Understanding Business Approvals
Starting or expanding a business may require one or more approvals, permits, licences or certificates before you open your doors.
This page gives you an overview of what the City manages, what each one is for and the order in which they are typically required.
Approvals, permits, licences and certificates explained
When we talk about business approvals, we are referring to a range of different requirements depending on your business type. These include:
- Approvals such as Development (Planning) Approval and health premises approvals.
- Permits such as Building Permits, Food Vendor Permits and Signage Permits.
- Licences such as a liquor licence issued by the State Government.
- Certificates such as the Section 39 Certificate required before applying for a liquor licence.
On this page we refer to these simply as approvals. The rest of each section explains each type and how they fit together.
How approvals work
An approval is how the City checks that your business activity, premises or fit-out meets the relevant planning, building, health or safety requirements. Different types of businesses require different approvals, and some businesses require more than one.
Approvals are not designed to create barriers. They exist to make sure businesses operate safely, that premises are fit for purpose and that the surrounding community is not adversely affected. Getting your approvals right from the start protects you as a business owner and ensures you can open and operate with confidence.
The City's Business and Economic Development team can help you identify which approvals apply to your situation before you start. Many business owners find that a single conversation early in the process saves significant time and cost later.
Types of approvals
The following approvals, permits, licences and certificates are managed by the City of Canning. Select each one for full details on the process, what is required and how to apply.
A Development (Planning) Approval confirms that your proposed business use is permitted at a specific property under the City's Local Planning Scheme. It is sometimes referred to as a Development Application or DA. Both terms refer to the same process.
You will generally need a Development (Planning) Approval when you are:
- establishing a new business use at a property
- changing from one type of business to another, for example converting a retail shop to a restaurant
- operating a home-based business that involves clients visiting or employees who are not household members
- proposing alfresco dining or certain types of signage.
A Building Permit is required when you are constructing a new building, making structural alterations, undertaking a commercial fit-out or installing certain fixtures or plumbing.
Apply for a Building Permit after your Development (Planning) Approval is confirmed but before any physical work begins.
You do not generally need a Building Permit for cosmetic changes such as painting, adding shelving or installing equipment that does not involve structural work. If you are not sure, contact Building Services before work starts.
If your business involves beauty therapy, waxing, facials, lash extensions, brow treatments, nail services, tattooing, body piercing or any other service involving skin contact, you need a health premises approval from the City before you can see clients.
This approval is managed by the City's Environmental Health Services team and involves an inspection of your premises before you open.
Note: Since June 2024, hairdressing businesses no longer require a health premises approval from the City. Hairdressing is now governed by WA Health industry guidelines under the Public Health Act 2016.
All businesses that prepare, handle or sell food must register with the City under the Food Act 2008. This includes cafes, restaurants, commercial kitchens, catering businesses, food trucks, market stalls and home-based food businesses.
Food business registration must be completed before fit-out begins, not after. If your premises is fitted out before registration is approved, you may be required to make structural changes to meet food safety standards.
If your business plans to sell or serve alcohol, a liquor licence is required from the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC).
Before you can apply to DLGSC, you must first obtain a Section 39 Certificate from the City of Canning. This is a mandatory step. The correct sequence is:
- Apply to the City of Canning for your Section 39 Certificate.
Alfresco dining is generally assessed as part of a Development (Planning) Approval. If you are planning outdoor dining on private land or on a public footpath or road reserve, contact the City's Planning Services team to confirm what is required for your specific situation.
Most business signage requires assessment by the City before it is installed. Signage is generally assessed as part of a Development (Planning) Approval. This includes building signs, freestanding signs, illuminated signs and banners.
Some minor signage may not require approval. Contact the City's Planning Services team if you are unsure what applies to your situation.
Operating a caravan park, lodging house or similar short-stay accommodation requires specific approvals from the City's Environmental Health Services team in addition to Development (Planning) Approval.
If you are selling food at events, markets or from a food truck or stall within the City of Canning, a Food Vendor Permit is required. This is separate from the food business registration required for a fixed premises.
Getting the sequence right
For businesses that require more than one approval, getting the sequence right matters. Applying in the wrong order can cause delays, additional costs and in some cases require work to be redone.
As a general guide, work through approvals in this order.
- Development (Planning) Approval first – confirm that your proposed business use is permitted at your chosen location before you sign a lease, begin a fit-out or apply for any other approval.
- Food business registration next if applicable – if your business involves food, register with the City before any fit-out work begins. Registration must happen before fit-out, not after.
- Building Permit before any work starts – if any construction, structural alteration or commercial fit-out is required, obtain your Building Permit after Development (Planning) Approval is confirmed but before any physical work begins.
- Health premises approval after fit-out is complete – for beauty therapy, skin penetration and similar services, the City's Environmental Health Officer will inspect your completed premises before you open.
Not all these steps will apply to every business. If you are not sure which steps apply to you, contact our Business Facilitator before you start.
Not sure what applies to you?
Our Business and Economic Development team is here to help. Contact us and ask to speak with our Business Facilitator, who can talk through your situation and confirm which approvals apply before you take any action.
Call: 1300 422 664
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 5pm
You may also find it helpful to use the SBDC Business Licence Finder. This free tool generates a personalised list of licences and permits based on your business type and location.
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