Can I build a granny flat in Noosa?
Short answer: Noosa Plan 2020 allows a secondary dwelling with one or two bedrooms and a maximum gross floor area of 65 m². Unenclosed balconies, decks, car parking areas and stairwells are not counted. Council's Fact Sheet 3 sets out the requirements, and you still need building and plumbing approvals.
Noosa secondary dwelling rules at a glance
| Maximum size | 65 m² gross floor area; unenclosed balconies, decks, car parking areas and stairwells are excluded |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | One or two |
| Where the rules are | Noosa Plan 2020 (zone codes, overlays), the Planning Regulation 2017 and building codes; council's Fact Sheet 3: Secondary dwellings |
| Infrastructure charges | Under council's Charges Resolution. Local news reported that from 1 July 2025 Noosa landowners building secondary dwellings no longer incur infrastructure charges; confirm with council |
| Water authority | Unitywater |
| Rent | Since 26 September 2022 a secondary dwelling in Queensland can be rented to anyone, not only family. It needs its building approval and final certificate first, and normal tenancy law applies. |
Zones and overlays matter
Noosa Plan 2020 puts building controls such as height, setbacks, site cover and gross floor area in each zone code, and overlays such as wetlands can mean council has to assess a proposal. A secondary dwelling that meets the plan's requirements is treated as part of a dwelling house, but an overlay or a missed requirement can change that. Check council's online mapping first.
Charges
Council's fact sheet says infrastructure charges are set by its Charges Resolution. A June 2025 local news report said Noosa had introduced incentives, including no infrastructure charges for secondary dwellings from 1 July 2025. Because that is a news report and charges resolutions change, ask council whether any charge applies to your project.
Planning enquiries
Council's Development Services team is the contact for development under Noosa Plan 2020. Ask for advice in writing if you're relying on it.
Who to ask in Noosa
- Council: council's Fact Sheet 3 and Development Services on (07) 5329 6500
- Water authority: Unitywater (typically for Noosa). Order a sewer service diagram early and ask about its build-over-asset process.
- Building certifier and builder: check licences on the QBCC register. See choosing a builder.
Other councils: Brisbane · Gold Coast · Sunshine Coast · Moreton Bay · Logan · Ipswich · Redland · Scenic Rim · Lockyer Valley · Toowoomba · Somerset. See the Queensland overview.
Sources
- Noosa Shire Council, Noosa Plan 2020 Fact Sheet 3: Secondary dwellings.
- Noosa Shire Council, Fact Sheet 2: Building a house (zone code controls).
- Sunshine Coast News, Council turns to granny flats to help solve housing crisis (June 2025).
General information only, not planning, legal or building advice. Council provisions change, so confirm the current version with council and check the review date above.
Frequently asked questions
How big can a granny flat be in Noosa?
Noosa Plan 2020 allows a secondary dwelling of up to 65 m² gross floor area with one or two bedrooms. Unenclosed balconies, decks, car parking and stairwells are not counted.
Do Noosa granny flats pay infrastructure charges?
Council's fact sheet says charges follow its Charges Resolution. Local news reported that from 1 July 2025 Noosa secondary dwellings no longer incur infrastructure charges, so confirm the current position with council.
Who supplies water and sewer in Noosa?
Unitywater. Ask it for a sewer service diagram and about its build-over-asset process before you design.
Check your Queensland block in 2 minutes
Answer 12 questions about your council, block and plans. You get a free, plain-English result showing what looks possible, what needs checking and what to do next. No contact details needed.
Check my Queensland block