General residential zone in Queensland — what you can build
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. What it means in practice depends on the council, so read the table below.
In short: A house and its extras are usually accepted; other housing types depend heavily on the council. The table below gives the real answer, council by council.
What the tables of assessment say, council by council
Each council's planning scheme has a table of assessment: for every zone and every kind of project, it says whether you need no application, or a development application and how it is assessed. Each coloured tag links to that council's page for the project. Read from 3 councils.
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Banana — listed as “General Residential Zone Code”
Banana Shire Planning Scheme 2021
- Granny flat: Accepted if requirements met
- Dual occupancy: Code
- Subdivide: Code
- Shed or carport: Accepted
- Extension: Accepted
- Pool: Accepted
- Fence or wall: Accepted
- Home business: Accepted if requirements met
- Townhouses: Code
- Shop, café or office: Impact
- Clear trees: Accepted
- Demolish: Accepted if requirements met
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Central Highlands
Central Highlands Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Amendment No. 7)
- Granny flat: Accepted if requirements met
- Dual occupancy: Accepted if requirements met
- Subdivide: Code
- Shed or carport: Accepted if requirements met
- Extension: Accepted if requirements met
- Pool: Accepted
- Fence or wall: Accepted
- Home business: Accepted if requirements met
- Townhouses: Code
- Shop, café or office: Impact
- Clear trees: Accepted
- Demolish: Accepted
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Moreton Bay
Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme 2016 (Version 8, 2026-09-11)
What the tags mean
- Accepted — no planning application needed.
- Accepted if requirements met — no application if your plans meet the council's code requirements; if they do not, it becomes a development application.
- Code — a development application assessed against the planning codes, without public notification.
- Impact — a development application with public notification: neighbours can make submissions and object. How to object to a development application.
- Not allowed — the planning scheme does not allow it in this zone.
“Varies” means the table depends on the details of the project. An overlay such as flood or bushfire can turn an accepted project into a development application — see planning overlays explained.
Common questions
Can I build a granny flat in the general residential zone?
It varies by council. Across the 3 councils whose tables of assessment we have read, the most common answer for a granny flat in this zone is no development application if the build meets the council's requirements. The split was: 3 accepted if requirements met (each council zone counted once). Check your own council's table on this page, and whether an overlay such as flood or bushfire applies to your lot.
Do I need approval for a dual occupancy in the general residential zone?
It varies by council. Across the 3 councils whose tables of assessment we have read, the most common answer for a dual occupancy in this zone is no development application if the build meets the council's requirements. The split was: 1 accepted if requirements met, 1 code, 1 varies (each council zone counted once). Check your own council's table on this page, and whether an overlay such as flood or bushfire applies to your lot.
Can I subdivide land in the general residential zone?
It varies by council. Across the 3 councils whose tables of assessment we have read, the most common answer for subdividing in this zone is a development application assessed against the codes (code assessment). The split was: 3 code (each council zone counted once). Check your own council's table on this page, and whether an overlay such as flood or bushfire applies to your lot.
Is your lot in this zone?
A Landbrief site report checks any Queensland address against its zone and every planning layer that applies — $49 as a PDF. Check an address.
Other residential zones
Low density residentialLow-medium density residentialMedium density residentialHigh density residentialCharacter residentialTourist accommodationTownship
Read from each council's planning scheme 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.