Short Term Letting Rules in Noosa
There has been a lot of misinformation floating around regarding Short-Term Accommodation in Noosa, and the question of can I or can’t I is often asked by buyers of real estate agents.
Noosa Council prioritises housing for permanent residents, and seeks to contain holiday letting in appropriately zoned areas close to amenities, rather than within residential enclaves.
The issue Council is dealing with of course is complaints from permanent residents around STA party houses and increased noise, and the change of occupation of property from long-term residents to commercial tourist accommodation in residential neighbourhoods.
To this end it expanded the sites included in the Tourist Accommodation zone around the Noosa River and Hastings Street precincts with the Noosa Plan 2020, while making it more difficult to obtain Short-Term accommodation (STA) approvals in residential zones.
It also loosened requirements for home hosted accommodation (traditional B&B style) in the Low Density Residential zone and in the Rural and Rural Residential zones.
Short-term accommodation may require a planning approval depending on the type of short-term accommodation and the zone the property is located in.
Where short-term accommodation is identified as “consistent” in the zone (i.e. within Tourist Accommodation), it is generally considered an appropriate use providing it can operate in a manner that does not adversely impact on its surroundings and the residential amenity enjoyed by permanent residents.
Any use not specifically listed as “consistent” is therefore “inconsistent” in the zone.
If short-term accommodation is identified as accepted development, no further requirements need to be met and no planning approval is required.
Where short-term accommodation is identified as inconsistent, it is an inappropriate use in the zone and is unlikely to be supported (although an application can still be lodged).
So it is important to understand the zoning in which you are looking to purchase, and for what purpose. No point trying to buy a property you wish to Airbnb in a residential zone for example - focus on the tourist accommodation areas.
See more about STA regulation on the Noosa Council website: https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/short-term-accommodation-guide