Unauthorised home business/occupation
Unauthorised home business/occupation

Unauthorised home business/occupation

Unauthorised home business/occupation

Reporting allegations of unauthorised home businesses and home occupations.
Last updated on: 07 October 2021
In this article

Information

The City will investigate allegations of unauthorised home businesses and home occupations.

What is a home occupation?

A 'home occupation' generally displays the following characteristics:
  • only employs members of the occupier's household
  • will not cause injury to or adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood
  • does not occupy an area greater than 20 square metres
  • does not display a sign exceeding 0.2 square metres
  • does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature
  • does not require a greater number of parking facilities than normally required for a single dwelling, or an increase in traffic volume
  • does not involve the use of an essential service of greater capacity than normally required in the zone
  • does not include provision for the fuelling, repair or maintenance of motor vehicles
  • 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 occupation is exempt from the requirement to obtain development approval under clause 61(2) of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.

What is a home business?

A 'home business' is defined as a dwelling, or land around a dwelling, used by an occupier of the dwelling to carry out a business, service or profession if it:
  • does not involve employing more than two people who are not members of the occupier's 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 any goods unless completed via (and only over) the internet
  • does not result in traffic difficulties as a result of inadequate parking or an increase in traffic volumes in the neighbourhood
  • does not involve the presence, use or calling of a vehicle of more than 4.5 tonnes tare weight
  • 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.

What is a home office?

A 'home office' is defined as a business carried out solely with a dwelling by the resident but does not:
  • entail clients or customers travelling to and from the dwelling
  • involve any advertising signs on the premises
  • require any external change to the appearance of the dwelling.

Is development approval required?

  • A planning approval is required for home business applications (unless the proposed activity meets the definition of either a home office or home business) and shall be subject to public consultation in accordance with Local Planning Policy LP.02 Public Consultation of Planning Proposals.
  • Home offices and businesses that meet the above criteria do not require planning approval.
  • Proposals such as home baking, hairdressers and beauty salons require approval from the City's Environmental Health Services team.

Issues with neighbours

  • People are sometimes unaware that their activities are causing a problem.
  • The City encourages all residents and business operators to talk to their neighbours about any issues before making a complaint.
  • For supporting information on resolving disputes with neighbours, please click here

Anonymous requests

  • This type of request cannot be anonymous.
  • Contact details are required when lodging this type of issue to ensure a proper investigation can be completed. It also provides the City with the ability to clarify information to ensure officers have a safe working environment.
  • Personal information is not disclosed to any person without consent.

Raise a request

  • To raise a request for unauthorised home occupations or businesses, click the correct option below.
  • An officer will action the request within five (5) working days. This includes contacting you to clarify the nature of the complaint, checking on any possible safety risks for City staff and explaining the complaint process.
  • Your contact details are required when lodging this issue to ensure a proper investigation can be completed.