An annual footpath trading permit is required when a public footpath is being used for a commercial purpose, such as:
- displaying an A-frame advertising sign
- alfesco dining with tables and chairs
- displaying goods
- licensed venue queue
- real estate agent pointer board
How to apply
You can apply and pay for an annual footpath trading permit online.
Apply now
Applications can also be made in writing using our Footpath trading permit application(PDF, 86KB)
Please note: A non-refundable application fee is required before an application will be assessed. If your application is approved, we will send you an invoice which must be paid before the permit is issued. We request a minimum 14 days to assess an application.
Permit fees
Footpath trading permit |
Fee |
Dining (tables and chairs on footpath)
Busy areas* per square metre/annum
Other areas per square metre/annum
|
$260
$130
|
Goods on footpath^
Busy areas* per square metre/annum
Other areas per square metre/annum
|
$260
$130
|
Advertising sign board (A-frame)
Per board/annum
|
$297
|
Licensed venue queue
Per queue/annum
|
$228
|
Real estate agent pointer board
Auction and inspection (maximum 10 boards/annum)
|
$670
|
Application fee |
$66 |
*Chapel Street, Commercial Road, Greville Street, High Street (Punt Road to Bangs Street and Northcote Road to Spring Road), Toorak Road (Punt Road to Grange Road), Malvern Road (Chapel Street to Mathoura Road), Glenferrie Road (Dandenong Avenue to Drysdale Street) and Wattletree Road (Duncraig Avenue to Drysdale Street)
^The display of goods on footpaths is only allowed in the Glenferrie Road and Chapel Street precincts with the exception of white goods.
Permit renewals
We will send you an invoice each year to renew your footpath trading permit, with payment due on 1 October.
Changing ownership
If the business changes ownership, all current footpath trading permits will be invalid. Permits are not transferrable and the new business owner must make an application if they wish to retain a footpath trading permit.
Specific permit conditions
A-frame board conditions
- Current permit sticker must be displayed on the front window of the approved premises at all times.
- The board must be no larger than one metre high and 750mm wide.
- The board must be placed a minimum 300mm from the back of the kerb within the trading zone (to allow for safe pedestrian and vehicle access).
- The board must only advertise the business or service provided by the premises to which it relates.
- Boards are not permitted on a street corner; they are only to be placed on the kerbside directly in front of the approved premises.
- Before a new permit or extension to an existing permit will be considered, where the premises contains more than one business or service, written permission from the business / property / Body Corporate must be provided to Council.
- Only one advertising sign per business of any type is permitted on the footpath.
- A-frame advertising signs on the footpath are not permitted for traders located above the ground floor.
Footpath dining conditions
- Footpath dining is permitted in all approved areas of Stonnington.
- Permits are only approved to registered food premises businesses.
- Fixed footpath dining furniture and barriers are not permitted.
Goods displayed on the footpath conditions
- The display of goods on footpaths is only permitted in the Glenferrie Road(PDF, 248KB) and Chapel Street(PDF, 359KB) precincts.
- In all other areas it is prohibited to display goods on the footpath, except for fruit, vegetable, flower and plant stands.
- The display of whitegoods is prohibited across the whole municipality.
Queuing and 'roped off' areas for licensed venues conditions
- New premises should incorporate queuing areas within the premises.
- It is the permit holder’s responsibility to ensure the safe management of patrons queuing at venues.
- Licensed premises queue permits will not be issued adjacent to any outdoor dining areas.
- Queuing and 'roped off' areas shall only occur adjacent to building line, with unimpeded access of pedestrians maintained.
- Queuing patrons and other passing pedestrian traffic must not under any circumstances be forced from the footpath onto the road carriageway.
Real estate agent pointer boards conditions
- Real estate agents may be granted a permit for signs (pointer boards) to be placed on the nature strip at or near a property for which the agent is acting.
- No sign may be placed on the road, on any roundabout, traffic island or garden bed, or where it creates any hazard to pedestrian or vehicle safety.
- One permit allows up to 10 signs to be used at any one time.
- Signs are only to be placed within two hours of the activity they are advertising and removed within two hours after the activity has ceased.
- Corflute style pointer boards or similar must not to be attached to any Council-owned assets.