Do I need council approval for a dual occupancy in Queensland?
Short answer
It depends — see below. Two separate homes on one lot — a dual occupancy — is not the same as a house with a granny flat. Each council's planning scheme decides how it is assessed, and it very often needs a development application: code assessable in the zones that allow it and impact assessable elsewhere.
Check your own property
Add the address, or choose your council, to see the answer for your zone. Different project?
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.
The Queensland position
Two homes on one lot is decided by each council's table of assessment. It is commonly code assessable in a residential zone that allows it, and impact assessable outside one. We haven't loaded this council's tables yet.
What usually happens: a development application (a material change of use), then a building approval. A Landbrief site report or a town planner can read your council's scheme for your lot.
What else you'll need
- Building approval
By council
These councils' own tables of assessment, read zone by zone:
- Dual occupancy in Banana
- Dual occupancy in Brisbane
- Dual occupancy in Bundaberg
- Dual occupancy in Cairns
- Dual occupancy in Central Highlands
- Dual occupancy in Gold Coast
- Dual occupancy in Moreton Bay
- Dual occupancy in Fraser Coast
- Dual occupancy in Gladstone
- Dual occupancy in Ipswich
- Dual occupancy in Livingstone
- Dual occupancy in Logan
- Dual occupancy in Mackay
- Dual occupancy in Noosa
- Dual occupancy in Redland
- Dual occupancy in Rockhampton
- Dual occupancy in Scenic Rim
- Dual occupancy in Sunshine Coast
- Dual occupancy in Toowoomba
- Dual occupancy in Townsville
Common questions
- Do I need council approval for a dual occupancy in Queensland?
- In almost every case, yes — a development application (a material change of use). How it is assessed depends on the council's table of assessment and your zone: commonly code assessable in a residential zone that allows it, impact assessable outside one.
- What is the difference between a dual occupancy and a granny flat?
- A granny flat (secondary dwelling) is part of a single dwelling house, usually smaller and on one title. A dual occupancy is two full dwellings on one lot, so it is assessed as a separate use and usually needs a development application.
- Can I sell the two homes separately?
- Only if the lot is subdivided, which is its own development application (reconfiguring a lot) with minimum lot sizes set by the zone. A dual occupancy on one title stays on one title.
Other projects
Granny flatSubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear treesDemolish
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.