Footpath trading and real estate signs

When you need a footpath trading permit

Businesses in Merri-bek require a Council permit to place items on a footpath, including:

• advertising signs (A-board)
• goods and products to sell
• tables and chairs
• benches
• outdoor heaters
• umbrellas
• screens
• planter boxes
• awnings.

Covid-19 update and outdoor dining 

A second round of dunsing has been released to local councils as part of the Victorian Government's Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package.

All footpath trading fees are waived until 30 June 2022 for hospitality businesses who renew or apply before 15 May 2021. 

Hospitality businesses can apply for or renew an application to trade on the footpath outside their premises and can now also apply to extend their footpath trading to a neighbouring business’s footpath (with written consent and provided the are is a tradeable footpath).

Please see below for information on how to apply and review our footpath trading guidelines.

• Why you need a footpath permit

  We issue footpath permits to make sure footpaths provide clear and easy access for all people.

  We have developed footpath trading guidelines to meet the federal government’s Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and align with policies adopted by other metropolitan councils.

  These guidelines outline the rules and conditions for placing goods, tables, chairs and advertising signs on footpaths. They also explain permit zones and other restrictions related to footpaths.

  You can also look at this footpath checklist (DOC 122Kb) that will help you make sure you have correctly followed the footpath trading guidelines.

• Footpath trading fees

  Footpath trading fees are waived until 30 June 2022 for applications received before 15 May 2021. 

  A footpath trading permit application incurs a fee. These fees are reviewed yearly.

  Fees for 2021-22

  Item	Fee
  A-board	$120.00 each
  Table	$53.05 per item
  Chair	$21.20 per item
  Bench seat	$112.60 per bench
  Planter box/tub	$53.05
  Outdoor heater	$53.05
  Umbrella	$53.05
  Cafe screen	$217.00 per pemit
  Awning Other miscellaneous items	$217.50 per permit $53.05 per item
  Goods display	$225.05
  Fruit and veg or plant/flower business	$300 per permit
  New application inpection fee (non refundable)	$56.65

   

• How to apply for a Footpath Trading Permit

  The Footpath Trading Permit Application is divided into Parts A and B.

  Part A is your application to trade in the footpath area outside your business.

  Part B is optional and is to be completed if you intend to extend your trading area into a neighbour’s footpath.

  What you need

  With the application, you need to provide:

  • Your details and your business details
  • Number and type of items to be placed on the footpath
  • A site plan showing placement of items on footpath (template included in the application form)
  • Copy of current valid public liability insurance policy
  • Copy of your Liquor Licence and details of your red zone, if applicable.

  With Part B you need to provide:

  • Written consent from the tenant or operator of the adjoining property. Where the adjoining building is vacant, consent is required from the managing agent. Where the adjoining building is residential, consent is required from the body corporate. (template include in this application form)
  • Number and type of items to be placed on the footpath
  • A site plan showing placement of items on footpath (template included in the application form)

  How to apply

  • Complete the Footpath Trading Permit application form (PDF 243Kb).
  • Make sure you have completed the site plan and included the form.

  Submit the completed application with supporting information and documents to Council:

  • Email Council Amenity and Compliance, or
  • Mail to Amenity and Compliance, Merri-bek City Council, Locked Bag 10, Merri-bek 3058
  • Visit a Council Customer Service Centre.

  What happens after you apply

  When we receive your application, a Local Laws Officer will inspect the property within 5 business days of the date the application is received.

  When we approve your application you will receive an invoice. When we receive your payment, a permit will be posted to you for display on your shop front window.

  You need to renew your footpath trading permit each year. No pro-rata fees apply.

• How to apply for an Extension to your current Footpath Trading Permit

  You can now apply to extend your footpath trading area to a neighbouring business’s footpath. The area you are applying to extend into must be a tradeable footpath and you must supply written permission from your neighbour.

  A typical example of this would be a café that has a retail shop next door. The café owner can approach the retail shop owner and come to an agreement that the café may extend their outdoor dining into the footpath area outside the shop. The café owner will need to get written permission from the retail shop owner and include it with their application.

  What you need

  With the application, you need to provide:

  • Your details and your business details
  • The details of your neighbouring business
  • Written consent from the tenant or operator of the adjoining property. Where the adjoining building is vacant, consent is required from the managing agent. Where the adjoining building is residential, consent is required from the body corporate (template included in the application form)
  • Number and type of items to be placed on the footpath
  • A site plan showing placement of items on footpath
  • Updated public liability statement that covers the expanded trade area.

  How to apply

  • Complete the Extension to Footpath Trading Permit application form
  • Make sure you have completed the site plan in the form
  • Include your letter of permission from your neighbour (download an example letter)

  Submit the completed application with supporting information and documents to Council:

  • Email Council Amenity and Compliance, or
  • Mail to Amenity and Compliance, Merri-bek City Council, Locked Bag 10, Merri-bek 3058
  • Visit a Council Customer Service Centre.

  What happens after you apply

  When we receive your application, a Local Laws Officer may inspect the property.

  When we approve your application you will receive an invoice. Once Council receives your payment, a permit will be posted to you for display on your shop front window.

  Note: 2020 permit fees have been waived. Any permits issued after 30 June 2020 are valid 30 June 2021 only and will need to be renewed after this date.

  You need to renew your footpath trading permit each year. No pro-rata fees apply.