Doing Business in the City of Adelaide

ACC Services for Business

If you own, manage or work for a business in the City of Adelaide, there are many services provided for you by Adelaide City Council. Some of these services Council is obliged to offer, many of them Council has chosen to make available as part of its economic prosperity strategy to foster business growth in the CBD and North Adelaide.

Establishing your Business Premises

To occupy a commercial or business premises and to alter the internal layout or appearance, it is neccessary to check with Council about whether the proposed use and facility design is suitable for both the zone it is in, and the building where business will be conducted. Buildings with heritage classification require special consideration. All signs need to be approved, and there are restrictions on the type of signs that cane been applied both inside and outside of buildings.

If the proposed business is a food or hospitality business, then additional health and safety conditions must be met.

Finding Premises

A current listing of office and warehouse vacancies available in the CBD and North Adelaide is updated monthly for your convenience. Contact Hari Argiro on 8203 7518 or hargiro@adelaidecitycouncil for names of the agents for any of the properties.
If you find a property suitable to your business you are advised to:

  • Ask a legal practitioner to check the conditions and implication of the lease.
  • Ensure the lease includes a clause saying “subject to Council approval”, which ever Council area the site is in.
  • Investigate the Council website to see if the proposed use is suitable to the area and the site. For the City or North Adelaide visit the Adelaide City Council Planning and Building web pages where you can start your research.
  • Additionally, make time to come into Adelaide City Council’s Customer Centre at 25 Pirie St, Adelaide 5000 and ask to speak to the Duty Planner about your business and the proposed premises. They will guide you to make any of the required applications.

Call our Business Advisors on 8203 7815 or email admin@enterpriseadelaide.com.au for furthur assistance.


Home Based Business

Home-based businesses are defined as businesses that have no business address other than the home of the owner or manager of the business, although the business may not occur at that location. Home-based business is a very fast growing sector of small business in Adelaide. Adelaide City Council has regulations about home-based business activity. There are limitation on floor space able to be used, numbers of staff on the premises, vehicles which can be associated with the premises and displays and signs.

Check out the Development Information guide to “Home Activity” . Enterprise Adelaide offers services to home-based businesses based in the City of Adelaide in the CBD and North Adelaide. They can provide you free one-on-one information and planning sessions, and also help with licensing and regulations that might be relevant.