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City of Wollongong

Many types of home-based enterprises can be done as exempt development under a State policy, which means you don't need approval.  See the NSW Planning Portal for details.

Any home-based enterprise that involves food or skin penetration procedures needs approval.

For food-based businesses, depending on your proposed business, this can be approved through either a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

For skin penetration home-based businesses, you must get approval through a Development Application.

If you're applying to run a home-based enterprise, there are some additional things you'll need to keep in mind.

Any home occupation:

  • Must not employ anyone other than those living in the residence.
  • Must not involve any retail, unless it is online retail sales only.
  • Must not involve more than 30sqm and 10% of the floor area of the residence.

Any home business or home industry:

  • Must not employ more than two employees (other than those living in the residence).
  • Can include retail of items that have been produced on site and online retail sales of items that were not produced on site.
  • Must not involve more than 30sqm for a home business and 50sqm for a home industry, and 10% of the floor area of the residence.

Your home-based enterprise must not interfere with the amenity of the neighbourhood.

You can display one small business identification sign.

If you need development advice please phone Council’s Duty Planner on (02) 4227 7111 between 9am to 5pm on work days.

For more information, see the NSW Planning Portal.