Home-based business

In most cases, you don’t need a planning permit to run a business from home in residential zones.

However, you might need a planning permit:

• if the business does not meet the requirements for a home-based business
• to display signage for the business.

When no planning permit is needed

No planning permit is needed:

• if the business meets the requirements for a home-based business described in the following section
• to install a sign identifying the business in a residential area that is up to 0.2 sqm and not illuminated.

Requirements for a home-based business

These requirements aim to make sure home-based businesses maintain the local quality of life for residents.

You don’t need a planning permit if your business meets all these requirements.

People working in the business

• The person running the business must use their home as the principal place of business.
• Up to two people who don’t live in the home can work there at any one time.

Floor area and utilities

• The maximum business floor area (including storage) is 100 square metres or one-third of the total floor area (including additional buildings and regular house structures), whichever is smaller. This rule does not apply if the business involves educating or caring for children.
• The business should not consume more utilities (such as electricity, water, or gas) than a typical household would.

Neighbourhood quality of life (amenity)

Amenity is about the pleasantness and good functioning of an area.

The home-based business must not harm the neighbourhood amenity in any way, including:

• the appearance of any building, works, or materials used
• parking of cars or trucks
• transporting materials or goods to or from the home.
• hours of operation
• electrical interference
• storage of chemicals, gases, or other hazardous materials
• emissions from the site.

Cars and trucks

• Cars and trucks cannot be adjusted, modified, serviced, or repaired for gain.
• Only one commercial vehicle registered to a resident of the home is allowed at the premises at any time. The vehicle (commercial goods vehicle, commercial passenger vehicle, or tow truck):
  • must have maximum 2 tonnes capacity.
  • cannot be fuelled or repaired on the site
  • can be with or without a trailer.

Sale of goods

• You can only sell goods manufactured or serviced within your home-based business. However, this rule doesn’t apply to goods sold online.
• If selling goods online, they should not be collected directly from your home.
• Any materials used or goods that you’ve manufactured, serviced, or repaired must:
  • be stored inside a building
  • not be displayed so they are visible from outside the site.

If your business does not meet the home-based business requirements, it might be a different type of business. We advise contacting the planning department on 8290 3329 to discuss your permit requirements.

When you need a planning permit

You can apply for a planning permit to operate your business with:

• an additional person who doesn’t live in the home working at the business at any one time (up to three people)
• larger floor area (maximum of 200 square metres or one-third of the net floor area, whichever is smaller)
• an additional commercial vehicle present at any time (up to two vehicles).

Documents to prepare

When applying for a planning permit, you must supply the following documents.

General

• A Copy of Title, including relevant lot plan and any restrictions listed on title. You can get a title from land data.

A written submission

Details of the proposed home-based business, including:

• type of business - a general description of what the business is for, and activities carried out at the premises
• the number of staff and how many staff members live at the house
• the floor area (in square metres) of the house to be used for the business, including storage
• hours of operation
• details of any noise expected as a result of the home-based business
• details of any pedestrian and vehicle traffic to the house.

Plans

A plan of the house at a scale of 1:100 or 1:200, including:

• north orientation
• address of the property
• the title boundaries
• the existing house and layout of the proposed home-based business, including storage
• any existing and proposed car parking on the land
• any signage proposed for the home-based business, including size, location, and any illumination.

Apply now

To learn more, visit Applying for a planning permit.

Check if you need other permits

Your business may need other permits or approvals from Council before it can operate.

• If you’re starting a food business, you’ll need to register a food business.
• To carry out building works, you might need a building permit.

Find out what permits and approvals you need with our permit finder for business.