Caravan or building?
Up to three quick questions.
Why it matters
In WA, a tiny home is either a caravan or a building. It can't be both. That one question decides which laws apply, whether you need a building permit and how long you can live in it.
| Caravan (on wheels, towable) | Building (no wheels) | |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Not needed | Needed |
| Building code (NCC) | Doesn't apply | Must comply |
| Planning approval | Generally not needed | Not needed if it meets the R-Codes; otherwise yes |
| How long you can live in it | 5 nights (owner's OK), up to 24 months with council approval | Permanently, once approved |
What counts as a vehicle
The state's tiny house fact sheet says a vehicle must be a means of transport, not just capable of being moved. A tribunal case in 2018 (Henville and City of Armadale) found that vehicles and buildings are mutually exclusive. If you take the wheels off a caravan, it becomes a building and has to meet building rules.
Park homes
A park home is a home on wheels that doesn't need a vehicle licence because it's too big to be towed on the road. Park homes can only be lived in inside a licensed caravan park.