By Azrah Madden, Principal, Madden Estate Agents, Ipswich
Since Ipswich City Plan 2025 took effect on 1 July 2025, adding a second home to an Ipswich block has become much simpler. In most established residential areas, a granny flat or a dual occupancy no longer needs planning approval, as long as it fits the size limits for your lot. This guide explains the rules in plain English.
It is general information, not planning or building advice. Always confirm the rules for your own property before you build.
Granny flat or dual occupancy: what is the difference?
- Secondary dwelling (granny flat): a smaller home on the same lot as the main house. It cannot be separately titled, so it can only be sold with the main house.
- Dual occupancy: two homes on one lot, attached like a duplex or detached. A dual occupancy can be strata titled, which means each home can potentially be sold on its own.
That titling difference is why a dual occupancy usually adds more value, and why it has bigger minimum lot sizes.
Size limits without planning approval
| Lot size | Secondary dwelling | Dual occupancy |
|---|---|---|
| 450 to 600 sqm | Up to 60 sqm | Not permitted without approval |
| 600 to 800 sqm | Up to 90 sqm | Up to 120 sqm |
| Over 800 sqm | Up to 120 sqm | Up to 150 sqm |
These are gross floor area limits published by Ipswich City Council for established residential areas. Your design still has to meet setbacks, building height and parking requirements. Anything larger, or on a site with constraints such as flooding, may need a planning application.
Approvals you still need
Removing planning approval does not remove every approval. You will still need:
- Building approval from a building certifier.
- Plumbing approval for water and sewer connections.
- Compliance with fire separation and sound rules, particularly if the second home will be rented.
Can I rent out a granny flat in Ipswich?
Yes. Since 26 September 2022, Queensland law has allowed secondary dwellings to be rented to anyone, not just family members. If an older approval on your property has a condition limiting who can live there, you may need to apply to change it.
Check your block before you design
- Lot size: it sets which column of the table applies to you.
- Zone and overlays: flood, bushfire, vegetation and other overlays can change what is allowed. Look up your address in council’s planning scheme mapping.
- Access and services: the position of the existing house, driveway access and sewer location often decide where a second home can go.
- Costs and charges: check whether infrastructure charges apply to your project, particularly for a dual occupancy.
Granny flat, dual occupancy or subdivision?
If your block is large enough, a dual occupancy or a subdivision may create more value than a granny flat, because the second home can be titled and sold separately. On other blocks, a granny flat is the simplest way to add rental income or space for family. Our guide Can I Subdivide My Block in Ipswich? covers the subdivision side, and Ipswich City Plan 2025: What It Means for Homeowners explains the wider changes.
What it means when you sell
A home that already has a granny flat, or a block that can clearly take one, appeals to extended families and investors as well as traditional buyers. We point this out in every campaign where it applies, because buyers do not always work it out for themselves.
Frequently asked questions
How big can a granny flat be in Ipswich?
Without planning approval, up to 60 sqm on lots of 450 to 600 sqm, 90 sqm on lots of 600 to 800 sqm, and 120 sqm on lots over 800 sqm, in established residential areas.
Do I need council approval for a granny flat in Ipswich?
In most established residential areas, no planning approval is needed if you stay within the size limits. Building and plumbing approvals are still required.
What is the minimum lot size for a dual occupancy in Ipswich?
Under council’s published limits for established residential areas, a dual occupancy without planning approval needs a lot of at least 600 sqm, with up to 120 sqm on lots of 600 to 800 sqm and up to 150 sqm on lots over 800 sqm.
Can I rent my granny flat to anyone?
Yes. Queensland has allowed secondary dwellings to be rented to anyone since 26 September 2022.
Find out what your land can do
Every appraisal we do looks at the house and the land, including whether your block could take a second dwelling, be subdivided or has development value. It is free, it is done in person, and there is no obligation. Request a free appraisal or call Azrah Madden on 0400 516 626.