Noosa Shire Council Airbnb and short-term rental approval

Noosa is among Queensland’s most heavily regulated short-term rental markets. Unhosted short stay letting generally needs council approval from night one — plus an annual STR permit — with active compliance enforcement.

Last verified 16 August 2026

View Noosa Shire Council's official STRA / short-stay guidance →

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At a glance

Key facts for Noosa Shire Council

Approval type	Short Stay Letting approval under Noosa’s Local Law — plus a Development Permit / MCU under Noosa Plan 2020 where the planning scheme requires it for ongoing unhosted short-term rental
Night threshold	No exemption — approval required from night one — source: Noosa Short Stay Letting Local Law, February 2022
Application fee	$1,026 for unhosted short stay letting — source: Noosa Council fee schedule
Annual renewal / permit	$400 per year for a house, $200 per year for a unit (reported ~$750/year in some summaries — confirm current fee schedule) — source: Noosa Council fee schedule
Local law	Short Stay Letting and Home Hosted Accommodation Local Law (commenced 1 February 2022, amended October 2025)
Planning scheme	Noosa Plan 2020 — Short-term Accommodation provisions amended 26 September 2025
Typical documents	Site plan, floor plan (bedroom layout), planning compliance evidence, ≥$10M public liability insurance, pool safety certificate if applicable
Typical timeframe	Allow ~2–3 weeks to compile documents; Council processing commonly reported at 4–12 weeks depending on complexity
Body corporate	Unlike the general Queensland BCCM Act position, body corporate by-laws in Noosa can restrict short-term letting — check the specific complex
Supply cap	Council has reportedly considered capping the total number of STR permits — monitor for future limits
Contact	Noosa Shire Council Development Assessment: (07) 5329 6500 — noosa.qld.gov.au STRA / short-stay page →
Local contact required	A local contact person must be available to deal with complaints — source: Noosa Local Law

What to submit

Documents required for your application

✓ Completed Application for Short Stay Letting form — available from noosa.qld.gov.au
✓ Site plan showing buildings, outdoor entertainment areas, pool/spa, parking, and openings toward adjoining residences
✓ Floor plan showing use of each room and maximum people per bedroom
✓ Written confirmation from a building certifier that the building is lawfully constructed and the use matches the building classification
✓ Current pool safety certification from a licensed QBCC pool safety inspector (if applicable)
✓ Current electrical safety certification for smoke alarms from a licensed electrical contractor
✓ Public liability insurance — commonly at least $10 million
✓ Payment of the $1,026 application fee (plus annual renewal when due)

Things to know

Before you apply

Noosa’s local law has operated since 1 February 2022 — one of Queensland’s clearest STR approval frameworks, with active compliance monitoring.
Annual renewal is required. If the contact person or property manager changes, notify Council and update the approval.
Approval can change your property’s rating category and affect annual rates.
Noosa Plan 2020 amendments of 26 September 2025 are not retrospective — lawful approvals granted before that date generally remain valid.
Guest code of conduct and a genuinely local, responsive contact person are expected — not only a national call centre.
Statewide Queensland smoke-alarm interconnection rules apply by 1 January 2027; pool safety certification applies where there is a pool.
Read the statewide context: Queensland has no Western Australia–style STRA register — see our Queensland Airbnb rules guide.

FAQ

Common questions

Is there a 90-night exemption like in Western Australia?+

No. Noosa has no night-count exemption. Approval is required for commercial unhosted short stay letting regardless of nights per year.

Do I need both a local law approval and a planning permit?+

Often yes — especially for ongoing whole-dwelling use in residential zones. The local law approval and Development Permit / MCU under Noosa Plan 2020 are separate. We confirm which apply to your lot.

What documents are needed for a Noosa Airbnb application?+

Typically site and floor plans, building/certifier confirmation, smoke-alarm and pool certificates where relevant, ≥$10M public liability insurance, and the short-stay letting application form with the Council fee.

How long does the approval process take?+

Budget roughly 2–3 weeks to assemble a complete pack, then commonly 4–12 weeks for Council processing depending on complexity. Incomplete applications are returned and delay the clock.

Can my body corporate ban Airbnb in Noosa?+

Yes — Noosa is an important exception to the general Queensland BCCM position. Check the scheme by-laws before you buy or list.

What happens if I operate without approval?+

Operating without approval breaches the local law. Council monitors compliance and can issue notices and fines.

Nearby

Other councils, shires and towns in this area

Sunshine Coast Council Brisbane City Council City of Gold Coast