How to Get Quick Building Approval in South-East Queensland
June 10, 2025
Let us help you save time and money with these easy to follow tips.
So, you're ready to build. Maybe it's a Granny Flat
for Mum, a teenager retreat, or a smart way to boost your property value. But before the dream takes shape, there's the not-so-glamorous hurdle of building approvals.
We hear this question all the time from families across the South East Queensland: "How do I get building approval quickly and without all the runaround?"
We've helped countless Queensland families cut through the red tape and get their Granny Flat projects moving faster. Here are our top tips to avoid lengthy approvals and start building sooner.
First things first – the aim is to qualify as a Secondary Dwelling. We'll share how you can do this below, and knowing these secrets is where you're going to save both time and money!
Secondary Dwelling Code: Your Fast-Track to Approval
By following a few simple rules, you'll be able to have a Private Certifier approve your Granny Flat instead of your local council. This isn't just a faster turnaround time – it can also save you thousands of dollars. Even better, if you're adding a Granny Flat for additional income, you'll start seeing a return on your investment much sooner.
Why Avoid Development Applications?
All councils, including the City of Gold Coast, follow a standardised development assessment process guided by the Planning Act 2016 and the Development Assessment Rules. This process involves several lengthy stages, including application, referral, information requests and then finally the decision from Council. Fortunately, the City Plan supports secondary dwellings, therefore if you have followed the requirements and provided the necessary documents, in most cases you will get approval. This is however where you'll spend months waiting and where possible, want to avoid.
Our Top Tips for Qualifying Under the Secondary Dwelling Code
Here's how to stay within the rules and fast-track your approval:
Stay Off the Boundaries
There are minimum distances that secondary dwellings must be built from your boundary lines. Knowing what these are and building within those requirements will save you significant time when it comes to approvals – and determines which approval pathway you'll need to take.
Stay Under 80m² - size matters
There are a few variations, but keeping your Granny Flat under 80m² on the Gold Coast will mean you'll be eligible to classify it as a Secondary Dwelling, which means faster approvals and lower costs. Note: Each council varies slightly on sizing, just contact us to find out more.
Build Within the Correct Zones
For most areas, your Granny Flat needs to be built within a specific distance of your main property. On the Gold Coast it's 20 metres for a rural property, or 10 metres from eave to eave on a low/medium density home, but again this can vary depending on which council area you're in. Building your Granny Flat within these requirements can again avoid delays. These requirements will be available from your local council and providing you abide by the zoning regulations; you can proceed under the Secondary Dwelling pathway.
The Bottom Line
If you go outside these rules, the council gets involved as your project becomes "code assessable" and a Development Application will need to be lodged. This means months of waiting and thousands in additional costs.
Stay within these simple guidelines and you can obtain Secondary Dwelling Code approval via a Private Certifier – meaning no council delays, faster approvals, and money saved.
The best part? We've already decoded this process for you.
Ready to build your Granny Flat smarter, not harder? Contact us today and discover how our proven process can get your project approved quickly and built to the highest standards. Let us help turn your vision into reality!
While we aim to avoid council approvals where possible, we understand that sometimes you don't want to compromise on your dream – and we hear you. If your build requires council approval, here are some proven ways to ensure the process is as quick and smooth as possible. Don't Cut Corners on Documentation Want a surefire way to delay your approval? Submit incomplete plans or forget a key document. We've watched families wait months because they missed one piece of paperwork. Here's what you'll typically need for a smooth approval process: Site plan, floor plans, and elevations Engineering details (structural documentation) Sewer and stormwater plans Energy efficiency report Title search and site survey Any specialist reports (bushfire, acoustic, etc.) We can help you gather all the required documentation. Don't try to navigate this alone – it's not worth the risk of delays and costly mistakes. Get Pre-Approval Advice – It's a Game Changer Did you know you can book a pre-lodgement meeting with your local council? Whether you're building in Moreton, Ipswich, Logan, or Gold Coast, this gives you the opportunity to: Ask all your burning questions Clarify complex planning rules Get early feedback on your design Build rapport with the assessment team This can be absolute gold for challenging blocks or if your design pushes boundaries. Think of it as insurance against rejection. Be Ready to Respond Quickly Sometimes the council or certifier will come back with an RFI (Request for Information). Don't panic – this is completely normal. But here's where speed makes all the difference. The faster you respond with clear, complete answers, the faster your Granny Flat approval moves through the system. Treat these requests like priority mail, because that's exactly what they are. When in Doubt, Call in the Experts If your project hits a snag, for example zoning challenges or energy efficiency overwhelm, don't try to battle it alone. We've seen too many families get months into their project only to hit a roadblock, pushing back their builds and costing them valuable time and money. We know building a Granny Flat in South-East Queensland can be confusing, which is why we created the " 21 Steps to Building a Successful Granny Flat ". It's packed with real advice from our Queensland builds, including design tips, approval checklists, and insider shortcuts that most builders won't share. This isn't some generic guide. It's based on real projects we've completed – the kind of practical advice that only comes from actually doing the work, day in and day out.
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