Will I need to apply for planning permission to run my business from home?
Planning permission will usually be needed if your business 'takes over' and alters the character of your home and the surrounding residential environment.
In most cases planning permission will be needed if one or more of the following apply:
- Your home is no longer used substantially as a private residence
- Your business results in a notable rise in vehicles or people calling
- Your business involves any activities unusual in a residential area
- Your business disturbs your neighbours at unreasonable hours or it is particularly noisy or smelly.
- You employ workers at home who are not normally resident there.
If the answer if 'yes' to any of the above, or you would like to discuss your proposal with a Planning Officer, please call 01483 444609.
Will I need to comply with Building Control to run my business from home?
You will only need to comply with Building Regulations if you are planning to undertake additional building work to accommodate your business.
The following building works are exempt from Building Regulation Control:
- A detached single storey building with:
- A floor area of no more that 30 square metres
- Containing no sleeping accommodation
- Situated at least one metre from the boundary of the property
- A detached building with:
- A floor area of not more that 15 square metres
- Containing no sleeping accommodation.
All extensions to existing buildings will need to comply with Building Regulations. Please call 01483 444699 if you wish to discuss your proposal with a Building Control Officer.
Will Environmental Health regulations apply to my business?
Environmental Health Regulations apply to a range of businesses run from home. The following list includes examples of businesses operated from home where regulations generally apply:
Home catering
- Food Safety Act 1990
- Food Safety (General Hygiene) Regulations 1995
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Registration as a food business
Child minding
- Food Safety Act 1990
- Food Safety (General Hygiene) Regulations 1995
- Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
- Registration as a food business
- Registration with Surrey County Council's registration unit as a childminder.
Office based activities
- Health & Safety Act 1974
- If you have employees you will need to register with Guildford Borough Council.
Animal boarding, dog breeding, selling pet animals or running a riding establishment
- Need to be licensed by Guildford Borough Council
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Beauty treatments, ear piercing or tattooing
- Registration of premises and personnel
- Health and Safety at Work Act
For information, please phone 01483 444371, 01483 444374 or 01483 444378.
Will I need to pay Business Rates?
Regulations state that all non-domestic uses are rateable. However, if your business shares the use of a family room in your home, the main use will normally be considered domestic and the room will not be rateable. An example of this is a guest room containing a desk and a computer together with a bed, wardrobe etc.
If a room in your home is dedicated exclusively to your business, the use of your business will be considered non-domestic and the room will be rateable.
Each case will be considered individually and you should contact on 01483 444872 to discuss your proposal in more detail.
Business Liaison
Economic Development
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444329
Email: business@guildford.gov.uk
