There are three categories of home based businesses that may be conducted from a private residence. These categories are home office, home occupation and home business, and are defined in the Local Planning Scheme as follows:
“home business” means a business, service or profession carried out in a dwelling or on land around a dwelling by an occupier of the dwelling which —
(a) does not employ more than 2 people not members of the occupier’s household;
(b) will not cause injury to or adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood;
(c) does not occupy an area greater than 50 square metres;
(d) does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature;
(e) in relation to vehicles and parking, 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 more than 3.5 tonnes tare weight; and
(f) does not involve the use of an essential service of greater capacity than normally required in the zone;
“home occupation” means an occupation carried out in a dwelling or on land around a dwelling by an occupier of the dwelling which —
(a) does not employ any person not a member of the occupier’s household;
(b) will not cause injury to or adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood;
(c) does not occupy an area greater than 20 square metres;
(d) does not display a sign exceeding 0.2 square metres;
(e) does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature;
(f) in relation to vehicles and parking, does not result in the requirement for a greater number of parking facilities than normally required for a single dwelling or an increase in traffic volume in the neighbourhood, does not involve the presence, use or calling of a vehicle more than two tonnes tare weight, and does not include provision for the fuelling, repair or maintenance of motor vehicles; and
(g) does not involve the use of an essential service of greater capacity than normally required in the zone;
“home office” means a home occupation limited to a business carried out solely within a dwelling by a resident of the dwelling but which does not —
(a) entail clients or customers travelling to and from the dwelling;
(b) involve any advertising signs on the premises; or
(c) require any external change to the appearance of the dwelling.
An application for approval of either a home business or home occupation is required, and a home office is permitted development that does not require approval of the Shire. For more information on home business requirements, please read the Local Planning Policy 4.1: Home Based Businesses or click here to print an application form.