Two questions decide it
For a pergola in WA, the answer comes down to two things: does it have a roof covering, and is it attached to the house?
| Open beams | Roof covering | |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding | Often exempt up to a size your council sets | Exempt if 10 m² or less and 2.4 m tall or less, otherwise a permit |
| Attached to the house | Check with council | Building permit needed |
What counts as a roof covering?
Metal roof sheets, polycarbonate, glass, shade cloth fixed as a roof, and opening or adjustable louvres all count. A pergola with only open timber or steel beams does not. If you plan to add a roof later, the pergola will need a permit then, so it is easier to get it at the start.
Why "attached" matters
A pergola fixed to the house puts load on the house's walls or roof. The permit checks that the connection, the posts and the footings can take it, including wind uplift. That is why attached patios need a permit at any size.
Planning rules still apply
Even when no building permit is needed, a pergola has to follow the planning rules:
- Front setback. Pergolas and patios in front of the house usually need planning approval.
- Boundaries. Structures close to a side or rear boundary have setback and fire-separation rules.
- Heritage areas and estates may have their own design rules.
- Bushfire-prone areas can add construction requirements for structures near the house.