Queensland Development Code (MP1.2) — Setbacks, Site Cover and Height
A guide to the Queensland Development Code
This is a summary of MP1.2 of the Queensland Development Code — the state-wide rule set that governs setbacks, site cover and building height for Class 1 and Class 10 buildings. Most South East Queensland councils defer to MP1.2 for shed setbacks, with their own planning schemes layering additional zone-specific rules on top.
MP1.2 applies to lots 450m² and over. For lots smaller than 450m², additional considerations apply — give us a ring on 0493 791 972 for advice on your specific block. The full MP1.2 reference is available from the Queensland Government.
Road setback
The standard road boundary setback is 6 metres. This is the minimum distance between the front of your shed and the road-facing property boundary.
Open carport exception
For an open carport (not a garage or enclosed shed), the road setback can be less than 6 metres if all of the following apply:
- The aggregate perimeter dimension of walls, solid screens, and supports located within the road setback does not exceed 15% of the total perimeter of that part of the carport within the setback.
- There is no alternative on-site location for a garage or carport that:
- Complies with the minimum 6m setback, and
- Will allow vehicular access with a minimum width of 2.5m to the side or rear of the property, and
- Has a maximum gradient of 1 in 5 for that vehicular access.
In plain English: open carports can come forward if the property layout makes a compliant alternative impossible. Stockman assesses this case-by-case.
Side and rear boundary setback
The side and rear boundary setback scales with the wall height of the shed at that point.
| Wall height at boundary | Minimum setback |
|---|---|
| Up to 4.5m | 1.5m |
| 4.5m – 7.5m | 2m |
| Over 7.5m | 2m plus 0.5m for every additional 3m of height |
The rule is per-wall, not per-shed. A single-skillion shed with a 7m back wall and a 4m front wall will have different setbacks at each end.
Boundary clearance exception — close-to-boundary sheds
A separate provision allows sheds to sit closer to the side or rear boundary if all of the following apply:
- Maximum wall height 4.5m, with mean height no greater than 3.5m
- Total length along any one boundary no greater than 9m
- At least 1.5m from any habitable-room window of the adjoining dwelling
This is the practical rule that allows a single small-to-medium shed against the boundary on most lots. Multiple sheds, taller walls or longer boundary runs trigger the standard tiered setback above.
Site cover
The total combined site cover (your house plus all outbuildings) is capped at 50% of the lot area. Most council planning schemes adopt this cap directly, though a handful (e.g. Noosa Rural Residential at 30%, City of Gold Coast Ridges overlay at 40%) tighten it further.
Building height
Maximum building height is measured from natural ground level to the highest point of the roof.
| Lot slope | Maximum building height |
|---|---|
| Up to 15% slope | 8.5m |
| Over 15% slope | 10m |
Steep blocks get more height because the lower side of the slab adds height that wouldn’t be there on a flat block.
How councils layer their own rules on top
MP1.2 is the floor — every SEQ council adopts these setbacks and limits as a baseline, then layers their own zone-specific provisions:
- Brisbane defers to MP1.2 directly for setbacks but adds overlay rules (flood, character, landslide, waterway corridors).
- Logan layers an outbuildings >150m² table (Table 9.3.1.3.3) on top of MP1.2.
- Sunshine Coast adds a 6m garage door cap and 1m / 200mm earthworks rule.
- Gold Coast adds an Amenity and Aesthetics Application table for sheds large relative to lot size.
- Noosa adds tighter site cover, riparian buffers and a coastal protection palette.
- Gympie adds a 7-bracket lot-size table that supersedes MP1.2 floor area limits.
- Scenic Rim caps domestic outbuilding floor area on a 3-tier scale.
- Toowoomba uses MP1.2 directly with no additional setback rules.
- Ipswich adds an Amenities and Aesthetics referral above lot-size thresholds.
See your council’s individual guide on the shed planning hub for the local additions.
Stress-free shed building
Stockman Sheds takes care of all council approvals for you when you build with us. The overwhelm of trying to figure out the legalities of what you can build simply disappears. Our team makes sure you have a legal, compliant steel structure built in accordance with the Queensland Development Code, the Building Code of Australia and your local council planning scheme.
You relax, we’ll do all the heavy lifting. Get in touch today with all your Queensland Development Code questions, or to get the ball rolling on a quote.
Official resources
- Queensland Development Code MP1.2 (PDF) — the official QDC document
- Department of Energy and Public Works — Queensland Development Code — full code structure and amendments
- Queensland Fire Separation reference — BCA 3.7.2.5 detail for shed-to-dwelling and shed-to-boundary fire separation
Council guides that reference MP1.2
- Brisbane City Council shed requirements
- Logan City Council shed planning
- Ipswich City Council shed requirements
- Sunshine Coast Council shed building rules
- Moreton Bay Regional Council shed planning
- Noosa Shire Council shed planning
- City of Gold Coast shed building rules
- Gympie Regional Council shed planning
- Toowoomba Regional Council shed requirements
- Scenic Rim Regional Council shed planning
Or browse all guides on the shed planning guide hub.
Last reviewed April 2026. The Queensland Development Code is updated periodically — always confirm current rules against the official MP1.2 document linked above before lodging.