Granny Flat Approval Brisbane
A granny flat, or secondary dwelling, gives you a second home on your block for family, a tenant or extra space. Vast Consulting Group certifies secondary dwellings across Brisbane, handling the Building Approval and inspections from your first set of drawings through to the final certificate. Because we have worked in construction as well as compliance, we look for a practical path through the planning scheme rather than just pointing out obstacles.
How secondary dwelling approval works in Queensland
Under Brisbane City Plan 2014, a secondary dwelling is generally accepted development, meaning it does not need a separate council Development Approval, provided it meets the relevant size and site limits. The commonly cited maximum gross floor area for a secondary dwelling is 80 sqm (check current limits with us), and there are also requirements around the number of dwellings on the lot and how it relates to the main house. Since changes to Queensland legislation in 2022, a secondary dwelling can be rented to someone who is not a member of your household, which has made granny flats a popular option for extra income.
Once your design fits within the accepted development criteria, we assess it as your private certifier under the Building Act 1975, checking it against the National Construction Code (NCC) and the Queensland Development Code (QDC), and issue the Building Approval. If the design falls outside the size or siting limits, a council Development Approval may be needed first, which we can flag early so it does not hold up your build.
The process with Vast
Send us your drawings
We review the proposed floor area, siting and setbacks against Brisbane City Plan and the NCC before anything is lodged.
Assessment and approval
We confirm whether the project is accepted development or needs council input first, then issue the Building Approval.
Stage inspections
We inspect at the required stages, typically foundations, slab, frame and final, coordinating with your builder.
Final certificate
Once the last inspection passes, we issue the Form 21 Final Inspection Certificate for the completed dwelling.
What we check
Areas we cover
We certify granny flats and secondary dwellings across Brisbane City, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redland, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Rules and overlays vary between council areas, so tell us your suburb early and we will confirm what applies.
FAQs
How big can a granny flat be in Brisbane?
The commonly cited limit under Brisbane City Plan is 80 sqm gross floor area for a secondary dwelling, though this depends on your specific lot and zoning (check current limits with us).
Can I rent my granny flat to someone outside my family?
Under changes to Queensland legislation from 2022, a secondary dwelling can generally be rented to people who are not household members, subject to the dwelling meeting the accepted development criteria. Check your specific approval conditions with us.
Do I need a council Development Approval for a granny flat?
If your design meets the accepted development criteria under Brisbane City Plan, you generally only need a Building Approval from a private certifier. If it exceeds the size limit or sits on a constrained lot, council approval may be needed first.
What inspections apply to a granny flat build?
Typically foundations, slab, frame and final, similar to a standard house, though the exact requirements depend on the design and construction method.
Call our Brisbane office on (07) 3112 7689 or get a free quote for your granny flat project. Read more on our building approval Brisbane page, and if you are building in Sydney, our granny flat certifier Sydney page covers the NSW rules.
Send us the drawings. We'll tell you what it takes to get approved.
Unrestricted building surveyors and certifiers. Residential, commercial and industrial. Brisbane and Sydney.
Woolloongabba QLD 4102 (07) 3112 7689 Also serving the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast