On 25 September 2009, Council adopted amendments to the House Code in Brisbane’s planning scheme to further limit the acceptable number of unrelated people living in houses. Previously, up to 6 unrelated people could live together in a house as a household group, without the need to obtain development approval. Often these household groups are made up of students.
Because of a number of complaints about overcrowding of students in some houses, and because the previous provision did not agree with relevant State legislation, the figure six has been reduced to five.
To have more than five unrelated people in a house would require development approval.
This change does not have any effect on any existing lawful development. It refers to new proposals only.
The change also does not have any effect on houses that accommodate people with disabilities. The number of people with disabilities who can make up a household group without the need for development approval, is still six.
