Outdoor event, market and busking permits

Occupancy Permit for a Place of Public Entertainment

• Do I need a permit?

  A Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) permit is required where one or more of the following apply to an event providing public entertainment:

  • admission to the event is open to members of the public
  • the venue has an area greater than 500m²
  • the event is enclosed or substantially enclosed, such as a controlled space with fencing, structures, or natural features, that a reasonable person would see as being an exclusive area
  • admission to the event is gained by payment of money or giving of other considerations.

  Please note, events that are organised and controlled by a community-based organisation, where the number of persons attending the event does not exceed 5,000 at any one time, do not need to apply for a POPE.

• How to apply

  To apply, you will need to complete the public entertainment forms:

  • Application form for Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) (PDF 274 KB)
  • Application form for Siting of Prescribed Temporary Structures (PDF 273 KB)

  Application forms and other required documentation can be submitted to Council's Building department.

• Application timeframes

  Major Events, new events or events with a large number of structures should submit their application to Council's Building department three months prior to the event.

  This allows enough time for any changes that may be required to achieve compliance with the Building Act, Building Regulations, and Temporary Structures Standards.

  Late fees apply to any application that is not received within 10 working days of the event date.

• Temporary structures

  If your event includes any of the following structures, you may need to apply to Council's Building department for approval:

  • tents, marquees or booths with a floor area greater than 100m²
  • seating stands for more than 20 persons
  • stages or platforms, including sky borders and stage wings, exceeding 150m² in floor area
  • prefabricated buildings exceeding 100m² other than ones placed directly on the ground.

  All temporary structures must be built in accordance with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) Temporary Structures Standards.

  This approval ensures that the proposed structures meet construction and safety standards appropriate to the site conditions, such as wind, terrain, and soil types.

  Events held along the City of Port Phillip Foreshore have an unusually high wind terrain category rating. All structures built along the foreshore require a VBA Occupancy Permit that is suitable for Terrain Category 1 (Foreshore Area).

• Contact the Building department

  If you have any queries about applying for a POPE, or to submit an application, please contact the Building department:

  Online Services: Visit Online Services
  Phone: 03 9209 6253
  In person: visit the Planning and Building Customer Service Counter at St Kilda Town Hall