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The short answer is… if you satisfy all required outcomes relevant to the property then you don’t need a development approval.
What is a required outcome? A required outcome is a requirement under the Gold Coast City Plan. They include things like car parking requirements, size of the Home Based Business, number of employees etc.
The Home Based Business Code of the Gold Coast City Plan outlines the required outcomes you need to meet to avoid a development application. It is important to note however that this is not the only relevant code with zone, development and overlay codes also needing to be satisfied. A single non compliance will trigger a development application.
As of October 2026, the required outcomes of the Home Based Business Code are as follows
| Category | Reference | Required Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Appearance | RO1 | The dwelling, as viewed from the street, is not altered to accommodate the use. |
| Design and Appearance | RO2 | The home based business, including any associated storage, is conducted entirely within the dwelling or onsite structure. |
| Design and Appearance | RO3 | Public display or retail sale of goods (excluding mail order or internet sales) is not undertaken from the home based business. |
| Transport and Movement | RO4 | No more than one motor vehicle is used in association with the operation of the home based business. |
| Transport and Movement | RO5 | Loading or unloading activity is undertaken within the site. |
| Transport and Movement | RO6 | No more than one delivery is permitted per day. |
| Amenity | RO7 | The home based business does not involve any activity that would be defined as industry (see SC1.1.2 – Industry thresholds). |
| Amenity | RO8 | The operation of the home based business does not generate odour or noise beyond the property boundaries. |
| Land Use | RO9 | The home based business is carried out by a resident of the dwelling. |
| Land Use | RO10 | The gross floor area (GFA) of the home based business does not exceed 45 m². |
| Land Use | RO11 | The home based business is limited to one non-resident employee onsite at a time. |
| Land Use | RO12 | For business-related visitors and deliveries to the site (excluding home based child care), the hours of operation are Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 7 pm; Sunday and public holidays: nil. |
| Land Use | RO13 | The home based business (excluding home based child care) does not generate more than six business-related visitors per working day. |
Should you not meet all of the required outcomes it does not necessarily mean your Home Based Business will not be supported by Council it just means you will need to apply to Council for approval.
An important item to note is that no industry related activities can operate as a Home Based Business. What is an industry related activity? This includes manufacturing of goods, vehicle repairs (mechanics), food and beverage processing etc. If you are looking to operate an industry related business, it must either gain an industry related development approval (which is extremely difficult on a residential property) or operate from an appropriately zoned property (Industrial / Warehouse property).
One important thing that clients often miss is that you don’t just have to meet the required outcomes from the Home Based Business Code to avoid a development application. You will also be required to satisfy all required outcomes of the zone code, development codes (i.e. transport code etc) and any relevant overlay codes. It can be a bit of a minefield if you do not have appropriate advice and guidance.
Thinking of running a business from your Gold Coast Home? Reach out what you have planned and we will provide a complimentary initial assessment.