The General Rule for Private Property
In Queensland, temporary structures — including marquees — on private property for events lasting less than 7 days are generally treated as exempt development when the structure is under certain size thresholds. For most residential backyard events in Brisbane, this means no formal council permit is required.
The Queensland Development Code and Brisbane City Council's planning scheme both provide for short-duration temporary structures without requiring a development approval. However, this exemption is not absolute — several factors can trigger a formal approval requirement even on private land.
Generally no permit needed when ALL of these apply:
- ✓ Private residential or commercial property (not public land)
- ✓ Structure erected for fewer than 7 consecutive days
- ✓ Footprint under 100m² (e.g. a 8×12m marquee = 96m² — just under)
- ✓ Private, non-ticketed event (not a public commercial event)
- ✓ No food service licence or liquor licence required for the event
When You DO Need Council Approval
The moment any of the following conditions apply, you should contact Brisbane City Council or your local council to confirm approval requirements before booking:
Any marquee on a council park, reserve, riverbank, or other public land requires a park booking approval. Brisbane City Council processes these via their online park booking portal. Approval typically includes insurance and structure requirements.
A marquee of 100m² or larger (e.g. 8×15m = 120m²) generally requires a building approval as a temporary structure under the Building Act 1975. A licensed building certifier must certify the structure design — we can supply wind rating documentation to assist.
Multi-day festivals, exhibitions, and markets that require a marquee to remain erected for more than 7 days typically need a temporary structure approval from council. Lead time for these can be 4–6 weeks.
Events open to the public, events with ticket sales, or events with food or liquor licences may require a temporary event approval under council's local laws. These often include requirements for insurance, risk management plans, and public safety documentation.
Body corporate rules on apartment blocks, retirement villages, and managed estates may restrict temporary structures entirely or require body corporate consent. Check your strata bylaws before booking.
Events on heritage-listed sites may require approval even for temporary structures. Contact your local heritage office or check the BCC Heritage Register before proceeding.
Brisbane City Council: How the Process Works
For events in BCC-managed parks or public spaces, the general process is:
Brisbane City Council's events and park hire portal handles most park booking applications. You'll need to provide event dates, estimated attendance, proposed structure size, and contact details.
BCC commonly requires a site plan showing marquee position, structure dimensions, wind rating certificate, and public liability insurance certificate of currency. We can supply all of these for our marquees.
Standard park bookings take 10–15 business days. Complex events or large structures may take longer. Do not book your marquee until you have council approval confirmed in writing.
Once approved, send us your approval reference number. We'll confirm the booking, arrange setup timing around council's specified access window, and supply any final documentation the park officer requires.
Documentation We Can Provide
When your venue or council asks for paperwork, we can supply the following for any booking:
Exact footprint, height, and bay configuration for your specific marquee size. Useful for site plans and fire egress calculations.
Engineering documentation confirming our clearspan structures are rated to 80km/h. Required for most large events and council park approvals.
Certificate of currency for our $20M public liability insurance policy. Commonly required for council parks, clubs, and commercial venues.
We cannot provide building certification, fire safety certificates, or legal advice on permit requirements. For complex events, engage a private building certifier or event safety consultant.
Permit FAQ
Do I need a permit for a marquee in Brisbane?+
For private property events lasting less than 7 days with a structure under 100m², most Brisbane councils do not require a formal permit. However, public land, large structures, events over 7 days, or commercial events almost always require approval. Always check with your specific council before booking.
Can I set up a marquee in a Brisbane council park?+
Yes, but you need a park booking approval from Brisbane City Council. Apply via the BCC online portal at least 6–8 weeks before your event. You'll need to supply evidence of public liability insurance, the structure's wind rating, and an event site plan. We can provide all of these for our marquees.
What council documentation can In-Tents Events provide?+
We can supply structure dimensions and footprint, an 80km/h wind rating certificate for our clearspan marquees, and a certificate of currency for our $20M public liability insurance. These cover the most common documentation requirements for council approvals and venue terms.
Do I need fire safety approval for a marquee?+
For most private residential events, fire safety compliance is the event organiser's responsibility. Our marquees use fire-retardant PVC covers. If your event requires a formal fire safety certificate or emergency egress plan — common for commercial or public events — a private building certifier or fire safety consultant needs to sign off.
How long does a Brisbane council park approval take?+
Brisbane City Council typically processes park booking applications within 10–15 business days, though complex events or large structures may take longer. Apply at least 6–8 weeks before your event to allow time for documentation gathering and any back-and-forth with the council officer.
Get Your Free Quote
Tell us your guest count, event date, and venue — we'll recommend the right setup and send you a quote. Usually same day.