To make outdoor dining safe for everyone, a permit is required under the Activities Local Law 2024. These permits allow for temporary furniture, umbrellas, planters and more, and come with conditions to abide by.
Find details below on how to apply for an outdoor dining permit. There are a number of resources to help you determine if your business is eligible and advise you of best practices to follow.
Check if you are eligible
Your business may be eligible for an outdoor dining permit if:
- You have a lawfully existing ground floor food premises (cafe or restaurant) with indoor dining, a street frontage, and have a clear and unobstructed view of the outdoor dining area to ensure effective monitoring.
- You have a ‘working kitchen’ or food preparation area (liquor-only establishments are not eligible).
- You have consulted with residents and neighbouring businesses if they will be impacted.
- You have and maintain public liability insurance for $20 million.
- You meet all the requirements detailed in the outdoor cafe guide.
- There is a suitable area within the building to store outdoor dining furniture at the close of each day's trade.
- You (the permit applicant) either own or manage the business, i.e. you are someone we can talk with about making sure your outdoor dining area meets the requirements.
For full eligibility criteria, review the outdoor cafe guide and parklet specifications:
Types of permit applications
Expand each heading below to find further information on different application types relating to outdoor dining permits.
If you are a new business or have recently purchased an existing business which does not have an existing permit, you will need to create a City of Melbourne Services account and start an online application.
Having trouble accessing your account? Check the FAQs and guides on our permit help and support page.
You will need to attach supporting documents as part of your application and pay the application fee. Application fees are not refundable or transferable.
You’ll see a permit fee estimate on the fee summary page which you do not pay at this time. We will assess your application and confirm the permit fee required.
Footpath permit applications can take 20 to 30 business days to be issued, and parklet permit applications can take between 30 to 45 business days, subject to the quality of supporting documents and information provided.
If you have recently purchased an existing business with an existing permit, please submit a change of permit holder request. Refer to the 'Change of permit holder registration' section below.
Supporting documentation and photos
You will need to provide certain documents depending on the type of infrastructure you wish to include in your permit application.
Refer to the outdoor cafe guide below for information on key elements which can be included on your permit, including:
- Tables and chairs (page 32)
- Screens (page 34)
- Umbrellas (page 38 to 40)
- Menu boards (page 42)
- Gas heaters (page 43)
- Planter boxes (page 44)
Your application must include a site plan showing the outdoor dining area layout with proposed furniture and equipment. Please refer to the site plan requirements for an outline of the requirements and examples of a site plan:
Additionally, for parklet permits:
- You must provide a detailed design of the parklet from a structural engineer.
- The site plan should extend 10 metres on either side of the parklet footprint.
Refer to the parklet specifications for an outline of the requirements and examples:
Your application must include photos of the area and items included on your permit:
- Show the entire area where outdoor dining or parklet will be located.
- Show all furniture including tables, chairs, umbrellas, planter boxes, gas heaters and screens.
- For parklets, include the parking space, traffic conditions, location relative to buildings, adjacent properties, driveways, residential dwellings and existing features on the footpath.
If your proposed dining area is in front of a neighbouring property or business, you will need to provide a letter of consent from the business, building owner and/or owners corporation, which is valid for the permit duration. See our letter of consent template:
Outdoor dining permits must be held in the name of the current operator to be used. If you are the new business owner and the permit is not in your name, please complete the change of permit holder registration form now.
Outdoor dining parklet permits are renewed quarterly, but customers can contact us to request an annual parklet permit. You can do this by submitting an online enquiry, with the subject 'Outdoor Dining', and provide your business and permit details, once the extend/renew application has been submitted.
Submit online enquiry External link
Note: Amendment applications will not be accepted within 30 days of your permit expiry date. You must extend/renew your permit before an amendment application will be processed.
How to amend your outdoor dining permit
- Log in to your City of Melbourne Services account External link. If you are having trouble accessing your account, please review the FAQs and guides on our permit help and support page.
- Select the ‘Your active permits’ button on the home page. A list of your permits will appear; select the permit you wish to amend.
- In the top right of the screen select ‘amend permit’.
- A new tab will open with a Business Licence Application (BLA) reference number related to your draft application.
- Click on the word ‘here’ to continue your draft application.
- A new tab will open with the application form. Review and edit your contact details, if necessary, then click 'next.'
- Answer all the questions and attach all required supporting documents.
- An estimated permit fee will appear on the fee summary page.
- Pay the application fee and submit the application for assessment.
Log in to your registered account External link
If you’re not ready to submit your application, a draft application will appear under the ‘My draft permit application’ tab. The draft application will be available to lodge for up to 90 days.
Cancelling your outdoor dining permit
To cancel your permit please submit an online enquiry, including 'Street trading' in the subject, and detail information (including your permit number) on your request to cancel your permit.
Submit online enquiry External link
If you’re cancelling a parklet permit, the parklet infrastructure will need to be removed and the road returned to its original condition. All fees associated with the removal is your responsibility as the parklet owner.
Outdoor dining permits must be extended (renewed) to continue trading outdoors. The permit will be issued once the extend/renew fees are paid in full and money has cleared into our accounts.
Outdoor dining permits must be held in the name of the current operator to be used. If you are the new business owner and the permit is not in your name, please complete the change of permit holder registration form now.
Outdoor dining parklet permits are renewed quarterly, but customers can contact us to request an annual parklet permit. You can do this by submitting an online enquiry, with the subject 'Outdoor Dining', and provide your business and permit details, once the extend/renew application has been submitted.
Submit an online enquiry External link
You are welcome to follow the below steps to renew your permit within 60 days of expiry. Alternatively, we will lodge the renewal application on your behalf and issue the invoice no less than 15 days prior to the expiry date.
Note: Amendment applications will not be accepted within 30 days of your permit expiry date. You must extend/renew your permit before an amendment application will be processed.
How to extend/renew your outdoor dining permit
- Log in to your City of Melbourne Services External link account. If you are having trouble accessing your account, please review the FAQs and guides on our permit help and support page.
- Select the ‘Your active permits’ button on the home page. A list of your permits will appear; select the permit you wish to extend/renew.
- In the top right of the screen select ‘extend/renew permit’.
- A new tab will open with a Business Licence Application (BLA) reference number related to your draft application.
- Click on the word ‘here’ to continue your draft application.
- A new tab will open with the application form. Review and edit your contact details, if necessary, then click 'next.'
- Answer all the questions and attach all required supporting documents.
- An estimated permit fee will appear on the fee summary page.
- Submit the application for assessment. Within three business days we will send you an invoice after approving your application.
Note: BPAY payments to extend/renew your outdoor dining permit will take three business days to process. Ensure to pay at least three business days before the permit expiry date.
Outdoor dining permit extend/renew application instructions
Cancelling your outdoor dining permit
To cancel your permit please submit an online enquiry, including 'Outdoor Dining Street trading' in the subject, and detail information (including your permit number) on your request to cancel your permit.
Submit online enquiry External link
If you’re cancelling a parklet permit, the parklet infrastructure will need to be removed and the road returned to its original condition. All fees associated with the removal is your responsibility as the parklet owner.
If you are the new business owner of a premises with outdoor dining, you must complete and submit the change of permit holder registration form.
If you are selling your business and hold an outdoor dining permit, have the business purchaser submit the change of permit holder registration form.
Alternatively, notify us you are leaving the premises by submitting your query online External link, with the subject 'Outdoor Dining', and provide your business and permit details.
To update your primary business contact person, notify us of the details by submitting your query online External link, with the subject 'Outdoor Dining'.
Before you start, please ensure you have the following information and documents:
- trading address and existing permit number (if known)
- your business details
- a copy of your Public Liability Insurance for $20 million, in the same name as the business applying
- evidence you have taken over the premises (lease agreement, contract of purchase, etc.).
Once we receive the request, we will review the information. If you are eligible, the permit will be amended on your behalf and an application fee payment request will be issued.
Permit conditions
The full requirements and conditions are provided during the application process. Please read the permit conditions before you submit your application:
Fees
| Type of outdoor dining permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| On a footpath | $221.40 |
| In a parklet | $666.30 |
| In a non-standard location | $666.30 |
Note: The outdoor dining (non-standard location) application fee of $666.30 is paid in two stages. $221.40 is paid when applying, and the remaining $444.90 is paid after your application is assessed.
| Type of outdoor dining permit | Fee per square metre per year |
|---|---|
| On a footpath in the central city | $116.90 |
| On a footpath outside the central city | $35.90 |
| On a footpath in Docklands | $35.90 |
| In a parklet in the central city | $594.50 |
| In a parklet outside the central city and in Docklands | $137.40 |
| In non-standard locations such as median strips, nature strips and other spaces | $230.70 |
Note: Parklet permits and fees are issued for 3 months at a time. If you require a Parklet permit for the full 12 months, you can submit an online enquiry with the subject ‘Outdoor Dining’ to request this from the Street Trading team.
BPAY payments for your outdoor dining permit will take a minimum of three business days to process. If you are extending/renewing your permit, ensure to make payment at least three business days before expiry.
Submit online enquiry External link
Map of outdoor dining areas
Resources
- Outdoor dining parklet suppliers (DOC 65 KB): view list of suggested companies and contractors to construct parklet infrastructure.
- Furniture reference guide (PDF 7.2 MB): a guide to outdoor furniture options. The suppliers listed are suggested but not officially endorsed by the City of Melbourne.
- Apply for a liquor licence External link with Liquor Control Victoria: once received, your outdoor dining permit will help progress your liquor licence application for your new or amended outdoor dining area.
Table Talk
Hospitality industry news and helpful hints and tips for food businesses.
