What can you build without council approval in QLD?

If you live in Queensland and you’re planning to build something on your property, one of the first questions you might ask is: “Do I need council approval for this?”
And it’s a good question—because if you go ahead without the right approvals, you could end up with fines, orders to demolish your build, or worse… a never-ending legal headache.

But here’s the good news: Not everything needs council approval.
In fact, there are quite a few things you can build in QLD without needing to deal with local council red tape.
This article will walk you through them—plain and simple.

First up, what is “council approval”?

Council approval (also called “development approval” or “building approval”) is permission from your local government that says your proposed building or renovation complies with planning laws. It often involves submitting detailed plans, reports, and paying a fee.

But under Queensland’s planning laws, certain types of low-risk building works don’t need approval. These are known as exempt development or accepted development.

Now let’s break down what that actually means for you.

1. Garden Sheds (up to a certain size)

You don’t need council approval in QLD for a garden shed if:

• It’s under 10 square metres in area
• It’s no higher than 2.4 metres
• It’s located behind the building line (i.e., not in your front yard)
• It’s not attached to another building
• It meets boundary setback rules

In simple terms: if you’re putting a small shed in the backyard to store your mower, tools, or random weekend DIY stuff—you’re probably fine.

Just don’t plonk it too close to the fence or make it a live-in man cave. That’s a different story.

2. Carports and Shade Structures

If you want to build a carport, shade sail, or pergola, some options don’t need approval—as long as they meet certain criteria.

For example:

• A carport or shade structure attached to a house that’s less than 10m²
• Detached structures (like pergolas) that are non-habitable, less than 3m high, and not enclosed

But… if it’s close to the boundary or near a road, the rules can change.

👉 Rule of thumb: if it’s small, simple, and away from boundaries, you might not need council sign-off.

3. Decks and Patios

Small decks and patios can often be built without approval, especially if:

• They’re less than 1 metre off the ground
• They’re not enclosed
• They’re less than 10m²
• They follow setback rules from property boundaries

So, if you’re thinking of building a small timber deck for Sunday barbies—you might not need to deal with council at all.

But once you add a roof, go higher off the ground, or build too close to the fence, it could trigger the need for approval.

4. Fences

Fences are another grey area where the size and type of fence matter.

You don’t need approval for a fence under 2 metres high (including retaining walls under 1 metre).

Things that might need approval:

• Front fences over 1.2m high
• Any fence on a corner lot
• Pool fences (which need to comply with safety regulations)

So, if you’re just putting up a simple timber fence between you and your neighbours—you’re in the clear. But if you want something tall, fancy, or near a road, you’ll need to double-check.

5. Water Tanks

Water tanks help the environment and your wallet, and the government encourages them. In most cases, you can install a rainwater tank without approval if:

• It’s for domestic use
• It’s not too large or high
• It’s behind the building line
• It’s not visible from the street

If you’re connecting it to your plumbing, you might still need plumbing approval—but not necessarily council development approval.

6. Solar Panels

Good news if you’re going green: Solar panels generally don’t need council approval in QLD if:

• They’re installed by a licensed installer
• They’re attached properly to the roof structure
• They meet size and setback requirements

However, if you live in a heritage-listed property or in a neighborhood governed by body corporate rules (like a townhouse complex), there could be other hoops to jump through.

7. Internal Renovations

You can usually carry out internal renovations like:

• Replacing the kitchen
• Installing new flooring
• Painting and plastering
• Installing cupboards or cabinetry

…without needing any council approval.

But anything structural (like removing a wall or moving plumbing) might still need a building permit or private certifier sign-off.

So yes, go ahead and redo the kitchen—just don’t knock out a load-bearing wall without checking first.

8. Temporary Structures

Say you’re hosting a birthday party, a wedding, or even putting up a marquee in your backyard for a weekend event—no worries.

As long as:

• The structure is temporary (less than 4 weeks)
• It’s not obstructing public space
• It’s safe

…you don’t need council approval.

9. Cubby Houses and Treehouses

Cubby houses, kids’ forts, and treehouses are usually fine without approval if:

• They’re less than 10m²
• Not more than 2.4m tall
• Not near the boundary
• Not habitable or used as a sleep-out

If it’s a small backyard play area for the kids, you’re most likely fine. But if you’re building a mini Airbnb treehouse… that’s another level.

10. Retaining Walls (Small Ones)

If you’re levelling part of your yard and installing a retaining wall, you usually don’t need approval if:

• It’s less than 1 metre high
• It doesn’t support a structure
• It’s more than 1.5 metres from another retaining wall

Go over those limits, though, and you may need engineering, council approval—or both.

But don’t forget: Setbacks, overlays, and zoning rules still apply

Even if your project ticks all the boxes above, you still need to check your property’s specific zoning, overlays, and planning rules. For example:

• Bushfire-prone zones
• Flood zones
• Character or heritage overlays
• Environmental or conservation overlays

These can limit what you’re allowed to build, even if it seems minor.

Use the Queensland Government’s Development.i tool or check with your local council to see what applies to your land.

What if I build without approval anyway?

Look, we get it. Council stuff is confusing.
But building without approval can backfire hard. Here’s what could happen:

• You could be fined
• You might be forced to demolish the work
• It can impact your insurance coverage
• It could cause issues when selling your property

So if you’re not 100% sure—don’t guess. Ask a certifier, call your council, or hire a professional.

So, what can you build without council approval in QLD?

Let’s wrap it all up. You can generally build without council approval in QLD if your project is:

✅ Small (under 10m²)
✅ Low (under 2.4m high)
✅ Not habitable (i.e., not a bedroom or living area)
✅ Set back from boundaries
✅ Not in a flood zone or bushfire area
✅ Not visible from the street in some cases (like sheds or water tanks)

These include:

• Small sheds
• Low decks and patios
• Certain carports
• Internal renovations
• Water tanks
• Solar panels
• Non-structural fences
• Cubby houses
• Small retaining walls

Final Tip: When in doubt, check it out

Planning a build, even something small, always involves a few “what ifs.” So, before you start digging or hammering away, take 5 minutes to check your local council rules or talk to a building certifier.

It’s a lot easier (and cheaper) than fixing things later.

Need expert help?

If you want to make sure your next build is compliant and stress-free, we’ve got your back. At Rainbow Engineering, we help Queensland property owners and builders with everything from plans to permits and structural designs.

📞 Call us today to book a consult.

We’ll help you build smart—without the drama.