Council Requirements

Planning Permits
A planning permit may be required when there are planning controls that affect your land. A planning permit is required when applying for a new liquor license and for certain liquor license variations.

Changes to the way the land is used, any building construction, alterations or building works may require you to obtain planning permission.

Visit Council's Planning pages for further information.

Planners can advise whether you will need a planning permit and are available to answer questions at the Planning Counter:

Licensed Premises Policy
The Licensed Premises Policy in the Stonnington Planning Scheme applies to:
-The consideration of all applications for new licensed premises
-The expansion of the licensed area or the extension of the trading hours of existing licensed premises, where a permit is required pursuant to Clause 52.27

Visit Council's Planning pages for further information about the Policy.

Cafes and Restaurants
If a planning permit has been previously granted for the use of the premises as a restaurant/cafe/bar (or the premises has 'existing use rights' for that use) then Council ensures that the liquor licence conditions mimic the conditions of the existing permit as they relate to the use.

Where the use is as-of-right
Where the use is as-of-right (ie, the use of the premises does not need a planning permit) then the need to have a permit for the liquor license introduces a control over the use.

Building Requirements

The Building Act requires persons carrying out building work to obtain a building permit prior to the commencement of work. Building permits are issued by building surveyors. Applications may be made to the Municipal Building Surveyor or private building surveyors. Visit the Planning pages on this website for further information.

Building permits are required for additions and alterations to different types of buildings including industrial and commercial projects and dwellings.

Under the building regulations some building work is considered as minor and does not require a building permit.

Whenever the use of a building is altered any building regulation requirements brought about by the new or changed use must be met. Visit the Planning pages on this website for further information.

For further information on whether or not a building permit is required contact Council's Building Department on on 8290 3525 or visit the Building pages on this website.

Footpath Trading

Visit Council's Footpath Trading regulations.