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Building and development complaints

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Make a complaint about unsafe, illegal or disruptive building work. Report non-compliant fences and pools.

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Regulating building and development matters

The Planning Act 2016 and Building Act 1975 regulate building and development in Brisbane. These laws ensure building works: 

  • meet necessary safety standards
  • don't disrupt the community.

Council investigates a range of building and development complaints.

Building complaints handled by Council

Council handles building complaints about:

  • noise from building work
  • unsafe or dangerous buildings
  • unsafe or dangerous boundary fences
  • non-compliant pools
  • illegal building work.

You can make a complaint about noise from building work involving:

  • building, repairing, altering, underpinning, moving or demolishing a building
  • providing air conditioning, drainage, heating, lighting, sewerage, ventilation or water supply for a building
  • excavating, filling or retaining work in conjunction with building work 
  • installing or removing scaffolding.

Learn about noise restrictions and make a complaint.

Learn more

All developments must have the relevant approvals or permits before any building work starts on:

Developers, builders and property owners must comply with approval conditions.

You can look up development applications and their Council approval status using Development.i.

If you come across illegal building work, make a complaint.

Buildings and structures should not pose a risk to public safety or be in a state of disrepair or ruin.

The owner of a building or structure is responsible for its maintenance. Talk to them about general maintenance or minor issues.

If you believe a building is dangerous or unsafe, you can make a complaint.

Under the Health, Safety and Amenity Local Law 2021, some fencing materials aren’t permitted next to public areas. This includes parks, reserves, roads, footpaths and waterways.

Barbed wire is only permitted in industrial or rural areas. It must not endanger anyone using the adjacent public area.

The use of hazardous fencing materials are only permitted in industrial areas. They include razor wire, tiger wire and other materials that could harm people or animals.

Barbed wire and hazardous fencing materials must:

  • comply with the local law
  • be at least 2 metres above ground level or separated from public areas by a physical barrier.
Electric fences

Electric fences must be separated from public areas by a setback or physical barrier. They must have warning signs installed at:

  • regular intervals of no less than 5 metres (where the fence adjoins a public space) 
  • every point where someone may come into contact with the fence or its conductors (where the fence doesn’t adjoin a public space).

Warning signs must:

  • be made of durable and weatherproof material
  • be at least 100 mm x 200 mm
  • have a yellow background colour on both sides
  • include the words “WARNING – ELECTRIC FENCE” in black on both sides
  • have indelible lettering at least 25 mm in height.

If you’re having a dispute with a neighbour about a fence, try to resolve the issue yourself.

If you can’t resolve the issue or know of an unsafe fence next to a public area, make a complaint.

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Note

Complaints about electric fences between privately owned properties are civil matters. To resolve these issues, talk to your neighbour or legal advisor.

All swimming pools must comply with the Building Act 1975, Building Regulation 2021 and Pool Safety Standard. 

Pool owners are responsible for a pool’s fencing and maintenance.

Learn more about pool regulations and how to make a complaint.

Under the Health, Safety and Amenity Local Law 2021, owners of buildings in a designated area in Fortitude Valley must maintain their building’s appearance.  

You can make a complaint if a building in the designated area is:

  • dirty or dilapidated
  • in a state of disrepair
  • in need of repainting.

To view a map of the designated area in Fortitude Valley, see the the Health, Safety and Amenity Subordinate Local Law 2012 (PDF 866kb).

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Note

Council regulates and investigates noise from residential building works.

Find information about noise restrictions or make a noise complaint.

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Complaints process

Noise restrictions and complaints

Air and odour complaints

Dealing with a building issue

Before you make a complaint to Council, there are steps you can take to resolve the issue.

  1. Talk to the person responsible. They may not be aware that their activities are causing a problem.

  2. If the issue continues, collect evidence such as photographs, recordings and diary notes. This will help support your complaint.

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Make a complaint

1 Prepare your documents

To make a complaint you must provide:

  • your name, address, email address and phone number (this information is kept confidential)
  • a description of the issue including the date, time and source address.

Supporting documents you may also need to provide:

  • evidence in the form of photos, video recordings and diary notes
  • a witness statement
  • evidence if the matter is referred to a court.
2 How to make a complaint with Council

To make a complaint phone Council on 07 3403 8888 or use the online form.

Make a complaint online

Learn more about Council's complaints process.

Enforcement action

Council may take enforcement action if the person responsible doesn't resolve the issue. 

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Penalties include:

  • prescribed infringement notices (PINs)
  • legislative notices and/or directions, such as oral directions, compliance notices, show causes or enforcement notices
  • prosecution.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can make a complaint if your neighbour’s building work is breaching noise restrictions. There are noise limits for using power tools and carrying out building work.

Before you make a complaint, talk to your neighbour to try resolve the problem. Your neighbour may not be aware their renovations are causing an issue. 

Note: They may be exempt from noise restrictions if they have development approval for specific equipment or activities. There are also no restrictions on building noise from 6.30am-6.30pm weekdays.

Learn about noise restrictions, acceptable sound levels and how to handle a noise nuisance. 

To make a complaint about a builder, contact the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). Council does not handle these complaints.

QBCC investigates and helps resolve issues and disputes about:

  • defective or incomplete works
  • offences or misconduct
  • contracts or payments
  • other building work issues.

Find out how to lodge a builder complaint with QBCC.

You can report a tradesperson to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission for carrying out unlicensed or non-compliant work.

Council doesn’t handle complaints about bad work carried out by tradespeople.

Learn more about making a complaint against a contractor.

If you receive a complaint about building work at your home, try to resolve the problem yourself. For example, if you receive a noise complaint, make sure your works are being carried out within regulated times.

If you don’t take steps to rectify the situation, Council may give you a set timeframe to resolve the issue. You may also be fined or issued a Direction Notice.