Moreton Bay Insulated Patios is an independent referral service; quotes come from an independent, QBCC-licensed builder who services your area (how it works).
Which rules apply?
- Queensland Development Code MP1.2 — single detached houses on lots 450 m² and over.
- QDC MP1.1 — houses on lots under 450 m² (common in newer estates).
- MBRC Planning Scheme — can vary the QDC for some zones and precincts (for example, Council's domestic outbuildings sheet notes the combined length built to a boundary may exceed 9 m in some zones).
Your certifier works out which apply to your lot. The figures below are from QDC MP1.2 as a guide.
Side and rear clearances (QDC MP1.2, A2)
| Height of that part of the structure | Minimum side/rear clearance |
|---|---|
| 4.5 m or less | 1.5 m |
| Over 4.5 m up to 7.5 m | 2 m |
| Over 7.5 m | 2 m + 0.5 m for every 3 m (or part) over 7.5 m |
The class 10a concession
QDC MP1.2 A2(d) allows class 10a buildings or parts within the side/rear clearance if:
- the part within the clearance is no more than 4.5 m high, with a mean height of no more than 3.5 m;
- the total length of all buildings or parts (of any class) within the clearance is no more than 9 m along any one boundary; and
- it is at least 1.5 m from a required window in a habitable room of an adjoining dwelling.
Separately, structures very close to a boundary can trigger fire-separation requirements under the National Construction Code — another reason to bring the certifier in early.
Front (road) setbacks
QDC MP1.2 sets a 6 m road setback as the general acceptable solution for houses on standard lots. In Moreton Bay's residential zones, the planning scheme sets 5.4 m (to the outermost projection) for carports and other domestic outbuildings, with an alternative for carports on homes built before 2005 that matches a lawful carport/garage next door (or 0.5 m, whichever is greater). Patios are usually behind the house, so the front setback mostly matters for carports and verandahs.
If your design doesn't comply: siting variation
A non-compliant design isn't automatically refused. Your certifier can lodge a concurrence agency referral with the City of Moreton Bay (owners can lodge it themselves via Council's Online Services and give the approval to the certifier). Council may consider amenity and local character under its Amenity and aesthetics policy. A fee applies, and it adds time.
Other siting constraints
- Building envelopes on estate plans — building outside one needs planning approval.
- Easements and Council stormwater/sewer mains — generally no building within drainage easements; exceptions need a build-over request and deed of indemnity.
- Developer covenants — roof colour and material rules set by the developer.
- Canal lots — Council's outbuilding settings include a 4.5 m setback to a canal (see Newport).
- Acreage — Rural residential and Rural zone setbacks are larger (see Bellmere & Upper Caboolture, Wamuran).
In Brisbane City Council (e.g. Bracken Ridge), City Plan's small-lot code prevails over the QDC on lots under 450 m², and siting variations go to Brisbane City Council as a referral response.
Back to the Moreton Bay patio approval guide.
Frequently asked questions
How close to the boundary can a patio be in Queensland?
Under QDC MP1.2 (lots 450 m² and over), the standard side and rear clearance is 1.5 m for parts of a structure 4.5 m high or less. Narrow lots with frontages of 15 m or less use a sliding table. Class 10a structures can sometimes be closer, within strict limits, but whether an attached patio qualifies is decided by your certifier.
Can a carport be built on the boundary?
The QDC allows class 10a buildings inside the side/rear clearance where the part within the clearance is no more than 4.5 m high with a mean height no more than 3.5 m, the total length of all buildings within the clearance along that boundary is no more than 9 m, and it is not within 1.5 m of a required habitable-room window of the neighbouring dwelling. Fire-separation rules can also apply very close to a boundary.
What if my design doesn't meet the setback rules?
Your certifier can lodge a concurrence agency referral (a siting variation) with the City of Moreton Bay. Council assesses it — sometimes considering amenity and character — and a fee applies.
Sources
Accessed 9–10 October 2026. Third-party prices are indicative market ranges, not quotes, and are not our prices.
- Queensland Development Code MP1.2 — Design and siting standard for single detached housing (lots 450 m² and over)
- City of Moreton Bay — Placing a structure on your property
- City of Moreton Bay — MBRC Planning Scheme info sheet: Domestic outbuildings (sheds & carports)
- City of Moreton Bay — Building permits, approvals and final certificates