Rooming accommodation
Check the approvals you need to use your property as an accommodation business. Read the Rooming accommodation code.
What is a rooming accommodation business?
Under the Planning Regulation 2017 and Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan), rooming accommodation is the use of a premises for residential accommodation where each resident:
- can occupy 1 or more rooms, however, not the whole premises
- does not occupy a space considered a self-contained unit or has limited facilities available for private use
- shares other rooms, facilities, furniture or equipment outside of the resident's room with 1 or more other residents.
If you’re opening a rooming accommodation business, you can provide:
- food or other services to residents
- on-site management or staff and associated accommodation.
Common examples of rooming accommodation businesses include:
- boarding house
- hostel
- monastery
- off-site student accommodation.
Businesses that aren’t classified as rooming accommodation include:
- hospice
- community residence
- dwelling house
- short-term accommodation.
What you need to know
Before you set up a rooming accommodation business on your property, you need to:
- find key facts about your property
- understand the relevant business code
- know the preferred locations
- be aware the relevant legislation.
Find key property facts
Use the mapping tool in City Plan online to find key facts about your property. This includes:
- zoning
- neighbourhood plans
- overlays.
Understand the code
The Rooming accommodation code applies to any business offering rooming accommodation.
The code outlines planning requirements to ensure all rooming accommodation businesses are safe and non-disruptive.
Know the preferred locations
City Plan allows rooming accommodation for a maximum of 5 guests in the following zones:
- Low density residential
- Character residential
- Low-medium density residential
- Medium density residential.
The business must:
- comply with the Rooming accommodation code
- have the appearance of a dwelling house being used for domestic purposes
- minimise the amenity impacts on neighbours and the surrounding area.
Read the legislation
If you're setting up a rooming accommodation business, it must comply with relevant Queensland Government legislation. This includes the:
What you need to do
Follow this process to get the relevant approvals before setting up a rooming accommodation business.
You may need one or more of the following approvals for your rooming accommodation business:
- planning approval
- building approval.
Planning approval
Your rooming accommodation business may need planning approval.
To find out if you need to lodge a development application for planning approval, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 and ask to speak to a Planning Information Officer.
Accepted development
You may not need to apply for planning approval if your project is accepted development.
Rooming accommodation may be accepted development if it meets the following requirements:
- located in the appropriate zone
- accommodates 5 persons or fewer
- complies with all identified acceptable outcomes of the Rooming accommodation code in City Plan.
It may also be accepted development if it:
- involves a new premises or an extension to an existing premises
- complies with specific acceptable outcomes of the Dwelling house code or the Dwelling house (small lot) code.
Building approval
You may need to seek advice if you’re planning to undertake building works, or if you’re planning to occupy an existing building that was not designed, built or adapted to be used as rooming accommodation.
Get advice from a licensed private building certifier or building consultant for:
- building work for a new or existing building
- any building approval that is required.
Once you’ve determined the property details and relevant approvals, you can prepare your development application (if required).
You can submit your development application:
- online
- in person
- by mail.
In some cases, you may be able to fast track your application.
If you need support, Council offers a range of services to help. You can:
- book in to talk to a planner
- seek prelodgement advice
- phone Council and ask to speak to a Planning Information Officer.
We will review and assess your development application.
We may ask you to supply more information during the assessment process.
During this time, you can check your application status.
Other things to consider
Non-student accommodation
If you’re providing rooming accommodation to individuals who aren’t students, you may need to be registered and accredited as a service provider under the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002.
For more information, contact the Queensland Government Department of Housing and Public Works (Residential Services Unit).
Business changes
If the nature of your business changes over time, you may need to reconfirm whether you require planning approval.
Other approvals
You may need to apply for additional approvals for your rooming accommodation business, including for advertising signs.
More advice
You may need to get advice from Council about your rooming accommodation business if:
- it requires planning approval
- it requires a referral response through the building approval
- the premises are located within a neighbourhood plan or overlay area.
Phone our Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263).
