City of Joondalup Airbnb & Short Term Rental Approval

At a glance

Key facts for City of Joondalup

Approval type	Change of Use — Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation
Night threshold	90 nights per year — council approval required if you exceed or plan to exceed this — source: City of Joondalup STRA page
Guest limit	Maximum 12 guests per night — source: LPS Regulations and City of Joondalup LPP
Guest limit sub-limit	Maximum 2 guests per bedroom — source: draft amended LPP (Scheme Amendment No. 20, June 2025)
Key policy	Short-term Rental Accommodation Local Planning Policy (being amended via Scheme Amendment No. 20, advertised June–July 2025)
Advertising	Applications advertised to adjoining residents for 14 days — source: City of Joondalup Planning Consultation LPP
State registration	Required for all STRA ($250 initial, $100 annual renewal)
Contact	City of Joondalup Planning Services: (08) 9400 4000 or info@joondalup.wa.gov.au
Tip	The City recommends contacting them before lodging to confirm the correct process — source: City of Joondalup STRA page

What to submit

Documents required for your application

✓ Development Application form and checklist — available from the City of Joondalup website (joondalup.wa.gov.au/requirements-planning-applications)
✓ Management Plan — must address: guest check-in/check-out procedures, car parking management, complaints contact and code of conduct displayed on site — source: City of Joondalup Short-term Accommodation LPP
✓ Certificate of Title (from Landgate — landgate.wa.gov.au)
✓ Site plan and floor plans
✓ Payment of the Development Application fee — refer to City of Joondalup Planning Fees schedule
✓ Note: If your property has an aquatic facility (pool/spa), separate approval may be required from Environmental Health — source: City of Joondalup STRA page

Things to know

Before you apply

The City has been actively processing short-term rental development applications — real applications have been publicly advertised on the City's website (e.g. 4 Martinique Mews, Hillarys; 32 Woodlake Retreat, Kingsley). The process is established and working. Source: City of Joondalup community consultation page.
Scheme Amendment No. 20 was out for community consultation June–July 2025 — this will formally update the planning scheme's land use definitions to align with state short-term rental reforms. Confirm the current status of the amendment with the City before lodging. Source: City of Joondalup community consultation page.
The City explicitly recommends contacting their Planning Services team before lodging any application — they will confirm the exact requirements and process for your specific property. Call (08) 9400 4000.
The City covers a large area of northern Perth including Joondalup CBD, Hillarys, Currambine, Burns Beach, Kingsley, Woodvale, and Edgewater — all subject to the same STRA requirements.
Signage for STRA must comply with the City's Signs Policy — including manager contact details displayed on site.

FAQ

Common questions

Do I need DA if I'm under 90 nights?

No. The City of Joondalup's own STRA page confirms the 90-night exemption applies. Under 90 nights, state registration is all that's required.

My property is in Hillarys — are the rules the same?

Yes. The City of Joondalup covers the entire northern suburbs area including Hillarys, Burns Beach, and Currambine. The same 90-night threshold and DA requirements apply across the whole City.

How long does assessment take?

Standard WA planning timeframe is 60 days from lodgement. Applications require 14 days of neighbour advertising, which is typically done after the City completes its initial assessment. Confirm current turnaround with the City.

Do I need separate pool approval?

If guests will use a pool or spa at the property, Environmental Health approval for the aquatic facility may be required separately from the planning DA. The City's STRA page flags this — check with them before lodging.

City of Joondalup Airbnb & short term rental approval

Key facts for City of Joondalup

Documents required for your application

Before you apply

Common questions

Ready to get your approval sorted?