Townhouses and units in Scenic Rim — do you need approval?
Scenic Rim Regional Council's planning scheme — the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 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 zone
Needs a development application (code assessment). Multiple dwellings of 3 units are code-assessable, but larger proposals fall to 'any other use' and need an impact-assessable development application.
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
Multiple dwelling. Residential zones first.
| Zone | What the table says | Conditions | What you'll need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Density Residential Zone | Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.8.1 | if involving 3 dwelling unitsIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions). | Building approvalAssessed against: Low Density Residential Zone Code, Medium Density Residential Code, Earthworks, Construction and Water Quality Code, Infrastructure Design Code, Parking and Access Code, Landscaping Code, General Development Provisions Code |
| Low-medium Density Residential Zone | Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.9.1 | if not exceeding 6 dwellingsIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions). | Building approvalAssessed against: Low-Medium Density Residential Zone Code, Earthworks, Construction and Water Quality Code, General Development Provisions Code, Medium Density Residential Uses Code, Infrastructure Design Code, Landscaping Code, Parking and Access Code |
| Emerging Community Zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.4.1 | Multiple dwelling is not listed in the Emerging Community Zone table | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Rural Residential Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.16.1 | Multiple dwellings are not listed in this zone, so the default 'any other use' row applies and you need an impact-assessable development application. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Rural Residential Zone - Rural Residential A Precinct | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.16.2 | Multiple dwelling is not listed in this zone | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Township Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.19.1 | Multiple dwellings (townhouses or units) are not listed for this zone, so under the default 'any other use' row they need an impact-assessable development application. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Township Zone - Township Residential Precinct | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.19.2 | Multiple dwelling is not listed, so the default 'any other use' row applies | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Community Facilities Zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.1.1 | Multiple dwelling is not listed in the Community Facilities Zone table | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Conservation Zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.2.1 | Multiple dwelling is not listed in the Conservation Zone table | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| District Centre Zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.3.1 | Multiple dwelling is not listed in the District Centre Zone table | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Industry Zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.5.1 | Multiple dwellings are not listed in the Industry Zone, so townhouses or units fall under 'any other use' and need an impact-assessable development application. | Building 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 | Multiple dwellings are not listed in this zone, so townhouses or units fall under 'any other use' and need an impact-assessable development application. | Building 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 | Multiple dwellings are not listed in this precinct, so townhouses or units fall under 'any other use' and need an impact-assessable development application. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Limited Development Zone - Historical Subdivision Precinct | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.6.3 | Multiple dwellings are not listed in this precinct, so townhouses or units fall under 'any other use' and need an impact-assessable development application. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Local Centre Zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.7.1 | Multiple dwellings (townhouses/units) are not listed in the Local Centre Zone, so they are 'any other use' and require an impact-assessable development application. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Major Centre Zone | Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.10.1 | if located above the ground storey of a commercial activityIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions). | Building approvalAssessed against: Major Centre Zone Code, Earthworks, Construction and Water Quality Code, General Development Provisions Code, Medium Density Residential Uses Code, Infrastructure Design Code, Landscaping Code, Parking and Access Code |
| Major Tourism Zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.11.1 | Multiple dwellings (townhouses or units) are not listed for the Major Tourism Zone, so they default to impact assessment and need a development application open to public submissions. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Minor Tourism Zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.12.1 | Multiple dwellings (townhouses or units) are not listed for the Minor Tourism Zone, so they default to impact assessment and need a development application open to public submissions. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Mixed Use Zone | Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.13.1 | where not exceeding 6 dwellingsIf not met: a development application with impact assessment (neighbours can make submissions). | Building approvalAssessed against: Mixed Use Zone Code, Medium Density Residential Code, Earthworks, Construction and Water Quality Code, General Development Provisions Code, Infrastructure Design Code, Landscaping Code, Parking and Access Code |
| Mixed Use Zone - Commercial Industry Precinct | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.13.2 | Multiple dwellings are not listed in the Commercial Industrial Precinct table, so they default to impact assessment and need a development application open to public submissions. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Neighbourhood Centre Zone | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.14.1 | Multiple dwellings (townhouses/units) are not listed in this zone, so the default 'any other use' row applies and you need an impact-assessable development application. | Building 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 | Multiple dwellings are not listed in this zone, so the default 'any other use' row applies and you need an impact-assessable development application. | Building 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 | Multiple dwellings are not listed in this precinct, so the default 'any other use' row applies and you need an impact-assessable development application. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Rural Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.17.1 | Multiple dwelling is not listed in this zone | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Rural Zone - Rural Escarpment Protection Precinct | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.17.2 | Multiple dwelling is not listed in this precinct | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Rural Zone - Tamborine Mountain Rural Precinct | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.17.3 | Multiple dwelling is not listed in this precinct | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
| Special Purpose Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.18.1 | Multiple dwellings (townhouses or units) are not listed for this zone, so under the default 'any other use' row they need an impact-assessable development application. | Building 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 townhouses need a development application. | Building approval |
| Special Purpose Zone - Bulk Water Storage Facilities Precinct | Needs a development application (impact assessment — neighbours can make submissions) Table 5.5.18.1 | Multiple dwellings (townhouses or units) are not listed for this precinct, so under the default 'any other use' row they need an impact-assessable development application. | Building approvalAssessed against: The Planning Scheme |
Overlays that change the answer
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
More about Scenic Rim
- What can you build in Scenic Rim? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What Scenic Rim Regional Council charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Scenic Rim address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
- Development applications in Beaudesert
- Development applications in Tamborine Mountain
- Development applications in Gleneagle
- Development applications in Kalbar
- Development applications in Tamborine
- Development applications in Benobble
- Development applications in Boonah
- Development applications in Canungra
Other projects in Scenic Rim
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolFence or wallHome businessShop, café or officeClear treesDemolish
The statewide position on this project: Townhouses 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.