Building or renovating in Perth is exciting until council compliance comes in to play. This can cause headaches, confusion and take the joy out of the project.
In most cases, it’s not the idea that causes issues. It’s how the plans and associated documentation are prepared and presented.
At Domestic Drafting Service, we prepare residential architectural drafting and council submission drawings that are aligned specifically with Western Australia’s planning frameworks. The aim is is simple: clear, well-structured documentation that supports the approval processing, providing the local government with the information that they need to approve your project.
DRAFTING THAT ALIGNS WITH WA PLANNING CODES
Residential development in Perth are typically assessed again the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes), local planning schemes, and individual council requirements.
This includes things like:
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Setbacks and boundary clearances
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Site coverage and open space
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Building height and wall lengths
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Overshadowing and streetscape considerations.
These are not minor technical details; they directly influence whether an application progresses smoothly, is returned for amendment or is ultimately rejected.
Regardless on the scope of your project, we prepare drawings that clearlt address these requirements, so planners and building surveyors can easily understand the design intent.
WHAT WE PREPARE
We provide drafting and documentation for a wide range of residential projects, including:
• Residential building plans for new homes
• Custom home drafting documentation
• Renovation, Extension and addition drawings
• Ancillary dwelling (granny flat) plans
• Subdivision layout documentation (where required)
• Planning (Development) application and council submission drawings
• Building permit drafting documentation (working drawings)
Whether its across a new estate, infill developments, green title lots, or established suburban sites, documentation must reflect both design intent and regulatory compliance.
NEW HOME DRAFTING IN PERTH
Every site has its own constraints.
A narrow inner-suburb block in an R60 area will have very different design pressures compared to a standard R20 lot or an R5 semi-rural lot. Requirements around open space, overshadowing, and streetscape can all influence layout and building form.
Many plans are drawn for presentation.
Ours are prepared for assessment.
We structure floor plans, elevations, and site documentation so planning officers can clearly identify compliance with R-Code requirements. That clarity reduces interpretation issues, which are often a key cause of delays.
CUSTOM HOMES & SITE-SPECIFIC DRAFTING
Sites aren’t always straightforward.
Sloping blocks. Battle-axe lots. Corner sites. Subdivision-driven developments. All pose their own challenges. Zoning and density codes influence what can realistically be approved, however the lot itself also has its own way of shaping the Development.
We design and document projects that take both site and council requirements into consideration from the start ensuring a functional design working with planning framework and site constraints, not against.
That balance is where experience in local conditions and planning requirements makes a difference.
RENOVATIONS & EXTENSIONS - INTEGRATED DOCUMENTATION
Extending an existing dwelling requires more than adding rooms to a plan.
For extension and additions, councils assess:
• Boundary setbacks for new works
• Visual bulk and streetscape impact
• Overshadowing and overlooking of neighbouring properties
• Integration with the existing dwelling
We prepare clear “existing” and “proposed” documentation so the scope of work is easy to understand.
Well-structured documentation helps reduce back-and-forth during assessment and keeps the process moving.
Fewer requests mean fewer delays.
COUNCIL SUBMISSION & PLANNING APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION
Planning application drawings need to do more than show a layout — they need to demonstrate how the proposal responds to the relevant codes and policies.
We prepare council-ready documentation structured around:
• R-Code requirements
• Local planning scheme provisions
• Council-specific Development Application standards
• Site conditions and constraints
While no approval can be guaranteed, properly prepared documentation gives your application the best chance of being assessed efficiently.
In a compliance-driven environment, structure matters as much as design.
BUILDING PERMIT DRAFTING & TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
After planning approval (where required), building permit drawings focus on construction detail and compliance with building standards.
We prepare detailed working drawings and coordinate with structural engineers, surveyors, and other consultants as needed.
Incomplete or unclear documentation is one of the most common causes of delays at this stage. Preparing it properly from the outset helps avoid that.
Proper preparation helps avoid that risk.
WHO WE WORK WITH
• Homeowners building new homes
• Families extending established homes
• Property investors developing residential sites
• Builders looking for reliable drafting support and documentation management
If your project requires council approval in Perth, properly structured documentation is essential.
EXPERIENCE WITHIN PERTH’S REGULATORY LANDSCAPE
Operating since 1986, Domestic Drafting Service has worked across Perth’s evolving planning environment.
Over that time, planning policies, R-Codes, and council expectations have evolved. Understanding how those requirements are applied in practice — not just how they’re written — is an important part of preparing effective documentation.
That experience helps us anticipate common issues and address them early in the process.
TESTIMONIALS
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT US
BEN A - KITCO BUILDERS
kitcobuilders.com.au
DDS provide a very personal & prompt service for our clients and continually make it an enjoyable & smooth process. Their expansive knowledge of the building industry is a great asset, and it relays into the drawings they produce for Kitco Builders & our clients. I would highly recommend Faye and the team at DDS for all your architectural drawing needs, and I look forward to continuing our working relationship moving forward.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BEFORE YOU LODGE YOUR APPLICATION
Before submitting your plans, it’s worth making sure your documentation is clear, complete, and aligned with current requirements.
Well-prepared drafting won’t remove every approval risk, but it can help reduce delays, minimise revision requests, and keep your project moving in the right direction.
Make sure your plans are ready for assessment, not amendment.