Home Based Business

Can I run a Business from Home?

It's possible for a resident to run a small scale business from home, provided relevant planning requirements are addressed.

There are two types of small scale businesses that can potentially be run from your home:

  1. Home Occupation
  2. Home Business

Home Occupations:

A home occupation may only be permitted where it:
(a) does not involve employing a person who is 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 m²;
(d) does not involve the display on the premises of a sign with an area exceeding 0.2 m²;
(e) 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;
(f) does not —
           i. require a greater number of parking spaces than normally required for a single dwelling;
           ii. result in an increase in traffic volume in the neighbourhood;
(g) does not involve the presence, use or calling of a vehicle of more than 4.5 tonnes tare weight;
(h) does not include provision for the fuelling, repair or maintenance of motor vehicles;
(i) 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;

 

Where the above listed requirements are met, you are exempt from requiring a planning approval in the all zones, in accordance with cl. 61 of the Planning and Development Local Planning Schemes Regulations 2015.

Home Businesses:

A 'Home Business' is defined as a business, service or profession carried out in a dwelling or on land around a dwelling which:
(a) does not employ more than two 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 50m²,
(d) does not retail the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature,
(e) in relation to vehicles and parking, will 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.

 

Planning approval is required for all Home Businesses within the Shire of Ashburton. As part of an application, the following information is required:

  • Development  Application Form (available on the Shire’s website)
  • Certificate of Title (< 3 months old)
  • Cover Letter explaining the business
  • Home Business Checklist (available on the Shire’s website)
  • Plans

Please Note: Building Requirements: If the accumulative floor area of the proposed business or occupation exceeds 10% of the total floor space of the building, a building permit will be required. Please contact the Building Services for further information. 

 

What type of Business can I operate from Home?

Home Businesses and Home Occupations are intended to accommodate appropriately scaled small businesses within a home. They also provide an opportunity for people to establish a small business initially with limited cost outlay and then move into a dedicated commercial premise once the business grows beyond a small scale.

Prior to undertaking a Home Based Business within the Shire the following checklist should be forwarded to [email protected]

 Home Occupation Checklist

Please note: mechanical repairs, panel beating, spray painting and activities involving noisy machinery do not fit into the definition of home occupation. If you cannot comply with the guidelines for a home occupation, you are to consider an industrial or commercial premises to set up your business.