Published 12 August 2026, updated 10 August 2026
Tiny homes, prefabricated dwellings and modular pods are becoming a popular housing choice, offering flexibility, affordability and a smaller footprint. As interest grows, so do the questions - and the City has seen a steady rise in enquiries from residents considering one of these homes, including products bought online.
If you're thinking about a tiny home or pod, here's what's worth understanding before you buy.
How approvals work
Tiny homes and prefabricated pods aren't treated as their own category under the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. Instead, they're assessed the same way as any other dwelling, under the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes). Depending on how it's used and set up, a tiny home or pod might be classified as a single house, a grouped dwelling, an ancillary dwelling or a residential building.
That classification matters because it shapes what approvals are needed. If a proposal meets the relevant R-Code provisions, planning approval may not be required. A building permit will still be needed before any construction or installation can go ahead, to ensure the structure complies with the Building Act 2011. And like any dwelling, a tiny home or pod needs to connect to power, water and wastewater services, and meet relevant health requirements.
Timeframes vary depending on what's involved. Where planning approval is required, statutory assessment timeframes are 60 days, or up to 90 days if the proposal needs public advertising. Building permits are generally assessed faster - 10 business days for certified applications, or 25 business days for uncertified ones.
Why ‘permit-free’ claims don't tell the full story
It's worth doing your research before you commit to a purchase. Some advertising markets tiny homes or pods as ‘permit-free’ or requiring ‘no approvals’ - but this can be misleading. Whether approval is needed depends on the structure's use, location, size and value, and in many cases planning and/or building approval will apply.
The City has a responsibility to make sure all structures, including tiny homes and pods, are safe and compliant with planning, building and health legislation. That's true regardless of what a supplier's marketing might claim.
A supportive approach to housing choice
The City is a strong supporter of tiny homes and other innovative, diverse housing solutions, where they meet the relevant planning, building and health requirements. These options add genuine value to the housing mix, offering choice, affordability and flexibility, and the City is glad to work with residents to help bring compliant projects to life. Where a structure doesn't meet requirements, the City's approach is to work constructively with the landowner to achieve compliance and ensure it's safe for its intended use.
Talk to us before you buy
The best step you can take, before signing up for a tiny home or pod, is a quick conversation with the City. Our Planning, Building and Health teams can help you understand what approvals may apply to your specific situation, flag anything that could cause delays, and give you confidence in your purchase before you commit.
Call us on (08) 9792 7000 or email info@bunbury.wa.gov.au