Clearing trees in Brisbane — do you need approval?
Brisbane City Council's planning scheme — the Brisbane City Plan 2014 — decides whether tree clearing 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. Clearing vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation or an overlay, but separate State Vegetation Management Act rules may still apply.
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
Operational work (vegetation clearing). Residential zones first.
| Zone | What the table says | Conditions | What you'll need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation or an overlay, but separate State Vegetation Management Act rules may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Low-medium density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation or an overlay, but separate State Vegetation Management Act rules may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Medium density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation or an overlay, but separate State Vegetation Management Act rules may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| High density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted development under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation or an overlay, but separate State Vegetation Management Act rules may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Character residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | if not triggering filling/excavation or extraction thresholds; clearing of native vegetation is otherwise not listed as operational work | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Tourist accommodation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | if not triggering filling/excavation or extraction thresholds; clearing is otherwise not listed as operational work | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Rural residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation or an overlay, but separate State vegetation laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Township zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation or an overlay, but separate State vegetation laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Emerging community zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Vegetation clearing is accepted operational work under the scheme unless it triggers a listed trigger or an overlay, but separate State vegetation laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Community facilities zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Vegetation clearing is accepted operational work under the scheme unless it triggers a listed trigger or an overlay, but separate State vegetation laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Conservation zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.8.1 | unless filling/excavation thresholds, work preceding assessable ROL/MCU, or extraction triggers applyIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Operational work code |
| District centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation thresholds or an overlay, but separate State Vegetation Management Act rules may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Environmental management zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.8.1 | unless filling/excavation thresholds, work preceding assessable ROL/MCU, or extraction triggers applyIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Operational work code |
| Extractive industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Vegetation clearing is accepted operational work under the scheme unless it triggers a listed trigger or an overlay, but separate State vegetation laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Industry investigation zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.8.1 | vegetation clearing not meeting an assessable operational work trigger in Table 5.8.1If not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.8.1 | vegetation clearing not meeting an assessable operational work trigger in Table 5.8.1If not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Low impact industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.8.1 | vegetation clearing not meeting an assessable operational work trigger in Table 5.8.1If not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Major centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | if not triggering filling/excavation or extraction thresholds; clearing is otherwise not listed as operational work | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Mixed use zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation thresholds or an overlay, but separate State Vegetation Management Act rules may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Neighbourhood centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation thresholds or an overlay, but separate State Vegetation Management Act rules may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Open space zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.8.1 | unless filling/excavation thresholds, work preceding assessable ROL/MCU, or extraction triggers applyIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Operational work code |
| Principal centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | if not triggering filling/excavation or extraction thresholds; clearing is otherwise not listed as operational work | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Rural zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Vegetation clearing is accepted operational work under the scheme unless it triggers a listed trigger or an overlay, but separate State vegetation laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Special industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.8.1 | vegetation clearing not meeting an assessable operational work trigger in Table 5.8.1If not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Special purpose zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation or an overlay, but separate State vegetation laws may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Specialised centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.8.1 | Clearing vegetation is accepted under the local scheme unless it triggers filling/excavation thresholds or an overlay, but separate State Vegetation Management Act rules may still apply. | State vegetation check (not the council) |
| Sport and recreation zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.8.1 | unless filling/excavation thresholds, work preceding assessable ROL/MCU, or extraction triggers applyIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | State vegetation check (not the council)Assessed against: Operational work code |
Overlays that change the answer
- Heritage overlay. Demolition/removal of part of a local heritage place, building work to a heritage place, and ROL/MCU in or adjoining a local heritage place become code or impact assessable (varies by precinct) unless an exemption certificate is issued under the Queensland Heritage Act. (Table 5.10.12)
- Biodiversity areas overlay. New dwelling house / extension that extends the development footprint into an ecological significance or koala habitat sub-category becomes code assessable; ROL and vegetation clearing >500m² in koala habitat become code assessable. (Table 5.10.4)
- 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)
- Wetlands overlay. Extension to an existing dwelling house outside an approved development footprint, non-dwelling MCU with GFA increase, ROL and filling/excavation become code assessable. (Table 5.10.26)
- Significant landscape tree overlay. New dwelling house or extension within a significant landscape tree's protection zone is accepted subject to requirements (if meeting the code) or code assessable; ROL and filling/excavation become code assessable. (Table 5.10.19)
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
- State vegetation check (not the council)
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 carportExtensionPoolFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeDemolish
The statewide position on this project: Clear trees 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.