Extensions, raising and renovations

Before you extend, renovate or raise your home, find out whether you need planning and/or building approval and/or other permits.

House extensions and renovations that require Council approval

Houses that do not comply with the Dwelling house code or Dwelling house (small lot) code

All extensions and renovations to an existing house must comply with the:

• Dwelling house code, or
• Dwelling house (small lot) code requirements.

Brisbane City Council requires a planning application if your proposal does not comply with all acceptable outcomes of the relevant code. Common reasons include:

• building height over 9.5 metres or more than two storeys in height, and
• front, rear and side boundary setbacks for a house on a small lot.

To find out if you need a planning application, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to speak to a town planner.

Houses in the Traditional building character overlay

Some extensions and renovations to a pre-1946 house in the Traditional building character overlay require planning approval.

Houses constructed in or before 1946, requiring some demolition works to a proposed extension or renovation, may require assessment against the Traditional building character (demolition) overlay code.

Council generally requires a planning application for external extensions to all houses in the Traditional building character overlay. This is regardless of the age of the house.

Extensions triggering a planning application, must:

• comply with the Traditional building character (design) overlay code, and
• either the Dwelling house code, or
• the Dwelling house (small lot) code.

Renovations only involving internal works, are unlikely to require planning approval.

To find out if you need a planning application, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to speak to a town planner.

Accepted minor building work

Brisbane City Plan 2014 identifies the circumstances where minor building work in the Traditional building character overlay is accepted development. Council does not require assessment against the planning scheme for:

• enclosing under an existing building
• an external stair or ramp
• a carport at the front or side of the house (specific circumstances apply)
• a carport, garage, shed or other outbuilding at the rear of the building
• raising a house where the new height does not exceed 9.5 metres.

These requirements are detailed in Table 5.3.4.1 - Prescribed accepted development in the City Plan.

To find out if your proposal is minor building work, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to speak to a town planner. 

Building approval

Building approval is separate from planning approval. Licensed private building certifiers or building consultants can provide advice about:

• building work for an existing dwelling house or a new dwelling house, including demolition work
• whether a project requires building approval.

Private building certifiers and building consultants are available using the Queensland Building and Construction Commission's find a local contractor search.

Other permits you will need

You will need other permits in addition to planning and building approval, such as:

• plumbing approval to cap off a sewer
• footpath permit to cross a footpath with a truck.