Learn how home-based businesses are classified in the City of Wanneroo and what approvals you may need.
Classifications of home-based businesses
The City recognises four types of home-based businesses.
The first step is to work out which category your business fits into.
A Home Office is an activity carried out by an occupier of a dwelling where the activity:
Is located wholly within the dwelling;
Does not involve customers or clients visiting the property;
Does not include a sign displayed on the premises; and
Does not require any change to the external appearance of the dwelling.
If you need written confirmation that your activity meets the Home Office criteria, you can apply for a Letter of Compliance. A $73 fee applies.
Approval requirements
You do not require approval of a Home Office.
A Home Occupation is an activity carried out within the dwelling or the land around it that:
Does not employ anyone who is not a member of the household;
Will not cause injury to, or adversely affect, the amenity of the neighbourhood;
Occupies an area no greater than 20 m²;
Does not display a sign larger than 0.2 m²;
Does not involve retail sale, display or hire of goods unless done only via the internet;
Does not require more parking than a typical dwelling or increase traffic in the neighbourhood;
Does not involve vehicles over 4.5 tonnes tare weight;
Does not include fuelling, repair or maintenance of motor vehicles; and
Does not require essential services beyond what is normally used in the zone.
If you need written confirmation that your activity meets the Home Office criteria, you can apply for Letter of Compliance. A $73 fee applies.
Approval requirements
Development (Planning) Approval: Generally required.
Building Approval: May be required if you construct a new building, extend or structurally alter an existing building, or use an outbuilding (such as a shed or granny flat) for business purposes. A Building Permit and, in some cases, an Occupancy Permit may be needed.
Health Approval: Required for all home-based food, beauty and skin penetration businesses. Refer to the following pages for details:
A Home Business is an activity carried out within the dwelling or on the land around it that:
Does not employ more than two people who are not members of the household;
Will not cause injury to, or adversely affect, the amenity of the neighbourhood;
Occupies an area no greater than 50 m²;
Does not involve retail sale, display or hire of goods unless done only via the internet;
Does not result in traffic difficulties or increased traffic volumes in the neighbourhood;
Does not involve vehicles over 4.5 tonnes tare weight; and
Does not require essential services beyond what is normally used in the zone.
Approval requirements
Development (Planning) Approval: Is required.
Building Approval: May be required if you construct a new building, extend or structurally alter an existing building, or use an outbuilding (such as a shed or granny flat) for business purposes.
Health Approval: Required for all home-based food, beauty and skin penetration businesses.
A Rural Home Business is an activity carried out within the dwelling or on the land around it that:
Does not employ more than two people who are not members of the household;
Will not cause injury to, or adversely affect, neighbourhood amenity;
Occupies an area no greater than 200 m²;
Does not involve retail sale, display or hire of goods unless done only via the internet;
Does not result in traffic difficulties or increased traffic volumes in the neighbourhood; and
Does not involve more than three vehicles at any one time or any vehicle over 30 tonnes gross weight.
A Rural Home Business can only be considered in the Rural, Rural Residential, Landscape Enhancement and Rural Resource zones.
Approval requirements
Development (Planning) Approval: Is required.
Building Approval: May be required if you construct a new building, extend or structurally alter an existing building, or use an outbuilding (such as a shed or granny flat) for business purposes.
Health Approval: Required for all home-based food, beauty and skin penetration businesses.
How to apply
Documents to prepare and submit
All development applications must be accompanied by a completed checklist. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant with a list of outstanding items.
Download, complete and sign the Development (planning) Application Checklist – Home Business (see below).
How to submit your application
To apply, choose your preferred method below and remember to submit your supporting documents along with the application form:
- Option 1 – Apply online (preferred): Apply through the online lodgement portal.
- Option 2 – In person: Download and complete the Application Form PDF (see below), then submit it with all supporting documentation including the checklist at the City of Wanneroo Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm.
- Option 3 – By post: Download and complete the Application Form PDF (see below), then mail it with all supporting documentation including the checklist to City of Wanneroo, Locked Bag 1, Wanneroo WA 6946.
Fees
Planning assessment timeframes
- Up to 60 days for most applications
- Up to 90 days if consultation with the public or other public authority is required.
The assessment period commences once the City has received and accepted a complete application, including all required plans, supporting information and application fees.
Development (Planning) Approval, where required, must be issued before a Building Permit can be obtained.
Home Business Development (Planning) Approval Checklist Application for Development (Planning) Approval (PDF)
A Building Permit is required for constructing a new building or making structural changes to an existing building. Some developments may also require an Occupancy Permit before the building or part of the building can be used.
Documents to prepare
For detailed information, including the application process, timeframe, and fees, refer to Building permits and approvals page.
How to submit your application
You can submit your Building Permit application:
- Option 1 – Apply online (preferred): Apply through the online lodgement portal.
- Option 2 – In person: With all supporting documentation at the City of Wanneroo Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm.
- Option 3 – By mail: With all supporting documentation to City of Wanneroo, Locked Bag 1, Wanneroo WA 6946.
Note: A completed BA1 or BA2 form must be uploaded or attached with all submissions. Download the BA1 and BA2 forms from the WA.gov.au website.
Fees
Timeframes
- Certified applications: within 10 business days
- Uncertified applications: within 25 business days
If further information is required, you will be contacted. The requested information must be provided within 21 days or within an agreed timeframe.
If you have a food or skin penetration business, refer to the following dedicated pages:
Other requirements
Family day care is no longer classified as a Home Business under the Local Planning Scheme.
If you are operating or planning to operate a family day care service from your home, please visit the Family day care page for full details on planning, health and registration requirements, including how to apply.
Signage requirements depend on the type of home-based business you operate:
Home Office: No signage is permitted.
Home Occupation: One sign is allowed, up to a maximum of 0.2 m².
Home Business and Rural Home Business: Signage is assessed as part of the Development (Planning) Approval. Any approved signage will form part of the conditions attached to the planning approval.
Whether you can have clients (customers) attend your home depends on the type of home-based business you are operating.
Home Office: Client visits are not permitted.
Home Occupation: Client visits are allowed.
Home Business: Client visits are allowed.
Rural Home Business: Client visits are allowed.
