landbrief.

Home extensions and renovations in Toowoomba — do you need approval?

Toowoomba Regional Council's planning scheme — the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme 2012 (Version 29) — decides whether an extension 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 low density residential zone

Accepted if you meet the requirements. Extending or altering your house needs no planning development application in the Low Density Residential zone if it meets the zone code's listed building requirements, otherwise it needs a code assessable application (a building approval is still required).

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 for a dwelling house. Residential zones first.

ZoneWhat the table saysConditionsWhat you'll need
Low Density Residential Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Low Density Residential Zone Code
Low-medium Density Residential Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Low-medium Density Residential Zone Code
Rural Residential Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Rural Residential Zone Code
Township Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Township Zone Code
Emerging Community Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Emerging Community Zone Code
Community Facilities Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Community Facilities Zone Code
District Centre Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: District Centre Zone Code
Extractive Industry Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Extractive Industry Zone Code
High Impact Industry Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: High Impact Industry Zone Code
Limited Development (Constrained Land) Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Limited Development (Constrained Land) Zone Code
Local Centre Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Local Centre Zone Code
Low Impact Industry Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Low Impact Industry Zone Code
Major Centre Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Major Centre Zone Code
Medium Impact Industry Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Medium Impact Industry Zone Code
Mixed Use Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Mixed Use Zone Code
Open Space Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Open Space Zone Code
Principal Centre Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Principal Centre Zone Code
Rural Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Rural Zone Code
Specialised Centre Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Specialised Centre Zone Code
Sport and Recreation Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.7:1 building work not associated with a material change of use, meeting the applicable zone code's acceptable outcomes for building work (the 'All other building work' row of Table 5.7:1 — that accepted-subject-to-requirements part of the table was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 from 16 February 2026, so check the TLPI)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approvalAssessed against: Sport and Recreation Zone Code

Overlays that change the answer

  • Flood Hazard Overlay. Building work is clear of the flood overlay only if outside the FR3/FR4 flood risk areas and adding no more than 50m² of floor area, or a Class 10a building; otherwise it must meet the Flood Hazard Overlay Code's requirements. (Table 5.10:1)
  • Heritage Overlay. On a local heritage place, additions increasing floor area by more than 25m² or 5% (whichever is less) are code assessable, a Class 10a building is accepted subject to the Heritage Overlay Code, new buildings on a site adjoining a heritage place (outside the Rural Zone) are code assessable, and demolishing more than 25m² of a non-outbuilding is impact assessable. (Table 5.7:1; Table 5.10:1)
  • Neighbourhood Character Overlay. On a neighbourhood character place, additions in the front half of the house increasing floor area by more than 25m² or 5% (whichever is less) are code assessable, a Class 10a building is accepted subject to the Neighbourhood Character Overlay Code, and demolition or removal of the front half is impact assessable. (Table 5.7:1; Table 5.10:1)
  • Scenic Amenity Overlay. Building work (other than minor building work) that increases gross floor area on the part of the site in the overlay is code assessable against the Scenic Amenity Overlay Code. (Table 5.7:1)
  • Regional Infrastructure Corridors and Substations Overlay. Building work (other than minor building work) that increases gross floor area on the part of the site in the overlay is code assessable against the Regional Infrastructure Corridors and Substations Overlay Code. (Table 5.7:1)

Worth knowing in Toowoomba

Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme 2012 (Version 29), Part 5. A material change of use is impact assessable unless the table says otherwise or the use isn't listed; reconfiguring a lot is code assessable unless the tables say otherwise; building work and operational work are accepted unless the tables say otherwise (section 5.3.2). Accepted development subject to requirements that doesn't meet the listed acceptable outcomes becomes (limited) code assessable (section 5.3.3). Where land is in more than one zone, local plan or overlay the highest category applies, but a local plan overrides the zone and an overlay overrides both (section 5.3.2). Schedule 6 of the Planning Regulation 2017 overrides the scheme (e.g. a dwelling house, community residence or home-based business can be accepted regardless). Building work: the accepted-subject-to-requirements part of Table 5.7:1 was replaced by Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/2026 (Table of Assessment for Building Work) from 16 February 2026, which isn't reproduced in the source — the shed, extension, pool and fence answers follow the pre-TLPI 'All other building work → applicable zone code' row and should be checked against the TLPI. Excavating or filling that changes ground level by more than 1m (other than for a pool outside the Landslide Hazard Overlay) is code assessable. A building approval under the Building Act is still needed in all cases. Granny flats follow the Dwelling House row (a dwelling house includes a secondary dwelling); dwelling houses in the Low Density and Low-medium Density Residential zones are accepted on lots of 450m² or more that aren't hatchet lots or in a Schedule 7 plan of development, otherwise accepted subject to the Small Lot Housing Design Code or Medium Density Residential Code. Precincts change answers in many zones: Low Density Residential (Clifford Park Stables, Park Residential — larger minimum lots); Low-medium Density Residential (Hospital Support, Urban Consolidation, Regional/Urban/Office Residential — shop, café and office rules); Specialised Centre (Defence Facilities — houses, dual occupancy and units; Specialist Retail Centre; Toowoomba Airport; Queensland Government Research Facility); Community Facilities (Education, Higher Education, Hospital, Government, Other Community Purposes); Mixed Use (West Creek and City South Bulky Goods/Service Industry — some centre uses excluded); Township (Flood Management Precinct makes a house or dual occupancy code assessable); Rural Residential and Rural (minimum lot size by precinct); Industry zones (Wellcamp, General Industry, Transport and Warehousing, Intermodal, Heavy Industry, Quarry). Local plans (section 5.9): Highfields, Meringandan and Meringandan West (Major Centre Medium Density Residential Precinct — dwelling house and dual occupancy impact; Town Centre Frame — department store/supermarket impact), Glenvale (no category changes) and Charlton Wellcamp Enterprise Area (many centre uses in industry precincts become impact; Local Centre Commercial Centre Precinct — shop/office code to 250m², multiple dwelling impact). Overlays with no category change (benchmark only): Agricultural Land, Environmental Significance, Scenic Amenity (MCU), Regional Infrastructure Corridors and Substations (MCU), Water Resource Catchments. This file was structured by hand from a Markdown conversion of the council's Part 5 PDF, not an official copy.

What else you'll need

  • Building approval

More about Toowoomba

Other projects in Toowoomba

Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportPoolFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear treesDemolish

The statewide position on this project: Extension in Queensland.

Read from the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme 2012 (Version 29) 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.