Running your business from home can be a perfect way to balance work and family commitments. Or you might be just starting out and wanting to minimise your overheads.
Manningham is home to a large number of home based businesses and we actively support and encourage this business community.
A home based business is run from a residential premises or building in which the owner of the business lives.
It is important to distinguish between people who may be working from home, and those who are running a business from home. A home based business operator runs a business from home, and doesn’t work from home for an external organisation.
Is my business appropriate to run from home?
Council has certain requirements for home based businesses. These requirements help to ensure that your business won’t have a negative impact on your neighbours or the neighbourhood.
The most appropriate businesses or occupations to be conducted from the home are those where:
- only two employees who do not live in the home but work in the occupation or business operating in the home
- a room or space is set up for the business or occupation away from the rest of the household so that it is not affected by household noises or interruptions if you plan to meet clients at home
- the product or service does not require large storage areas, administration or waiting areas
- the product or service has only few deliveries and they only occur during normal business hours or daylight hours on weekends
- the product or service does not create noise pollution or any other disturbance that can affect the local neighbourhood.
What kind of advertising signage can I have?
In all residential zones, home based businesses are permitted to have signage which displays business identification information. A total of 0.2 square metres of advertising is permitted without a planning permit.
The information which is acceptable on this sign includes:
- business name
- short service description
- contact number.
For any sign not meeting these requirements, you must apply to the Statutory Planning team on 9840 9333.
Read Clause 52.05 in the Manningham Planning Scheme for the full details about signage requirements.
More information
The Manningham Planning Scheme provides more information about home based businesses.
Find out which businesses need a permit and where you can get advice.