Sunshine Coast Airbnb and short-term rental approval

There is no Sunshine Coast short-stay register. Whether you can list turns on the planning scheme zone and overlays, existing approvals, and body corporate by-laws — not a night-count exemption like Perth.

Last verified 16 August 2026

View Sunshine Coast Council's official STRA / short-stay guidance →

Let Urban Approval Group handle your Sunshine Coast Council approval

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At a glance

Key facts for Sunshine Coast Council

Citywide permit / register	None. Queensland has no statewide short-stay register.
Night cap	None published council-wide.
Planning	Short-term accommodation is defined and assessed in the Sunshine Coast planning scheme. Accepted vs code vs impact assessment depends on zone and overlays.
Stricter areas	Rural residential land and some character / amenity overlays are commonly less suited to unhosted whole-house letting.
Neighbour council	Noosa Shire (next door) requires short-stay letting approval from night one under its own local law — do not mix the two.
Contact	Sunshine Coast Council — sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au STRA / short-stay page →

What to submit

Documents required for your application

✓ Planning scheme zone and overlay mapping for the lot
✓ Any existing development approvals that already authorise short-term or tourist accommodation
✓ Body corporate by-laws if the property is a unit
✓ If a DA is required: application forms, planning report, guest management plan, plans, and the Council fee

Things to know

Before you apply

A Caloundra apartment, a Mooloolaba unit and a hinterland house are not assessed the same way. The scheme tables of assessment are the source of truth, not a blog post about “the Sunshine Coast”.
If your lot is just over the shire boundary into Noosa, Noosa's local law applies instead. Check the local government boundary before you lodge anything.
Queensland smoke-alarm interconnection requirements (1 January 2027) and pool-safety certification apply statewide, including here.

FAQ

Common questions

Do I need Sunshine Coast Council approval to Airbnb my house?+

Only if the planning scheme treats short-term accommodation as assessable on your lot, or if an existing approval does not already cover the use. There is no blanket permit for every listing.

Is it the same as Noosa?+

No. Noosa has a dedicated Short Stay Letting local law requiring approval from night one. Sunshine Coast assesses the use through its planning scheme.

What about hinterland or rural residential properties?+

Those zones are where unhosted short-term use is most often constrained. Expect to confirm overlays and amenity provisions before you spend on fit-out.

Is there a 90-night rule?+

No. The 90-night threshold is a Western Australian Perth-metro planning rule, not a Queensland rule.

Nearby

Other councils, shires and towns in this area

Noosa Shire Council Brisbane City Council City of Gold Coast

Next step

Ready to get your approval sorted?

We'll map your Sunshine Coast address against the planning scheme, confirm whether short-term accommodation needs a development application, and lodge it if it does.

$500 flat fee + council application fee (charged directly to you by the council). No hidden costs.

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Information on this page is based on Sunshine Coast Council's published guidelines and is updated as council policies change. Always confirm current requirements directly with the council before lodging. View Sunshine Coast Council's official STRA / short-stay guidance → Last verified 16 August 2026.