South West WA

Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup Airbnb & short-term rental approval

Listing your property in the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup on Airbnb? Outside the Perth metro area, local council rules apply — many regional councils require development approval for unhosted short-term rentals regardless of night count.

Visit Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup website →

At a glance

Key facts for Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup

Approval type	Change of Use — Short-Term Rental Accommodation
State registration	Required for all STRA ($250 initial, $100 annual renewal)
Contact	Contact the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup planning services to confirm current lodgement requirements Council website →

What to submit

Documents required for your application

✓ Completed Development Application form (council-specific)
✓ Management Plan covering guest numbers, noise, parking, complaints and house rules
✓ Certificate of Title
✓ Site plan and floor plans

Things to know

Before you apply

Regional WA councils set their own short-term rental rules through local planning schemes and policies — worth knowing before you try to apply yourself.
State registration on the STRA register is still required for all short-term rental accommodation in Western Australia.
If you go with Urban Approval Group, you don’t need to worry about working out the local scheme rules alone — we check what’s required, prepare the management plan, and lodge the application for you.

FAQ

Common questions

Does the 90-night rule apply here?

No. The state 90-night exemption is for Perth metropolitan area councils. In the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup, check the local planning scheme for what applies to unhosted short-term rentals.

Are hosted short-term rentals treated differently?

Yes. Hosted short-term rentals (where you live on the property during guest stays) are generally exempt from development approval across WA, but state registration is still mandatory.

What should I do first?

Confirm whether your property is hosted or unhosted, then check whether your zoning allows short-term rental and what documents the council requires. We can provide a free consultation to help you get started.

Next step

Ready to get your approval sorted?

We prepare everything — management plan, application form, all supporting documents — and lodge it directly with Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup. 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 Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup's published guidelines and is updated as council policies change. Always confirm current requirements directly with the council before lodging. Visit Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup website →