Western Australia introduces new regulations for short-term rentals

The Western Australian government has unveiled new local planning regulations aimed at creating a “fairer and better managed” short-term rental accommodation (STRA) sector.

Under the new rules, property owners in metropolitan areas like Perth will need to obtain development approval (DA) from local government to rent an entire property on the short-term market for more than 90 days per year.

Key points of the new regulations include:

• Metropolitan local governments must amend their planning schemes within 12 months to include the new DA requirement for STRA
• STRA providers can obtain DA approval from 1 January 2026
• All STRA providers in Western Australia must register on the STRA Register by 1 January 2025 to legally advertise and take bookings
• Exemptions for planning approval apply to hosted stays and unhosted stays of less than 90 days in metropolitan areas
• Regional councils can decide whether to require planning approval for unhosted STRA accommodation

WA’s planning minister, John Carey, said the regulations would bring clarity to local governments and communities.

“Introducing STRA as a dedicated land use will also provide transparency and certainty to communities on where short-term rental accommodation may be permitted in their neighbourhoods,” Carey said.

Commerce minister Sue Ellery added that the changes would enable better regulation and planning of the STRA sector.

The state has not implemented caps on the number of nights an STRA property can be leased on the short-term market at this time.

The new regulations aim to balance the interests of property owners, local communities, and the growing short-term rental market in Western Australia.