Temporary homes and caravans

Under Subordinate Local Law No.1 (Administration) 2011 – Schedule 8, Council may allow temporary residential accommodation on private property in certain circumstances.

This may include living on your property while building a house or allowing family or friends to stay in a caravan or recreational vehicle for a limited period.

Living on your property while building a houseAllowing family or friends to stay in a caravan

Living on your property while building a house

Council may approve a landowner to live in a temporary home on their property while a permanent dwelling is being constructed.

Temporary homes may include:

  • a shed or Class 10a building (building approval required)
  • a caravan or mobile home
  • a bus
  • a car, van or other vehicle (up to six months)
  • a tent (up to three months).

Approval is granted through an Establishment or Occupation of a Temporary Home permit(PDF, 273KB).

Eligibility requirements

Approval may be granted where:

  • building and plumbing approvals have been issued or sufficient progress towards obtaining these approvals has been demonstrated for a permanent dwelling on the property
  • the applicant can demonstrate financial capacity to construct the dwelling
  • an adequate supply of potable water is available
  • appropriate waste disposal and sanitation is available
  • the temporary home is screened from the street, where applicable, to maintain neighbourhood amenity
  • temporary home meets minimum safety requirements i.e. interconnected smoke alarms installed and adequate ventilation 

Typical approval conditions

Conditions may include:

  • construction of the permanent dwelling must not stop for more than three consecutive months
  • all necessary amenities must be provided to the temporary home
  • only the property owners and their immediate family may reside in the temporary home (maximum two adults)
  • the permanent dwelling must be completed within a specified timeframe
  • once the dwelling is complete, the temporary home must be removed or decommissioned.

If the temporary home is a shed or Class 10a building, following cessation of occupation of the shed or Class 10a building upon completion of the construction of a Class 1a dwelling, the shed or Class 10a structure must be decommissioned to an extent that it is no longer able to be used for habitation. Note: A Statutory Declaration will be required at the time of making an application for an approval confirming that the shed or Class 10a building will be appropriately decommissioned to this extent.

Apply for temporary home approval(PDF, 273KB)

Allowing family or friends to stay in a caravan

Owners or occupiers of a property with an existing dwelling may allow family or friends to stay in a caravan or recreational vehicle on the property for up to six months in a twelve-month period.

This activity does not require Council approval, but certain conditions apply.

Notification requirement

The owner or occupier must notify Council within 7 days of the commencement of the activity using the prescribed notification form(PDF, 471KB).

Property requirements

  • There must be a permanent residence on the property
  • The permanent residence must remain occupied during the stay by the notifying party
  • The property must have adequate waste disposal and sanitation.

Position of the caravan or recreational vehicle

The caravan or recreational vehicle must:

  • be located at least 6 metres from the front boundary
  • be located at least 3 metres from all other boundaries
  • not be permanently fixed or attached to any structure on the property.

Facilities and services

Occupants must have access to:

  • potable water
  • sanitary facilities
  • laundry facilities associated with the permanent residence.

Waste, including greywater, must not be disposed of on the site.

If the caravan has its own sanitary facilities, all waste must be contained within the vehicle and disposed of appropriately.

Caravan condition and occupancy

The caravan or recreational vehicle must:

  • remain fitted with wheels and capable of being moved
  • be maintained in a clean and hygienic condition
  • only be occupied by the number of people it was designed to accommodate.

Other laws that still apply

Occupants must comply with other relevant laws including:

The Queensland Fire Department recommends installing photoelectric smoke alarms in caravans or recreational vehicles.

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