Noosa Short Term Rental Approval | Urban Approval Group

At a glance

Key facts for Noosa Shire Council

Approval type	Short Stay Letting approval under Noosa's Local Law — plus a Development Permit (planning approval) under Noosa Plan 2020 for ongoing unhosted short-term rental in residential zones
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 (confirmed)
Annual renewal fee	$400 per year for a house, $200 per year for a unit — 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
Contact	Noosa Shire Council Development Assessment: (07) 5329 6500 — noosa.qld.gov.au
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/making-application-1
✓ Site plan showing location of all buildings, outdoor entertainment areas, pool/spa, parking areas, and window/door openings of any adjoining residence — source: Noosa Council application requirements
✓ Floor plan showing use of each room and maximum number of people per bedroom — source: Noosa Council application requirements
✓ Written confirmation from a building certifier that the existing building is lawfully constructed and the use is authorised by the building classification — source: Noosa Council application requirements
✓ Current pool safety certification from a licensed QBCC pool safety inspector (if applicable) — source: Noosa Council application requirements
✓ Current electrical safety certification for smoke alarms from a licensed electrical contractor — source: Noosa Council application requirements
✓ Payment of the $1,026 application fee

Things to know

Before you apply

Noosa's local law has been operating since 1 February 2022 — it is one of the most established short-term rental approval frameworks in Australia. The Council is experienced at processing applications and actively monitors compliance. Source: Noosa Shire Council website.
Annual renewal is required — $400/year for a house, $200/year for a unit. If a property's contact person changes (e.g. changing property managers), Council must be notified immediately and the approval updated. Source: Noosa Council application requirements page.
Approval changes your property's rating category, which may affect your annual council rates. Source: Noosa Council application requirements page.
Noosa Plan 2020 was amended on 26 September 2025 — the amendments are not retrospective, meaning lawful approvals granted before this date remain valid. Source: Noosa Plan 2020 Short-term Accommodation Guide, October 2025.
The Noosa local law requires a code of conduct for guests to be in place, and a local contact person who can respond to complaints. The contact person must be genuinely local and responsive — not just a national call centre. Source: Noosa Short Stay Letting Local Law.
Noosa covers Noosa Heads, Noosaville, Sunshine Beach, Peregian Beach, Cooroy, Pomona, and all surrounding areas. Requirements are consistent across the Shire.

FAQ

Common questions

Is there a 90-night exemption like in WA?

No. Noosa has no night-count exemption. Approval is required for any commercial short stay letting of an unhosted property regardless of how many nights per year. This has been the case since February 2022.

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

In most cases, yes — particularly for ongoing use of an entire dwelling. The local law approval and the Development Permit under Noosa Plan 2020 are separate but related. Urban Approval Group will confirm which approvals apply to your specific property and use.

My property is in Sunshine Beach — same rules?

Yes. Sunshine Beach, Noosaville, Peregian Beach, and all other suburbs within Noosa Shire are subject to the same local law requirements.

How long does the approval process take?

Noosa's process is well-established. Budget 4–8 weeks from lodging a complete application. Incomplete applications (missing building certification, pool cert etc.) will be returned, which adds time.

What happens if I operate without approval?

Operating without approval is a breach of the local law. The Council actively monitors compliance and can issue compliance notices and fines. Penalties for non-compliance in Queensland can reach approximately $8,345 (50 penalty units at 2025–26 rates).

Noosa Shire Council short term rental approval

Key facts for Noosa Shire Council

Documents required for your application

Before you apply

Common questions

Ready to get your approval sorted?