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Swimming pools in Scenic Rim — do you need approval?

Scenic Rim Regional Council's planning scheme — the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020 — 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. The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning approval (a Building Act approval may still be 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.

ZoneWhat the table saysConditionsWhat you'll need
Low Density Residential Zone No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning approval (a Building Act approval may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Low-medium Density Residential Zone No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning approval (a Building Act approval may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Emerging Community Zone No planning approval needed 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a Building Act approval may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Rural Residential Zone - (Where no precinct applies) No planning approval needed 5.7 A swimming pool is building work not regulated by the planning scheme, so no planning approval is needed (a building permit and pool safety rules still apply). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Rural Residential Zone - Rural Residential A Precinct No planning approval needed 5.7 A swimming pool needs no planning development application because the scheme regulates no building work, though a building approval and safety fencing are still required. Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Township Zone - (Where no precinct applies) No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Township Zone - Township Residential Precinct No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning development application, though a building approval under the Building Act is still required. Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Community Facilities Zone No planning approval needed 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a Building Act approval may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Conservation Zone No planning approval needed 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a Building Act approval may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
District Centre Zone No planning approval needed 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a Building Act approval may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Industry Zone No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning approval (a building approval is still required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Limited Development Zone - (Where no precinct applies) No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning approval (a building approval is still required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Limited Development Zone - Flood Land Precinct No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning approval (a building approval is still required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Limited Development Zone - Historical Subdivision Precinct No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning approval (a building approval is still required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Local Centre Zone No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning approval (a Building Act approval may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Major Centre Zone No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a pool needs no planning approval (a Building Act approval may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Major Tourism Zone No planning approval needed 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Minor Tourism Zone No planning approval needed 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Mixed Use Zone No planning approval needed 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Mixed Use Zone - Commercial Industry Precinct No planning approval needed 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Neighbourhood Centre Zone No planning approval needed 5.7 A swimming pool is building work not regulated by the planning scheme, so no planning approval is needed (a building permit and pool safety rules still apply). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Recreation and Open Space Zone - (Where no precinct applies) No planning approval needed 5.7 A swimming pool is building work not regulated by the planning scheme, so no planning approval is needed (a building permit and pool safety rules still apply). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Recreation and Open Space Zone - Passive Recreation Precinct No planning approval needed 5.7 A swimming pool is building work not regulated by the planning scheme, so no planning approval is needed (a building permit and pool safety rules still apply). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Rural Zone - (Where no precinct applies) No planning approval needed 5.7 A swimming pool needs no planning development application because the scheme regulates no building work, though a building approval and safety fencing are still required. Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Rural Zone - Rural Escarpment Protection Precinct No planning approval needed 5.7 A swimming pool needs no planning development application because the scheme regulates no building work, though a building approval and safety fencing are still required. Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Rural Zone - Tamborine Mountain Rural Precinct No planning approval needed 5.7 A swimming pool needs no planning development application because the scheme regulates no building work, though a building approval and safety fencing are still required. Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Special Purpose Zone - (Where no precinct applies) No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Special Purpose Zone - Bromelton State Development Area Precinct No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate
Special Purpose Zone - Bulk Water Storage Facilities Precinct No planning approval needed Section 5.7 The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a swimming pool needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). Building approval; Pool safety certificate

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)
  • 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)

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
  • Pool safety certificate

More about Scenic Rim

Other projects in Scenic Rim

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

The statewide position on this project: Pool 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.