Information about local laws
Under the Local Government Act, Brisbane City Council has the authority to make and enforce local laws. Council is also responsible for enforcing some state government legislated laws.
Enforcement actions depend on the degree of non-compliance.
Prosecution Policy
Sometimes Council will take prosecution action. This is guided by the principles outlined in Council’s Prosecution Policy.
Some documents on this page need Adobe Reader to view or print them. You can download Adobe Reader for free.
Compliance and Regulatory Services
Council officers are responsible for enforcing local laws including:
- parking and permits
- natural assets (for example overgrown land, noxious weeds)
- animal management
- abandoned vehicles
- roadside vendors (for example flower sellers)
- neighbourhood nuisances (for example noise, illegal dumping and smoke)
- camping in Council parks (defined as physically setting up a camp, caravan or tent and the act of sleeping in a vehicle)
- camping overnight on a road or road-related area (for example road shoulder or road reserve) which is prohibited at all times
- health, safety and amenity (for example graffiti, abandoned trolleys, community newspapers and junk mail)
If you break a local law you may have to pay a fine. You can pay your fines online.
Officers are also responsible for enforcing both state legislation and local laws covering areas including:
- signage
- food hygiene
- footpath dining
- illegal use of premises
- footway permits
- building
- refuse control
According to some laws, certain individual or business activities require a permit or licence.
More information
A full list of Council's local laws is available from the Local Laws Database - Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.
Visit Council to get copies of local laws. Fees are $0.35 a page or $0.60 for a double page.
