Permit for outdoor dining, outdoor trading, portable advertising, and raffles

Council’s objectives are to promote a high standard of amenity, activation and vibrancy in our town centres, and provide for comfortable and safe pedestrian access. Businesses can play an important role in achieving these objectives through footpath-based activities; however, if poorly conceived, these activities also have the potential to detract from the overall amenity or accessibility of an area.  

Our streets and towns are all different and it is difficult to anticipate all circumstances that may arise in permit applications. Therefore, Council retains absolute discretion to modify or amend the requirements in this policy on a case-by-case basis to achieve a high standard of access and amenity for the community.  

The requirements for providing a high standard of access are as follows:  

• Generally, a minimum 1.8m width needs to be provided to allow for safe passing of wheelchairs, prams, and mobility scooters. Depending on the context, this may be reduced to 1.5m width for short distances of up to 2.5m, or it may need to be greater than 1.8m in high pedestrian traffic areas in town centres.  
• Access and circulation are required between building edges and the roadway, and along the kerb line.
• A maximum of one (1) portable advertising sign will be permitted per business.  
• If the footpath is less than 1.8m wide, the plan must demonstrate how the placement of goods, footpath dining, or portable advertising does not further restrict the footpath below its existing width. 

In making a decision as to whether to issue a permit, Council requires the following:  

• A copy of Public Liability Insurance to the value of $5 million.
• If alcohol is to be served as a part of footpath dining, a copy of the premises' Liquor Licence and Red Line Plan.
• A dimensioned plan of the items proposed to be placed on the footpath / roadway with appropriate clear areas as below:
  • 1.8m from the shop or business.
  • 0.90m from the exterior side walls of the shop or business.
  • 0.90m from the kerb. 
  • If the length of the trading area if greater than 5m, gaps are required for pedestrian access.
• All items placed on a footpath must be adequately weighted down or secured appropriately against wind.
• A-frame signs are to be a maximum of 1m2 per side, 800mm wide, and 1.2m high.
• Banner or flag type signs are to be a maximum of 2.4m high and not be able to move over or obstruct any pathway.
• Umbrellas associated with footpath dining are to provide a minimum of 1.9m clear space underneath and must not protrude into pedestrian access or roadway areas.

Distance between items and kerb may be decreased at the absolute discretion of Council if it is deemed not to result in any restriction of access to car parking or pedestrian circulation. Further information can be found in our Community Local Law 2019.