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Thinking of buying a property in Logan? Whether it’s for your dream home, an investment, or a small-scale development, it’s important to understand the town planning rules that could impact what you can and can’t do with the land. Logan City Council has its own Planning Scheme that outlines how land should be used and developed. In this post, we break down the key planning constraints we regularly come across when reviewing properties across Logan.
The first thing we always check is the zoning. This tells us what the land can be used for — whether it’s residential, commercial, industrial, or something else.
In Logan, common residential zones include:
Each zone has its own specific rules around land use, minimum lot sizes, building height, setbacks, and more. The zone sets the tone for what’s possible, so it’s a crucial starting point. You can easily find out the zoning of your property by utilising the Logan Planning Scheme provided via its website.
Overlays are a big one in Logan. These are mapped constraints that sit over the zoning and often relate to environmental or hazard-based issues like:
Even if your proposed use is allowed under the zone, an overlay might trigger the need for a development application or introduce strict design requirements. It’s really important to factor these in early, especially if you’re planning to build, subdivide or even clear vegetation. The Flooding overlay in particular has had a significant impact on development recently with Council enforcing strict protocols on sites they have identified as flood prone.
You’d be surprised how often we see easements that restrict where structures can be placed on a property. Sewer mains, stormwater lines, and even overhead power can affect your layout options — and trigger assessment hurdles.
Always check the title plan, and consider a Dial Before You Dig search or council infrastructure maps if you’re planning anything new.
Precincts and Local Plans – Are There Extra Rules?
Some areas in Logan fall under precincts and Local Plans which can provide further possibilities at a property. These areas often have specific planning layers or sequencing requirements that override the general zoning rules and can create further opportunities within a given location.
If your site falls within one of these, we’ll need to take a closer look at what applies.
Final Word
Buying property in Logan is a great opportunity — but make sure you know what you’re buying into. A quick planning check can help avoid costly surprises down the track.
If you’re looking at a site and want to know what you can actually do with it, get in touch with Align Planning. We’re happy to run our eye over it and give you some upfront, no-fluff advice.