landbrief.

Granny flats in Scenic Rim — do you need approval?

Scenic Rim Regional Council's planning scheme — the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020 — decides whether a granny flat 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. A dwelling house, which includes a granny flat, is accepted if it meets the Dwelling House Code, so no development application is needed when it complies.

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

Dwelling house (a secondary dwelling is part of a dwelling house — Planning Regulation 2017, Schedule 24). Residential zones first.

ZoneWhat the table saysConditionsWhat you'll need
Low Density Residential Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.8.1 a dwelling house (including a secondary dwelling) complying with the Dwelling House Code Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Low-medium Density Residential Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.9.1 a dwelling house (including a secondary dwelling) complying with the Dwelling House Code Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Emerging Community Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.4.1 Dwelling house if obtaining access from a constructed roadIf not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Rural Residential Zone - (Where no precinct applies) Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.16.1 a dwelling house (which includes a secondary dwelling) Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Rural Residential Zone - Rural Residential A Precinct Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.16.2 Dwelling house (including a secondary dwelling) Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Township Zone - (Where no precinct applies) Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.19.1 a dwelling house complying with the Dwelling House Code Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Township Zone - Township Residential Precinct Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.19.2 Dwelling house (which includes a secondary dwelling) complying with the Dwelling House Code Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Community Facilities Zone Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.1.1 Dwelling house (incl. secondary dwelling) is not listed in the Community Facilities Zone table Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Conservation Zone Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.2.1 Dwelling house (incl. secondary dwelling) is not listed in the Conservation Zone table Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
District Centre Zone Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.3.1 Dwelling house (incl. secondary dwelling) is not listed in the District Centre Zone table Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Industry Zone Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.5.1 A dwelling house (including a granny flat) is not listed in the Industry Zone, so it falls under 'any other use' and needs an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Limited Development Zone - (Where no precinct applies) Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.6.1 A dwelling house (including a granny flat) is not listed in this zone, so it falls under 'any other use' and needs an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Limited Development Zone - Flood Land Precinct Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.6.2 A dwelling house (including a granny flat) is not listed in this precinct, so it falls under 'any other use' and needs an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Limited Development Zone - Historical Subdivision Precinct Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.6.3 if obtaining access from a constructed road and the lot is at least 2ha (or at least 4000m² in Harrisville)If not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code, Limited Development Zone Code
Local Centre Zone Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.7.1 A dwelling house (including a secondary dwelling/granny flat) is not listed in the Local Centre Zone, so it falls under 'any other use' and needs an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Major Centre Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.10.1 if involving extensions to an existing dwelling house or associated domestic outbuildingsIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions). Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Major Tourism Zone Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.11.1 A dwelling house (including a granny flat) is not listed in the Major Tourism Zone table, so it falls under the 'any other use' default and needs an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Minor Tourism Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.12.1 A dwelling house (including a granny flat) is accepted subject to meeting the Dwelling House Code, so no development application is needed if those requirements are met. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Mixed Use Zone Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.13.1 if involving extensions to an existing dwelling house or associated domestic outbuildings; otherwise a new dwelling is not listed and defaults to impactIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions). Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Mixed Use Zone - Commercial Industry Precinct Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.13.2 A dwelling house (including a granny flat) is not listed in the Commercial Industrial Precinct table, so it defaults to impact assessment and needs a development application open to public submissions. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Neighbourhood Centre Zone Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.14.1 A dwelling house (including a granny flat) is not listed for this centre zone, so it falls under the 'any other use' default and needs an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Recreation and Open Space Zone - (Where no precinct applies) Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.15.1 A dwelling house (including a granny flat) is not listed in this zone, so the default 'any other use' row applies and you need an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Recreation and Open Space Zone - Passive Recreation Precinct Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.15.2 A dwelling house (including a granny flat) is not listed in this precinct, so the default 'any other use' row applies and you need an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Rural Zone - (Where no precinct applies) Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.17.1 Dwelling house obtaining access from a constructed roadIf not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Rural Zone - Rural Escarpment Protection Precinct Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.17.2 Dwelling house obtaining access from a constructed roadIf not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Rural Zone - Tamborine Mountain Rural Precinct Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.17.3 Dwelling house obtaining access from a constructed roadIf not met: a development application with code assessment. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: Dwelling House Code
Special Purpose Zone - (Where no precinct applies) Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.18.1 A secondary dwelling (granny flat) is not listed for this zone, so under the default 'any other use' row it needs an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme
Special Purpose Zone - Bromelton State Development Area Precinct It depends — see below Section 5.5.18 This precinct's material change of use is assessed under Part 10 (Other Plans), not the zone table, so refer to that plan for whether a granny flat needs a development application. Building approval; Plumbing approval
Special Purpose Zone - Bulk Water Storage Facilities Precinct Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.18.1 A secondary dwelling (granny flat) is not listed for this precinct, so under the default 'any other use' row it needs an impact-assessable development application. Building approval; Plumbing approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme

Overlays that change the answer

  • Airport Environs and Defence Land Overlay (OM-02). Building work and material change of use in the Height Restriction Zone, Wildlife Buffer Area or Building Restricted Area become Accepted subject to requirements against the Airport Environs and Defence Land Overlay Code; other uses in the Defence Land Buffer Area and reconfiguring a lot become code assessable. (5.10 Airport Environs and Defence Land Overlay Map OM-02)
  • Bushfire Hazard Overlay (OM-03). Dwelling house/dual occupancy on a lot under 2000m² (residential zone) and domestic outbuildings stay accepted; otherwise a dwelling house or dual occupancy becomes Accepted subject to requirements, and other uses (and bed & breakfast/home childcare) become code assessable against the Bushfire Hazard Overlay Code. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable. (5.10 Bushfire Hazard Overlay Map OM-03)
  • Environmental Significance Overlay - Biodiversity (OM-04-A). Material change of use and operational work (clearing) that is not exempt clearing in regulated vegetation or protected areas becomes code assessable against the Environmental Significance Overlay Code. Reconfiguring a lot in these areas is code assessable. (5.10 Environmental Significance Overlay Map - Biodiversity OM-04-A)
  • Environmental Significance Overlay - Local Biodiversity (OM-04-B). Non-exempt clearing / MCU in a core corridor, node corridor, stepping stone or critical linkage becomes code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot in these areas is code assessable. (5.10 Environmental Significance Overlay Map - Local Biodiversity OM-04-B)
  • Environmental Significance Overlay - Priority Species (OM-04-C). Non-exempt clearing / MCU in State Significant Species areas becomes code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable. (5.10 Environmental Significance Overlay Map - Priority Species OM-04-C)
  • Environmental Significance Overlay - Wetlands and Waterways (OM-04-D). A dwelling house (and animal husbandry, cropping, home based business in an existing building) stays accepted; other MCU in Matters of State Environmental Significance waterways/wetlands becomes code assessable. Operational work above 10m³ or in high-value waters is code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable. (5.10 Environmental Significance Overlay Map - Wetlands and Waterways OM-04-D)
  • Environmental Significance Overlay - Local Watercourses (OM-04-E). A dwelling house (and animal husbandry, cropping, home based business in an existing building) stays accepted in watercourse buffer areas; other MCU and non-exempt operational work become code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable. (5.10 Environmental Significance Overlay Map - Local Watercourses OM-04-E)
  • Environmental Significance Overlay - Vegetation Management Area (OM-04-F). Non-exempt clearing / MCU in the Vegetation Management Area becomes code assessable against the Environmental Significance Overlay Code. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable. (5.10 Environmental Significance Overlay Map - Vegetation Management Area OM-04-F)
  • Extractive Resources Overlay (OM-05). Animal husbandry and cropping stay accepted in a Key Resource Area; any other MCU becomes code assessable and reconfiguring a lot is code assessable against the Extractive Resources Overlay Code. (5.10 Extractive Resources Overlay Map OM-05)
  • Flood Hazard Overlay (OM-06-A). Only animal husbandry, cropping or roadside stall not involving building work stay accepted; any other use in a Flood Hazard Area (including a dwelling house) becomes code assessable against the Flood Hazard Overlay Code. Filling/excavation above the thresholds and non-exempt clearing are code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable. (5.10 Flood Hazard Overlay Map - Hazard Area OM-06-A)
  • Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay - Steep Slope (OM-07-A). Domestic outbuildings stay accepted; a dwelling house, dual occupancy or home based business (not B&B/childcare) in a 15.1-25% slope area becomes Accepted subject to requirements, and any other use becomes code assessable against the Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay Code. Filling/excavation and vegetation clearing above thresholds are code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable. (5.10 Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay Map - Steep Slope OM-07-A)
  • Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay - Landslide Hazard Area (OM-07-B). Animal husbandry, animal keeping and cropping not involving building work stay accepted; any other use in a Landslide Hazard Area becomes code assessable. Filling/excavation and vegetation clearing above thresholds are code assessable. Reconfiguring a lot is code assessable. (5.10 Landslide Hazard and Steep Slope Overlay Map - Landslide Hazard Area OM-07-B)
  • Local Heritage Overlay (OM-08). In a Local Heritage Place, material change of use, reconfiguring a lot, and building work or operational work not associated with an MCU all become code assessable against the Local Heritage Overlay Code (so renovations, outbuildings and demolition need a development application). (5.10 Local Heritage Overlay Map OM-08)
  • Regional Infrastructure Overlay (OM-09-A/OM-09-B). Animal husbandry and cropping stay accepted in the buffer areas/corridors; any other use becomes Accepted subject to requirements against the Regional Infrastructure Overlay Code, and reconfiguring a lot becomes code assessable. (5.10 Regional Infrastructure Overlay Map OM-09-B)
  • Water Resource Catchments Overlay (OM-10-A). A dwelling house, dual occupancy and home based business stay accepted in a water supply buffer/catchment area; most other uses become Accepted subject to requirements and listed higher-impact uses become code assessable against the Water Resource Catchments Overlay Code. Clearing of native vegetation (non-exempt) is Accepted subject to requirements, and reconfiguring a lot creating additional lots is code assessable. (5.10 Water Resource Catchments Overlay Map - Catchment Areas OM-10-A)

Worth knowing in Scenic Rim

Section 5.7 states there is no building work regulated by the planning scheme, so sheds/carports, extensions, pools, fences and demolition are not assessable development under the scheme in the base case (a Building Act approval from a building certifier is still required) — EXCEPT where an overlay changes this (e.g. Airport Environs, Local Heritage, Flood, Landslide/Steep Slope overlays can make building work Accepted subject to requirements or code assessable). Local utility uses are Accepted in every zone and under every overlay. For subdivision, the 'minimum lot size' noted is the threshold at which ROL is code assessable rather than impact assessable; Low Density and Low-medium Density Residential zones rely on the minimum average lot size in Table 9.4.6.3.2 (not reproduced here) and Rural Residential/Rural thresholds depend on identification on Minimum Lot Size Overlay Map OM-13. Dual occupancy lot-size thresholds differ by precinct and by reticulated sewerage connection (e.g. Township Zone 2000m² sewered / 8000m² unsewered accepted-subject-to-requirements). Precincts are treated as separate zone rows where the scheme publishes a separate table of assessment. Transport Noise Corridor (OM-12), Minimum Lot Size (OM-13), Higher Order Road (OM-14), Road Hierarchy (OM-15), Flood Category Area (OM-6-B) and Streams and Dams (OM-10-B) overlays are information/administrative only and do not change the category of assessment.

What else you'll need

  • Building approval
  • Plumbing approval

More about Scenic Rim

Other projects in Scenic Rim

Dual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear treesDemolish

The statewide position on this project: Granny flat in Queensland.

Read from the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020 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.