Commercial Property

Property and land suitability

When you are assessing the potential feasibility of land or a property it is important you also assess their suitability from a  planning perspective. Establishing the following factors will allow you to quickly determine the general suitability of a site. 

• The activity of your business
• The zoning of the identified property
• What activities are allowed within this zone
• Determine the type of business activity that is approved for a particular property.

Please note: this information is intended as a general guide only as the specific activity of individual businesses can vary greatly. Differing levels of approval may be required by the City prior to commencing your operation. The City’s Planning, Approvals and Environmental Services business unit will be able to assist you determine what approvals will be required for your specific type of business.

The following simple steps will help you assess the general suitability of the short-listed sites for your business:

1. How does the City classify my business?
The City uses various business classifications to indicate where certain activities can take place. To determine where your business can operate from it is first necessary to establish how the City classifies your business. This is known as the ‘Use Class’.

To establish how your business is classified refer to the Land Use Definitions

2. What zone is the property located in?
Land within each of the City’s suburbs is organised into a series of zones. These zones are established to ensure the compatibility of activities that are conducted within similar areas. For example, these zones ensure that industrial activities do not occur in residential areas.

It is important to establish the zone of the land or property you are evaluating as each zone has a range of business activities that the City considers appropriate.

To find out zoning information for a land parcel or property, check our Online Maps

3. Is my business able to operate within this zone?
Once you have identified the zoning and business classification the next step is to establish if the City generally allows this activity within this zone. The City considers the general suitability of business activities on four levels, these being Permitted (P), Discretionary (D), Not permitted (A) and Excluded (X) – See notes below for further information of these levels.

To establish whether a business activity is generally allowed within a particular zone, refer to the Use Class Table (Table 1 of the City's DPS2).

Notes:

• Permissible (P) – however may still require approval (see above note)
• Discretionary (D) – discretion is used depending on the specific nature of the business and other factors (outlined in 6.6.2 of the City’s District Planning Scheme). Contact the City’s Approvals, Planning and Environmental Services business unit for assistance
• Not permitted (A) – not permitted, however discretion may be used depending on the specific nature of the business and other factors (outlined in 6.7 of the City’s District Planning Scheme). Contact the City’s Planning, Approvals and Environmental Services business unit for further assistance
• Prohibited  (X) – not permitted. There are some specific exceptions (outlined in Schedule 2 – Section 1 of the City’s District Planning Scheme). Contact the City’s Planning Approvals and Environmental Services business unit for further assistance.

4. Is a business activity already approved for the property being considered?
All existing commercial properties within the City are approved for a particular type of business activity (or use). As a result it is advisable to ascertain the activity that is approved for the property you are considering.

Should your business be different to the approved activity then a ‘Change of Use’ approval may be required. This approval allows the City to ensure the property is suitable for your type of business.

To ascertain what activity is currently approved for particular property please contact the City on  9400 4961.