A Home-based business is a business activity conducted in a dwelling or domestic outbuilding, where the business activity is subordinate to the primary use of the dwelling as a residence. A Home-based business is a small-scale enterprise and does not have an adverse impact on adjoining or surrounding residents.
Home-based businesses are operated by the residents of the dwelling and do not require more than one non-resident employee.
Examples of a Home-based business:
Examples of a business that would not be considered home-based:
In each residential zone, a Home-based business is ‘Accepted development subject to requirements’. That means if the business meets the requirements, you are not required to lodge a development application with Council. The requirements vary between zones so you will need to review the applicable zone code for the property.
Examples of some of the requirements include:
To find the requirements for your property, see the following:
If the business meets all the Acceptable outcomes, you will not require a development permit. If any Acceptable outcomes cannot be complied with, a material change of use application can be made to Council demonstrating compliance with the Performance outcome.
If your Home-based business requires you to submit a development application, Council encourages you to have a pre-lodgement meeting to assist with streamlining the assessment process. A pre-lodgement meeting allows you to meet with a Council officer to discuss your proposal and ask questions before lodging a development application.
To book a pre-lodgement meeting please use the online pre-lodgement request form. If you need assistance with your development application, a consultant town planner can assist in preparing and lodging the development application for you. Any conditions of approval for a Home-based business will depend on the scale, nature, and location of the business. Council is likely to set conditions regarding amenity and the operation of the Home-based business. For example, Council may set conditions restricting the hours of operation, number of employees and vehicle trips or visitors per day.
There are fees to lodge an application for a Home-based business. Refer to Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule for a full list of the application fees.
Depending on the activity, you may also be required to obtain additional approvals (licensing or permits) from Council and/or state government departments. These are separate to Council’s development approval of a Home-based business and may include:
Home-based businesses involving the preparation or sale of food to the public may require a food licence. Food licencing is managed by Council’s Environmental Health and Regulatory Services Team. See Licences – Townsville City Council to apply for relevant food licence.
Businesses such as beauty services involving tattooing, body piercing and other ‘high risk personal appearance activities must also comply with the Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003. A High-Risk Personal Appearance Services Licence may be required from Council. See Personal Appearance Services for information on how to obtain a Licence from Council.
A private building certifier must approve any building work, such as structural fit outs and extensions. This is separate to Council’s approval of a Home-based business. Contact a private building certifier to find out more.
Advertising devices including signage are regulated by the Advertising devices code.
Signage permitted for a Home-based business that does not require a permit must be:
If the signage associated with your Home-based business does not meet the above requirements, you may need to lodge a separate development application for operational works.
Like all businesses, Home-based businesses can grow and change over time. This growth has the potential to disrupt the amenity of your neighbourhood. Examples of this include vehicles parked along the street, excess noise levels and multiple deliveries.
As your business grows you will need to continually re-assess your business activities and/or operations to make sure the Home-based business meets the requirements of the Townsville City Plan or your Development Permit. Should your business activities outgrow the limitations of a Home-based business, you will need to consider your alternatives, which may include relocation to a more suitable premises that can cater to your business requirements.
Infrastructure charges are not applicable to Home-based businesses.
