Secondary Dwelling Granny Flat Moreton City Council — 2025 Guide
Secondary Dwelling – Granny Flat Moreton Bay — 2025 Guide (Planning + Services)
Purpose
A plain-English summary of the rules and on-site considerations for secondary dwellings in the City of Moreton Bay (MBRC). If you want this applied to your exact address with a compliant concept and smooth approvals pathway, contact Mamet Homes—Brisbane’s specialist in premium secondary dwellings.
At-a-glance (Secondary Dwelling Only)
- Use & definition: A secondary dwelling is a smaller dwelling on the same lot, used in conjunction with and subordinate to the main dwelling. It can be attached or detached and occupants don’t need to be related. It is not a dual occupancy. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Typical pathway: Meet all standard requirements (size, siting, parking, shared address & services) → typically Building & Plumbing approvals only (no planning DA). Miss a requirement → expect Town Planning + Building + Plumbing. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Occupancy (statewide): Since 26 Sept 2022, you may rent to anyone (no relatives-only rule). (Planning)
- Overlays matter: Flooding, coastal hazards, bushfire, biodiversity, transport noise/air—overlays can add benchmarks or trigger a planning application. Check your address first. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
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1) Definitions & Classification (What it is / isn’t)
- Secondary dwelling = a smaller dwelling on the same lot, subordinate and in conjunction with the main dwelling; attached or detached; not a separate address/use; not dual occupancy; no relationship requirement for occupants. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
2) Zoning & Treatment (How MBRC Handles It)
- Assessed within the Dwelling house framework for the site.
- If all standard requirements are met, proceed via private certifier (Building) and Plumbing approvals.
- If any requirement is not met, add Town Planning to the pathway. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
3) Core Development Standards (What Actually Bites)
Table A — Size, Placement, Parking & Services (by zone/frontage)
| Topic | General Residential – Frontage < 15 m | General Residential – Frontage ≥ 15 m | Rural / Rural Residential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max GFA (secondary dwelling) | 45 m² | 55 m² | 100 m² |
| How many per lot? | One | One | One |
| Where on site? | Behind the main dwelling (single-house street read) | Same | Same |
| Proximity to house | Within 10 m | Within 10 m | Within 50 m |
| Parking | +1 on-site space, co-located with house parking | Same | Site-specific, co-located expected |
| Address & services | Shared driveway, one street number & letterbox, shared services / (typically) one meter | Same | Same |
Table A reflects MBRC’s Secondary Dwelling Information Sheet (Sept 2022; still referenced by Council). (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
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4) Design & Siting (Secondary-Dwelling Context)
- Treat the granny flat as part of the site’s Dwelling house standards (site cover, setbacks, building height) for your property’s zone/precinct. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Streetscape: From the road, the lot should read as a single dwelling—secondary sits behind and visually recessive. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
Visual Guide — Good Site Planning (not to scale)
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Street → [One crossover / One letterbox / One street number] │
│ │
│ Main dwelling (front) │
│ ■ Shared driveway & parking ■ │
│ │
│ ← ≤ 10 m → │
│ Secondary dwelling (behind) │
│ ■ +1 co-located car space ■ ■ Shared services/meter ■ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Rural / Rural Residential: ≤ 50 m to main dwelling.) (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
5) Services & Access (What Certifiers Expect)
- Stormwater: Provide lawful discharge (roofwater) consistent with local standards; include a stormwater concept early.
- Sewer & Water: Connect per plumbing standards/approvals (fees apply).
- Driveway / Crossover: Shared access (one crossover) aligned with a single-dwelling street presentation.
- Metering & Utilities: Shared services, one address/letterbox (per Table A). (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
We coordinate services up-front so your favourite Moreton Granny Flat plan doesn’t get re-drawn at the eleventh hour.
6) Overlays & Constraints (Why Your Project Might Escalate)
Use MBRC’s Overlay maps or My Property Look Up to confirm: flooding, coastal hazard, bushfire, biodiversity/environmental areas, transport noise/air, etc. These can add extra benchmarks or trigger Town Planning even when Table A is met. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
How to check (interactive map): Open the City of Moreton Bay ArcGIS Planning Map, search your address, and export relevant overlays for your feasibility pack. (Moreton Bay Map)
7) Approval Pathway (Secondary Dwelling Only)
Decision Path
- ALL Table A + site’s Dwelling house standards met → Building + Plumbing approvals (private certifier). (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- ANY Table A item not met (e.g., GFA over cap, >10 m separation in GR, separate services/number, parking not co-located) or overlays impose benchmarks → Town Planning + Building + Plumbing. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
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8) Submission Checklist (What to Hand Your Certifier/Planner)
- Survey & site plan (boundaries, levels, existing services).
- Floor area calculation proving ≤ 45 / 55 / 100 m² as applicable. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Site planning sheet showing behind the main dwelling and ≤ 10 m (GR) or ≤ 50 m (Rural/Rural Res). (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Parking plan: +1 co-located space with the main dwelling’s parking. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Services note: shared driveway, one address/letterbox/metering/services. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Overlay extracts (PDF/PNG) from Overlay maps / ArcGIS with short response notes. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
9) Common Pitfalls (And How We Avoid Them)
- Oversizing on suburban streets → GR caps 45/55 m² (by frontage). Re-plan to comply or prepare a planning case. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Too far from the house → ≤ 10 m in GR; ≤ 50 m in Rural/Rural Res; keep it clearly subordinate. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Separate address / services → expect issues; MBRC requires shared access, address and services. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Ignoring overlays → flood/bushfire/coastal/biodiversity can flip you to Town Planning. Check maps first. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- “Family-only” myths → statewide change means you can rent to anyone; keep docs neutral on relationships. (Planning)
10) Plain-English Recommendation (What We’d Verify First)
- Overlay scan (Overlay maps / ArcGIS) before sketching concepts. If overlays are heavy, budget for planning input. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- If General Residential:
- Keep GFA ≤ 45 m² (<15 m frontage) or ≤ 55 m² (≥15 m frontage).
- Place the flat behind the house and within 10 m; show +1 co-located park; share access, address & services. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- If Rural / Rural Residential:
- Target ≤ 100 m² and ≤ 50 m to the house; ensure it remains clearly subordinate. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- If you can’t meet the above, plan a Town Planning application; demonstrate subordination, amenity and compliance with the site’s standards. (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- Remember: QLD allows rental to anyone—don’t include outdated “relatives only” language. (Planning)
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Sources (Accessed 24 September 2025)
- City of Moreton Bay — Secondary Dwelling Information Sheet (Sept 2022) (definitions; 45/55/100 m², 10 m / 50 m, behind frontage, +1 co-located parking, shared services & address, approval pathway). (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- City of Moreton Bay — Secondary Dwelling (web info) (single-house street read; proximity; standards). (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- City of Moreton Bay — Overlay maps / My Property Look Up (flooding; coastal; bushfire; environmental areas). (Moreton Bay Regional Council)
- City of Moreton Bay — ArcGIS Planning Map (interactive zoning/overlay search). (Moreton Bay Map)
- Queensland Government — Changes to Secondary Dwellings (26 Sept 2022) (rental to anyone). (Planning)
FAQ — Secondary Dwelling / Granny Flat Moreton Bay (2025)
1) What is a secondary dwelling (granny flat) in Moreton Bay?
A smaller dwelling on the same lot as the main house, used in conjunction with and subordinate to it. It can be attached or detached and is not a dual occupancy.
2) Is a Granny Flat in Moreton Bay accepted development (no planning DA)?
Often yes—if you meet all standard requirements (size, siting, parking, shared services & one address). Miss a requirement and you’ll add Town Planning to Building & Plumbing.
3) What are the size caps for a granny flat in Moreton Bay?
45 m² GFA (General Residential frontage < 15 m), 55 m² (frontage ≥ 15 m), 100 m² (Rural / Rural Residential).
4) How close must the secondary dwelling be to the main house?
Within 10 m in General Residential and within 50 m in Rural / Rural Residential.
5) Where should it sit on the site?
Generally behind the main dwelling so the property reads as one home from the street (single-house presentation).
6) How many secondary dwellings can I have on one lot?
One secondary dwelling per lot.
7) Do I need extra parking for a Granny Flat Moreton Bay project?
Yes—provide +1 on-site space, co-located with the main dwelling’s parking (plan hardstand early).
8) Do I need a separate address, driveway, or services?
No—shared driveway, one street number & letterbox, and shared services (typically one meter). Treat it as one home in presentation and servicing.
9) Can I rent my granny flat to anyone?
Yes—since 26 Sept 2022, Queensland allows rental to anyone (not limited to relatives).
10) What overlays can change my pathway?
Common overlays include flooding, coastal hazards, bushfire, biodiversity/environmental areas, and transport noise/air. Overlays can add benchmarks or trigger a planning application even if you meet Table A.
11) What approvals do I still need if I’m “accepted
development”?
You’ll still need Building and Plumbing approvals and to demonstrate lawful stormwater discharge.
12) What documents should I prepare?
Feature survey & site plan, GFA worksheet proving ≤ 45/55/100 m², a site planning sheet (behind the house; ≤10 m or ≤50 m as applicable), parking plan (+1 co-located), services note (shared), and overlay extracts with brief responses.
13) What triggers Town Planning in Moreton Bay?
Exceeding GFA caps, sitting >10 m from the main dwelling in GR (or >50 m in Rural/Rural Res), failing the “behind the house” street-read, separate services/address, parking shortfalls, or overlay benchmarks.
14) Can the granny flat be two storeys?
Potentially—if it meets the dwelling house standards for height, setbacks, and site cover for your zone/precinct.
15) How do I get the simplest path?
Design to Table A (size + proximity), keep the flat behind the house with +1 co-located park, use shared services & one address, and clear overlays first.