule does not apply where the boundary abuts a secondary street, right of way (ROW), or public open space (POS).

✅ Pergolas

  • Exempt from building approval if:

    • Less than 20m² and no taller than 2.4 metres

✅ Shade Sails

  • Assessed the same as patios—approval is required if not exempt under patio criteria.

What Do I Need to Apply for a Building Permit?

If your proposed structure requires approval, you’ll need to submit:

📄 Application Requirements

  • Completed BA1 (Certified) or BA2 (Uncertified) form

  • All owners listed, builder and applicant sections completed and signed

  • Applicable fees (refer to the Fees and Charges Schedule)

  • Certificate of Design Compliance (required for BA1 applications)

🗺️ Plans and Drawings

Site Plan (min scale 1:200)

Must show:

  • Location of the proposed patio, pergola, or shade sail

  • All existing buildings and structures

  • Setbacks to lot boundaries

  • Location of easements, effluent tanks, leach drains, soak wells, or rainwater tanks

Elevations (min scale 1:100)

Must include:

  • Height of structure

  • Finished ground levels

Engineering Details (Required for steel structures and shade sails)

Must be signed by a structural engineer and include:

  • Footing details

  • Construction and connection details

  • Project-specific span tables

Stormwater Management Plan

Show proposed system, such as:

  • Soak wells

  • Rainwater tanks

Bushfire Prone Areas

If your structure is within 6 metres of a dwelling, and your property is located in a designated bushfire prone area, a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment may be required.

  • ✅ Use the DFES Bushfire Prone Areas Map to check your property

  • ✅ Existing BAL reports can be re-used if less than 2 years old and no expiry date is stated

  • ⚠️ Depending on the BAL, additional construction measures may apply to reduce bushfire risk

Do I Need Other Approvals?

Yes, you may.

🧠 Fun Fact: 80–90% of building permit applications are delayed because the Shire’s Planning or Health requirements were not considered during the design stage.

✅ Avoid delays by:

  • Consulting with the Planning Services Team and Environmental Health team before finalising your design

  • Confirming your proposed location and design meet all relevant zoning, land use, and health regulations

Need Help?

The Shire of Narrogin’s Building Services team is available to assist with your application or enquiries.

📧 Email: enquiries@narrogin.wa.gov.au
📞 Telephone: (08) 9890 0900