Confused about the Gold Coast Granny Flat Rules?
Here is everything you need to know about how to get approval for your granny flat.
First things first: good news.
Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) is passionate about creating new living solutions amid the housing crisis, with granny flats near the top of their list.
Council makes it easy and affordable for homeowners to develop a second dwelling on their property – meaning they are pro granny flats and small homes.
So what is a secondary dwelling?
A secondary dwelling is the Council term for a self-contained dwelling.
It is limited in size, and can be attached, within or detached from the principal dwelling. They act as separate living areas, and are typically smaller and subordinate to the primary house.
The most common name for a secondary dwelling is a granny flat.
With the rise of people looking for luxury, minimalist living spaces, Funky Little Shacks are being used for many reasons. But most commonly, our clients want to build a customised and personalised small home for their loved ones.
Check out some of our completed Shacks here.
How can I start my additional home journey today?
Firstly, you will need to find out Council’s requirements on adding a secondary dwelling to your specific property. Sometimes you need a Development Application (DA), but in many cases you do not.
Submitting planning applications for a DA to the Gold Coast City Council is not required when you:
- Are located in a residential zone (you can ask our team more about whether or not you qualify)
- Meet the self-assessable development criteria in the Secondary Dwelling Code.
If your secondary dwelling does not meet all the relevant development criteria, you may need to lodge a planning application (DA).
Before you get too caught up in the thought of having to go through the Council, let’s have a chat to discuss your goals and vision.
Ask us about ordering a Site Investigation Report for your property – this will tell you everything you need to know about building a granny flat.
We understand Gold Coast City Council requirements and can help get you started.
When is a planning application (DA) not required?
Gold Coast City Council has developed a number of criteria, and when these are met, your dream home becomes ‘self-assessable’. This means you do not need a DA, which can save you a lot of time and thousands of dollars.
- When your secondary dwelling uses the existing driveway.
- When your secondary dwelling is built using the same style and/or materials as your primary property, or in a similar design context to your primary house.
- If your secondary dwelling does not exceed a 80m2 in size – but great news! This does not include a balcony or deck (and with that stunning Gold Coast weather we’re sure you’ll want to utilise the outdoors in your design).
Gold Coast City Council also has requirements for:
- Location of your secondary dwelling in relation to the primary house and property.
- Minimum setbacks (clearances) from your property boundaries.
- Mapping overlays that may affect your property such as bushfire, landslide and flood prone areas, and also regions covered by environmental protections.
- What your secondary dwelling is going to be used for.
You can always contact Gold Coast City Council directly to discuss these points, or talk to us instead.
Our Site Investigation Report will answer all of your questions. Call us on 1300 377 744 to find out more.
Are you in a different Council area?
Not all Local Councils are the same, and nearly all of them have different requirements. We have experience dealing with several Councils across South East Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Contact us today to discuss your specific Council’s requirements. There is no better time than now to start planning the next step for unleashing the value of your property.
Ask us about ordering a Site Investigation Report to find out whether your project is feasible – it’s going to save you time and money.
Get in touch with our team and book your free consultation.
Let’s chat!
Know you know the basics about Gold Coast granny flat rules, what’s next?
We’d love to help you walk this exciting journey – creating a space that’s entirely tailored to you and your needs, and a space that will complement your existing dwelling.
We create custom homes ranging from $180,000 to $350,000, depending on size and location. We also design fully custom plans from just $6,000+GST.
Head here to talk to our team or call us on 1300 377 744.
Let’s get started!