Granny Flat Approval Sunshine Coast and Noosa
A second dwelling on your block, whether it is a granny flat behind the main house, a dual occupancy on an acreage lot, or a self contained unit for family, is assessed differently depending on which council area your site falls in. Vast Consulting Group certifies secondary dwellings and dual occupancies across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa, working from our Brisbane office and travelling up for every inspection. We know both planning schemes that apply here, not just one.
Two schemes, one approval path
South of the Maroochy River, secondary dwellings are assessed under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014, administered by Sunshine Coast Council, across areas including Maroochydore, Caloundra, Buderim, Mooloolaba, Nambour, Sippy Downs, Beerwah and Palmview. North around Noosa Heads, Noosaville and Tewantin, secondary dwellings are assessed under the Noosa Plan 2020, administered by Noosa Shire Council. The two schemes set their own size limits, siting rules and criteria for what counts as accepted development, so a granny flat design that clears the bar in one shire is not automatically accepted development in the other. We confirm which scheme applies before we assess your drawings.
In both areas, a secondary dwelling that meets the accepted development criteria under the relevant planning scheme generally does not need a separate council Development Approval, and can go straight to a private certifier for a Building Approval. Commonly cited gross floor area limits for a secondary dwelling sit around 80 sqm, though the figure and the surrounding conditions differ between schemes and change over time (check current limits with us). Since changes to Queensland legislation in 2022, a secondary dwelling can generally be rented to someone outside your household, which makes them a common option on the larger blocks found across this region.
Acreage and rural residential blocks around the hinterland and semi rural pockets of both council areas also open up dual occupancy as an option, where two separate dwellings sit on the one larger lot under different rules again from a standard secondary dwelling. We work through which pathway, secondary dwelling or dual occupancy, actually fits your land and your plans.
The process with Vast
Send us your drawings
We review floor area, siting and setbacks against whichever planning scheme applies to your site, and flag any bushfire or slope overlay that might change the assessment.
Assessment and approval
We confirm whether the project is accepted development under the relevant scheme or needs council input first, then issue the Building Approval.
Stage inspections
We travel to site for inspections at foundations, slab, frame and final, working around your builder's schedule.
Final certificate
Once the last inspection passes, we issue the Form 21 Final Inspection Certificate.
What we check
Areas we cover
We certify granny flats, secondary dwellings and dual occupancies across Sunshine Coast Council areas including Maroochydore, Caloundra, Buderim, Mooloolaba, Nambour, Sippy Downs, Beerwah, Palmview and Caloundra South (Aura), and across Noosa Shire Council areas including Noosa Heads, Noosaville, Coolum, Peregian and Tewantin, plus hinterland acreage around Maleny and Montville.
FAQs
How big can a granny flat be on the Sunshine Coast or in Noosa?
Commonly cited limits sit around 80 sqm gross floor area, but the exact figure and conditions depend on which planning scheme applies to your site and your specific lot and zoning (check current limits with us).
Is the Noosa Plan the same as the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme?
No. Noosa Shire Council administers the Noosa Plan 2020, while Sunshine Coast Council administers the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014. The two set different rules for secondary dwellings, so we confirm which applies to your address before assessing a design.
Can I build a dual occupancy instead of a granny flat on my acreage block?
Larger acreage and rural residential lots in both council areas can sometimes support a dual occupancy, which is assessed differently from a secondary dwelling. We can talk through which pathway suits your land and your plans.
Do hinterland or coastal overlays affect a granny flat approval?
Yes. Bushfire hazard and steep slope overlays on hinterland blocks, and coastal erosion or flood overlays on low lying and waterfront blocks, can all affect siting and construction requirements, and in some cases require council input alongside your Building Approval.
Call our Brisbane office on (07) 3112 7689 or get a free quote for your Sunshine Coast or Noosa granny flat project. Read more on our building approval Sunshine Coast page, and if you are building in Brisbane itself, see our granny flat certifier Brisbane page.
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