Granny Flat Approval in Townsville
This page summarises how secondary dwellings usually work under Townsville City Council rules. It is general information, not a substitute for a certifier or town planner on your lot.
Call 0485 557 649 and we’ll connect you with a local builder who deals with these approvals regularly.
Size and siting
Maximum size: 90 m² gross floor area (excluding a single carport or garage).
In residential zones the secondary dwelling should sit within 20 m of the primary house and meet ordinary dwelling-house site cover, setback and height rules.
- One secondary dwelling per property, and only once the primary house is built.
- If the design meets the nominated acceptable outcomes of the Townsville City Plan codes (and overlays don’t trigger assessment), planning approval is generally not required — you still need building approval from a private certifier.
- Overlays (flood, bushfire, coastal and others) can mean referral to Council even when the size rules are met.
- A secondary dwelling cannot be separately subdivided or titled; it is not a dual occupancy.
- Council’s fact sheet says a secondary dwelling cannot be used for short-term accommodation or as a home-based business for home-hosted visitor accommodation — confirm current rules if you planned Airbnb-style use.
Building vs planning
Even when planning approval is not required, you still need building approval (and usually plumbing approval). In Queensland that is commonly arranged through a private building certifier. Overlays can change the path.
Wind Region C
Townsville sits in cyclonic Wind Region C, so structural design, tie-downs and cladding must meet the relevant wind classification — your builder and certifier handle this.
What to check on your block
- Zoning and any estate covenants
- Flood, bushfire, coastal, hillslope or other overlays
- Sewer/septic, easements and side access width
- Parking and driveway sharing rules