Step 3: Waiting for your applications to be assessed

Assessment information

• Planning Assessment

  Processing time 10 days to 12 months

  A Planning Permit Planning Documentation Search - City of Port Phillip may be required from the Planning Department to operate a home business, change the use of a property, installation and usage of sheds, install signage, undertake external building modifications and trade liquor.

  • Where multiple permits are needed, a current valid planning permit is commonly required to obtain building and environmental health permits (check with health as I wsnt sure planning permitneeded before health permits).

  • The length of the planning permit application process can vary significantly, between 10 days to over 12 months. Factors that impact time for a decision include:
  • the complexity of your proposal
  • whether the lodged application contains all the required information.  If there is insufficient detail in your initial application, Council may request further information. Please respond to any requests promptly to avoid further delays.
  • whether advertising of the proposal is needed
  • whether objections are received
  • if appeals are lodged to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to review Council’s decision
  • If advertising is required for your application (which is often the case for Planning and Building applications) additional fees will be incurred. During public notification Council seeks comments on the application from neighbours who may be impacted by the proposal.
  • Approvals from external regulators e.g., Environment Protection Authority, Liquor Control Victoria may be required.

  How to contact the Planning team

  Planning telephone: 03 9209 6424 or email: planhelp@portphillip.vic.gov.au or in person: visit the Planning & Building Counter at St Kilda Town Hall during opening hours (8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday).

• Building Assessment

  Process times depends on complexity of application.

  A building permit might be required for any construction works, changing the use of the property and/or where the fit out affects the Essential Safety Measures of the building. This includes new partitions, layout changes, shop fit outs, changing floor/wall/ceiling linings, altering exit signs, emergency lights, mechanical, fire services,. Further details can be found on our Building permits - City of Port Phillip page or you can contact the Building Team directly by telephone 03 9209 6253 or email helpbuilding@portphillip.vic.gov.au

  In most cases a building permit may be required when undertaking any building work. This can include the following:

  • New developments
  • Alterations and additions to current buildings
  • Pergolas, verandahs and shade sails
  • Decks, balconies and awnings
  • Changes to the use of a building
  • Minor structures, including garages and sheds.
  • Demolition work
  • Shop and office fit outs.
  • Changes to any essential safety measures in a building such as exit signs, emergency lights, mechanical, fire services etc.

  It is important to note, that in certain circumstances it may be required to upgrade the buildings toilet facilities and entry points to allow for access for people accessibility requirements. This may include accessible toilet facilities, ramps and the widening, and reconfiguration of doorways.

  For further information relating to building permits, please view our Building permits - City of Port Phillip page or you can contact the Building Team directly by telephone 03 9209 6253 or email helpbuilding@portphillip.vic.gov.au

  If you wish to apply for a Building Permit through Council and want a quote, please complete and submit the Building Permit Application Kit along with a scope of works and set of plans to helpbuilding@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

  Building telephone: 03 9209 6253 or email: helpbuilding@portphillip.vic.gov.au or in person: visit the Planning & Building Counter at St Kilda Town Hall during opening hours (8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday

• Environmental Health Assessment

  Processing time 2 to 3 weeks

  Environmental Health registration and certificates are required for several business types including:

  • the sale of food (production / wholesale / retail / food storage)

  • homebased business
  • hair and beauty (including tattooing, dry needling, acupuncture)
  • health and fitness
  • tobacco
  • prescribed accommodation
  • wastewater and septic systems
    
    

  Other types of businesses may also require a Health registration, so it is important you contact Council early to understand what could be required. 

  Council may request further information within the first 10 days from lodgement. Please respond to any requests promptly to avoid further delays. On-site inspection(s) are likely to be carried out. Health registrations require a final on-site inspection before you open your doors.

  Environmental Health telephone: 03 9209 6292 or email: healthservicesunit@portphillip.vic.gov.au 

   

• Footpath Trading Permit

  Processing time 20 Business days 

  You must apply for a footpath street trading permit before any public street trading can be conducted. Permit holders are required to provide their own infrastructure and equipment.

  Footpath Trading telephone:03 9209 6844 or email footpathtrading@portphillip.vic.gov.au 

• Domestic Animal Business Permit

  In order for a customer to apply for a Domestic Animal Business Permit, the customer must apply for the relevant permits with Building and planning and compliance departments, and once approved for works/alterations to be conducted, and subsequently adhered to the permit requirements, the animal management department will be notified and Officers will make contact with the customer to arrange a suitable time to inspect the site.

  Animal Management Officers will attend the site and conduct an audit in relation to the operation of a boarding/ training establishment. Animal Management Officers will advise the customer of any amendments that are required in order for the Domestic Animal Business to be compliant under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, Code of Practice for the operation of boarding/dog training establishments.

  The customer will be provided with a time frame to comply and then final inspection on site will be conducted. The animal management BSO will create an invoice for payment for the DAB permit, which is valid for 12 months until an annual inspection will occur should the business still wish to operate.

  Call the assist team on: 03 9209 6777 and ask to speak with the Domestic Animal Business Permit team.