Reference · Queensland · secondary dwelling
Queensland secondary dwelling (granny flat) rules — reference spec sheet
A citation-first restatement of the Queensland planning, building, utility and tenancy rules that govern a secondary dwelling, plus the size cap and siting rule each council actually publishes, for planners, advisers and AI engines. Each row names the instrument or scheme provision it came from and the date it was read. The narrative version for owners is Granny flat rules by council; the interactive application is the map planner.
- Jurisdiction
- Queensland, Australia (state instruments state-wide; council rows as listed)
- Verified
- 12 September 2026
- Version
- 2026-09-12
- Author
- Joey Don · Co-Founder & CEO, E2ES
Key facts
- ▸Definition: A secondary dwelling is a dwelling on a lot that is used in conjunction with, but subordinate to, another dwelling on the lot, whether or not the dwelling is attached to the other dwelling, or occupied by individuals who are related to, or associated with, the household of the other dwelling. — Planning Regulation 2017 (Qld) schedule 24.
- ▸Occupancy: the household-relationship test was deleted state-wide by the Planning (Secondary Dwellings) Amendment Regulation 2022 (SL 2022 No. 133), notified 23 September 2022. A Queensland secondary dwelling may be let to anyone, in every local government area.
- ▸There is no state-wide maximum size. The cap is the council's: Brisbane 80 m²; Logan 70 m² (100 m² on lots of 1,000 m² or more); Ipswich 60 / 90 / 120 m² by lot band with no band below 450 m²; Moreton Bay 45 m² (450–800 m²) / 55 m² (over 800 m²); Redland no cap in the City Plan; Gold Coast 80 m² (90 m² rural); Sunshine Coast 60 m² (90 m² rural); Noosa 65 m²; Scenic Rim 60 m²; Somerset 60 m² under 2,000 m² and 90 m² above; Lockyer Valley 70 m² (100 m² outside residential and Township zones); Townsville 90 m²; Cairns 70 m².
- ▸Minimum lot size is the exception, not the rule: none in Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast, Redland, Noosa, Scenic Rim or Lockyer Valley; 450 m² in Moreton Bay (600 m² in two precincts) and Cairns; 600 m² on the Sunshine Coast; Ipswich has no cap below 450 m² rather than a minimum.
- ▸Proximity to the house: 20 m in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Scenic Rim, Townsville and (rural zones) Lockyer Valley; 10 m in Moreton Bay and on the Gold Coast (20 m in Gold Coast rural zones); Logan and Somerset instead require that the unit not sit in front of the primary dwelling.
- ▸Assessment: a dwelling house including a secondary dwelling is accepted development in the lower-density residential zones under Planning Regulation schedule 6 part 2 where the acceptable outcomes are met. Missing an outcome, or an overlay, moves it to a code-assessable application.
- ▸Approvals always required: a development approval for building work issued by a licensed building certifier (Building Act 1975), and a plumbing and drainage permit from the local government (Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018).
- ▸Siting: The QDC sets the state-wide siting standards — boundary setbacks, site cover, building height, on-site car parking and private open space — unless the planning scheme states its own. Which module applies is decided by lot size, not by the size of the dwelling. Which module applies is set by lot size, not dwelling size.
- ▸The Queensland Housing Code chapters published on 14 August 2026 replace MP 1.1 / MP 1.2 in a council area only once that council's planning scheme adopts them; the transition window runs 1 September 2026 to 1 September 2029 (Business Queensland, updated 7 September 2026). On 12 September 2026 every South East Queensland lot is still governed by MP 1.1 / MP 1.2.
- ▸Building over or near infrastructure: a Class 1 or 10 building within 3 m of a sewer, water main or stormwater drain is referred to the service provider, which has 20 business days to respond (QDC MP 1.4).
- ▸Fire separation: an external wall within 1.8 m of another building on the allotment, or 900 mm of a side or rear boundary, needs FRL 60/60/60 or masonry construction (NCC 2022 Housing Provisions 9.2.1, 9.2.3).
- ▸Infrastructure charges: none in Ipswich and Noosa; none on the Gold Coast at 80 m² or less; the dwelling-house rate in Logan; none below the Amenity & Aesthetics thresholds in Redland then 30 % / 50 %; normally none in Brisbane where the dwelling is accepted development; a discounted charge in Scenic Rim; not verified in Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Townsville or Cairns.
- ▸Tenancy: a self-contained unit is let on a general tenancy agreement; sharing facilities with the main house makes it rooming accommodation (RTA Queensland).
- ▸Water charging: Section 166: water consumption can be passed to the tenant only where all three limbs are met — the premises are individually metered (or supplied by tanker), the premises are water efficient as defined in the Act, and the tenancy agreement states the tenant must pay for water consumption.
- ▸Shared-meter consequence: This is why a council rule requiring a shared meter has a tenancy consequence: where the scheme mandates a single water meter for the two dwellings (Moreton Bay RAD19, Sunshine Coast, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley), the individually-metered limb of s 166 cannot be met and water consumption cannot lawfully be charged to the tenant.
- ▸Electricity: a second NMI on one lot is obtained through a negotiated connection application lodged by your retailer with Energex (SEQ) or Ergon (regional).
- ▸Subdivision: a secondary dwelling cannot be subdivided from the primary dwelling or separately titled.
State frame — definition, occupancy, assessment
- Secondary dwelling (definition)
- A secondary dwelling is a dwelling on a lot that is used in conjunction with, but subordinate to, another dwelling on the lot, whether or not the dwelling is attached to the other dwelling, or occupied by individuals who are related to, or associated with, the household of the other dwelling.Planning Regulation 2017 (Qld) schedule 24
- Dwelling
- A "dwelling" is a self-contained residence that includes food-preparation facilities, a bath or shower, and a toilet and wash basin.Planning Regulation 2017 schedule 24
- One dwelling house
- Two dwellings on one lot, one of them secondary, remain a single "dwelling house" for the scheme — which is why the secondary dwelling cannot be separately titled, subdivided or sold on its own.Planning Regulation 2017 schedule 24
- Occupancy (2022 reform)
- Notified 23 September 2022 (government material quotes 26 September, the first business day): the requirement that the secondary dwelling be occupied by a member of the same household as the primary dwelling was deleted state-wide. A Queensland secondary dwelling may be let to anyone, in every local government area.Planning (Secondary Dwellings) Amendment Regulation 2022 (SL 2022 No. 133)
- Residual scheme wording
- A definition set by the Regulation is a regulated requirement, so residual "same household" or "relative" wording left in a council scheme cannot narrow it. Several schemes still carry that wording (Somerset's consultation text did); it does not restrict tenancy.Planning Act 2016 s 16 (regulated requirements)
- Accepted development
- A dwelling house (which includes its secondary dwelling) is accepted development in the lower-density residential zones where the planning scheme's acceptable outcomes are met. Where they are not met, or an overlay elevates the assessment, a development application is required — code assessment in the ordinary case.Planning Regulation 2017 (Qld) schedule 6, part 2
- What "accepted" does not mean
- Accepted development means no planning application, not no approval: the building approval and the plumbing approval are separate and always required.Building Act 1975; Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018
- Subdivision
- A secondary dwelling cannot be subdivided from the primary dwelling or separately titled — the two are one dwelling house on one lot.Planning Regulation 2017 schedule 24
Approval chain
| Step | Requirement | Instrument |
|---|---|---|
| Building approval | Development approval for building work under the Building Act 1975 (Qld), assessed and issued by a licensed building certifier. A secondary dwelling is a Class 1a building under the NCC. | Building Act 1975 (Qld); Building Regulation 2021 (Qld) |
| Plumbing approval | A plumbing and drainage permit from the local government for the relevant plumbing and drainage work connecting the second dwelling. | Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (Qld) |
| Building over or near infrastructure | A Class 1 or Class 10 building within 3 m of a sewer, water main or stormwater drain is referred to the service provider, which has 20 business days to respond. | QDC MP 1.4 — Building over or near relevant infrastructure |
Siting — Queensland Development Code
- Instrument
- The QDC sets the state-wide siting standards — boundary setbacks, site cover, building height, on-site car parking and private open space — unless the planning scheme states its own. Which module applies is decided by lot size, not by the size of the dwelling.Queensland Development Code MP 1.1 (lots under 450 m²) and MP 1.2 (lots 450 m² and over), 2010 editions
- Transition to the Queensland Housing Code
- The Queensland Housing Code chapters published on 14 August 2026 replace MP 1.1 / MP 1.2 in a council area only once that council's planning scheme adopts them; the transition window runs 1 September 2026 to 1 September 2029 (Business Queensland, updated 7 September 2026). On 12 September 2026 every South East Queensland lot is still governed by MP 1.1 / MP 1.2.Business Queensland, updated 7 September 2026
- Fire separation
- An external wall within 1.8 m of another building on the same allotment, or within 900 mm of a side or rear boundary, must achieve FRL 60/60/60 or be built in masonry. This is what usually sets the minimum gap between the house and the unit.NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 9.2 (9.2.1, 9.2.3)
- Build over or near infrastructure
- A Class 1 or Class 10 building within 3 m of a sewer, water main or stormwater drain is referred to the service provider, which has 20 business days to respond.QDC MP 1.4 — Building over or near relevant infrastructure
- Planner default
- The /checker planner uses a 1.5 m side and rear boundary setback for Queensland, which is the common scheme and MP 1.2 figure for a single-storey wall; the module, the scheme and any overlay are confirmed for your lot at the site assessment./checker
Council-by-council caps and charges
| Council | Scheme (version) | Provision | Max GFA | Min lot | Proximity | Max site cover | Infrastructure charges | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | Brisbane City Plan 2014 (v36, operative 12 June 2026) | Dwelling house code, Table 9.3.7.3.A, AO1.2 / PO1 | 80 m² / 100 m² rural | None | 20 m | 50 % | Normally none if accepted development | 2026-09-12 |
| Logan | Logan Planning Scheme 2015 (v9.2, operative 1 July 2025) | 9.3.2 Residential activities code, AO8 / AO9 | 70 m² / 100 m² lots ≥ 1000 m² | None | See siting | 50 % | Dwelling-house rate | 2026-09-12 |
| Ipswich | Ipswich City Plan 2025 (Version 2, operative 1 July 2026) | Table 9.3.7.3.1 RO1.1.1 / Table 9.3.7.3.2 AO1.1.1 | 60 m² (lot 450–600 m²) · 90 m² (lot 600–800 m²) · 120 m² (lot > 800 m²) | None | — | 50 % | None | 2026-09-12 |
| Moreton Bay | MBRC Planning Scheme 2016, Version 7 (Better Housing Amendment, effective 30 October 2024) | Dwelling house code (Part 9.3.1), RAD18–RAD25 | 45 m² (lot 450–800 m²) · 55 m² (lot > 800 m²) | 450 m² | 10 m | 60 % | Not verified | 2026-09-12 |
| Redland | Redland City Plan (v14, as updated 8 April 2026) | Dwelling house code; Amenity and Aesthetics Guideline LUP-001-001-G v9 (effective 1 February 2024) | No cap in the scheme | None | — | 50 % | None | 2026-09-12 |
| Gold Coast | Gold Coast City Plan 2016 (v13, operative 9 December 2025) | 9.3.18 Secondary dwelling code, RO4 / PO4 (size), RO1 / AO1 (siting) | 80 m² / 90 m² rural | None | 10 m / 20 m rural | 50 % | None at ≤ 80 m² | 2026-09-12 |
| Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 (as amended 23 January 2024) | 9.3.6 Dwelling house code, AO11 / AO12.1 / AO12.2 | 60 m² / 90 m² rural | 600 m² | 20 m | 50 % | Not verified | 2026-09-12 |
| Noosa | Noosa Plan 2020, Amendment No. 3 (20 March 2026) | Fact Sheet 3 — Secondary dwellings (as amended 26 Sep 2025) | 65 m² | None | — | Per zone | None | 2026-09-12 |
| Scenic Rim | Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020 (commenced 20 Mar 2020; current version 30 Jun 2023) | Dwelling House Code 9.3.5 — secondary dwelling requirements | 60 m² | None | 20 m | 50 % | Discounted | 2026-09-12 |
| Somerset | Somerset Region Planning Scheme, Version 5.0 (Major Amendment 2, commenced 4 June 2026) | Dwelling house code — additional criteria for secondary dwellings (AO9–AO11) | 60 m² (lot 0–2000 m²) · 90 m² (lot > 2000 m²) | 800 m² | See siting | 50 % | Not verified | 2026-09-12 |
| Lockyer Valley | Lockyer Valley Planning Scheme (+ TLPI 2024 Flood Regulation), effect 22 July 2024 | Dwelling house code AO10.1–AO10.6 | 70 m² / 100 m² rural | None | 20 m | 50 % | Not verified | 2026-09-12 |
| Townsville | Townsville City Plan (v2025/01) | Table 6.2.1.3 AO4 (AO5 in the Rural residential zone) | 90 m² | None | 20 m | 50 % | Not verified | 2026-08-05 |
| Cairns | CairnsPlan 2016 (v3.1, commenced 2 August 2022) | 9.2.11 Dwelling house code, AO1.1 / AO1.2 | 70 m² | 450 m² | — | 50 % | Not verified | 2026-08-05 |
Setback source and shared-service requirements by council
| Council | Setback source | Shared-service requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | QDC MP 1.1 (lots < 450 m²) / MP 1.2 (≥ 450 m²) | Not stated in the scheme |
| Logan | Scheme setbacks + QDC MP 1.1 (lots < 450 m²) / MP 1.2 (≥ 450 m²) | Not stated in the scheme |
| Ipswich | QDC MP 1.1 (lots < 450 m²) / MP 1.2 (≥ 450 m²) | Not stated in the scheme |
| Moreton Bay | Scheme + QDC MP 1.1 (lots < 450 m²) / MP 1.2 (≥ 450 m²) | RAD19 — a compliant secondary dwelling must share a single water connection and meter, a single electricity connection and meter, the wastewater connection, the street number and letterbox, the driveway and the pedestrian access point. |
| Redland | QDC MP 1.1 (lots < 450 m²) / MP 1.2 (≥ 450 m²) | Not stated in the scheme |
| Gold Coast | QDC MP 1.1 (lots < 450 m²) / MP 1.2 (≥ 450 m²) | Not stated in the scheme |
| Sunshine Coast | QDC MP 1.1 (lots < 450 m²) / MP 1.2 (≥ 450 m²) | Shares the water connection and meter, the wastewater connection/system, the street number and letterbox and the driveway with the primary dwelling; one additional on-site car space. |
| Noosa | Zone code (height, setbacks and site cover of the zone) | Not stated in the scheme |
| Scenic Rim | Scheme table — residential/township zones: street 6 m, corner-lot secondary frontage 3 m, side/rear 1.5 m (≤ 4.5 m walls) / 2 m (4.5–7.5 m); Limited development and Rural residential zones: street 10 m, side/rear 3 m / 5 m | Connected to the same water and electricity supply as the primary dwelling; on-site wastewater via the primary dwelling's system where sewer is unavailable. |
| Somerset | QDC MP 1.1 / MP 1.2 (Rural zone: 15 m side/rear) | Not stated in the scheme |
| Lockyer Valley | QDC MP 1.1 / MP 1.2 in urban and rural-residential zones; Rural zone 10 m from all boundaries | Shares all service connections, the driveway and crossover, and private open space with the primary dwelling (AO10.4–AO10.6); three on-site car spaces for a dwelling house with a secondary dwelling. |
| Townsville | QDC MP 1.1 / MP 1.2 | Not stated in the scheme |
| Cairns | QDC MP 1.1 / MP 1.2 | Not stated in the scheme |
Overlays that can elevate the assessment
| Council | Overlays that can elevate the assessment |
|---|---|
| Brisbane | Flood overlay (Brisbane River / creek / overland flow) · Bushfire overlay · Traditional building character overlay · Heritage overlay · Waterway corridors · Coastal hazard · Landslide · Airport environs / ANEF · Transport noise corridor |
| Logan | Flood hazard · Bushfire hazard · Heritage · Landslide hazard · Acid sulfate soils |
| Ipswich | Flood hazard · Bushfire hazard · Heritage · Character · Mining influence · Steep land |
| Moreton Bay | Flood hazard · Bushfire hazard · Coastal hazard (storm tide, erosion) · Landslide · Heritage · Acid sulfate soils · Building heights |
| Redland | Flood and storm tide hazard · Bushfire hazard · Coastal protection · Landslide hazard · Heritage · Koala habitat |
| Gold Coast | Flood · Bushfire hazard · Coastal erosion hazard · Landslide hazard · Acid sulfate soils · Heritage and character · Airport environs · Environmental significance · Transport noise |
| Sunshine Coast | Flood hazard · Bushfire hazard · Coastal protection · Landslide hazard · Heritage and character · Biodiversity |
| Noosa | Biodiversity · Coastal protection · Bushfire hazard · Flood hazard · Landslide hazard |
| Scenic Rim | Bushfire hazard · Flood hazard · Landslide hazard · Environmental significance · Heritage · Agricultural land · Airports and defence |
| Somerset | Flood hazard · Bushfire hazard · Landslide hazard · Environmental significance · Heritage |
| Lockyer Valley | Flood hazard (TLPI 2024) · Bushfire hazard · Landslide · Environmental significance · Heritage |
| Townsville | Flood hazard · Bushfire hazard · Coastal hazard · Heritage |
| Cairns | Flood hazard · Bushfire hazard · Coastal hazard · Hillslopes · Heritage |
Tenancy — Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008
- Act
- Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld), reprint current as at 17 August 2026
- Which agreement
- A self-contained secondary dwelling with no shared access to the main house is let on a general tenancy agreement; where the occupant shares facilities with the main house it is rooming accommodation and a rooming accommodation agreement applies (RTA Queensland guidance).RTA Queensland guidance
- Water consumption (s 166)
- Section 166: water consumption can be passed to the tenant only where all three limbs are met — the premises are individually metered (or supplied by tanker), the premises are water efficient as defined in the Act, and the tenancy agreement states the tenant must pay for water consumption.
- Water efficient (s 166A)
- Section 166A and the Regulation: internal cold-water taps and single-mixer taps in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry, all shower heads, and all toilets must meet the prescribed water-efficiency ratings.
- Electricity and gas (ss 164–165)
- Sections 164–165: a service charge (electricity, gas) can be passed on where the premises are separately metered for that service. Where a service is on a shared meter, it can be apportioned only if the tenancy agreement states the method of apportionment — "if there are no terms outlining these charges in the agreement, the property owner cannot charge the tenant for these services" (RTA Queensland, 31 October 2022).
- Shared-meter consequence
- This is why a council rule requiring a shared meter has a tenancy consequence: where the scheme mandates a single water meter for the two dwellings (Moreton Bay RAD19, Sunshine Coast, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley), the individually-metered limb of s 166 cannot be met and water consumption cannot lawfully be charged to the tenant.
Electricity distributors and water providers
| Provider | Type | Area | Policy | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energex | Electricity distributor | South East Queensland | A second National Metering Identifier on the same lot is obtained through a negotiated connection application, lodged by your electricity retailer; the electrical contractor works through the Electrical Partners Portal. | www.energex.com.au |
| Ergon Energy | Electricity distributor | Regional Queensland (including Townsville and Cairns) | Same connection framework as Energex under the shared Energy Queensland connection policy; application through the retailer. | www.ergon.com.au |
| Urban Utilities | Water and sewerage | Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Somerset | Standard Connection Guideline STD166 (v1.3, June 2024): two dwellings on one lot need a Water Approval; one additional water service and meter is the typical arrangement; infrastructure charges may apply where the number of dwellings increases. | www.urbanutilities.com.au |
| Unitywater | Water and sewerage | Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Noosa | No separate water or sewer connection is issued for a secondary dwelling on the same lot; a second water meter can be requested through Connection Services; infrastructure charges may apply. | www.unitywater.com |
| Logan Water (Logan City Council) | Water and sewerage | Logan | Council-run water business; connection and metering applications through council. Secondary-dwelling metering practice not verified this round. | www.logan.qld.gov.au |
| City of Gold Coast Water | Water and sewerage | Gold Coast | Council-run water business; plumbing and water connection applications through council. Secondary-dwelling metering practice not verified this round. | www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au |
| Redland Water (Redland City Council) | Water and sewerage | Redland | Council-run water business. Secondary-dwelling metering practice not verified this round. | redland.qld.gov.au |
Figures that contradict what is widely published — do not "correct" them
- Brisbane — the "same household" limb was deleted by the 2022 Regulation; the unit may be let to an unrelated tenant. The "100 m² on rural land" figure repeated on builder sites was not found in the dwelling house code.
- Logan — there is no 20 m proximity rule (that is Brisbane's and Lockyer Valley's); Logan requires only that the unit not sit in front of the primary dwelling. There is no minimum lot size: the 450 m² figure only selects QDC MP 1.1 versus MP 1.2. Logan does levy infrastructure charges, at the dwelling-house rate.
- Ipswich — a 60 / 90 / 120 m² sliding scale by lot band, not the widely repeated 50 / 80 m². There is no band below 450 m², which is an absence of a cap rather than a minimum lot size, and it means a sub-450 m² lot is not accepted development. Ipswich levies no infrastructure charges for a secondary dwelling.
- Moreton Bay — the caps are 45 m² (450–800 m²) and 55 m² (over 800 m²), and RAD19 requires a single shared water and electricity meter. That shared meter is what prevents water consumption being charged to a tenant under RTRA Act s 166.
- Redland — the City Plan contains no GFA cap. The 85 / 112 / 160 m² figures come from the Amenity and Aesthetics guideline and are referral and charge thresholds, not a size limit. Major Amendment 02/25 was not in effect at 12 September 2026.
- QDC MP 1.4 — the referral trigger is 3 m from the infrastructure, not the 1.5 m figure that circulates.
Currency and pending changes
- Brisbane Major Amendment Package L (consulted 3 November – 1 December 2025) proposes an internal floor area of the lesser of 80 m² or 10 % of the site area, a maximum of two bedrooms and 50 % site cover. It was NOT adopted at 12 September 2026 — on a 400 m² Brisbane lot it would cut the cap from 80 m² to 40 m².
- Redland Major Amendment 02/25 (Residential): consulted 2–29 March 2026; on 15 July 2026 council resolved to seek the Planning Minister's approval. Not in effect.
- The Sunshine Coast's new planning scheme (consultation closed 19 September 2025) is not in force; the State asked council to drop minimum lot sizes for secondary dwellings.
- Somerset v5.0 was adopted 20 May 2026 and commenced 4 June 2026; the figures here are read from the Major Amendment 2 text. The consultation version still carried an acceptable outcome about occupation by a relative — the Planning Regulation definition prevails, but confirm it was deleted in the adopted version.
- A Gold Coast City Plan Version 14 service already exists on the council GIS — check for adoption before relying on v13 figures.
- Queensland Housing Code chapters published 14 August 2026 take effect council by council as schemes adopt them, through to 1 September 2029.
- Not verified this round: infrastructure-charge treatment of secondary dwellings in Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Townsville and Cairns; secondary-dwelling metering practice at Logan Water, City of Gold Coast Water and Redland Water; Queensland land tax and council-rates treatment of a separately let secondary dwelling. Townsville and Cairns rows were read on 5 August 2026, not re-read this round.
- Council overlay mapping services are not reachable from a browser (WAF-blocked or decommissioned), so /checker reports the three state-level QSpatial hazard layers it can reach and says plainly that council overlays are confirmed at the site assessment.
Glossary
- Secondary dwelling
- A secondary dwelling is a dwelling on a lot that is used in conjunction with, but subordinate to, another dwelling on the lot, whether or not the dwelling is attached to the other dwelling, or occupied by individuals who are related to, or associated with, the household of the other dwelling. (Planning Regulation 2017 schedule 24).
- Dwelling
- A "dwelling" is a self-contained residence that includes food-preparation facilities, a bath or shower, and a toilet and wash basin.
- Dwelling house
- The use of premises for one household, which may include a secondary dwelling. Two dwellings on one lot with one subordinate remain a single dwelling house — this is why a secondary dwelling cannot be separately titled.
- Dual occupancy
- Two dwellings on one lot where neither is subordinate to the other. A different use, a different assessment table, and in most schemes a larger minimum lot — do not read dual-occupancy figures as secondary-dwelling figures.
- Accepted development
- Development that needs no development approval where the acceptable outcomes are met (Planning Act 2016; Planning Regulation 2017 schedule 6). It is not "no approval" — the building and plumbing approvals are separate.
- Acceptable outcome (AO) / performance outcome (PO)
- An AO is a prescribed way of meeting the corresponding PO. Missing an AO does not make a proposal non-compliant; it moves the assessment to the PO, usually as a code-assessable application.
- Gross floor area (GFA)
- The total floor area of all storeys measured from the outside of the external walls, excluding (in most Queensland schemes) unenclosed balconies, decks, carports and garages. Each council's definition governs — Logan and Noosa state the exclusions expressly.
- QDC MP 1.1 / MP 1.2
- Queensland Development Code MP 1.1 (lots under 450 m²) and MP 1.2 (lots 450 m² and over), 2010 editions. The QDC sets the state-wide siting standards — boundary setbacks, site cover, building height, on-site car parking and private open space — unless the planning scheme states its own. Which module applies is decided by lot size, not by the size of the dwelling.
- Queensland Housing Code (QHC)
- The Queensland Housing Code chapters published on 14 August 2026 replace MP 1.1 / MP 1.2 in a council area only once that council's planning scheme adopts them; the transition window runs 1 September 2026 to 1 September 2029 (Business Queensland, updated 7 September 2026). On 12 September 2026 every South East Queensland lot is still governed by MP 1.1 / MP 1.2.
- Concurrence agency
- An entity whose response a referral agency must attach to the decision. Under Moreton Bay's RAD regime, non-compliance with a requirement makes council a concurrence agency for the building application instead of triggering a full development application.
- NMI
- National Metering Identifier — the unique identifier of an electricity connection point. A separately metered secondary dwelling needs its own NMI, obtained through the retailer.
- Water efficient (s 166A)
- Section 166A and the Regulation: internal cold-water taps and single-mixer taps in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry, all shower heads, and all toilets must meet the prescribed water-efficiency ratings.
Source register
- Planning Regulation 2017 (Qld) — schedule 24 definitions; schedule 6 part 2 accepted development — Reprint current as at 11 September 2026. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Planning (Secondary Dwellings) Amendment Regulation 2022 (SL 2022 No. 133) — Notified 23 September 2022; deleted the household-relationship test state-wide. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Planning Queensland — Changes to secondary dwellings — Plain-language government statement of the 2022 change. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Planning Act 2016 (Qld) — chapter 4 infrastructure — A council infrastructure charge attaches to a development approval. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Business Queensland — Queensland Development Code (MP 1.1 / MP 1.2 and the Queensland Housing Code transition) — Updated 7 September 2026: QHC chapters published 14 August 2026 apply in a council area only once its scheme adopts them; transition 1 September 2026 – 1 September 2029. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Business Queensland — QDC MP 1.4 Building over or near relevant infrastructure — Class 1/10 within 3 m of a sewer, water main or stormwater drain; service-provider referral, 20 business days. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Building Act 1975 (Qld); Building Regulation 2021 (Qld) — Development approval for building work, assessed by a licensed building certifier. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 (Qld) — Local-government permit for the relevant plumbing and drainage work. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 9.2 — fire separation of external walls — 1.8 m to another building on the allotment, 900 mm to a side or rear boundary → FRL 60/60/60 or masonry. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld) — ss 164–166A — Reprint 17 August 2026. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- RTA Queensland — Secondary dwellings: which agreement applies — General tenancy agreement when self-contained; rooming accommodation when facilities are shared. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- RTA Queensland — Changes to renting granny flats explained (31 October 2022) — "If there are no terms outlining these charges in the agreement, the property owner cannot charge the tenant for these services." (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Energex — Electrical Partners Portal connect application guide; Ergon Energy connections — Second NMI on one lot via a negotiated connection application lodged by the retailer. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Urban Utilities — Standard Connection Guideline STD166 (v1.3, June 2024); Unitywater — Connecting a second dwelling — Water Approval and one additional service/meter (Urban Utilities); no separate connection, optional second meter (Unitywater). (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Brisbane City Council — City Plan 2014 (v36) dwelling house code; Major Amendment Package L (proposed) — Table 9.3.7.3.A AO1.2: 80 m², within 20 m. Package L (lesser of 80 m² or 10 % of site area, 2 bedrooms, 50 % site cover) not adopted at 12 September 2026. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Logan City Council — Domestic housing fact sheet (Logan Planning Scheme 2015 v9.2) — 70 / 100 m²; not in front of the primary dwelling; no minimum lot size. Charges Resolution (No. 12) 2025 item 7 levies the dwelling-house rate. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Ipswich City Council — Secondary Dwelling and Dual Occupancy fact sheet V1.3 (25 February 2026) — 60 / 90 / 120 m² by lot band; no infrastructure charges. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- City of Moreton Bay — MBRC Planning Scheme v7 Part 9.3.1, RAD18–RAD25 — 45 m² (450–800 m²) / 55 m² (> 800 m²); within 10 m; shared water and electricity meter (RAD19); one extra car space. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Redland City Council — Dual living page; Amenity and Aesthetics Guideline LUP-001-001-G v9; Charges Resolution (No. 3.2) 2023 — No GFA cap in the City Plan; 85 / 112 / 160 m² guideline thresholds; Major Amendment 02/25 not in effect at 12 September 2026. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- City of Gold Coast — City Plan 2016 (v13) secondary dwelling code; Charges Resolution (No. 1) of 2025 — 80 m² (90 m² rural), within 10 m (20 m rural), two bedrooms; clause 5.3 — no adopted charge at 80 m² or less. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Sunshine Coast Council — Secondary dwelling information sheet (September 2023) — 60 m² (90 m² rural; 45 m² Moffat/Shelly/Dicky Beach), regular lot ≥ 600 m² in urban zones, within 20 m, shared water meter. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Noosa Shire Council — Fact Sheet 3: Secondary dwellings (Noosa Plan 2020 as amended) — 65 m², two bedrooms, no short-term letting, no infrastructure charges from 1 July 2025. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Scenic Rim Regional Council — Dwelling houses and secondary dwellings fact sheet (30 June 2023) — 60 m², within 20 m, same water and electricity supply as the primary dwelling. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Somerset Regional Council — Somerset Region Planning Scheme v5.0 (Major Amendment 2, commenced 4 June 2026) — 60 m² under 2,000 m², 90 m² above; Rural 60 / 90 / 120 m². (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council — Dwelling houses & secondary dwellings info sheet (October 2024) — 70 m² residential/Township, 100 m² elsewhere; two bedrooms; within 20 m in rural zones. (accessed 2026-09-12)
- Townsville City Council — Townsville City Plan (v2025/01) Table 6.2.1.3 AO4; Cairns Regional Council — CairnsPlan 2016 (v3.1) 9.2.11 AO1.1/AO1.2 — Townsville 90 m² within 20 m; Cairns 70 m² on lots over 450 m², Rural 70 m² under 10 ha and 250 m² over. Read 5 August 2026. (accessed 2026-08-05)
Changelog
- 2026-09-12First published. Council rows re-verified 5–6 August 2026 against each council's own scheme and carried forward; state instruments read 12 September 2026.
General information compiled from public primary sources on the dates shown. Not legal, planning, building, tax or financial advice. Planning schemes, charges resolutions and utility policies change frequently; verify the current scheme for your lot. E2ES — Optima Real Estate Pty Ltd.
Cite as: E2ES (2026). Queensland secondary dwelling rules — reference spec sheet, version 2026-09-12. https://e2es.com.au/reference/secondary-dwelling-rules-queensland (dataset: https://e2es.com.au/data/granny-flat-rules-au.json).