Choose your business premises
When starting out, as essential element for business success is deciding on the type of premises and the right location to operate and grow your business.
Types of business premises may include:
- Home-based
- Retail premises
- Temporary premises such as market stalls or pop-up businesses
- Shared commercial offices, hubs or co-working spaces
- Warehouses, manufacturing plants or storage facilities.
Each location has advantages and disadvantages; there are many factors to consider, such as your type of business, your customer’s buying habits, your financial circumstances and the future needs of your business.
If you are thinking about setting up a home-based business in Swan, you may need approval from the City, depending on the type of home-based business you intend to operate and the nature of your business.
The types of home-based business categories are:
Home office
- Is usually where a business is operated solely within the home, by an occupier of the home; and
- Clients and customers do not travel to and from the home; and
- Does not display advertising signage on the premises; and
- Does not require any change to the external appearance of the premises.
Planning approval is generally not required to operate a home office.
Home occupation
- Is usually where a business is operated in the home or on land around the home, by an occupier of the home; and
- Does not involve employing a person who is not a member of the occupier’s household; and
- Conducts a business in an area of the home that is 20m2 or less; and
- Does not display a sign exceeding 0.2 square meters; and
- Does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature; and
- Will not cause injury to or adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood; and
- Does not result in an increase of traffic volume in the neighbourhood; and
- Does not require a greater number of parking spaces than normally required for a single dwelling; and
- Does not involve the presence, use or calling of a vehicle more than 2 tonnes tare weight; and
- Does not involve provisions for the fuelling, repair or maintenance of motor vehicles; and
- Does not involve the use of an essential service that is greater in use than is normally required in the zone.
Planning approval is generally not required to operate a home occupation.
Home business
- Is usually a business, service or profession carried out in the home or on land around the home by an occupier of the home; and
- An occupier conducts a business that employs a maximum of two people who do not reside in the household; and
- Will not cause injury to or adversely effect the amenity of the neighbourhood; and
- Conducts a business in an area of the home that is 50m2 or less; and
- Does not involve the retail sale, display or hire of goods of any nature; and
- Does 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
- Does not involve the use of an essential service that is greater in use than is normally required in the zone.
A planning application for a home business is required. For more information about planning approvals, visit the fast track applications page or contact our Planning Team on 9267 9267.
Planning approval is generally not required to operate a home office or home occupation, depending on your zone. However, planning approval is required to operate a home business under the City’s current Local Planning Scheme No.17.
Depending on your business type, activities and location, you may also need licenses, permits and registrations to start and run your business. Visit Business Licence Finder to help you discover your requirements.