Demolishing a building in Moreton Bay — do you need approval?
City of Moreton Bay's planning scheme — the Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Version 8, 2026-09-11) — decides whether demolition needs a development application, and the answer depends on the zone your property is in. Below is what its table of assessment says for each zone; or check your own address.
In a general residential zone
No planning approval needed. Demolition is accepted building work in this zone, though a building approval is still needed.
I don't know my zone — choose my council instead
The zone is on your rates notice, or a Landbrief site report will find it for you.
Zone by zone
Building work (demolition). Residential zones first.
| Zone | What the table says | Conditions | What you'll need |
|---|---|---|---|
| General residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Demolition is accepted building work in this zone, though a building approval is still needed. | Building approval |
| Emerging community zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | accepted if complying with Table 1.7.7.1 circumstances, otherwise accepted subject to requirements | Building approvalAssessed against: Relevant zone code (relevant precinct only) |
| Rural residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | if complying with the circumstances for accepted development in Table 1.7.7.1If not met: accepted if you meet the requirements. | Building approvalAssessed against: 6.2.11 Rural residential zone code |
| Township zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | in Township residential precinct accepted if complying with Table 1.7.7.1; centre/convenience precincts accepted subject to requirementsIf not met: accepted if you meet the requirements. | Building approvalAssessed against: 6.2.12 Township zone code |
| Centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | accepted if complying with Table 1.7.7.1 circumstances, otherwise accepted subject to requirements | Building approvalAssessed against: Relevant zone code (relevant precinct only) |
| Community facilities zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | accepted if complying with Table 1.7.7.1 circumstances, otherwise accepted subject to requirements | Building approvalAssessed against: Relevant zone code (relevant precinct only) |
| Environmental management and conservation zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.7.1 | accepted only if on Council/State land per an approved plan or meeting Table 1.7.7.1 circumstances; otherwise impact | Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme |
| Extractive industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Demolition is accepted building work in this zone, though a building approval is still needed. | Building approval |
| Industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | Demolition is accepted building work in this zone, though a building approval is still needed. | Building approval |
| Limited development zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.7.1 | All building work in the Limited development zone is impact assessable, so demolition needs an impact-assessable development application (plus a building approval). | Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme |
| Recreation and open space zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7.1 | building work not associated with a material change of use; accepted if meeting Table 1.7.7.1If not met: no planning approval needed. | Building approvalAssessed against: Relevant zone code |
| Rural zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | if complying with the circumstances for accepted development in Table 1.7.7.1If not met: accepted if you meet the requirements. | Building approvalAssessed against: 6.2.10 Rural zone code |
Overlays that change the answer
- Coastal hazard overlay. In the Erosion Prone Area, Medium risk storm tide inundation area, or High risk storm tide inundation area a dwelling house (including a secondary dwelling) can become code assessable instead of accepted. Building work not associated with a material change of use stays as-is ('no change') if in the Balance coastal planning area, or in the Erosion Prone Area and not increasing gross floor area by more than 50m2; it becomes code assessable if in the Erosion Prone Area and increasing GFA by more than 50m2, or in a High/Medium risk storm tide inundation area, and impact assessable in the High risk area within the Limited development zone. Reconfiguring a lot by subdividing is assessed against the Coastal hazard overlay code. Filling/excavation can become code or impact assessable. (5.10.1 Coastal hazard overlay, Table 5.10.1.1)
- Flood hazard overlay. A dwelling house (including a secondary dwelling) is code assessable in the High risk area, Medium risk area and Drainage investigation area (unless already impact assessable in the zone). Building work not associated with a material change of use is 'no change' in the Balance flood planning area, code assessable in the High risk area (not in Limited development zone), Medium risk area or Drainage investigation area, and impact assessable in the High risk area within the Limited development zone. Reconfiguring a lot by subdividing is code assessable (Flood hazard overlay code) or impact assessable in a Drainage investigation area. Filling/excavation can become code or impact assessable. (5.10.2 Flood hazard overlay, Table 5.10.2.1)
Worth knowing in Moreton Bay
The planning scheme's tables of assessment do not state numeric minimum lot sizes for reconfiguring a lot in any zone — the minimum lot size (and frontage) is set by the applicable 9.4.1 'Reconfiguring a lot code' for the relevant zone/precinct and the zone code, which are not reproduced in the Part 5 tables provided here. All reconfiguring a lot is code assessable 'if not otherwise specified' (impact assessment is the catch-all for anything not meeting the code's criteria). Separate state rules apply: Schedule 12 of the Planning Regulation makes reconfiguring a lot in Residential and Industry zones code assessable against the Schedule 12 benchmarks; a building approval under the Building Act is still required for building work even where the planning scheme treats it as accepted development; and the Vegetation Management Act may separately regulate clearing of native vegetation. Several zones are divided into precincts that materially change the answer for some projects — notably the Emerging community zone (Interim precinct vs Transition precinct developable lot vs developed lot, the latter mirroring the General residential Next generation neighbourhood precinct), the Community facilities zone precincts (where a Dwelling house is accepted subject to requirements and is NOT assessed under the Dwelling house code), and the Township zone precincts. In the Rural zone and Rural residential zone a Dwelling house is accepted development subject to requirements assessed under the relevant zone code (not the Dwelling house code). The Redcliffe Kippa-Ring local plan and Caboolture West local plan replace the base zone tables for land within those local plan areas and can change the category of development (e.g. in Caboolture West's Urban living precinct reconfiguring is impact assessable unless within an approved Neighbourhood Development Plan). Where more than one overlay applies, the highest category of assessment applies.
What else you'll need
- Building approval
More about Moreton Bay
- What can you build in Moreton Bay? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What City of Moreton Bay charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Moreton Bay address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
Other projects in Moreton Bay
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear trees
The statewide position on this project: Demolish in Queensland.
Read from the Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Version 8, 2026-09-11) tables of assessment. General information, not advice. The council's planning scheme and the Planning Act 2016 decide — confirm with the council or a town planner before you build.