Home based business | Home-based business | Redland City Council

Home based business

The Redland City Plan defines a home-based business as the use of a dwelling or outbuilding, such as a shed, for a business activity that is subordinate to the residential use of the property.

Approvals that may be required

The types of approvals you need for a home business depend what your business is for and where on the property it is located.

By establishing a home business on your property, you are changing the existing use of the land as a residential dwelling to include a business. As a result, you may need planning approval for a Material Change of Use (MCU).

Planning approval

Depending on the zoning and overlays identified on your property, and the scale and intensity of your proposed home business, you may need planning approval.

Generally, planning approval is not required if you:

  • are on a residential-zoned property; and
  • can meet the home-based business acceptable outcomes. Essentially this means your proposal is accepted development (subject to requirements). Complete the home-based business checklist to help determine if your proposed home business is accepted development. If you would like the accepted checklist recorded, please email rcc@redland.qld.gov.au with further details of business, business name and property address.

To determine the zoning and overlays applicable to your property please visit:

Building and plumbing approvals

If you need additional fixtures or building work for your home business, you may also need to lodge applications for building and plumbing approvals. Building applications can be lodged with a private building certifier, while plumbing applications must be lodged with Council.

Home business application information

If your proposed home business cannot meet the criteria for accepted development, you will need to lodge a development application with Council for a material change of use (MCU) approval.

For more information or help with determining if you need a planning application, you can contact Council's Planning Assessment team on (07) 3829 8999.