Planning policies and precinct plans
Planning policies, including Guidelines, and Precinct Plans are created to supplement Local Planning Schemes and provide further guidance on area or subject specific land use and development matters. There are a number of Planning Policies and Precinct Plans currently applicable within the City of Perth:
- City Planning Scheme No. 2 Planning Policies
- City Planning Scheme No. 2 Precinct Plans
- City of Subiaco Planning Policies
- City of Subiaco Precinct Plans
- City of Nedlands Planning Policies
City Planning Scheme No. 2 Planning Policies
A number of Planning Policies have been created under City Planning Scheme No. 2. They generally apply to the whole of the city with the exception of parts of Crawley and Nedlands which were transferred from the Cities of Subiaco and Nedlands to the City of Perth on the 1 July 2016. They should be read with City Planning Scheme No. 2 and its associated Precinct Plans and Planning Registers and Lists as well as the Minor Town/Local Planning Schemes.
Planning Policy Manual - Part 1
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Contents
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How it works
Section / Policy # Policy Name Section 1.1 What is a policy manual and what does it contain? -
General Planning Procedure
Section / Policy # Policy Name Section 2.1 Applications Section 2.2 Public Notification/Advertising Procedure Section 2.3 Requests for Reclassification of Land - Guidelines for Initiation Section 2.4 Policy Initiation and Amendment> -
Residential Development Policy
Section / Policy # Policy NAME Section 3.1 Design of Residential Development Section 3.2 Ancillary Accommodation Section 3.3 Determining Development Applications for Aged Care and Dependant Persons' Dwellings Section 3.4 Home Occupation Section 3.5 Non-Residential Uses in or Adjacent to Residential Areas Section 3.6 Residential Uses in Mixed Use Areas Section 3.7 Mixed Residential / Commercial Development Section 3.8 Structures within Setback Areas Section 3.9 Special Residential and Short-Term Rental Accommodation Policy -
Development and Design Policy
Section / Policy # Policy Name Section 4.1 City Development Design Guidelines Section 4.2 Control and Location of Amusement Parlours Section 4.3 Roller Doors on Shopfronts Section 4.4 Building Heights and Setbacks Section 4.5 Plot Ratio Section 4.5.1 Bonus Plot Ratio Section 4.5.2 Transfer Plot Ratio
Section 4.6 Signs Section 4.7 Landscaping Requirements Section 4.8 Pedestrian Walkways
Section 4.9 Residential Design Policy Section 4.10 Heritage -
Parking and Access Policy
Section / Policy # Policy Name Section 5.1 Parking Policy Section 5.2 Loading and Unloading Section 5.3 Bicycle Parking and End of Journey Facilities -
Design Guidelines and Planning/Development Policy
Section / Policy # Policy Name Section 6.1 Future Development of Northbridge Section 6.2 James, William, Roe and Lake Street Block Guidelines Section 6.3 Goderich Design Policy Section 6.4 Terrace Road Design Policy Section 6.5 Mount Street Design Policy Section 6.6 King Street Heritage Area Design Guidelines Section 6.7 Hay Street Pedestrian Walkway and Road Reserve Widening Policy Section 6.8 William Street Station Precinct Section 6.9 William Street Heritage Area Design Guidelines
Planning Policy Manual - Part 2
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Contents
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Planning Policies and Design Guidelines for Normalised Redevelopment Areas
City Planning Scheme No. 2 Precinct Plans
Precinct Plans have been created under City Planning Scheme No. 2 to set out the City’s the intent and vision for different areas of the city.
These Precinct Plans have been established across the whole of the city with the exception of parts of Crawley and Nedlands which were transferred to the City on the 1 July 2016. Separate Precinct Plans have been created for parts of Crawley and Nedlands under the City of Subiaco Town Planning Scheme No. 4.
The Precinct Plans should be read with City Planning Scheme No. 2 and its associated Planning Policies and Planning Registers and Lists as well as the Minor Town/Local Planning Schemes.
NOTE: The precincts denoted (CC) comprise the Scheme area referred to as the City Centre.
Documentation:
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Precinct Plans
Precincts
Precinct Plan Documents
Precincts
Precincts 1 - 8Precinct Plan Documents
Precincts 1-8 City Centre (CC)Precincts
Precinct 1 - NorthbridgePrecinct Plan Documents
P1 Northbridge Precinct(CC)Precincts
Precinct 2 - Cultural CentrePrecinct Plan Documents
P2 Cultural Centre Precinct (CC)Precincts
Precinct 3 - StirlingPrecinct Plan Documents
P3 Stirling Precinct (CC)Precincts
Precinct 4 - VictoriaPrecinct Plan Documents
P4 Victoria Precinct (CC)Precincts
Precinct 5 - CitiplacePrecinct Plan Documents
P5 Citiplace Precinct (CC)Precincts
Precinct 6 - St GeorgesPrecinct Plan Documents
P6 St Georges Precinct (CC)Precincts
Precinct 7 - CivicPrecinct Plan Documents
P7 Civic Precinct (CC)Precincts
Precinct 8 - ForeshorePrecinct Plan Documents
P8 Foreshore Precinct (CC)Precincts
Precinct 9 - Matilda BayPrecinct Plan Documents
P9 Matilda Bay PrecinctPrecincts
Precinct 10 - West PerthPrecinct Plan Documents
P10 West Perth PrecinctPrecincts
Precinct 11 - HamiltonPrecinct Plan Documents
P11 Hamilton PrecinctPrecincts
Precinct 12 - LangleyPrecinct Plan Documents
P12 Langley PrecinctPrecincts
Precinct 13 - AdelaidePrecinct Plan Documents
P13 Adelaide PrecinctPrecincts
Precinct 14 - GoderichPrecinct Plan Documents
P14 Goderich PrecinctPrecincts
Precinct 15 - East PerthPrecinct Plan Documents
P15 East Perth Precinct -
Precinct Maps
Precinct Precinct Maps PrecinctPrecincts 1 - 8 Precinct MapsP1-8 City Centre Precinct PrecinctPrecinct 9 Precinct MapsP9 Matilda Bay Precinct PrecinctPrecinct 10 Precinct MapsP10 West Perth Precinct PrecinctPrecinct 11 Precinct MapsP11 Hamilton Precinct PrecinctPrecinct 12 Precinct MapsP12 Langley Precinct PrecinctPrecinct 13 Precinct MapsP13 Adelaide Precinct PrecinctPrecinct 14 Precinct MapsP14 Goderich Precinct PrecinctPrecinct 15 Precinct MapsP15 East Perth Precinct
Subiaco Planning Policies
The City of Subiaco Planning Policies have been created under Town Planning Scheme No. 4 and apply to the parts of Crawley and Nedlands which were transferred from the City of Subiaco to the City of Perth on the 1 July 2016.
For the purposes of application within the City of Perth, any references to the City of Subiaco within the Planning Policies is taken to be a reference to the City of Perth.
It should be noted that the versions of the City of Subiaco Planning Policies applicable within the City of Perth are those versions which were applicable as at the 1 July 2016. Any amendments made to the Planning Policies by the City of Subiaco post 1 July 2016 do not apply within the City of Perth.
They should be read with the City of Subiaco Town Planning Scheme No. 4 and its associated Precinct Plans and Planning Registers and Lists, and the State Government’s Residential Design Codes.
Subiaco Precinct Plans
The City of Subiaco Precinct Plans have been created under Town Planning Scheme No. 4 and apply to the parts of Crawley and Nedlands which were transferred from the City of Subiaco to the City of Perth on the 1 July 2016.
For the purposes of application within the City of Perth, any references to the City of Subiaco within the Planning Policies is taken to be a reference to the City of Perth.
It should be noted that the versions of the City of Subiaco Planning Policies applicable within the City of Perth are those versions which were applicable as at the 1 July 2016. Any amendments made to the Planning Policies by the City of Subiaco post 1 July 2016 do not apply within the City of Perth.
The Precinct Plans should be read with the City of Subiaco Town Planning Scheme No. 4 and its associated Planning Policies and Planning Registers and Lists, and the State Government’s Residential Design Codes.
Nedlands Planning Policies
The City of Nedlands Planning Policies have been created under Town Planning Scheme No. 2 and apply to part of Nedlands which were transferred from the City of Nedlands to the City of Perth on the 1 July 2016.
For the purposes of application within the City of Perth, any references to the City of Nedlands within the Planning Policies is taken to be a reference to the City of Perth.
It should be noted that the versions of the City of Nedlands Planning Policies applicable within the City of Perth are those versions which were applicable as at the 1 July 2016. Any amendments made to the Planning Policies by the City of Nedlands post 1 July 2016 do not apply within the City of Perth.
They should be read with the City of Nedlands Town Planning Scheme No. 2 and its associated Precinct Plans and Planning Registers and Lists, and the State Government’s Residential Design Codes.
Planning Policy and Precinct Plan Amendments
The City may create new Planning Policies and Precinct Plans or amend existing Planning Policies and Precinct Plans to address emerging land use and development issues.
The process for creating and amending new Planning Policies and Precinct Plans is set out in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 and Planning Policy Manual - Part 1: Section 2.4 Policy Initiation and Amendment.
New Planning Policies and Precinct Plans and amendments which are out for public comment, awaiting finalisation and which have been finalised are outlined below.
Out for Public Comment:
Draft Tree Retention on Private Property in Crawley-Nedlands Local Planning Policy
The purpose of the draft Tree Retention on Private Property in Crawley-Nedlands Local Planning Policy (draft policy) is to outline the circumstances in which tree removal or other tree damaging activity requires a development application and guide the assessment of applications in the Crawley-Nedlands neighbourhood.
Council resolved to advertise the draft policy at its Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM) held on 29 April 2026. Click here to view the Agenda and Minutes of this meeting.
The policy incorporates a place-based approach to the assessment of applications, providing guidance on the size and type of trees that are worthy of retention depending on the character and strategic direction of the site within the Crawley-Nedlands neighbourhood.
The draft policy is available for public comment between 11 May 2026 and 1 June 2026.
For further information, please visit Engage Perth.
Awaiting Finalisation:
Currently none.
Recently Finalised:
Short-Term Rental Accommodation Planning Policies
The purpose of these policies is to guide the assessment of applications for development approval for ‘Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation’ (Unhosted STRA) and ‘Tourist and Visitor Accommodation’, to underpin recent local planning scheme amendments to align with State Government Planning Reform to regulate STRA.
- Updated Planning Policy Section 3.9 - Special Residential and Short-Term Rental Accommodation Policy
This planning policy applies to all scheme uses areas under City Planning Scheme No. 2 and Local Planning Scheme No. 26. The key changes to the policy are the:- Separation of provisions for ‘Special Residential’ and ‘Unhosted STRA’ to provide greater clarity to the reader.
- Modification to Special Residential design provisions to ensure residential amenity is maintained where located in the same building as permanent residential land uses and to extend existing management provisions.
- Introduction of provisions for 'Unhosted STRA' relating to occupancy, parking, signage, management and time-limited approvals.
- New Town Planning Scheme No.4 Policy 2.27 - Tourist and Visitor Accommodation and Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation Local Planning Policy
This local planning policy applies to land zoned under Town Planning Scheme No. 4 in the Crawley-Nedlands neighbourhood and is consistent with Planning Policy 3.9 – Special Residential and Short-Term Rental Accommodation Policy that applies to all other areas of the city. The policy includes:- Objectives that address local amenity, character, scale, and heritage protected places to support place-based assessment and decision making.
- Provisions to manage Tourist and Visitor Accommodation.
- Provisions for Unhosted STRA relating to number of occupants, parking and signage, management and time limited approvals.
For further information, please visit Engage Perth.