Granny Flats rules in Queensland (2026)
Yes. Many Queensland councils treat a compliant secondary dwelling as accepted development that needs no planning approval, and since 2022 you can rent it to anyone. Size limits are set by your local planning scheme.
Often accepted development, but many councils require assessment
Yes. Many Queensland councils treat a compliant secondary dwelling as accepted development that needs no planning approval, and since 2022 you can rent it to anyone. Size limits are set by your local planning scheme.
Key rules at a glance
| Maximum floor area | Varies by council - commonly up to 80 m² |
| Approval type | Often accepted development (no approval) |
| Can it be rented? | Yes - to anyone (since Sept 2022) |
| Location | Same lot as, and subordinate to, the main house |
| Setbacks / siting | Set by the local planning scheme |
| Building approval | Always required |
Conditions & eligibility
- Must be on the same lot as, and subordinate to, the main dwelling.
- Size limits, setbacks and approval triggers are set by each council's planning scheme.
- Can be rented to anyone since the statewide change on 26 September 2022.
- Overlays such as flood, bushfire and heritage still apply.
- A building approval is always required.
Heritage, flood and bushfire controls on your specific lot can remove the fast-track and require a full application — even when the general rules say you're fine.
How approval works in Queensland
Check your council's planning scheme. Many treat a compliant secondary dwelling as accepted development that needs no planning approval; otherwise you lodge a development application. A building approval is always required.
Each council sets its own secondary dwelling size limits, setbacks and approval triggers through its planning scheme, so rules vary significantly between local government areas (for example around 80 m² in Brisbane and 60 m² on the Sunshine Coast).
Granny Flats rules by council in Queensland
Local councils apply the Queensland framework and can add their own controls. Pick your council:
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent out a granny flat in Queensland?
Yes. A statewide change on 26 September 2022 removed the old rule limiting occupants to household members, so secondary dwellings can now be rented to anyone.
How big can a granny flat be in Queensland?
It depends on your council's planning scheme. Many south-east Queensland councils allow up to 80 m², while the Sunshine Coast caps most at 60 m².
Do I need council approval for a granny flat in QLD?
Often not. If your design meets the council's accepted-development rules for a secondary dwelling no planning approval is needed; otherwise a development application is required.
Sources
- Changes to secondary dwellings - Planning Queensland ↗
- Secondary dwellings (granny flats) - Planning Queensland ↗
Related building rules
This is general guidance, not professional planning advice. Figures are summarised from the sources above and can change — confirm with your council or the Planning Queensland before starting work. Last reviewed: July 2026.
Talk to a town planner in Queensland
This page covers the general rules. A qualified town planner can tell you what applies to your actual block — the zone, the overlays and the approval path — before you spend money on drawings.
- Qualified, practising town planners
- Advice on your property, not a generic rule
- No cost, no obligation