Short-term rental registration rules adopted by Sunshine Coast council, matching Brisbane limits

Sunshine Coast City Council voted on 7 July 2026 to introduce mandatory registration for short-term rentals, bringing the region in line with Brisbane City Council requirements that took effect in 2025. The decision affects property owners who list homes on platforms for more than 90 days a year and applies to suburbs including Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Coolum Beach.

The change follows state government guidance on housing supply and comes as tourism numbers recover after earlier border restrictions. Council papers note that registration will allow better tracking of properties used for visitor accommodation rather than long-term rentals.

Effects on daily costs and services

Residents who rent out spare rooms or holiday homes will now pay an annual registration fee set at $250 per property, with the revenue directed to enforcement staff. Local advocates note this matches the Brisbane fee structure but sits below the Gold Coast charge of $350. Families seeking short-term accommodation during school holidays may face fewer available listings once unregistered properties are removed from booking sites.

University of the Sunshine Coast students and hospital shift workers who rely on casual rental income stand to lose one revenue stream unless they complete the registration process by the 1 October deadline. Coastal development controls already limit new builds in some zones, so the registration rules add another layer that existing owners must navigate.

Next steps for compliance

Council staff will begin issuing registration numbers from August, with first inspections scheduled in Maroochydore and Kawana. The government says the policy will generate data for future planning of light rail routes and airport capacity at Maroochydore. Property analysts say owners who fail to register face fines starting at $2,000, the same penalty level used in Brisbane.