Granny flat rules in Tasmania (2026)
Often No Permit Required
Yes. A secondary residence of up to 60 m² is allowed on a lot where a house is permitted, and it can often be built with No Permit Required if it meets the development standards.
Key rules at a glance
| Maximum floor area | 60 m² (90 m² proposed, not yet in force) |
| Planning permit | Often No Permit Required if standards met |
| Services | Must share services with the main dwelling |
| Subdivision | Cannot be separately titled |
| Can it be rented? | Yes |
| Setbacks | Per the zone development standards |
Conditions & eligibility
- The zone must allow a single dwelling on the lot.
- Current maximum floor area is 60 m².
- Must share reticulated services (power, water, sewer) with the main dwelling.
- Cannot be subdivided onto a separate title.
- A 2026 amendment proposing a 90 m² cap is out for consultation but not yet in force.
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 Tasmania
If your zone permits a single dwelling and the secondary residence meets the development standards under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, it can be No Permit Required; otherwise a planning permit is lodged with council. A building approval is separate.
Councils administer the Local Provisions Schedule and zone standards under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, which can affect siting and whether a permit is triggered.
Planning rules across Tasmania: every route to approval, and the answer for other projects →
Granny Flats rules by council in Tasmania
Local councils apply the Tasmania framework and can add their own controls. Pick your council:
Frequently asked questions
How big can a granny flat be in Tasmania?
Currently up to 60 m². A 2026 amendment to increase the cap to 90 m² is out for consultation but not yet in force.
Do I need a permit for a secondary residence in Tasmania?
Not necessarily. If your zone allows a single dwelling and the design meets the secondary residence standards, it can be No Permit Required.
Can I rent out a granny flat in Tasmania?
Yes, a secondary residence can be rented, but it must share services with the main house and cannot be subdivided onto its own title.
Sources
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 in Tasmania before starting work. Last reviewed: July 2026.
Talk to a town planner in Tasmania
This page covers the general rules. A qualified town planner can tell you what applies to your block, including the zone, overlays and approval path, before you spend money on drawings.
- Qualified, practising town planners
- Advice specific to your property
- Free, with no obligation