Under Queensland planning law, a secondary dwelling is a self-contained dwelling on the same lot as a primary residence — typically a granny flat, in-law suite, or detached studio with its own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. Most SEQ councils allow secondary dwellings as a compliant use in residential zones, subject to size limits (usually up to 60m² or 80m² gross floor area depending on the council), setbacks, site coverage, and car parking rules. We check your specific council's requirements at the start of every project.

You need building approval (from a council certifier or private certifier), but in most SEQ residential zones you don't need a development application (DA) — provided the design meets your council's compliant development criteria. Building approval covers structural and technical compliance; the CDC pathway handles the planning compliance. We manage both. If your site is in a zone that requires a DA (some rural or specific overlay zones), we handle that too.

Generally yes — Queensland allows secondary dwellings to be rented out independently in most residential zones. The rental income from a well-designed secondary dwelling in SEQ can be significant, particularly given the current rental market. Some estates with body corporate rules or covenant restrictions may limit this — we check for these during the planning phase. The dwelling needs to be fully approved and meet all building codes before it can be occupied by tenants.

A well-built secondary dwelling in SEQ typically runs at $2,500–$3,000 per square metre, with cost per square metre higher than a larger home due to the fixed overhead of kitchens, bathrooms, and services connections. The cost varies with site conditions, finishes, and whether connections require upgrades. We provide a detailed cost estimate at concept design — before you commit to anything.