landbrief.

Free, no login

Queensland planning zones, explained

A zone is the council's rule for what land can be used for: houses, shops, factories, farms or parkland. Every lot in Queensland sits in one. The zone is the first thing to check before you build, extend or subdivide, because it decides whether your plan needs a development application (the plans neighbours and councils lodge before they build).

Each page below explains the zone in plain English and shows, council by council, what that council's own table of assessment says for twelve common projects. Not sure which zone you are in? Check any Queensland address for free. Zones sit under overlays — extra rules such as flood or bushfire.

Residential

  • Low density residential

    The standard suburban house zone: detached homes on their own lots, with gardens, off-street parking and a quiet street.

    Tables of assessment read for 17 councils

  • Low-medium density residential

    A step up from the standard suburban zone: houses mixed with duplexes, townhouses and small unit blocks, usually up to about three storeys.

    Tables of assessment read for 10 councils

  • Medium density residential

    Land set aside for townhouses and low- to mid-rise apartment buildings, typically near centres, transport or services.

    Tables of assessment read for 14 councils

  • High density residential

    Apartment country: tall residential buildings, usually in or beside a city or major centre.

    Tables of assessment read for 11 councils

  • Character residential

    Established neighbourhoods where the older housing style is part of what the council wants to keep, such as timber-and-tin Queenslanders.

    Tables of assessment read for 5 councils

  • General residential

    A broad residential zone used by some councils instead of the density-based ones: houses first, with room for duplexes and other forms of housing where the scheme allows.

    Tables of assessment read for 3 councils

  • Tourist accommodation

    Land for holiday apartments, resorts and short-stay accommodation, usually near beaches or attractions.

    Tables of assessment read for 6 councils

  • Township

    The zone for smaller rural towns and villages, where homes, shops, a pub and community buildings share the same streets.

    Tables of assessment read for 13 councils

Centre

  • Principal centre

    The main commercial and civic heart of a region or city: offices, shops, government and entertainment, usually with apartments above.

    Tables of assessment read for 13 councils

  • Major centre

    A large shopping, office and service hub serving a wide area, such as a regional shopping district.

    Tables of assessment read for 13 councils

  • District centre

    A mid-sized hub serving several suburbs, usually with a supermarket, a strip of shops, medical services and some housing above.

    Tables of assessment read for 14 councils

  • Local centre

    A small cluster of shops and services for a single suburb, such as a small supermarket, cafe and chemist.

    Tables of assessment read for 13 councils

  • Neighbourhood centre

    The smallest tier of centre: a corner store, takeaway or cafe serving the streets around it.

    Tables of assessment read for 15 councils

  • Specialised centre

    A centre built around one main purpose, such as bulky-goods showrooms, a hospital precinct, a university or a large sports venue.

    Tables of assessment read for 15 councils

  • Centre

    A single, general centre zone used by councils that do not split their centres into principal, district and local tiers.

    Tables of assessment read for 6 councils

  • Mixed use

    A mix of homes, shops, offices and light business on the same street, often along a main road or near a centre.

    Tables of assessment read for 12 councils

Industry

  • Low impact industry

    Small workshops, warehouses, trades and showrooms that should not bother their neighbours.

    Tables of assessment read for 16 councils

  • Medium impact industry

    Factories, large workshops and warehouses that can create noticeable noise, traffic or smell.

    Tables of assessment read for 13 councils

  • High impact industry

    Heavy industry — large processing plants, bulk storage, and operations with significant noise, dust, smell or risk.

    Tables of assessment read for 9 councils

  • Special industry

    Land for the most hazardous or polluting industries, such as chemical plants or large processing facilities, set well away from homes and sensitive land.

    Tables of assessment read for 5 councils

  • Industry

    A single general industry zone for councils that do not split it by impact.

    Tables of assessment read for 6 councils

  • Industry investigation

    Land that may become industrial in future but needs more planning first.

    Tables of assessment read for 5 councils

  • Waterfront and marine industry

    Land on or near the water for boat yards, marinas, slipways and related trades.

    Tables of assessment read for 6 councils

  • Extractive industry

    Land for quarries, sand and gravel pits and similar extraction.

    Tables of assessment read for 4 councils

Rural

  • Rural

    Land for farming, grazing and other primary production, with a scattering of homes.

    Tables of assessment read for 20 councils

  • Rural residential

    Acreage-style lifestyle blocks: a house on a large lot, often with bush or paddocks and limited town services.

    Tables of assessment read for 18 councils

Recreation and environment

  • Sport and recreation

    Land for sports fields, clubs, golf courses and recreation grounds.

    Tables of assessment read for 12 councils

  • Open space

    Parks, bushland and natural reserves held for the public.

    Tables of assessment read for 12 councils

  • Recreation and open space

    Parks, sports grounds and open land kept for public enjoyment.

    Tables of assessment read for 8 councils

  • Environmental management

    Land with environmental value, such as bushland, wetlands, waterways and habitat, where the aim is to protect it.

    Tables of assessment read for 5 councils

  • Environmental management and conservation

    Land with significant environmental value, such as bushland, waterways and habitat, kept in as natural a state as possible.

    Tables of assessment read for 11 councils

  • Conservation

    Land held primarily for nature, such as reserves, habitat and sensitive coast.

    Tables of assessment read for 8 councils

Other

  • Emerging community

    Land the council has earmarked for future urban growth but not yet planned in detail.

    Tables of assessment read for 18 councils

  • Community facilities

    Land for schools, hospitals, churches, halls, emergency services and other public-purpose buildings.

    Tables of assessment read for 20 councils

  • Limited development

    Land with a serious constraint — flooding, bushfire, steep slopes, or sensitive environment — where councils limit what can happen.

    Tables of assessment read for 11 councils

  • Special purpose

    Land used for a single large purpose that does not fit another zone, such as an airport, port, utility or major institution.

    Tables of assessment read for 12 councils

  • Tourism

    Land for visitor attractions, resorts and holiday accommodation.

    Tables of assessment read for 6 councils

  • Major tourism

    Large-scale tourism land: major resorts, theme parks and master-planned holiday destinations.

    Tables of assessment read for 4 councils

  • Innovation

    A zone for knowledge-based and creative businesses — research, technology, studios and small manufacturers — often with some housing and shops.

    Tables of assessment read for 2 councils

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.