Owning rural or rural-residential land in Mandurah comes with unique opportunities and some specific responsibilities. This page covers the key things you need to know about your property, from zoning and animals to trees and fire season.
What zone is my property?
Your property's zoning determines what you can build, how you can use your land, and what rules apply to you. You can check your zoning using the City's online mapping tool.
All rural and rural-residential properties in Mandurah are required to have an approved building envelope. This defines the area on your property within which all buildings and structures (including outbuildings, sheds and pools) must be located.
Don't have an approved building envelope?
If your property doesn't already have one, you'll need to submit a development application to the City's Planning team before any building or construction can take place.
You can check whether your property already has an approved building envelope by searching IntraMaps or contacting the Planning team.
Want to amend your building envelope?
If you'd like to change the location or size of your existing envelope, you'll also need to lodge a development application. Each application is assessed on its merits, taking into account bushfire risk, vegetation and lot boundary setbacks.
Contact Planning: (08) 9550 3777 or [email protected]
Outside of your approved building envelope, all indigenous trees, bushland and native vegetation on your property are protected. They cannot be cleared, felled or removed except in the following situations:
If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies as an exemption, contact the City's Planning team before any works begin. Removing protected vegetation without approval can result in significant penalties.
Contact Planning: (08) 9550 3777 or [email protected]
If you keep or plan to keep horses, livestock or other animals on your rural or rural-residential property, there are rules about stocking rates and where animals can graze to protect the local environment.
Do I need approval?
Development approval is not required if you're within the base stocking rate set out in the State Government's Stocking Rate Guidelines for rural small holdings. If you plan to keep animals above that rate, you'll need to apply for development approval and submit a Management Plan.
Key rules to be aware of:
Contact Planning: (08) 9550 3777 or [email protected]
Rural and rural-residential properties in Mandurah are located in a bushfire prone area. This means additional requirements apply when building or developing on your property.
Building or developing?
Any new construction will require a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment and, in most cases, a Bushfire Management Plan. These must be submitted as part of your development application.
Annual fire break requirements
All property owners also have annual obligations to prepare their land for fire season. Full details on what you need to do are on our fire prevention page.
Planning policies and frameworks that guide development across the City.
The City of Mandurah Online portal is the main way to lodge, track and pay for applications.
Learn firebreak requirements, property responsibilities, and how to apply for burning permits to help prevent fires.
