Running a business is considered to be a type of development. There are three categories for development, and each has different approval requirements.

Exempt Development

Many small-impact activities don’t need any approvals as long as they follow state standards. This can include things like:

• advertising signage
• changing the use of a building
• running some types of business from home

Read more about exempt development on the NSW Planning Portal.

Complying Development

Complying Development is a faster way to get approval for many straightforward types of development. This can include things like:

• running a bed and breakfast or food manufacturing business from home
• some fire safety works.

More information about complying development can be found on the NSW Planning Portal.

Any complying development work will need to meet planning rules, and be signed off by Council or a certified building professional (called a Private Certifier).

Use the button below to apply through the NSW Planning Portal for Council to oversee your complying development, or to issue a Complying Development Certificate once the approved work is finished.  Fees apply.

Note: You'll need to log in or create an account to apply. You can also log in with your Service NSW account.

Development Application

Anything that doesn’t meet the rules for exempt or complying development will need to get approval from Council by submitting a development application.

Development applications are assessed against state and local planning rules.

If you’re not sure what type of application is needed for your business, ask us for Development Advice.