Great Southern WA

City of Albany Airbnb & short term rental approval

Listing your Albany property on Airbnb? Albany is outside the Perth metro area — different rules apply and the 90-night exemption does not automatically apply here. Check your requirements before listing.

At a glance

Key facts for City of Albany

Approval type	Change of Use — Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (or Holiday House)
Night threshold	No automatic 90-night exemption — unhosted STRA generally requires development approval
Key policy	City of Albany STRA information sheet and Local Planning Policy 1.6 — Holiday Accommodation
State registration	Required for all STRA ($250 initial, $100 annual renewal)
Contact	City of Albany Planning: (08) 6820 3000 — albany.wa.gov.au
Suburbs covered	Albany, Middleton Beach, Emu Point, Frenchman Bay, Little Grove, Yakamia, Bayonet Head

What to submit

Documents required for your application

✓ Development Application form from City of Albany
✓ Management Plan covering operations, noise, parking and complaints
✓ Certificate of Title
✓ Site plan and floor plans

Things to know

Before you apply

Albany is a regional council outside the Perth metropolitan area — the state 90-night exemption does not automatically apply here.
Middleton Beach and Emu Point are high-demand tourist areas with significant Airbnb activity.
Contact the City of Albany directly to confirm current requirements — regional councils have flexibility to set their own STRA rules.
State STRA registration is still required regardless of planning approval requirements.

FAQ

Common questions

Does the 90-night exemption apply in Albany?

Albany is outside the Perth metro area so the automatic 90-night exemption does not apply. Check with the City of Albany directly for current requirements.

How long does approval take?

Budget 8-12 weeks from lodgement for a straightforward application.

Is it worth applying even if I'm not sure I need to?

Yes — getting approval in place now protects you from retrospective penalties and ensures you can continue operating as the regulatory environment tightens.

Next step

Ready to get your approval sorted?

We prepare everything — management plan, application form, all supporting documents — and lodge it directly with City of Albany. You hear back when it's done.

$300 flat fee + council application fee (charged directly to you by the council). No hidden costs.

Start my application →

Information on this page is based on City of Albany's published guidelines and is updated as council policies change. Always confirm current requirements directly with the council before lodging. View City of Albany's official STRA guidance →