Don't sign a QLD lease until you know the use is permitted
The single most expensive mistake in Queensland commercial leasing is signing a 5-year lease for a fitout where the council Land Use Table makes the use prohibited or impact-assessable. The lease is enforceable. The landlord won't refund. Council won't approve a Material Change of Use for a prohibited use.
What you assume vs what QLD planning actually does
Three common mismatches between assumption and Queensland reality — and how our tools cover them.
“The previous tenant ran a similar business, so you assume your business is also OK”
Reality: QLD use definitions are precise — 'food and drink premises', 'shop', 'office', 'health care services', 'service industry'. A change between any two requires a Material Change of Use (MCU) application, even when the fitout is unchanged. Some changes are accepted-subject-to-requirements; others trigger code or impact-assessable DA. We help you check before signing.
“The agent says 'all uses welcome' and the building is zoned commercial”
Reality: Different commercial zones (Major Centre / District Centre / Local Centre / Specialised Centre / Mixed Use) have very different Land Use Tables. The agent isn't liable; you are. Restaurant in a Mixed Use zone might be accepted; same restaurant in a Local Centre zone might be impact-assessable.
“You plan to fit out the same way the previous tenant did”
Reality: Your new use may trigger a Building Code of Australia (BCA) Class change — which can require fire upgrades, accessibility upgrades, exit signage, sprinklers and structural retrofits. Class 5 office to Class 9b assembly (restaurant) typically costs $50k-$500k to retrofit. Plus liquor / food / trade waste licences not yet considered.
QLD tools we recommend for qld business owners
Each tool is positioned for your specific use case — the right one depends on how committed you are to the project.
Free QLD Council Finder
Find the council's online mapping tool for your tenancy address. Look up the zone and applicable Land Use Table entries before you sign.
QLD Title Search
Title and dealings from Titles Queensland. Identifies registered easements (drainage, sewer, right of carriageway) that affect tenancy fitout planning.
Free QLD MCU Guide
Material Change of Use is QLD's defining planning concept. This guide explains what triggers an MCU, the assessment categories and typical timelines.
Ready to add planning intelligence to your work?
Sign nothing until you know the use is permitted. Use the free council finder and zone guide before viewing the tenancy; order a $34 title search if you're serious. Beats $200k+ in dead lease cost when council refuses your MCU.