Development applications information

To obtain development application information for a site, you can request a Planning and Development Certificate in accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act, Section 737-741.

A Planning and Development Certificate does not include copies of development plans, it will not state whether or not the current use is lawful and does not refer to building approvals.

Planning and development certificates

There are three types of planning and development certificates. Each provides a different level of information. Find out the relevant fees for each certificate.

Limited planning and development certificates

Limited certificates are generally for conveyancing matters, such as establishing which planning scheme the property is in. A Limited Certificate provides a description of any:

• relevant planning scheme provisions
• state or local designations under legislation applying to the premises

Standard planning and development certificates

Standard certificates are generally for commercial enterprises. A Standard Certificate establishes Brisbane City Council's conditions for development approval. It provides the same information contained in a Limited Certificate and a copy of any:

• decision notices for development approvals that have not lapsed
• minor changes to the development approval
• judgement or court order about the development approval
• agreement about a condition of the development approval that Council (or a concurrence agency) is party to
• information recorded for the premises in the infrastructure charges register, regulated infrastructure charges register or adopted infrastructure charges register, incuding any outstanding infrastructure charges.
• infrastructure agreement applying to the premises that Council is party to
• description of each proposed amendment of a planning scheme Council had decided to proceed with but has not yet adopted

Full planning and development certificates

Full certificates are generally for commercial enterprises. A Full Certificate establishes Council's conditions for development approval, states whether or not the conditions have been complied with and describes any outstanding conditions. It also outlines details of court judgements and orders in regard to development approvals.

These certificates state advice of prosecution, or awareness of proceedings for prosecutions, for a development offence in relation to a premises. Full certificates provide:

• the same information provided in both the Limited Certificate and Standard Certificate
• details of any current development approval containing conditions, and a statement of fulfilment or non-fulfilment of each condition at a stated day (after the certificate was applied for)
• if there was an infrastructure agreement that Council is party to, including:
   
  • any obligations that have not been fulfilled, including details of the nature and extent of non-fulfilment
  • details of any security given and whether any payment required under the security has been made
     
• advice of any prosecution for a development offence in relation to the premises that the local government is aware of; or proceedings for a prosecution for a development offence in relation to the premises that Brisbane City Council is aware of

How to lodge

You can lodge a conveyance search for a planning and development certificate online.

Alternatively, download the application form and submit in person by visiting Council.

• Planning and Development Certificate application - CC3039  (PDF - 37Kb)

Mail with your cheque payment to:

Brisbane City Council
PO Box 361
Fortitude Valley Qld 4006

Time to process

After the lodgement date, planning and development certificates results are provided within:

• five working days for a Limited Certificate
• 10 working days for a Standard Certificate
• 30 working days for a Full Certificate

You cannot fast track a Planning and Development Certificate.