.png)
Do I need council approval for my Aloft Pool?
Short answer — yes, every new pool in WA needs pool council approval. The good part: we manage the entire process for you, from the plans to the permit, so it's one less thing on your plate.
Council approval is the part that makes people nervous — forms, timelines, the fear of it dragging on for months. So when clients ask us what's involved, they're usually braced for a headache. With Aloft, they don't get one.
The two pathways to pool council approval.
Most pools are approved through a Building Application, and there are two pathways to get there. Which one you use is entirely your choice — we'll be guided by what you decide.
Certified (CDC + BA03)
An independent surveyor reviews the design first. We then lodge a certified application, which council must determine within a shorter, fixed timeframe — usually up to 10 days.
Uncertified (BA02)
We lodge your application and council's own building surveyor carries out the assessment. It's the pathway most jobs take, with council assessment typically taking 10–25 business days.
Everything we prepare and lodge for you.
A full set of site plans — showing exactly where your pool sits on the block, boundaries, setbacks and existing structures.
Detailed plans and elevations of your pool — plan view, elevations, cross-sections and dimensions.
Structural and engineering details — so council can see the shell is engineered and installed correctly.
Safety barrier and gate compliance (AS 1926.1) — barrier heights, gaps, and self-closing, self-latching gate requirements.
Non-climbable zone (NCZ) assessment — where your pool sits close to a boundary fence, we check the 900mm non-climbable zone and flag early if any fencing changes are needed.
All council forms, completed and lodged — no paperwork for you, ever.
What happens, and when
We prepare your plans and supporting documentation.
You review and sign off on the pool placement and owner details.
We lodge the application with your local council.
Council assesses it against the building and planning rules.
If council needs more information, they issue a Request for Information (RFI) — we respond, and the clock pauses until it's answered.
Council issues your building permit.
We book in your installation — the exciting part.
And if council comes back with questions along the way, we respond on your behalf and see it through to your building permit.
Council approval isn't something you manage — it's something we hand you a permit for.
The occasional extra step.
Most pools sail through on a standard application. Every now and then, council comes back and asks for a bit more before they'll issue a permit — that's a Request for Information, and it simply pauses the clock until we've answered it. The most common things we see council pick up on:
Privacy screens — where a raised pool or surrounding decking lets someone see into a neighbour's windows or outdoor space, WA's Residential Design Codes may require a privacy screen. This is a planning rule, not an Aloft requirement — if it applies to your property, we'll let you know early and talk you through it.
Underground services — if there's a sewer line or other service on the block that wasn't shown on the original plans, council may ask us to confirm clearances before they'll sign off.
Boundary setbacks — confirming exactly how close the pool sits to a boundary.
Retaining or a change in ground level — where the site isn't flat, council wants to see how that's been accounted for.
None of this is unusual, and it doesn't mean anything's wrong — it's just council doing their due diligence. We handle the response either way, so it's one less thing for you to worry about.
A Development Application (DA) is a separate, occasional step that can also come up — if local planning rules require it, if the pool sits closer to a boundary than standard allowances permit, or if you'd prefer to push back on a council request (for example, opting out of a privacy screen) rather than install it.
What we need from you
Just a few things, and we take care of the rest:
Sign and return your documents promptly, so we can lodge without delay.
Confirm the pool placement and owner details shown on your plans.
Verify the location of any soakwells, septic tanks, or underground services
Keep the pool area clear and accessible for site works and installation.
Let us know anything unusual about your block — easements, retaining, or neighbour arrangements.
Common questions.
Can I start work before approval?
No — installation can only go ahead once the building permit is issued. We'll let you know the moment it lands.
Why might mine take longer than expected?
Usually an RFI. When council asks for more information, the approval clock pauses until it's answered.
What if a neighbour objects?
Objections can arise with a Development Application. We'll guide you through any response council requires.
Do I have to deal with council myself?
Not at all — we manage all council contact for you, from lodgement through to your permit.
Just reach out via our contact page or call 0423 025 612 — we'd love to help you get swimming sooner.
General information based on current WA building and planning approval requirements. Specifics can vary by council and site — we'll confirm exactly what applies to your property as part of your application.
Comments