Home business/office

Home occupation means a dwelling or land around a dwelling used by an occupier of a dwelling to carry out an occupation if they 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 20sqm; and
• does not involve the display on the premises of a sign with an area exceeding 0.2sqm; 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 a n increase in traffic volume in the neighbourhood; and
• does not involve the presence, use or calling of a  vehicle 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

A home business is described as a business, service or profession carried out in your home, or on the land around your home, by you or someone who lives in your home and:  

• does not employ more than two people who are not members of the household 
• will not cause injury to or adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood 
• does not occupy an area greater than 50 square metres 
• does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature 
• does not result in traffic difficulties from an inadequacy of parking or an increase in traffic volumes in the neighbourhood, and does not involve the presence, use or calling of a vehicle more than 3.5 tonnes tare weight 
• does not involve the use of an essential service of greater capacity than normally required in the zone.

A home office is where you carry out your occupation from the place you live, and your occupation:  

• is solely within the dwelling 
• does not entail clients or customers travelling to and from the dwelling 
• does not involve the display of a sign on the premises 
• does not require any change to the external appearance of the dwelling. 

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 food, hairdressing or those which penetrate skin like tattoos and piercings, need an additional environmental health approval to ensure the safety of operators and clients.  

Download the <Environmental Health Requirements – link> for more information.