Do I need council approval for my renovation?

Updated 19 Aug 2026/7 min read/By Manttan Construction · QBCC 15030266

Common Redlands residential jobs — typical position

Building approval	Issued by a licensed building certifier (private or council). Checks the National Construction Code, Queensland Development Code, structural adequacy and safety.
Planning approval	Issued by Redland City Council. Checks land use, siting, site cover and overlays under the Redland City Plan.
Unroofed deck, low	Often accepted development if under 10 m², no part more than 1 m above natural ground, no side longer than 5 m and not attached to the house.
Roofed patio, carport, verandah	Roofing generally removes the exemption — treat it as needing approval.
Retaining wall	Generally exempt under the Building Regulation if under 1 m, carrying no surcharge load, and at least 1.5 m clear of another wall or building.
Plumbing and drainage	Relocating fixtures, new wet areas and drainage need council plumbing approval and a licensed plumber, regardless of value.
Structural changes inside	Removing or altering load-bearing walls, beams or bracing needs building approval and engineering.

01 — The basics

What is the difference between planning and building approval?

They answer different questions. Planning approval (a development permit from Redland City Council) asks whether what you propose is an acceptable use of the land in that location — setbacks, site cover, height, and whether an overlay applies. Building approval asks whether the thing you are building is structurally sound and code compliant, and is issued by a licensed building certifier.

A job can need one, both, or neither. A new roofed patio well inside the setbacks usually needs building approval only. The same patio on a small lot, in a coastal or flood overlay, can need planning approval as well.

02 — Exemptions

What can I build without any approval?

Queensland calls this accepted development. The exemptions are narrow and cumulative — miss one criterion and the whole exemption falls away. Typical examples for a Redlands backyard:

• A small unroofed deck: under 10 m², no part over 1 m above natural ground, no side over 5 m, not attached to the house.
• A retaining wall under 1 m with nothing loading it from above and 1.5 m clear of buildings or other walls.
• Small garden sheds and non-weatherproof structures within the size and height limits in the council fact sheet.
• Like-for-like maintenance: re-painting, re-tiling a floor, replacing a cooktop, swapping tapware.

Even where no approval is required, the work still has to comply with the National Construction Code, the Queensland Development Code, Australian Standards and the manufacturer instructions. Exempt does not mean unregulated.

03 — Triggers

What usually triggers approval on a Redlands job?

• A roof. Roofing a deck, patio or carport almost always brings it into approval territory.
• Height. More than 1 m above natural ground and you are into structural and barrier requirements.
• Load-bearing changes. Opening up a kitchen wall to the living area needs a beam, engineering and a certifier.
• Moving water. New or relocated fixtures need plumbing approval; drainage over sewer or council assets needs separate consent.
• Overlays. Bushfire, flood, coastal hazard, acid sulfate soils, character and vegetation overlays all add assessment.
• Boundaries and easements. Building close to a boundary, over an easement or near council infrastructure changes the pathway.

If two or more of those apply, assume a formal approval and budget the time for it rather than hoping.

04 — Process

How does the approval process actually run?

The usual order

• Design and documentation — site plan, floor plan, elevations, sections.
• Engineering where there is structure: beams, footings, decks, retaining.
• Soil test and site classification where footings are involved.
• Certifier lodges and assesses; council assesses planning and plumbing where relevant.
• Approval issued with conditions and a schedule of mandatory inspections.
• Build, with inspections at footings, frame, waterproofing and final.
• Final certificate — the piece of paper you want in your file at resale.

We handle documentation, certifier liaison and inspection bookings as part of the job, so you are not chasing paperwork between trades.

05 — Risk

What if work was already done without approval?

It is more common than people think, especially with older decks, carports and enclosed under-house areas. Unapproved building work can hold up a sale, void insurance claims connected to the structure, and land with you rather than whoever built it.

The fix is usually retrospective certification: a certifier assesses what is there, sometimes with engineering or opening up sections for inspection, and either certifies it or lists what has to change. It is cheaper to sort out before you list the house than during a contract.

06 — Timing

How long does it take, and what does it cost?

Timeframes depend on the pathway. A straightforward building approval through a private certifier is typically the fastest route; anything needing planning assessment by council takes materially longer because of statutory information and decision periods.

Costs are separate from your build: certifier fees, council fees, engineering, soil testing and any survey work. We list them as their own line so you can see what is construction and what is compliance.

The practical takeaway: start approvals early. Design changes are cheap on paper and expensive once the frame is up.

Questions

Approvals FAQ

Still unsure how it applies to your place? Call 0402 847 873 and we will tell you straight.

Do I need council approval for a deck in the Redlands?+

If the deck is unroofed, under 10 square metres, less than 1 metre above natural ground, has no side longer than 5 metres and is not attached to the house, it is generally accepted development. Anything bigger, higher, roofed or attached should be treated as needing building approval from a certifier.

Who issues building approval — the council or a private certifier?+

Either. Most residential building approvals in Queensland are issued by private licensed building certifiers. Council handles planning approvals and plumbing and drainage approvals.

Does an internal renovation need approval?+

Cosmetic work does not. Anything structural does, and anything that moves plumbing needs plumbing approval. Replacing a bathroom in the same footprint sits in between, so we confirm the scope with a certifier before starting.

Can Manttan handle the approvals for me?+

Yes. We prepare the documentation, engage the certifier and engineer, and manage inspections through to the final certificate as part of the contract.

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