Where Can I Build a Tiny Home on the Gold Coast?

It is important to note that you maybe able to avoid a development application should your tiny home not meet the definition of a Dwelling. This would allow for the tiny home to instead be viewed as an extension to an existing Dwelling, and not a Secondary Dwelling. The key consideration Council looks for when determining if a Tiny Home can be classified as an extension to an existing Dwelling or a Secondary Dwelling is the presence of a second Kitchen and Laundry.

Should the Tiny Home have its own kitchen and Laundry it will be identified as a Secondary Dwelling and a development application would most likely be required. Should the Tiny Home not have a kitchen and laundry you will avoid a development application and can instead go straight to a building certifier. This could be helpful for home owners who maybe want a Tiny Home for their teenage children etc to allow them to have their own space, while still utilising mum and dads cooking (i.e. only having a single kitchen in the primary Dwelling).

So where can you build a Tiny Home on the Gold Coast? The short answer is pretty much anywhere. All residential zones across the city allow for the establishment of Secondary Dwellings. You will still need to satisfy the required outcomes of the City Plan (setbacks, car parking requirements etc), and take into consideration any site constraints (flooding, environmental etc), but Council is generally supportive of Tiny Homes in the City. Tiny Homes can be a simple solution for home owners to generate a rental income, while not spending significant amounts of money on construction.

The cost for a development application to Council for a Tiny Home will vary slightly depending on where in the City you are located. But generally, a budget of approximately $7,500.00 + GST – $12,500.00 + GST will be sufficient. This will cover a survey, council application fees, town planner fees and drafting of house plans. Other consultant reports maybe required depending on your individual property characteristics (i.e. effluent report if non sewered, environmental report if removing trees etc).

It is important to note that you will also require building approval if you are successful in gaining development approval. It is important for a qualified building certifier to review any pre furbished or imported Tiny Homes in particular. This is due to some Tiny Homes not satisfying the minimum building requirements of Australia (i.e. ceiling heights etc). Even if you can gain development approval you will not be able to legally establish the Tiny Home without a final sign off from a building certifier also.