New and Relocated Homes

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Can I build a house on my property?

You will need an approval to build a new house on your property. The design requirements are slightly different depending on the size of your property.

The location of your site can also affect the type of approval you need to get. Council has mapping of site features such as environmental, flooding, bushfire, and heritage. If your land has these features mapped as ‘overlays’ over your property, you may need a town planning application for your house or structure. For more information on the types of overlays which may affect your property please see Council’s Zones and Overlays factsheet.

To check if any overlays apply to your site, please visit Council’s interactive mapping or contact Council on (07) 4970 0700 or info@gladstone.qld.gov.au.

Check zone overlays
This information is for properties in residential neighbourhoods that are in the Low Density Residential Zone or the Low-medium Density Residential. If your land is in a different zone, it is best to contact Council directly to discuss the additional or alternative requirements that may apply.
View Council's online mapping system

House relocation
Typically, house relocation from an area outside or within the Gladstone Regional Council area is subject to the same process and siting requirements as if it were a new house.
More information

What are the rules for my property with a size

Less than 450 square metres More than 450 square metres
Council Services Clear of underground services like sewerage, water and stormwater pipes, as well as easements. More information
Front Setback 4 metres on a regular suburban street and 1m to a corner street OR if there are existing houses on both sides you need to be located at a point between them. If you are on a corner block, additional requirements apply. 6 metres OR if there are existing houses on both sides you need to be located at a point between them. If you are on a corner block, additional requirements apply.
Garage and Parking A garage door can’t take up more than 6 metres or 50% of the street frontage, whichever is less. Parking is provided for at least two vehicles on the lot and this can be in tandem.
Height Maximum height of 8.5 metres where up to 15% slope and 10 metres if slopes is 15% or more. Maximum height of 8.5 metres and 2 storeys above ground level.
Outdoor Living Space Must have an area of 16 square metres and a dimension of 4 metres, accessible from a living area, not on a slope of greater than 1:10. -
Side and Rear Setbacks
  • 1.5 metre setback where the house has a height of 4.5 metres or less
  • 2 metre setback where the house is between 4.5-7.5 metres,
  • 2 metres setback plus 0.5m per 3m that exceeds 7.5 metres.

For narrow lots with a frontage less than 15 metres – setbacks can be less. A Building Certifier is best placed to advise on these requirements.
Site Cover A maximum of 50% of the property can be covered by buildings.

Can I relocate a house from one site to another?

A building approval can be obtained from a Building Certifier and may also require planning, amenity and aesthetics, or boundary relaxation approval from Council. Key things to consider when relocating a house include:

  1. Cyclone proofing - The structural and building elements of the dwelling must comply with the Region C wind region classification as specified in the National Construction Code. This means that all external wall and roof cladding, windows, doors, garage doors and soffits must be cyclone proofed to ensure they can resist the potential wind impacts expected at your site.
  2. Exterior condition and design - It’s important to be aware of the costs associated with completing all required works on the house to ensure that it meets structural and legislative requirements.
  3. Asbestos materials - A report from a licensed asbestos contractor is required to show that the building is free from asbestos.
  4. Security bonds - In short, house relocation is rarely an easier or cheaper option and requires security bonds to be paid to Council to ensure compliance is achieved refer to Council's Fees and Charges for the applicable bond amount.

For more information please contact Council on (07) 4970 0700 or info@gladstone.qld.gov.au

To see other Fact Sheets, hover over the image above and click on an aspect (or symbol such as a fence, house etc). This will display another Fact Sheet for you on that subject.

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