Home/Legislation/BCCM Act 1997/Schedule 4

Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997

Schedule 4 By-laws

Reprint current from 1 August 2025 to date. Based on content from the Queensland Legislation website at 24 September 2026. For the latest information on Queensland Government legislation please go to https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/

© The State of Queensland (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel). Licence. Amendment history notes removed; content restructured into chapters, parts, divisions and sections; internal cross-references re-linked. Text otherwise verbatim. Authoritative version: www.legislation.qld.gov.au.

1Noise#

The occupier of a lot must not create noise likely to interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of a person lawfully on another lot or the common property.

2Vehicles#

(1) The occupier of a lot must not—

(a) park a vehicle, or allow a vehicle to stand, in a regulated parking area; or

(b) without the approval of the body corporate, park a vehicle, or allow a vehicle to stand, on any other part of the common property; or

(c) permit an invitee to park a vehicle, or allow a vehicle to stand, on the common property, other than in a regulated parking area.

(2) An approval under subsection (1)(b) must state the period for which it is given.

(3) The body corporate may cancel the approval by giving 7 days written notice to the occupier.

(4) In this section—

regulated parking area means an area of scheme land designated as being available for use, by invitees of occupiers of lots included in the scheme, for parking vehicles.

3Obstruction#

The occupier of a lot must not obstruct the lawful use of the common property by someone else.

4Damage to lawns etc.#

(1) The occupier of a lot must not, without the body corporate’s written approval—

(a) damage a lawn, garden, tree, shrub, plant or flower on the common property; or

(b) use a part of the common property as a garden.

(2) An approval under subsection (1) must state the period for which it is given.

(3) However, the body corporate may cancel the approval by giving 7 days written notice to the occupier.

5Damage to common property#

(1) An occupier of a lot must not, without the body corporate’s written approval, mark, paint, drive nails, screws or other objects into, or otherwise damage or deface a structure that forms part of the common property.

(2) However, an occupier may install a locking or safety device to protect the lot against intruders, or a screen to prevent entry of animals or insects, if the device or screen is soundly built and is consistent with the colour, style and materials of the building.

(3) The owner of a lot must keep a device installed under subsection (2) in good order and repair.

6Behaviour of invitees#

An occupier of a lot must take reasonable steps to ensure that the occupier’s invitees do not behave in a way likely to interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of another lot or someone else’s peaceful enjoyment of the common property.

7Leaving of rubbish etc. on the common property#

The occupier of a lot must not leave rubbish or other materials on the common property in a way or place likely to interfere with the enjoyment of the common property by someone else.

8Appearance of lot#

(1) The occupier of a lot must not, without the body corporate’s written approval, make a change to the external appearance of the lot unless the change is minor and does not detract from the amenity of the lot and its surrounds.

(2) The occupier of a lot must not, without the body corporate’s written approval—

(a) hang washing, bedding, or another cloth article if the article is visible from another lot or the common property, or from outside the scheme land; or

(b) display a sign, advertisement, placard, banner, pamphlet or similar article if the article is visible from another lot or the common property, or from outside the scheme land.

(3) Subsection (2)(b) does not apply to a real estate advertising sign for the sale or letting of the lot if the sign is of a reasonable size.

(4) This section does not apply to a lot created under a standard format plan of subdivision.

Note—

Under the Building Act 1975, sections 246R and 246S, a body corporate can not withhold consent for particular activities stated in the sections that might change the external appearance of a lot.

9Storage of flammable materials#

(1) The occupier of a lot must not, without the body corporate’s written approval, store a flammable substance on the common property.

(2) The occupier of a lot must not, without the body corporate’s written approval, store a flammable substance on the lot unless the substance is used or intended for use for domestic purposes.

(3) However, this section does not apply to the storage of fuel in—

(a) the fuel tank of a vehicle, boat, or internal-combustion engine; or

(b) a tank kept on a vehicle or boat in which the fuel is stored under the requirements of the law regulating the storage of flammable liquid.

10Garbage disposal#

(1) Unless the body corporate provides some other way of garbage disposal, the occupier of a lot must keep a receptacle for garbage in a clean and dry condition and adequately covered on the lot, or on a part of the common property designated by the body corporate for the purpose.

(2) The occupier of a lot must—

(a) comply with all of the following laws about the disposal of garbage—

(i) if the lot is in a priority development area—PDA by-laws, and any local laws that apply;

(ii) if the lot is not in a priority development area—local laws; and

(b) ensure that the occupier does not, in disposing of garbage, adversely affect the health, hygiene or comfort of the occupiers of other lots.

11Keeping of animals#

(1) The occupier of a lot must not, without the body corporate’s written approval—

(a) bring or keep an animal on the lot or the common property; or

(b) permit an invitee to bring or keep an animal on the lot or the common property.

Note—

See section 181 in relation to the right of the owner or occupier of a lot to keep a guide, hearing or assistance dog on the lot.

(2) The body corporate may grant the approval subject to conditions that are, in the circumstances, reasonable and appropriate.

(3) If the body corporate grants the approval, the body corporate must give the occupier a written notice stating—

(a) the body corporate’s approval; and

(b) if the approval is subject to conditions—the conditions.

(4) The body corporate’s approval may be withdrawn if the occupier does not comply with the conditions stated in the notice.

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