MBRC Planning Scheme - General residential zone
The General residential zone includes areas throughout the Moreton Bay Region that provide a variety of housing choices that meet the needs of the region’s different urban communities.
What is the purpose of this zone?
The purpose of the General residential zone is to provide for the establishment of an appropriate mix of dwelling types to accommodate a range of household sizes, age groups, socio-economic groups, cultures and ability levels within the community. Ensuring that these residential activities are also supported by a range of community uses and small-scale services and facilities that cater for local residents.
General residential zone precincts
All land in the General residential zone is included in one of four precincts. Zone precincts provide greater clarity about the types of development intended in a particular location.
The General residential zone precincts are:
- Coastal communities precinct
- Suburban neighbourhood precinct
- Next generation neighbourhood precinct
- Urban neighbourhood precinct
In 2020, Council will commence a review of the Next generation neighbourhood precinct as this was a key matter raised by the community during consultation on Tailored Amendment No. 1 of the MBRC Planning Scheme.
What can I expect to see in this zone?
The following table gives an overview of the precincts and types of uses that can be expected:
| Precinct |
Examples of intended residential development |
Overview |
| Coastal communities precinct |
- Dwelling house
- Home based business
|
- Houses on traditional size residential lots
- Density no greater than 15 dwellings per hectare
- Building height up to 8.5 metres
|
| Suburban neighbourhood precinct |
- Dwelling house
- Dual occupancy
- Dwelling unit
- Home based business
- Relocatable home park *
- Residential care facility *
- Retirement facility *
- Rooming accommodation **
* if within 800m walking distance of a higher order or district centre precinct.
** if within 400m walking distance of a higher order or district centre precinct or a train station. |
- Houses on traditional residential lots as well as houses on narrow lots subject to locational and design requirements
- Dual occupancies (traditional)
- Density no greater than 15 dwellings per hectare
- Building height up to 8.5 metres
|
| Next generation neighbourhood precinct |
- Dwelling house
- Dual occupancy
- Multiple dwelling
- Dwelling unit
- Home based business
- Relocatable home park
- Residential care facility
- Retirement facility
- Rooming accommodation *
- Short-term accommodation *
* if within 800m walking distance of a higher order or district centre precinct. |
- Houses on a variety of lot sizes including traditional and narrow lots, dual occupancies (traditional and loft), row or terrace housing, plexes, low and medium rise apartments, townhouses and managed communities
- Density of 15-75 dwellings per hectare
- Building height generally up to 12 metres
|
| Urban neighbourhood precinct |
- Dwelling unit
- Home based business
- Multiple dwelling
- Residential care facility
- Retirement facility
- Rooming accommodation
- Short-term accommodation
|
- Medium and high density housing including apartments, plexes, row or terrace housing, townhouses and managed communities
- Minimum site density of 45 dwellings per hectare (75 dwellings per hectare in particular localities)
- Building height between 8.5 metres and 27 metres
|
A range of non-residential land uses may also occur in the General residential zone, depending on the precinct, and provided they are appropriately located and well designed. Non-residential uses include:
- community activities - such as a child care centre, club, community care centre, community use, educational establishment, emergency service, health care services, place of worship; and
- small scale retail and commercial activities when they are clustered to form a neighbourhood hub - such as food and drink outlets, hardware and trade supplies, office, service industry, shops, veterinary services.
Overlay map - Community activities and neighbourhood hubs identifies the locations where community, retail and commercial activities are supported throughout the region. Refer to Information sheet - Neighbourhood hubs and Community activities.
More information
Assessment benchmarks for material change of use in the General residential zone can be found in Part 6, section 6.2.6 General residential zone code. Assessment benchmarks for some residential uses are also found in Part 9, section 9.3.1 Dwelling house code and section 9.3.2 Residential uses code.
Refer to Part 5 of the planning scheme to determine the category of development and assessment (type of application required, if any) for development in the General residential zone. Section 5.5.6 General residential zone Table of assessment identifies the category of development and assessment for a material change of use.
Requirements for reconfiguring a lot in the General residential zone can be found in Part 9, section 9.4.1.6 Reconfiguring a lot code, General residential zone.
Planning scheme policy – Residential design(PDF, 20MB) provides additional information and guidance about satisfying assessment benchmarks identified in the planning scheme.