Queensland, Building Approvals
Yes, a granny flat always needs building approval, and the size rules differ from council to council. Here’s how it works across Brisbane and South East Queensland, including the 2022 change that lets you rent one out to anyone.
A granny flat, known in the planning system as a secondary dwelling, is a self contained second home on the same lot as your main house. Because it’s a habitable building, it always requires a building approval before construction. There is no version of a granny flat that skips approval entirely.
What changes between councils is the type of approval. In most cases a secondary dwelling that meets the planning scheme can be approved as accepted development, a simpler pathway through a private building certifier. If it exceeds the rules, it also needs a development application to the council.
The single biggest thing homeowners get wrong is assuming there’s one Queensland rule. There isn’t, each council sets its own size cap and siting rules:
These rules also move. Moreton Bay tightened its limits in 2024 and Redland is mid amendment, so it’s worth confirming the current position before you lock in a design. We check the relevant scheme for your block at suitability review.
For years, many councils restricted who could live in a secondary dwelling, often only members of the main household. That changed in September 2022, when the Queensland Government amended the Planning Regulation so a secondary dwelling can be rented to anyone.
That single change is why granny flats have surged in popularity, they’re now a genuine rental income option on land you already own. The building still has to be approved and built to code, but the occupancy restriction is gone. We cover the rental rules in more detail here.
As with most residential building work in Queensland, a private building certifier licensed by the QBCC assesses the drawings against the Building Code of Australia and issues the building approval. Where the dwelling exceeds the accepted development rules, a development application is lodged with the council first.
Read more on what a private building certifier does.
A secondary dwelling is a full building, so the approval set is more detailed than a carport or deck:
Plan Draft prepares this full set for a fixed $4,990, with engineer and certifier coordination included. View the granny flat plans service or send us your project details and we’ll confirm the approval pathway for your block.
A secondary dwelling always needs a building approval. In many councils it can be approved as accepted development without a development application if it meets the planning scheme. If it exceeds those limits, a development application to council is also required.
It varies by council, Brisbane 80m², Logan 70m² (100m² on larger lots), Gold Coast 80m² with a two bedroom cap, Ipswich 50m², Moreton Bay 45–55m², Sunshine Coast 60m² in residential zones. We confirm the rule for your block.
Yes. Since September 2022 a secondary dwelling in Queensland can be rented to anyone and no longer has to be occupied by a member of the main household.
A site plan showing the existing and proposed dwellings, a proposed floor plan, all elevations, a roof plan, a cross section and specification notes. Plan Draft prepares this full set for a fixed $4,990.
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$4,990 fixed price. Send us your project details and we’ll confirm suitability and the approval pathway within one business day.