Councils in Australia and Granny Flats, Caravans, Transportable Homes, Moveable Dwellings

 

Every state and in some states every council has its own rules and regulations on what is allowed on your property. 

I've put a collection of links and examples here to help you navigate through what's allowed and real-life examples. Councils and states are relaxing their rules and ideas around Tiny Homes daily. 

Our units by themselves are classed as movable dwellings or transportable homes 

The national building code of Australia stipulates a 2.4 ms ceiling height, most units imported from overseas are under this limit because the size of a normal shipping container is 2.4 ms and it needs to fit into that, otherwise it would need an oversized shipping container to transport it and very expensive. 

If the units are placed onto a trailer, then they are classed as a caravan or tiny home on a trailer. 

More and more locations across Australia are allowing tiny homes on trailers. Councils and states are becoming easier to install units due to the housing crisis and old rules.. 

Two locations in Australia are trialing Tiny homes for permanent living, Esperance in Western Australia and the Surf Coast in Victoria. 

 

New South Wales 

State Wide legislations supersede the council regulations 

https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2021-0461#sec.77 

Agritourism NSW Planning Accommodation Rules explained, Farm Gate 

https://www.cabins.com.au/blogs/news/how-to-make-more-money-on-your-farm-with-new-rules-from-nsw-government 

Eurobodalla Shire and Tiny Homes 

https://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/property/development/tiny-homes 

Port Macquarie Council 
https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Plan-Build/Other-requirements/Tiny-homes 

 

Coffs Harbour and Tiny Houses 
https://www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/building-and-planning/development-approvals/preparing-your-da/fact-sheet-tiny-houses.pdf 

 

WOLLONDILLY shire and tiny homes 

https://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/planning-and-development/building/secondary-dwellings/ 

LAKE MACQUARIE COUNCIL AN MOVEABLE DWELLINGS  
https://www.lakemac.com.au/files/assets/public/development/manufactured-homes-relocatable-homes-and-moveable-dwellings-assessment-framework.pdf 

 

 

Queensland 

https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/planning/granny-flatser  

Lockyer Valley and Tiny Homes 

https://www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/repository/libraries/id:2eccbxg5l17q9su8pzhy/hierarchy/our-services/development-services/documents/planning-factsheets/Tiny%20house%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf 

Western Australia 

https://www.esperance.wa.gov.au/news/2022/dec/22/big-ideas-tiny-houses 

https://www.esperance.wa.gov.au/news/2023/may/31/everything-you-wanted-know-tiny-houses-wheels 

 

Victoria 

https://www.housing.vic.gov.au/movable-units-home-owners 
 
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/25/tiny-houses-australia-councils-allow 

Bass Coast and Tiny Homes 
https://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/building-planning/do-i-need-a-planning-permit-2/what-do-i-need-a-planning-permit-for-2/tiny-homes-and-dependent-persons-unit 
Council to trial domestic use of tiny houses on wheels 

https://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/About-us/News-and-media/Latest-news/Council-to-trial-domestic-use-of-tiny-houses-on-wheels 

 

South Australia  
 

https://www.murraybridge.news/p/modular-housing-will-be-short-term 

 

 

 

Here is collection of articles reflecting the changes being made 

Aussie makes $400 a week by renting out unusual home 

https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/renting/aussie-makes-400-a-week-by-renting-out-unusual-home/news-story/f37c03812a53a429319aad7ef2303bcc 

 

Relaxed restrictions on granny flat rentals pitched to help ease housing crisis 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-02/restrictions-granny-flat-rentals-housing-crisis-south-australia/102280478 

 

I live in a two-by-four-metre tiny house parked in my friend’s backyard because I can't afford to rent 

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/article/i-live-in-a-two-by-four-metre-tiny-house-parked-in-my-friends-backyard-because-i-cant-afford-to-rent/befty2mc3 

 

Government is buying 8 new tiny homes for emergency housing in Gympie 

https://tinyhouse.org.au/government-is-buying-8-new-tiny-homes-for-emergency-housing-in-gympie/ 

 

What does it cost to build a granny flat? 

https://www.canstar.com.au/home-loans/granny-flat-cost/ 

 

Going tiny: they don't neatly fit into any regulations, but these homes are booming 

https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2022/07/18/tiny-home-revolution/ 

 

Prefab homes for nurses, cops as Qld seeks housing fix 

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8137202/prefab-homes-for-nurses-cops-as-qld-seeks-housing-fix/ 

 

Tiny houses may not be the big answer 

https://www.openforum.com.au/tiny-houses-may-not-be-the-big-answer/ 

 

Granny flat: How can it add value to your property? 

https://www.smartpropertyinvestment.com.au/property-renovation/23477-granny-flat-how-can-it-add-value-to-your-property 

 

Tiny house needs a place to call home 

https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/8141354/jess-tiny-house-needs-a-tiny-home/ 

 

What it's really like to live in a tiny home – from people who've done it for years 

https://www.9news.com.au/national/tiny-homes-australia-what-its-really-like-to-live-in-a-tiny-home-from-people-whove-done-it-for-years/8ba9e247-13ab-44fe-8385-ab2349b87f00