Swimming pools in Brisbane — do you need approval?
Brisbane City Council's planning scheme — the Brisbane City Plan 2014 — decides whether a swimming pool 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
No planning approval needed. A private swimming pool is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building (and pool safety) 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 (a swimming pool). Residential zones first.
| Zone | What the table says | Conditions | What you'll need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building (and pool safety) approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Low-medium density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building (and pool safety) approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Medium density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building (and pool safety) approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| High density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building (and pool safety) approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Character residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work needing no planning development application unless an overlay applies, but you still need a building approval. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Tourist accommodation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work needing no planning development application unless an overlay applies, but you still need a building approval. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Rural residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted and needs no planning development application unless an overlay applies, but a building approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Township zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted and needs no planning development application unless an overlay applies, but a building approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Emerging community zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though you still need a building approval. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Community facilities zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though you still need a building approval. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Conservation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a pool safety and building approval under the Building Act is still needed. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| District centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Environmental management zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a pool safety and building approval under the Building Act is still needed. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Extractive industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though you still need a building approval. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Industry investigation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building (pool safety) approval is still needed. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building (pool safety) approval is still needed. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Low impact industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building (pool safety) approval is still needed. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Major centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work needing no planning development application unless an overlay applies, but you still need a building approval. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Mixed use zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Neighbourhood centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Open space zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a pool safety and building approval under the Building Act is still needed. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Principal centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work needing no planning development application unless an overlay applies, but you still need a building approval. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Rural zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though you still need a building approval. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Special industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building (pool safety) approval is still needed. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Special purpose zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted and needs no planning development application unless an overlay applies, but a building approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Specialised centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval is still required. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
| Sport and recreation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A private swimming pool is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a pool safety and building approval under the Building Act is still needed. | Building approval; Pool safety certificate |
Overlays that change the answer
- Flood overlay. New dwelling house in a flood planning sub-category is accepted subject to requirements if it meets section A of the Flood overlay code, otherwise code assessable. Building work >25m² to an existing dwelling house, and most non-dwelling building/MCU/ROL in flood areas, become code assessable. (Table 5.10.11)
- Coastal hazard overlay. New dwelling house and extensions are accepted subject to requirements if they meet the relevant section of the Coastal hazard overlay code, otherwise code assessable. ROL and filling/excavation become code assessable. (Table 5.10.6)
- Waterway corridors overlay. New dwelling house, extensions, ancillary structures, pools/tennis courts between a building and the Brisbane River, and filling/excavation in a waterway corridor are accepted subject to requirements if they meet the code, otherwise code assessable. ROL becomes code assessable. (Table 5.10.25)
- Landslide overlay. Building work / operational work / MCU involving excavation >1m deep & 3m long, filling >1m high, or >50m³ becomes accepted subject to requirements (if meeting the code) or code assessable. ROL becomes code assessable. (Table 5.10.14)
- Potential and actual acid sulfate soils overlay. MCU / operational work involving filling or excavation below 20m AHD above stated thresholds becomes code assessable. (Table 5.10.15)
Worth knowing in Brisbane
Base-case categories are drawn from the zone MCU tables (5.5), the ROL table (5.6), the building work table (5.7) and operational work table (5.8). For building work (shed, carport, garage, extension, pool, fence, demolition) the default category is 'accepted development' unless the building work table or an overlay makes it assessable — a separate building approval under the Building Act is still required. Secondary dwellings (granny flats) are assessed under the 'Dwelling house' row because the QPP definition of Dwelling house includes a secondary dwelling; a secondary dwelling must still meet the Dwelling house code acceptable outcomes to be accepted. Subdivision minimums shown are the thresholds at which ROL becomes impact assessable; ROL that meets the minimum is generally code assessable, and subdividing 1 lot into 2 in a residential or industry zone is regulated code assessment under section 5.4 unless an overlay applies. Lot-size rules in several residential zones vary by precinct and proximity to centres/key locations — the numeric value given is the smallest/entry threshold and the note explains the variation. Many neighbourhood plans (section 5.9) change the category of assessment for MCU and/or ROL in specific precincts (e.g. Bridgeman Downs sets specific lot criteria, Darra-Oxley sets 1,000-2,000m² industrial minimums, Fortitude Valley special entertainment area changes licensed-premises categories) — always check the applicable neighbourhood plan. Where a use is not listed in a zone's MCU table, the default category is impact assessment ('any other use'). Where development is in more than one overlay, the highest category applies. State Vegetation Management Act and other State approvals are separate from the local scheme position shown for tree clearing.
What else you'll need
- Building approval
- Pool safety certificate
More about Brisbane
- What can you build in Brisbane? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What Brisbane City Council charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Brisbane address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
- Development applications in Rochedale
- Development applications in Bulimba
- Development applications in Paddington
- Development applications in New Farm
- Development applications in Wynnum
- Development applications in Doolandella
- Development applications in Ashgrove
- Development applications in South Brisbane
Other projects in Brisbane
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear treesDemolish
The statewide position on this project: Pool in Queensland.
Read from the Brisbane City Plan 2014 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.