Home business

means a business that is carried on in a dwelling, or in a building ancillary to a dwelling, by one or more permanent residents of the dwelling and that does not involve:

• the employment of more than 2 persons other than those residents, or
• interference with the amenity of the neighbourhood by reason of the emission of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, vapour, steam, soot, ash, dust, waste water, waste products, grit or oil, traffic generation or otherwise, or
• the exposure to view, from any adjacent premises or from any public place, of any unsightly matter, or
• the exhibition of any signage (other than a business identification sign), or
• the sale of items (whether goods or materials), or the exposure or offer for sale of items, by retail, except for goods produced at the dwelling or building,

but does not include bed and breakfast accommodation, home occupation (sex services) or sex services premises.

home industry

means a dwelling (or a building ancillary to a dwelling) used by one or more permanent residents of the dwelling to carry out an industrial activity that does not involve any of the following:

• the employment of more than 2 persons other than those residents,
• interference with the amenity of the neighbourhood by reason of the emission of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, vapour, steam, soot, ash, dust, waste water, waste products, grit or oil, traffic generation or otherwise,
• the exposure to view, from any adjacent premises or from any public place, of any unsightly matter,
• the exhibition of any signage (other than a business identification sign),
• the sale of items (whether goods or materials), or the exposure or offer for sale of items, by retail, except for goods produced at the dwelling or building,

but does not include bed and breakfast accommodation or sex services premises.

home occupation

means an occupation that is carried on in a dwelling, or in a building ancillary to a dwelling, by one or more permanent residents of the dwelling and that does not involve:

• the employment of persons other than those residents, or
• interference with the amenity of the neighbourhood by reason of the emission of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, vapour, steam, soot, ash, dust, waste water, waste products, grit or oil, traffic generation or otherwise, or
• the display of goods, whether in a window or otherwise, or
• the exhibition of any signage (other than a business identification sign), or
• the sale of items (whether goods or materials), or the exposure or offer for sale of items, by retail,

but does not include bed and breakfast accommodation, home occupation (sex services) or sex services premises.

Generally, a home business, home industry or a home occupation may be undertaken as exempt development provided that it:

• does not involve the manufacture of food products or skin penetration procedures;
• does not occupy more than 10% of the total floor area of the dwelling; and
• the dwelling is not a heritage item

For the full list of exempt criteria, please refer to the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (The Codes SEPP).

Step 1: Seek information

You should consider the following documents when preparing you DA:

Note: To download copies of relevant documents, please refer to Planning Strategies and Controls.

Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2012 (RLEP 2012)

You will need to ensure that your proposed use fits the definition of a 'home activity' (as contained in the RLEP 2012), and that home activities are permissible in your land use zone

Additionally, your proposal should be consistent with the objectives of your land use zone and not compromise the amenity of existing residents.

The RLEP 2012 also details whether your site contains a heritage item or is located within a heritage conservation area.  If your site is within the vicinity of a heritage item or is located within a heritage conservation area, you will need to consider whether your proposed development will affect the heritage significance of the heritage item/s or heritage conservation area.

Planning Certificates

A Planning Certificate (issued under Section 149 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act) provides formal advice on land zoning and planning controls applicable to your site.

Step 2: Prepare Plans and Drawings

The following plans may be required:

• Scaled Plans and Elevations
• Notification plans (A4)

Note: Plan requirements may vary depending on the scope of your proposal

Step 3: Prepare a Statement of Environmental Effects

The following headings may be used to provide the framework for your statement of environmental effects (SEE).

• The Site and Surrounds
  • Site description
  • Surrounding development
• Background
  • Present and previous uses
• Proposed development
  • Description of proposal
  • Operation and management
  • Accessibility
  • Traffic and parking
• Assessment of proposal against the Randwick Local Environmental Plan, relevant State Environmental Planning Policies and Development Control Plans
  • Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2012 (RLEP 2012)
• • SEPP 64: Advertising and Signage
  • Randwick Comprehensive Development Control Plan 2013 (DCP)

• Likely impacts of the proposed development

• Suitability of the site for the proposed development

The following supplementary reports/details may also be required:

• Acoustic report
• Traffic/Parking report
• Waste management plan

For more information on the supplementary reports, please refer to supplementary report requirements.

Step 4: Complete an application form

You will need to complete an application form & checklist PDF, 422.31 KB, and a  cost summary report.

The cost summary report must be prepared in accordance with Council's S94A Development Contributions Plan.

The application form must be signed by all land owners and the applicant.

Note: Section 94 or Section 94A Development Contributions may be payable for your development.

Step 5: Lodge the DA with Council

The development application must be lodged with the applicable DA fee. Please contact us to obtain a fee quote.

You may lodge your DA directly with Council at our administration building or by online Services. A Council Officer will use the Development Application checklist form to check your application. Council will only accept a DA with all necessary information.

You are required to submit:

• One (1) copy of the completed DA form and checklist
• One (1) copy of the cost summary report
• Two (2) copies of the A4 notification plans
• Six (6) copies of all other plans
• Six (6) copies of the SEE and other supporting documentation

Additional sets of plans and SEEs will also be required if your application requires referral to any external agencies (e.g. Heritage Office)