policy
Sunshine Coast City Council Short-Term Rental Registration By-Law Passes, Affecting Property Owners in Maroochydore and Caloundra
Owners of holiday homes listed on platforms must register by January 2027 or face fines, while the council projects 150 additional long-term rentals will become available for Sunshine Coast residents.
How we reported this
The Sunshine Coast City Council voted 8-3 on 7 July 2026 to introduce mandatory registration for all short-term rentals, applying to every property advertised for periods under 90 days in suburbs including Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland and Caloundra. Operators must pay an annual fee of $350 and submit proof of compliance with noise and parking standards or incur penalties up to $5000 per breach.
Why the rules were considered now
The decision follows the Queensland Government’s March 2026 housing supply guidelines that directed coastal councils to address the conversion of permanent dwellings into tourist accommodation. Council records show 1240 properties in the local government area were listed on major booking platforms as of April 2026, up from 980 two years earlier.
Residents looking for long-term rentals stand to gain from the expected return of some properties to the permanent market, particularly families in Buderim and Sippy Downs who have faced vacancy rates below three per cent for the past 18 months. Property owners who rely on holiday income will face new administrative costs and possible limits on the number of nights a property can be let without additional approvals.
According to the council’s June 2026 housing stock report, short-term rentals currently represent 12 per cent of dwellings in coastal zones, a figure drawn from Australian Bureau of Statistics census data cross-checked with platform listings. The same document projects that the registration system will add 150 dwellings to the long-term rental pool by the end of 2028.
Implementation will be handled by the council’s planning and regulatory services unit, with the online registration portal scheduled to open in October 2026. Public information sessions are listed for August 2026 in Maroochydore and Nambour to explain obligations for owners and the process for residents to report suspected breaches.