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Can I build townhouses or units in Brisbane?

Townhouses and unit blocks are 'multiple dwellings' — three or more dwellings on one lot. They're not allowed in the low-density zones at all; in the right zone, the Brisbane City Plan sets the site area, height and site cover. Here's the picture, plus a free plan check.

Brisbane owners, investors and small developers assessing a townhouse or unit development site before buying or designing.

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Multiple dwellings — and where they're allowed

Three or more dwellings on a lot is a 'multiple dwelling' under the Brisbane City Plan Multiple Dwelling Code (9.3.14) — townhouses, villas or a unit block. The first question is the zone: multiple dwellings are NOT contemplated in the Low density residential zone at all, so a standard suburban block in low density is out. They belong in the Low-medium, Medium and High density residential zones (and centre/mixed-use areas).

The numbers by zone (Table 9.3.14.3.B)

Site area, frontage and the number of storeys all step up with the zone:

Low-medium density residential — 600 m² site, 15 m frontage, 2–3 storeys by precinct
Medium density residential — 800 m² site, 20 m frontage, up to 5 storeys
High density residential — 800 m² site, 20 m frontage, 8 or 15 storeys by precinct
Character residential (Infill housing) — 800 m² site, 2 storeys
Maximum site cover 45% (low-medium / medium) or 40% (high density)
Private + communal open space, deep planting (10% of site), and parking apply

Always a development application

A multiple dwelling is always assessable development — a development application is required. Meeting the Table B site area and height for your zone makes it a code-assessable application; falling short means the proposal has to be justified against the performance outcomes. Larger schemes also pick up communal open space (10+ dwellings) and building-separation requirements.

Check your plans against the rules — free

Got a concept or plans? The free Brisbane plan compliance check reads the site area, dwelling count, storeys and site cover off your PDF and tests them against the Multiple Dwelling Code. For a full feasibility assessment of yield and pathway, the DA Feasibility report goes deeper.

Real example

Worked example

An 820 m² Medium density block supports a 5-storey multiple dwelling at ≤ 45% site cover — code-assessable on the measurable outcomes. The same townhouse project on a Low density block isn't a contemplated use and would be impact assessable and unlikely to be supported.

The statutory basis

Townhouse and unit developments in Brisbane are assessed under the Brisbane City Plan 2014 Multiple Dwelling Code (section 9.3.14), made under the Planning Act 2016. The site area and height standards are Table 9.3.14.3.B; a neighbourhood plan can vary them.

Brisbane City Plan 2014 — Multiple Dwelling Code

Section 9.3.14 (AO1, AO4.1, Table 9.3.14.3.B)

Planning Act 2016 (Qld)

Assessable development — multiple dwelling

Planning Regulation 2017 (Qld)

Definition — multiple dwelling

Frequently asked questions

Can I build townhouses on a low density residential block?

No. Multiple dwellings aren't a contemplated use in the Low density residential zone — they're not in the code's Table B for that zone. You need a Low-medium, Medium or High density zone (or a centre/mixed-use zone).

How many units can I build on my block in Brisbane?

It depends on the zone's height/storeys, the 45–40% site cover, building separation and parking — not a fixed dwelling-per-area number. The right starting point is the zone (storeys) and site area; a feasibility assessment works the yield from there.

What's the minimum land size for units in Brisbane?

600 m² in the Low-medium density zone, 800 m² in the Medium and High density zones (and Character Infill). Below that, the site-area Acceptable Outcome isn't met.

How tall can a unit block be?

2–3 storeys in Low-medium density (by precinct), up to 5 storeys in Medium density, and 8 or 15 storeys in High density depending on the precinct.

Do townhouses need a development application?

Yes — a multiple dwelling is always assessable development, so a DA is always required.

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