The City of Perth has released for comment a new planning framework for the capital city. This represents a comprehensive overhaul of the City of Perth’s existing planning framework and will shape the future development of the city.
This work implements the City’s Local Planning Strategy that was adopted by Council in December 2022 and endorsed by the State Government in May 2023.
This new framework includes the draft Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS3) and a supporting suite of new local planning policies.
The draft LPS3 replaces the City’s existing planning schemes with a single, modern framework for the Central Perth, Northbridge, West Perth, East Perth and Claisebrook neighbourhoods. The existing planning framework will continue for the Crawley-Nedlands neighbourhood until the Improvement Scheme has been completed by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
The draft LPS3 introduces:
- Zoning changes across the city, expanding ground floor use opportunities to support activation.
- Increased development potential through higher plot ratios, encouraging landowners to maximise the use of their land.
- Strategic and community benefits through new bonus plot ratio incentives, supporting outcomes such as residential and affordable housing, environmentally sustainable design, heritage conservation, new open space and pedestrian connections, and other opportunities.
- Recognition of the distinct character of the city’s precincts through the introduction of character and heritage areas.
- New height and built form controls for the city.
- Two new Registers to facilitate the sharing of plot ratio and tenant car parking across multiple lots.
The preparation of the draft LPS3 and associated planning instruments has been guided by the following principles:
- Alignment with the State planning framework.
- Reduction in complexity by standardising provisions and removing duplication, while still recognising local character and heritage.
- Provision of a clear framework to support investment and decision making, while being flexible to enable innovation and respond to site-specific circumstances.
The new planning framework comprises:
- Draft Local Planning Scheme No. 3 (LPS3)
- Local Planning Policies
- Designation of Heritage Areas and associated Local Planning Policies
- Character Area Local Planning Policies
Further information on the draft LPS3, including zoning and plot ratio, can be accessed via the City’s interactive mapping tool below, the 3D model, and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
A local planning scheme is a statutory document that zones and reserves land, establishes land use permissibility, and sets development controls such as plot ratio and residential density.
The Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (LPS Regulations) require all local governments to regularly review and update their local planning schemes.
Planning legislation and practices have undergone significant change since the adoption of the current City Planning Scheme No. 2 in 2004. A new scheme ensures compliance with current planning legislation and accommodates growth in the city.
Draft LPS3 implements the vision and strategic direction for the future planning and development of the city established in the City's Local Planning Strategy.
The LPS Regulations include ‘Schedule 2 - deemed provisions for local planning schemes’. The deemed provisions automatically apply to all local planning schemes in Western Australia, including draft LPS3. The City cannot change the deemed provisions, and the scheme must be read together with them.
Local planning schemes must be read in conjunction with the Deemed Provisions.
The key changes proposed in draft LPS3 are summarised below:
- Use Groups and precincts will no longer be used to determine land use permissibility.
- Land use permissibility is determined by individual land uses within each zone, in accordance with the model provisions of the LPS Regulations.
- Plot ratios have been increased across much of the City to support development and renewal. Key increases apply to St Georges Terrace, Adelaide Terrace, Stirling Street, Kings Park Road, City West and Watertown.
- The definition of plot ratio has been updated to align with the model provisions.
- Building heights and setbacks are no longer specified in the Scheme and are instead specified in Local Planning Policies.
- Minor town planning schemes and special control areas will no longer be used to enable plot ratio or tenant parking sharing. Instead, public registers will identify lots with approved plot ratio sharing and shared tenant parking.
The supporting Local Planning Policies (LPPs) provide detailed guidance to ensure good design and high quality development outcomes. They contain provisions on matters such as:
- Building height and setback controls;
- General development and design requirements;
- Heritage and Character areas; and
- Bonus plot ratio requirements.
Draft LPS3 will not come into effect until it has been approved by the Minister for Planning and published in the Government Gazette.
Yes. You can still submit a development application, and it will be assessed under the current planning rules.
You can use the online map and enter your address. This will show the current and proposed planning rules for your property.
LPS3 does not apply to the Crawley-Nedlands neighbourhood.
This area is included within the UWA QEII Improvement Plan area. An Improvement Scheme (which will set out the development provisions) will be prepared by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
In the interim, the City of Subiaco Town Planning Scheme No. 4 and the City of Perth City Planning Scheme No. 2 will continue to apply.
Further information on the Improvement Scheme is available on the Department Planning, Lands and Heritage website.
