Brisbane Planning & Approval References for Homeowners
A curated list of the official Brisbane and Queensland references that drive renovate, raise, extend and rebuild decisions — City Plan 2014, character and demolition controls, flood mapping and QBCC licensing.
The right renovate, raise, extend or rebuild decision in Brisbane usually comes down to a handful of official rules — what your block’s overlays allow, whether your home is protected by pre-1946 character controls, your flood level, and who is licensed to do the work. What follows is just a handful of sources we work with as reference for the approvals process. You don’t need any knowledge of the below as we’ll guide you through the process. The curious however may find them of interest and as they are on the public record they are free for you to access.
Planning & character controls
- Brisbane City Plan 2014 — the planning scheme. Look up your property to see its zoning and the overlays that apply.
- Demolition or removal (Brisbane City Council) — when demolishing a pre-1946 home in the Traditional Building Character Overlay needs planning approval (and why full knockdowns are often refused).
- Heritage and character properties (Brisbane City Council) — how character and heritage controls shape what you can change.
Extensions, raising & renovations
- Extensions, raising or renovations (Brisbane City Council) — the approval pathway for raising a home, building underneath, and extending.
Flood & overland flow
- Brisbane Flood Awareness Map — check flood and overland flow risk and request a FloodWise Property Report for your address.
- Queensland FloodCheck — statewide flood mapping to cross-reference your Defined Flood Level.
Licensing & verification
- QBCC licensee register — confirm a building designer’s or builder’s QBCC licence is current and covers the right class of work.
Not sure how these apply to your home? Our Renovate or Rebuild guide walks through the trade-offs, and we offer a feasibility-led approach that confirms your overlays, flood level and pre-1946 status before recommending a direction. Get in touch to talk it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if my Brisbane home is affected by a character or flood overlay?
Look your property up in Brisbane City Plan 2014, which shows the overlays that apply to your block — including the Traditional Building Character Overlay. For flooding, check Brisbane City Council's Flood Awareness Map and request a FloodWise Property Report, and cross-reference the Queensland Government's FloodCheck. These tell you whether character demolition controls and a Defined Flood Level apply before you commit to a renovate, raise or rebuild direction.
How do I check that a building designer or builder is licensed in Queensland?
Search the QBCC licensee register. You can confirm a licence is current and see the class of work it covers. All Aspects Design Studio holds QBCC Building Design – Low & Medium Rise licence No. 15436033.