Do I need planning permission for small business from home.?

I want to open a small business from home, I bought my property 3 yrs ago and adjacent is what use to be 1- furniture store, 2-filling station , 3 meal food store. I have been told that there is no permission for a shop. I dont understand how these 3 busnesses operated and is there any way I can find out.

Go to your local zoning board. Shops would need a zoning permit to be allowed to operate, more so if it is a residential area.

For your peace of mind, it is better to get all the permits and licenses you need before starting your business. You don't want to be surprised with a letter from the county ordering you to cease and desist operation of the business just because you failed to get the permits.

Check with your local county clerk's office for other requirements you will need -- business registration and filing of assumed name (DBA), etc.

Contact your local planning dept, to clarify the situation.

If it's a mail-order business or something like that then you don't need to do anything. If it will have public access like a shop then you have to apply for "Change of Use".

I work from home and didn't need to get planning permission. I think you only do if you change the structure of your house. I basically work from a spare bedroom and have seperate telephone lines etc...but no planning or extra insurance was needed,