Granny Flats & Secondary Dwellings
Thinking about a granny flat on your block?
More and more SE QLD homeowners are adding a second living space – for ageing parents, adult children or even as an income stream. But the rules are confusing, and every council has a slightly different approach. That’s where we come in.
Granny Flat, Secondary Dwelling, Dual Occupancy – What’s the Difference?
Granny Flat – The everyday term people use, but not an official planning term. Councils classify granny flats as either a secondary dwelling or, in some cases, a dual occupancy.
Secondary Dwelling – A smaller, self-contained dwelling (usually up to 80m²) on the same lot as your main house. It shares services such as water, power and driveway, and is considered part of one household.
Dual Occupancy – Two full-sized dwellings on the one lot. Each has separate services and can be separately rented. This usually triggers more complex approvals, infrastructure charges and sometimes subdivision planning later.
Why it matters: Councils generally make it easier to approve a secondary dwelling for family use than a dual occupancy for investment purposes.
Which SE QLD Councils Are Supporting Granny Flats?
Some councils are actively encouraging secondary dwellings to help with housing demand:
Brisbane City Council – Recently relaxed rules for secondary dwellings up to 80m² (and some up to 100m²) on residential lots. Many do not attract infrastructure charges if used by family.
Moreton Bay & Ipswich – Supportive of granny flats on low-density residential lots but strict on setbacks, flood overlays and parking.
Logan City Council – One of the most flexible; allows granny flats to be rented to non-relatives (rare in SE QLD).
Gold Coast City Council – Permits granny flats but enforces more design standards and parking requirements.
Somerset & Redlands – Supportive for family use but more conservative in rural zones or where flood or scenic overlays apply.
Let’s Get Started
If you're ready to start your granny flat and secondary dwelling development, our team offers a free preliminary consultation to assess feasibility and outline the next steps
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