Home office
Learn about the approvals you need for using your property as a home office. Check if your office is accepted development.
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What is a home office?
A home office is the use of a dwelling for business activity and is defined as a home-based business under Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan).
City Plan defines a home-based business as a dwelling used for a business activity where subordinate to the residential use. A home-based business can operate from a townhouse, apartment or house where the business is secondary to the residence.
What you need to know
Before you apply to set up a home office at your property, you need to:
- find key facts about your property
- understand the relevant codes
- know the preferred locations.
Find key property facts
Use the mapping tool in City Plan online to find key facts about your property. This includes:
- zoning
- neighbourhood plans
- overlays.
Understand the code
The Home-based business code in City Plan applies to home offices.
The code outlines perfomance outcomes to ensure the operation of a home-based business doesn't compromise neighbouring residents.
Know the preferred locations
City Plan encourages home offices to be located in the following zones:
What you need to do
Follow this process to get the relevant approvals before setting up a home office.
You may need one or more of the following approvals for your home office:
- planning approval
- building approval.
Planning approval
Your home office may need planning approval.
To find out if you need to lodge a development application for planning approval, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 and ask to speak to a Planning Information Officer.
Building approval
You may need to seek advice if you’re planning to undertake building works. Get advice from a licensed private building certifier or building consultant for:
- building work for a new or existing home office
- any building approval that is required.
Your home office could be accepted development under certain circumstances.
Projects that are accepted development don’t need planning approval, as long as they meet certain requirements.
Use the online self-assessable checklist to see if your proposal meets the accepted development criteria.
Once you’ve determined the property details and relevant approvals, you can prepare your development application (if required).
You can submit your development application:
- online
- in person
- by mail.
In some cases, you may be able to fast track your application.
We will review and assess your development application.
We may ask you to supply more information during the assessment process.
During this time, you can check your application status.
Other things to consider
Offices
Under City Plan, business offices and home offices are subject to different requirements. There are different considerations when applying to set up an office.
Multiple home businesses
City Plan doesn’t limit the number of home-based businesses you can operate from a dwelling. However, you need to make sure you comply with the requirements in the Home-based business code.
Business changes
If the nature of your business changes over time, you may need to reconfirm whether you require planning approval.
Other advice
You may need to get advice from Council about your home office if:
- it requires planning approval
- the premises are located within a neighbourhood plan or overlay area.
Phone our Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263).
More information
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