Do I need approval for townhouses in the low density residential zone in Noosa?

Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions). Conditions: multiple dwelling is not a listed use in this zone. (Source: Noosa Plan 2020, Table 5.5.1.)

Do I need approval for townhouses in the medium density residential zone in Noosa?

Needs a development application (code assessment). Townhouses or units (a multiple dwelling) need a code assessable development application in the Medium Density Residential zone. (Source: Noosa Plan 2020, Table 5.5.2.)

Do I need approval for townhouses in the high density residential zone in Noosa?

Needs a development application (code assessment). Conditions: on any site (Lot 7 SP322201, Walter Hay Drive, and Lot 3 RP884396, Noosa Drive, only if entirely small dwellings; 247–257 Gympie Terrace only with non-residential uses in a mixed use format). (Source: Noosa Plan 2020, Table 5.5.3.)

Townhouses and units in Noosa — do you need approval?

Noosa Shire Council's planning scheme — the Noosa Plan 2020 — decides whether townhouses 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

Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions). A multiple dwelling (townhouses or units) is not listed in the Low Density Residential zone, so it falls under the 'any other use' row and needs an impact assessable development application, which the public can comment on.

1. Where is the property? (optional — it makes the answer specific)

I don't know my zone — choose my council instead

Council Zone

The zone is on your rates notice, or a Landbrief site report will find it for you.

Zone by zone

Multiple dwelling. Residential zones first.

Zone	What the table says	Conditions	What you'll need
Low Density Residential	Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.1	multiple dwelling is not a listed use in this zone	Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme
Medium Density Residential	Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.2	Townhouses or units (a multiple dwelling) need a code assessable development application in the Medium Density Residential zone.	Building approvalAssessed against: Applicable Local Plan Code, Medium Density Residential Zone Code, Dual Occupancy and Multiple Dwelling Code, Works codes
High Density Residential	Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.3	on any site (Lot 7 SP322201, Walter Hay Drive, and Lot 3 RP884396, Noosa Drive, only if entirely small dwellings; 247–257 Gympie Terrace only with non-residential uses in a mixed use format)	Building approvalAssessed against: Applicable Local Plan Code, High Density Residential Zone Code, Dual Occupancy and Multiple Dwelling Code, Works codes
Tourist Accommodation	Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.4	impact assessable where not on the listed resort sites or in the Hastings Street Mixed Use Precinct; on those sites the 'any other use' row also gives impact assessment	Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme
Rural Residential	Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.14	multiple dwelling is not a listed use in this zone	Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme
Community Facilities	Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.11	on a site annotated for the use on a zone map and consisting of small dwellings only, or affordable rental premises only of no more than 10 dwellingsIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions).	Building approvalAssessed against: Applicable Local Plan Code, Community Facilities Zone Code, Dual Occupancy and Multiple Dwelling Code, Works codes
District Centre	Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.6	in conjunction with a non-residential use in a mixed use format and consisting of small dwellings onlyIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions).	Building approvalAssessed against: Applicable Local Plan Code, District Centre Zone Code, Dual Occupancy and Multiple Dwelling Code, Works codes
Environmental Management and Conservation	Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.15	multiple dwelling is not a listed use in this zone	Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme
Innovation Zone	Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.12	multiple dwelling is not a listed use in this zone	Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme
Local Centre	Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.7	in conjunction with a non-residential use in a mixed use format, combined dwelling floor area not exceeding the non-residential floor area, and small dwellings onlyIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions).	Building approvalAssessed against: Applicable Local Plan Code, Local Centre Zone Code, Dual Occupancy and Multiple Dwelling Code, Works codes
Low Impact Industry	Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.9	multiple dwelling is not a listed use in this zone	Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme
Major Centre	Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.5	in conjunction with a non-residential use in a mixed use format, consisting only of small dwellings, and not on Lot 3 RP884396 (99 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads — impact there)If not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions).	Building approvalAssessed against: Noosa Heads Local Plan Code, Major Centre Zone Code, Dual Occupancy and Multiple Dwelling Code, Works codes
Medium Impact Industry	Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.10	multiple dwelling is not a listed use in this zone	Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme
Neighbourhood Centre	Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.8	in conjunction with a non-residential use in a mixed use format, combined dwelling floor area not exceeding the non-residential floor area, and small dwellings onlyIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions).	Building approvalAssessed against: Applicable Local Plan Code, Neighbourhood Centre Zone Code, Dual Occupancy and Multiple Dwelling Code, Works codes
Recreation and Open Space	Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.16	multiple dwelling is not a listed use in this zone	Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme
Rural	Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.13	multiple dwelling is not a listed use in this zone	Building approvalAssessed against: The planning scheme

Overlays that change the answer

Acid Sulfate Soils Overlay. Any development in Area 1 involving excavation of 100 m³ or more or filling of 500 m³ or more, or in Area 2 involving excavation of 100 m³ or more at or below 5 m AHD, becomes code assessable against the Acid Sulfate Soils Overlay Code. (Table 5.9.1 Acid Sulfate Soils Overlay)
Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay. A material change of use or building work becomes code assessable where it clears mapped biodiversity significance or riparian buffer vegetation or is on the riparian buffer part of the lot (not where inside an existing building, within an approved building envelope or exempt clearing). (Table 5.9.2 Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay)
Bushfire Hazard Overlay. In a medium or high bushfire hazard area or buffer, a change of use other than a dwelling house, community residence, home-based business or limited rooming/short-term accommodation becomes code assessable against the Bushfire Hazard Overlay Code (dwelling houses, granny flats and home businesses stay accepted). (Table 5.9.3 Bushfire Hazard Overlay)
Coastal Protection and Scenic Amenity Overlay. Within a coastal protection area, any material change of use or building work involving building work becomes code assessable against the Coastal Protection and Scenic Amenity Overlay Code; demolition work stays accepted. (Table 5.9.4 Coastal Protection and Scenic Amenity Overlay)
Extractive Resources Overlay. Within the overlay, a change of use other than a dwelling house on an existing lot, home-based business (not bed and breakfast or classes), animal husbandry or cropping becomes code assessable, and reconfiguring a lot is assessed against the Extractive Resources Overlay Code. (Table 5.9.5 Extractive Resources Overlay)
Flood Hazard Overlay. On flood hazard land, a change of use or building work other than a dwelling house, home-based business, demolition, limited rooming/short-term accommodation or work inside an existing building becomes code assessable against the Flood Hazard Overlay Code; reconfiguring a lot is also assessed against it. (Table 5.9.6 Flood Hazard Overlay)
Heritage Overlay. For a local heritage place, new buildings or external building work become code assessable; in a character area, extensions or new buildings forward of the front building line or over 10 m², enclosing a front verandah, or changing front/side materials or front windows become code assessable against the Heritage Overlay Code. (Table 5.9.7 Heritage Overlay)
Landslide Hazard Overlay. In a moderate, high or very high landslide hazard area, development other than a dwelling house, community residence, home-based business, Class 10 structure, demolition or work inside an existing building becomes code assessable; earthworks over 50 m³ or vegetation clearing are code assessable against the Landslide Hazard Overlay Code. (Table 5.9.8 Landslide Hazard Overlay)
Regional Infrastructure Overlay. In a water resource catchment and water supply buffer area, a change of use (other than a dwelling house or community residence) that adds an on-site wastewater system or more people living, staying or working on site becomes code assessable; near a gas pipeline or major electricity infrastructure most changes of use other than a dwelling house are code assessable; reconfiguring a lot is code assessable against the Regional Infrastructure Overlay Code. (Table 5.9.9 Regional Infrastructure Overlay)

Worth knowing in Noosa

Noosa Plan 2020 (Amendment 3, effective 20 March 2026), 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 in every zone (Table 5.6.1); building work and operational work are accepted unless the tables say otherwise. Noosa makes demolition or removal of any building code assessable in all zones (Table 5.7.1), unusually. Building work for a dwelling house or a Class 10 structure (shed, carport, pool, fence) is accepted subject to requirements in the Low, Medium and High Density Residential, Tourist Accommodation, Rural Residential and Rural zones; in all other zones building work is accepted only inside an existing building with no new buildings or expansion, otherwise code assessable. A building approval under the Building Act is still needed in all cases. Accepted development subject to requirements that doesn't meet the listed acceptable outcomes becomes code assessable (section 5.3.3). A dwelling house includes a secondary dwelling (granny flat); in the Medium and High Density Residential zones a dwelling house is only listed for lots under 500 m², so on bigger lots the 'any other use' impact row applies. Schedule 6, Part 2 of the Planning Regulation 2017 can make a dwelling house, community residence, home-based business or rooming accommodation accepted regardless of these tables. Precincts: the Major Centre (Noosa Junction Hospitality; Noosa Business Centre Showroom, Business Park, Retail, Village Mixed Use), District Centre (Mary/Thomas Street Health and Wellbeing, Doonella Street, Noosaville Mainstreet), Low Impact Industry (Lionel Donovan Drive Auto, Hofmann Drive, Factory Street, Kin Kin, Gateway West Makers) and Medium Impact Industry (Venture Drive Enterprise) zones have precinct tables that vary some uses; the 'Where not located in a Precinct' tables are empty on the ePlan, so the parent zone table applies outside precincts. The Major Centre page labels its own table 'Table 5.5.1' (a typo) — it is Table 5.5.5. Many rows are tied to named lots or streets (e.g. 99 Noosa Drive, Gympie Terrace, Hastings Street) — check the conditions. Where premises are in more than one zone or overlay, the highest category applies to the part affected. Operational work for a dwelling driveway is accepted subject to the Low Density Housing Code; excavation or filling over 10 m³ (residential and environmental zones) or 100 m³ (other zones) is code assessable. Vegetation clearing benchmarks sit in the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Code; state Vegetation Management Act rules apply separately.

What else you'll need

Building approval

More about Noosa

Other projects in Noosa

Granny flat Dual occupancy Subdivide Shed or carport Extension Pool Fence or wall Home business Shop, café or office Clear trees Demolish

The statewide position on this project: Townhouses in Queensland.

Read from the Noosa Plan 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.