Starting and operating a business at home
The City supports residents who want to operate a small-scale business from home and can help identify any planning, building or environmental health requirements that may apply.
The approval pathway depends on whether the proposed activity is classified as a home office, home occupation or home business. Review the definitions below to identify which category best describes your activities before contacting the City or submitting an application.
Home offices and home occupations do not require development approval. Home businesses require development approval, while certain activities may also require environmental health approval or notification.
Home occupation
Home occupation means a dwelling or land around a dwelling used by an occupier of the dwelling to carry out
an occupation if the carrying out of the occupation that -
- does not involve employing a person who is not a member of the occupier’s household; and
- will not cause injury to or adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood; and
- does not occupy an area greater than 20 m² ; and
- does not involve the display on the premises of a sign with an area exceeding 0.2 m²; and
- does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of any goods unless the sale, display or hire is done only by means of the Internet; and
- does not —
- require a greater number of parking spaces than normally required for a single dwelling; or
- result in an increase in traffic volume in the neighbourhood; and
- does not involve the presence, use or calling of a vehicle of more than 4.5 tonnes tare weight: and
- does not include provision for the fuelling, repair or maintenance of motor vehicles; and
- does not involve the use of an essential service that is greater than the use normally required in the zone in which the dwelling is located.
Home business
A home business means a dwelling or land around a dwelling used by an occupier of the dwelling to carry out a business, service or profession if the carrying out of the business, service or profession –
- does not involve employing more than 2 people who are not members of the occupier’s household; and
- will not cause injury to or adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood; and c) does not occupy an area greater than 50 m²; and
- does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of any goods unless the sale, display or hire is done only by means of the Internet; and
- does not result in traffic difficulties as a result of the inadequacy of parking or an increase in traffic volumes in the neighbourhood; and
- does not involve the presence, use or calling of a vehicle of more than 4.5 tonnes tare weight; and
- does not involve the use of an essential service that is greater than the use normally required in the zone in which the dwelling is located.
Home office
A home office means a dwelling used by an occupier of the dwelling to carry out a home occupation if the carrying out of the occupation –
- is solely within the dwelling; and
- does not entail clients or customers travelling to and from the dwelling; and
- does not involve the display of a sign on the premises; and
- does not require any change to the external appearance of the dwelling.
Planning requirements
Home Occupations and Home Offices do not need development approval.
Home Businesses require development approval and need to complete an Application for Development (Planning) Approval.
The Home Occupation and Home Business local planning policy outlines the requirements for this approval.
Complete the Home Occupation/Home Business Checklist to help ensure you have everything you need.
Some types of businesses, including those which involve low-risk food, beauty therapy or those which penetrate skin like tattoos and piercings, need an additional environmental health approval to ensure the safety of operators and clients.
Hairdressers are no longer required to register their business, but they are required to notify the City that they are operating. Hairdressers are required to follow the guideline for the management of public health risks associated with the hairdressing and barber industry, which can be found here.
