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Multiple dwellings

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Check the planning requirements for a multiple dwelling. Find information on code assessment and development applications.

What do I need to know before getting started?

A multiple dwelling means a residential use of premises involving 3 or more dwellings, whether attached or detached.

Examples of forms of multiple dwellings included in the City Plan definition: 

  • apartments 
  • flats 
  • units 
  • townhouses 
  • row housing. 

A multiple dwelling is not a:

  • boarding house or hostel (rooming accommodation) 
  • duplex (dual occupany) 
  • granny flat (secondary dwelling) 
  • residential care facility 
  • retirement facility. 

Before you start any work, you should: 

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Note

The Brisbane Build-to-Rent Incentive Policy supports construction of new build-to-rent residential multiple dwellings in appropriately zoned locations.

Looking for something else

Subdividing land

Plumbing and drainage

Heritage and character properties

What types of approval do I need?

Planning approval

For planning approval, your proposed multiple dwelling development will be either code assessable or impact assessable.

A code assessable development is expected development that doesn’t require public notification. You’ll need to: 

  • receive approval before starting any activity or development.

If your project is impact assessable, you’ll need to lodge a development application that requires public notification prior to Council making a decision. 

Your multiple dwelling is code assessable development if your property is in these zones:

In this zone, a multiple dwelling is code assessable if no greater than:

  • 8 storeys in the Up to 8 storeys zone precinct
  • 15 storeys in the Up to 15 storeys zone precinct
  • the building height specified in the relevant neighbourhood plan.

The proposal should comply with the assessment benchmarks outlined in the:

In this zone, a multiple dwelling is code assessable if no greater than:

  • 5 storeys
  • the building height specified in the relevant neighbourhood plan.

The proposal should comply with the assessment benchmarks outlined in the:

In this zone, a multiple dwelling is code assessable if no greater than:

  • 3 storeys and 11.5 m in building height in the Up to 3 storeys zone precinct
  • 3 storeys and 11.5 m in building height in the 2 or 3 storey mix zone precinct, where:
    • the site has frontage to a road with a reserve width of 15.5 m or more, and
    • any part of the site is within 400 m walking distance of a dedicated public pedestrian access point of a railway or busway station
  • 2 storeys and 9.5 m in building height.

The proposal should comply with the assessment benchmarks outlined in the:

In this zone, a multiple dwelling is code assessable if it's:

  • no greater than the number of storeys and building height specified in the relevant neighbourhood plan
  • within the City Centre neighbourhood plan area.

The proposal should comply with the assessment benchmarks outlined in the:

In this zone, a multiple dwelling is code assessable where no greater than:

  • 10 storeys
  • the building height specified in the relevant neighbourhood plan.

The proposal should comply with the assessment benchmarks outlined in the:

In this zone, a multiple dwelling is code assessable where no greater than:

  • 4 storeys in the District zone precinct
  • 5 storeys in the Corridor zone precinct
  • the building height specified in the relevant neighbourhood plan.

The proposal should comply with the assessment benchmarks outlined in the:

In this zone, a multiple dwelling is code assessable where no greater than:

  • 3 storeys
  • the building height specified in the relevant neighbourhood plan.

The proposal should comply with the assessment benchmarks outlined in the:

In this zone, a multiple dwelling is code assessable if no greater than:

  • 5 storeys in the Inner city zone precinct
  • 5 storeys in the Centre frame zone precinct
  • 4 storeys in the Corridor zone precinct
  • the building height and gross floor area specified in the relevant neighbourhood plan.

The proposal should comply with the assessment benchmarks outlined in the:

information outline

Note

Your project may be subject to a different category of assessment and additional assessment benchmarks may apply if the site is located: 

  • within a neighbourhood plan
  • in an overlay.

Lodge a development application

If your project is code or impact assessable, you’ll need to lodge a development application and your project will be assessed against the relevant codes.

Follow our step-by-step guide to prepare and lodge a development application.

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Note

Applications for multiple dwellings include technical reports. We recommend you seek professional consultant help to prepare an application. 

What happens after I lodge my development application?

Once we’ve received your development application, we‘ll check it: 

  • complies with properly made requirements
  • includes all the relevant documents.

A fee quote will then be issued for payment. Council uses a points system to calculate development application fees, which can vary depending on your project.

Application assessment

Properly made applications proceed through an assessment process in set stages.

If your application is not properly made, you’ll receive an action notice and have 20 days to comply. 

You must let Council know that the action notice has been complied with. We’ll consider whether the action notice has been fulfilled and issue a Confirmation Notice if satisfied that the application is properly made.   

If you’re unsure, request information and advice. 

Keep track of your development application

You can check the status of your development application on our development and search tracking tool, Development.i. 

Look up your development application by number or location and select 'Details'. The status is under 'Progress'.

Building approval 

Once you have planning approval for a multiple dwelling, you’ll need building approval.

Contact a licensed building certifier to organise building approval. You’ll need to supply scaled and detailed plans prepared by a draftsperson or architect.

Information for building certifiers

Under the Planning Act 2016, Council must hold records of building construction approvals and certification information. These documents will be kept for a specified period of time and made available for inspection. 

A detailed list of required lodgement materials is outlined in Planning Regulation 2017 and s86 of the Building Act 1975.

You can lodge building certification documents online for a fee of $72.30.

Sign in to the Services Brisbane for Business portal to lodge your building certification documents.

 

Lodge documents

You can also lodge building documents at any Customer Centre. Phone Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) to ask about the fees for lodging building documents in person.