Outdoor dining

Use the footpath or on-street parking outside your business for dining.
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What is it?

An outdoor dining permit supports businesses to put tables and chairs on footpath areas, or in an on-street car parking bay.

Business parklets can be used to provide seating and green spaces. Parklets and footpath dining:

  • encourage people to spend more time enjoying our streets
  • improve the look and atmosphere of our streets
  • support businesses by extending their floor space.

What types of businesses can apply?

Food or hospitality businesses, like cafes and restaurants can apply. Your business can apply for either, or both, types of outdoor dining permits.
You can also apply for a business parklet permit if you’re organisation is a:

  • community organisation
  • not-for-profit organisation
  • business outside of hospitality.

Business not eligible for a business parklet include:

  • stand-alone bottle shops
  • tobacco shops
  • venues with gaming machines or other gambling components
  • businesses located on arterials roadways.

Will I need more than one permit?

Businesses running outdoor dining services can need other permits. Depending on your business, you may need to apply for:

If you think you may need more than one permit, use our Business Permit Finder to determine the permits you need.

Business permit finder

Footpath Trading Fee Policy (2025)

Outdoor dining is charged per square metre of the area occupied, at two rates:

  • Standard rate - for a business in a main precinct, refer to the plans below 
  • Discounted rate - for any other business, including Acland, Fitzroy and Carlisle Street primary areas.

The rates charged are reviewed each financial year.

Supporting the seasonal cash flow challenges of our hospitality industry
Interest-free, monthly, part-payment plans are available to all businesses.

Supporting business affected by major construction works
Discounts are provided to businesses affected by major building works including streetscape upgrades. The amount of the discount is based upon the duration of works and determined on a case-by-case basis.

Supporting precincts undergoing change
The discount rate is used in precincts where there is a 20% (or greater) vacancy rate of ground floor tenancies and used for other social and economic reasons.

Supporting new outdoor dining opportunities
Where outdoor dining has not previously occurred, or for an existing business which has not provided outdoor dining for two years, outdoor dining permit fees are:

  • Discounted by 100% in a Discount Rate precinct
  • Discounted by 50% in a Standard Rate precinct

The application fee is still payable.

Seasonal footpath trading activities
For any outdoor dining business wishing to occupy the footpath for part of the year, fees will be calculated pro‑rata.

Income from footpath trading activities
The income Council receives from footpath trading fees helps to fund a range of Council services, including the provision of permitting services, street cleaning and the maintenance of our public spaces.

  • Permits are valid from 1 July to 30 June each year.
  • Application fees are not refundable.
  • Permits that commence after 1 August, are charged pro-rata, per month until 30 June

Before you apply

Your application will include the furniture and structures you propose to use.

We recommend checking the Footpath Trading Guidelines and Outdoor Trading (Dining) Policy 2022. These contain all the information you need to help make your application a success.

You can also contact us to talk about your application.

Business parklet

Fees are calculated based on the location and the size of the parklet, charged per parking bay. The rates charged are reviewed each financial year.

The current fees are in the Business Parklet Policy and Fees 2025-26

A refundable bond of $2,500 - per parking bay is charged before a permit is issued. The bond protects Council's assets and can also be used towards the removal of the parklet, if required.

Business parklet permits are effective from:

  • 1 October to 30 September (annual permits)
  • 1 October to 30 April (seasonal permits).

Before you apply

Consider if a parklet is right for your business, consider the following:

  • the proposed design of your parklet
  • requirements of Council
  • assessment process
  • your responsibilities including ongoing maintenance
  • permit fees, bonds and on-going maintenance costs.

The Business Parklet Guidelines (PDF 2.4 MB) show all the steps to set up a parklet.

Other outdoor trading options include:

Moving public infrastructure

When you apply for a permit, you can ask us to move public infrastructure, like:

  • litter bins
  • bench seats
  • bicycle hoops.

You must show how the proposal benefits the community. You’ll also be responsible for the relocation costs. This includes relocation and reinstatement costs.

Read our Relocating Public Infrastructure fact sheet for more details or talk to a member of our team.

Apply for a permit

Follow these steps to apply on My Port Phillip:

Step 1. Register or log in if you've already registered

Step 2. Select apply for a permit

Step 3. Select permit type - outdoor dining

Step 4. Enter your business address

Step 5. Complete all required details

Step 6. Confirmation - accept terms and conditions of use

Step 7. Review the summary and attach any required documents

Step 8. Lodge your application

Step 9. Pay the application fee via the secure payment gateway. A card payment fee applies.

You can apply for a business parklet using the Application for a Business Parklet Permit form (765 KB). You must provide all required documents. You can submit via email or post. If your application is approved, the fee (if applicable) must be paid before the permit can be issued.

What happens next?

During the application review, we may contact you to provide more information about your application. We’ll work with you to ensure your application meets our guidelines.

Footpath trading permit assessments can take 20 business days. Business parklet applications take a minimum of 20 business days. This is from the time you submit a finalised application.

The time used reflects how complex the application is.

If your permit is approved, you’ll receive:

  • a letter confirming your approval and permit details
  • an approved plan showing the area you can use and patron numbers allowed.

You can now set up your outdoor dining area or install and operate your parklet. This includes all approved furniture and structures. Council officers inspect all outdoor dining precincts to ensure businesses are following their permits.

If your application is not approved or you have any concern with the decision, you can ask for a review. Reviews are considered by the City Permits Panel (DOCX 43 KB).

What happens when your business parklet permit expires?

When your permit expires, you must:

  1. remove the business parklet structure and furniture
  2. return the space to its original condition.

Contact us

Our Footpath Trading team is here to help.

Send us a message on My Port Phillip

Email: footpathtrading@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Phone: 03 9209 6844