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Rules

Brisbane subdivision rules.

A plain-English guide to what Brisbane City Plan 2014 actually says about splitting your block. Written for landowners and builders working anywhere in the Brisbane City Council area. Not legal advice — see a town planner before lodging anything.

1 · Zoning
Can you subdivide?
Zones and minimum lot sizes. The most basic test of whether your block qualifies.
 2 · Configurations
Lot configurations
Side-by-side, battle-axe, and 3+ lot layouts. What works where.
 3 · Overlays
What kills a subdivision
Heritage, character, waterway, flood. The blockers.
 4 · Process
The DA process
From pre-lodgement to title registration. Step by step.
 5 · Costs
Realistic costs
Survey, DA, civil works, headworks contributions. Indicative numbers.
 6 · Timeline
Timeline
Honest 12–18 month roadmap from "let's do it" to lot on title.
 7 · Professionals
Who to engage
Planner, surveyor, engineer, solicitor. What each costs, when you need them.

How to use this reference

The sections build on each other. Start with zoning to confirm your block can be split at all. Then check overlays — that's where most Brisbane subdivisions actually fail. Once you've cleared those two hurdles, the process, costs, timeline and professionals pages tell you what the project actually involves.

Every specific rule is cited inline. Full source list at the bottom of each page. All figures are 2025–26 indicative ranges; confirm exact charges with Brisbane City Council and Urban Utilities before you commit money.

Brisbane LGA only

This guide is based on Brisbane City Plan 2014 as published by Brisbane City Council. If your property is in Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redland or Gold Coast, the rules differ — every council has its own planning scheme, fee schedule, and infrastructure charges resolution.

Primary sources used throughout