Running a business from home

If you are planning to run a business from home, there are specific requirements and responsibilities you should be aware of.

Council encourages small businesses to be run from home provided there are no amenity impacts on neighbours. If you are planning to run a business from home, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • The person conducting the home occupation must use the dwelling as their principal place of residence.
  • No more than one person who does not live in the dwelling may work in the occupation.
  • The gross floor area used in conducting the occupation including the storage of any materials or goods must not exceed 50 square metres or one-third of the gross floor area of the dwelling, whichever is the lesser.
  • The occupation must not impose a load on any utility greater than normally required for domestic use.
  • The occupation must not adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood in any way, including:
    • appearance of any building, works or materials used
    • parking of motor vehicles
    • transporting of materials or goods to or from the dwelling
    • hours of operation
    • electrical interference
    • storage of chemicals, gasses or other hazardous materials
    • emissions from the site
    • no motor vehicle may be serviced or repaired for gain
    • only one commercial vehicle (a commercial goods vehicle, commercial passenger vehicle or tow truck within the meaning of the Transport Act 1983), not exceeding two tonnes capacity and with or without a trailer registered to a resident of the dwelling may be present at any time. The vehicle must not be fuelled or repaired on the site.
    • no goods other than goods manufactured or serviced in the home occupation may be offered for sale
    • materials used or goods manufactured, serviced or repaired in the home occupation must be stored within a building
    • no goods manufactured, serviced or repaired may be displayed so that they are visible from outside the site.

A planning permit may be granted for a home occupation:

  • which allows no more than two persons who do not live in the dwelling to work in the occupation
  • which has a floor area not exceeding 100 square metres or one-third of the gross floor area of the dwelling, whichever is the lesser
  • which allows no more than one additional commercial vehicle (a commercial goods vehicle, commercial passenger vehicle or tow truck within the meaning of the Transport Act 1983), not exceeding two tonnes capacity and with or without a trailer registered to a resident of the dwelling, to be present at any time.

Before deciding on an application, aspects that Council will consider include:

  • whether there is a need for additional parking or loading facilities
  • the effect of any vehicle parking, storage or washing facilities on the amenity and character of the street
  • whether the site is suitable for the particular home occupation and is compatible with the surrounding use and development
  • whether there is a need for landscaping to screen any outbuildings, car parking, loading areas or any other area relating to the home occupation.

If the operation of the business does not comply with the requirements set out above, it cannot be run from home.

If you have any questions about running a business from home and are unsure if you require a planning permit, it is recommended you contact Statutory Planning for further information.

Every planning application must be accompanied by:

  • completed application form
  • an application fee
  • recent Certificate of Title - no older than 28 days
  • a covering letter explaining your proposal
  • neighbourhood and site description
  • a design response
  • three copies of plans drawn to scale (1:100 or 1:200) and fully dimensioned, as well as an A3-sized set. Plans must show the site, floor layout and elevations.

Boroondara Planning Scheme extract

Files

  • Share:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Add this Page to Delicious