MBRC Planning Scheme 2016 version 7 updates - Dwelling house

The information below relates to the key policy changes for a Dwelling house under the current MBRC Planning Scheme 2016 (version 7) incorporating the Better Housing Amendment, which commenced on 30 October 2024.

The changes for Dwelling houses applies to the:

  • General residential zone - Next generation neighbourhood precinct
  • Emerging Community Zone - Transition precinct - Developed lot
  • Caboolture West local plan - Urban living precinct - Next generation sub-precinct (NDP1 only). 

The following has changed for a Dwelling house:

  • Setbacks:
    • rear setbacks increased (exceptions for terrace Dwelling houses)
    • side setbacks requirements amended to encourage eaves.
  • Site cover:
    • reduced for detached Dwelling houses on smaller lots
    • increased for terrace Dwelling houses on smaller lots.
  • Lot frontage width that can support a terrace Dwelling houses outcome (built to boundary on both sides) increased
  • Car parking rates increased to better meet parking needs on-site
  • Driveway and street separation distance requirements reduced to encourage street tree planning.

Changes in effect under version 7

The following tables compare the changes in effect under version 7 of the MBRC Planning Scheme 2016 with the previous requirements under version 6 (now superseded).

Dwelling Houses - All

The first column describes the Dwelling house standard, the second column notes the v6 MBRC Planning Scheme (now superseded), the third column notes the current MBRC Planning Scheme and the fourth column notes the Planning Scheme Reference as per Version 7.

Dwelling house standards Previous MBRC Planning Scheme (Version 6 superseded 30 October 2024) Current MBRC Planning Scheme (Version 7 effective 30 October 2024) Planning Scheme Reference (Version 7)
Side setbacks (minimum) to wall (where no built to boundary wall) N/A - Defers to Queensland Development Code (QDC) measured to Outermost Projection (OMP) Minimum 1m or QDC Table A2 standard sliding scale, but measured to wall Dwelling House Code RAD3/Table 9.3.1.5 ‘Setbacks’
Side setbacks (minimum) to OMP (eaves) (where no built to boundary wall) Defers to QDC (as little as 0.75m) As per wall setback minus 0.5m (allows eaves to overhang into setbacks) Dwelling House Code RAD3/Table 9.3.1.5 ‘Setbacks’

Site cover (maximum)

(building height of 8.5m or less)
  • Maximum 60% if >400m2
  • Maximum 70% if >300m2 to 400m2
  • Maximum 75% if >300m2

(Reduces where building height is over 8.5m)

Maximum 60% all lot sizes

(Reduces where building height is over 8.5m as per MBRC Planning Scheme v6)

 Dwelling Code RAD5/Table 9.3.1.8 'Site cover'
Car parking

1 space

(+1 extra for any secondary dwelling)

2 spaces

(+1 extra for any secondary dwelling)

Note: tandem configurations are permitted.

 Dwelling House Code RAD6
Driveway location

In accordance with Integrated design Planning Scheme Policy (PSP) - Appendix A:

  • 3m from any street tree.

In accordance with Integrated design PSP - Appendix A:

  • 2m from any street tree
  • Root barrier required where less than 2.5m to a street tree.
 Dwelling House Code RAD8

Setbacks - Performance outcome

(summary of key outcomes only)
  • Consistent with intended character of the streetscape, precinct, zone.
  • Maintain privacy of residents and adjoining properties.

Additions/variations to MBRC Planning Scheme v6:

  • Provide open visual breaks
  • Provide access to natural light and breezes between and around buildings
  • Protect amenity and privacy of residents onsite and adjoining
  • Maximise open space between dwelling and rear boundary for:
    • Recreation
    • Visual break and relief in built form
    • Planting opportunities
    • Clothes drying and utility functions
 Dwelling House Code PO3

Site cover - Performance outcome

(summary of key outcomes only)
  • Provides open areas for attractive, usable and functional private open space.
  • Consistent with the intended character of the area.
  • Does not result in other elements of the site being compromised (for example, setbacks, open space.).

Additions/variations to MBRC Planning Scheme v6:

  • Maximise open space by maintaining a generous proportion of the site free of buildings and structures.
  • Provides open areas between and around buildings for attractive, usable and functional private open space and visual relief.
  • Consistent with the intended character and development intensity of the zone precinct and is reduced on larger sites.
  • Does not cause or worsen adverse impacts on surrounding properties or the public realm when combined with other parameters of the building envelope (for example, setbacks or height).
 Dwelling House Code PO4

Built-to-boundary wall requirements - detached and terrace Dwelling house

The first column describes the Dwelling house typology, the second column notes the v6 MBRC Planning Scheme (now superseded), the third column notes the current MBRC Planning Scheme and the fourth column notes the Planning Scheme Reference as per Version 7.

Dwelling House Typology (built to boundary walls) Previous MBRC Planning Scheme (Version 6 superseded 30 October 2024) Current MBRC Planning Scheme (Version 7 effective 30 October 2024) Planning Scheme Reference (Version 7)

Dwelling house – terrace

(built to both side boundaries)

 Frontage ≤ 7.5m – Mandatory built to both side boundaries (unless a corner lot)
  • Frontage ≤ 7.5m - No change
  • Frontage >7.5 to 9.5m - Optional built to both side boundaries
 Dwelling House Code RAD4/Table 9.3.1.7 'Built to boundary walls'

Dwelling house - detached

(setbacks or built to one side boundary only)

Frontage >7.5m

AND

Built one side boundary only:

  • Frontage >7.5 to 12.5m - mandatory
  • Frontage >12.5m to 18m - optional
  • Frontage >18m - not permitted.
 No change Dwelling House Code RAD4/Table 9.3.1.7 'Built to boundary walls'

Dwelling Houses - where detached or built to boundary wall on one side only

Requirements for built to boundary walls are set out in Table 9.3.1.7 'Built to boundary walls; of the Dwelling House Code.

The first column describes the Dwelling house standard, the second column notes the v6 MBRC Planning Scheme (now superseded), the third column notes the current MBRC Planning Scheme and the fourth column notes the Planning Scheme Reference as per Version 7.

Dwelling house standards Previous MBRC Planning Scheme (Version 6 superseded 30 October 2024) Current MBRC Planning Scheme (Version 7 effective 30 October 2024) Planning Scheme Reference (Version 7)
Rear setbacks (minimum) to wall N/A - Defers to Queensland Development Code (QDC) measured to Outermost Projection (OMP)

5m for lot depths >25m

3m for lot depths ≤ 25m

 Dwelling House Code RAD3/Table 9.3.1.5 'Setbacks'
Rear setbacks (minimum) to OMP

 Defers to QDC

(same as side setbacks)

 As per wall setback minus 0.5m

(allows eaves overhang)

  Dwelling Code RAD3/Table 9.3.1.5 'Setbacks'
 Site cover (maximum)

Maximum 60% if >400m2

Maximum 70% if >300m2 to 400m2

Maximum 75% if <300m2

(Reduces over 8.5m)

 Maximum 60% all lot sizes

(Reduces over 8.5m as per existing MBRC Planning Scheme)

  Dwelling Code RAD5/Table 9.3.1.8 'Site cover'

Dwelling Houses - terrace (≤ 9.5m frontage and built to both side boundary walls)

Requirements for built to boundary walls are set out in Table 9.3.1.7 'Built to boundary walls' of the Dwelling House Code.

The first column describes the Dwelling house standard, the second column notes the v6 MBRC Planning Scheme (now superseded), the third column notes the current MBRC Planning Scheme and the fourth column notes the Planning Scheme Reference as per Version 7.

Dwelling house standards Previous MBRC Planning Scheme (Version 6 superseded 30 October 2024) Current MBRC Planning Scheme (Version 7 effective 30 October 2024) Planning Scheme Reference (Version 7)
Rear setbacks (minimum) to wall (where not backing onto a rear laneway) N/A - Defers to Queensland Development Code (QDC) -measured to Outermost Projection (OMP) 3m OR Defers to QDC where adjoining a park or directly opposite a park fronting the same street Dwelling House Code RAD3/Table 9.3.1.5 ‘Setbacks’
Rear setbacks (minimum) to OMP (i.e. where not backing onto a rear laneway) Defers to QDC (same as side setbacks) As per wall setback minus 0.5m (allows eaves to overhang into setbacks) Dwelling House Code RAD3/Table 9.3.1.5 ‘Setbacks’
Site cover (maximum)
  • 60% if >400m2
  • 70% if >300m2 to 400m2
  • 75% if ≤ 300m2

(less in some circumstances where building height is over 8.5m)
  • 60% if >300m2
  • 75% if ≤ 300m2 and 7.5m - 95m frontage
  • 80% if ≤ 300m2 and <7.5m frontage

(less in some circumstances where building height is over 8.5m as per MBRC Planning Scheme v6)

 Dwelling House Code RAD5/Table 9.3.1.8 'Site cover'
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