If you’re planning to own and operate a home-based business you will need to be aware of the different approvals and permits needed, find further information below.
About Home-Based Businesses
Home Business, Home Occupation or Home Office refer to small scale businesses or activities operated within or on the land surrounding a residential property. There are certain requirements you will need to meet to operate a home-based business, and some permits you may need to apply for.
There are three types of home-based businesses, as outlined in the Planning and Development Regulations. We have slightly modified the definitions below to make them easier to understand and follow. Please refer to the Planning and Development Regulations for more technical definitions.
Home Business
To qualify as a Home Business you need to meet the following requirements:
- Employ a maximum of 2 people who do not reside in the house or dwelling
- Occupies an area less than 50m2
- Cannot involve the retail sale, display or hire of any goods unless done so by the internet
- Must provide adequate parking and shouldn’t disrupt the flow of traffic, or amount of traffic in the neighbourhood
- Must not adversely affect the appearance or amenity of the neighbourhood
- Vehicles used must weigh less than 4.5 tonnes
- Must not use more of a necessary service (such as electricity or water) than what is typically used in the area where the home is located.
Home Occupation
To qualify as a Home Occupation you need to meet the following requirements:
- You cannot employ anyone who does not reside in the house or dwelling
- Must not adversely affect the appearance or amenity of the neighbourhood
- Must occupy an area less than 20 m2
- Any signs on the premises must be less than 0.2m2
- Cannot involve the retail sale, display or hire of any goods unless done so by the internet
- Should not require a greater number or parking spaces than normally required for a single dwelling
- Must not result in an increase in traffic volume in the neighbourhood
- Vehicles used or called must weigh less than 4.5 tonnes tare weight
- Does not include provision for the fuelling, repair or maintenance of motor vehicles
- Must not use more of a necessary service (such as electricity or water) than what is typically used in the area where the home is located.
Home Office
A home office means a dwelling used by an occupier of the dwelling to carry out a home occupation if the carrying out of the 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
Fact Sheet
Home Business, Home Occupation and Home Office Fact Sheet Residential Based Food Businesses
If you’re planning to operate a home or residential based food business or sell and supply food and beverages to your clients, you will need to register as a food business in our city. Please find further information about home or residential based food businesses.
Residential Beauty Therapy and Skin Penetration Businesses
If your home-based business will be providing beauty treatments and performing skin penetration procedures, you will need notify the City. Please find further information about operating a beauty therapy and skin penetration business.
Residential Hairdressing Business
You can own and operate a hairdressing business from your residence, but you will also need to apply and be approved as a hairdressing business to do so. See further information about operating a hairdressing business within our city.
Planning and Development Approvals
Planning approval is not required for a home office or a home occupation if it meets the relevant definitions in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. A home business does require planning approval in each instance.
If you require written confirmation from us that your home-based business is exempt from planning approval, please lodge a request for written planning advice along with a cover letter which clearly outlines how the proposed business will operate. We will aim to provide a response within 14 days.
Building Approvals
Building Approvals will be required if you plan to make any structural changes to your house to accommodate your home-based business. See our building approvals page for more information.
Planning and Building, and Environmental Health Advice
For advice regarding submitting planning and building applications or for any questions you may have about this process please refer to our Planning and Building Advice Page to see your options. For any questions regarding Environmental Health Approvals or advice please contact us via health.admin@melville.wa.gov.au, post, or in-person.
Fees and Charges
There may be fees and charges involved depending on the types of permits you need for your proposed business. See our full fees and charges for specific amounts.