Fundraising, promotional and other public space activation permits

Fundraising permits allow charities to collect funds on footpaths or Council land within Yarra.

Operational Requirements

• Registration & Insurance: In order to apply for a permit, you will need:
  • evidence of registration with Consumer Affairs
  • a certificate of currency for public liability insurance of at least $20 million.
• Site Location: Locations proposed will be assessed to ensure that the minimum accessibility standards are being met. If there is not enough room for the activity, we will need to find alternative locations. A minimum clearance of 1.5 metres between the items and the building front must be maintained at all times.   
• Consent: If your activity is located directly in front of other businesses or shops, you will need to obtain their prior approval.  
• Highway Collections: If you are applying for a Highway Collection, you must obtain approval from Victoria Police before commencing any activity. Council will provide a letter of consent for your Victoria Police permit if approved.
• Activity Limits (Per Permit):
  • Street Collections: Limited to one (1) location per fundraising activity per day, with a maximum of four (4) locations per day overall, and a maximum of seven (7) dates per permit.   
  • Door knocks: Limited to a maximum of two (2) suburbs for 14 days at any time, with an option for another two (2) suburbs to follow for the next 14 days upon request.
• Permitted Times: Activities are conducted during normal business hours only, including weekends.
• Nuisance: No amplified music is permitted at any time unless explicitly permitted. If a request for a donation or pledge has been denied, the collector must not continue to speak to, follow the person, or make further requests.
• Identification: People involved with the fundraising activity must wear highly visible clothing and have identification.
• Cleaning: The permit holder must ensure that all items, materials, and rubbish are removed at the end of the activity, and the site is left in a clean and tidy condition.

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit an online application using the button below.

Step 2: Council will assess your application and work with you if there is any further information required.

Step 3: Pay the fee (if applicable), receive your permit and commence fundraising.

Fees:

Fundraising permits are free charities or not for profit groups. 

If your organisation is a third-party agency that collects money on behalf of charities, then a fee of $82 per permit will apply.

This permit is required for commercial or non-commercial groups distributing marketing materials (e.g. flyers, brochures, samples) or operating a small display/stall to promote a product, service, or event on Council land.

Important Note: This permit is not for activities involving the sale of goods.

Operational Requirements

• Operating Hours: Activities must be conducted during normal business hours only, including weekends.
• Activity Limits: You are generally allowed a maximum of three (3) permits per year. This may be reduced to one (1) in high-demand or prime locations.
• Consent: You must obtain written consent from the occupant of the adjacent building/business if your activity is set up directly in front of their premises.
• Waste Management: The permit holder is responsible for the removal of all waste, including distributed materials/samples. A Waste Management Plan must be provided in the application if distributing leaflets or a product.
• Cleaning: Permit holders must keep the footpath clean and free from litter at all times during the activity.

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit an online application using the button below.

Step 2: Council will assess your application and work with you if there is any further information required.

Step 3: Pay the fee (if applicable), receive your permit and commence.

Fees:

Promotional permits are free charities, not for profit or community groups. Otherwise, a fee of $130 per permit will apply.

This permit is for government bodies, community groups, or non-commercial organisations conducting public surveys, engaging residents, or providing information about a local service, project, or initiative in a public space.

Operational Requirements

• Purpose: The activity must be community-focused and non-commercial (no selling of goods or direct financial transaction).
• Activity Limits: You are generally allowed a maximum of three (3) permits per year.
• Consent: You must obtain written consent from the occupant of the adjacent building/business if your consultation setup is directly in front of their premises.
• Waste Management: The permit holder is responsible for the removal of all waste, including distributed materials. A Waste Management Plan must be provided in the application if distributing leaflets or products.
• Cleaning: Permit holders must keep the area clean and free from litter at all times during the activity.
• Permitted Times: Activities can be assessed depending on the time purposed, but the permit period of hours will be between 8am - 8pm.

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit an online application using the button below.

Step 2: Council will assess your application and work with you if there is any further information required.

Step 3: Pay the fee (if applicable), receive your permit and commence.

Fees:

These permits are free of charge.

This permit is required for the temporary placement of adhesive graphics or signs (decals) on public footpaths to promote Yarra-based events or public awareness campaigns. The guidelines aim to ensure public safety, accessibility, and visual amenity.

Note: This permit is not available for commercial, political, or third-party advertising.

Operational Requirements

Eligibility & Purpose

• Allowed Use: Decals are only approved for promoting:
  • Public conferences, art exhibitions, community charity drives/appeals, or major events within the municipality.
  • Public awareness campaigns.
• Duration: The maximum time any decal can be placed is one (1) month. Decals must be removed by the permit holder on or before the expiry date.
• Activity Limit: A single permit covers a maximum of 10 stickers installed in specified locations (only one sticker permitted per site).

Design, Material & Safety

• Slip Resistance: The decal material must have a certified slip-resistant rating suitable for outdoor public use when wet. Proof of certification is required.
• Size: Each individual sticker must be less than 1 square metre in size.
• Design: Decals must be clear, legible, and visually appealing.
  • They must not mimic official traffic or regulatory signs.
  • The use of dark colours (such as black) is not permitted, as they may pose a hazard to people with a vision impairment.
• Removability: Materials must be designed for easy and complete removal without leaving residue or damaging the footpath surface.

Placement

• Placement: Stickers must be installed in a footpath area that is set back from traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, buildings, and street infrastructure.

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit an online application using the button below.

Step 2: Council will assess your application and work with you if there is any further information required.

Step 3: Pay the fee (if applicable), receive your permit and commence installation.

Fees:

These permits are free of charge.

A permit is required for any temporary business (like a pop-up) seeking to place commercial items on the footpath, including goods displays or advertising signs.

These permits are specifically designed for limited-duration activities, typically issued for a maximum of two (2) weeks - but can be extended upon request.

Operational Requirements

• You must adhere to all footpath setback zones to ensure safety and accessibility. Footpath trading is not permitted on footpaths less than 2.5 wide.

• Removal: All items must be removed from the footpath daily within 30 minutes of the business closing or by 11pm, whichever comes first.
• Consent: Items must be located directly outside your principal business. Trading in front of an adjoining business requires their prior written permission.
• Footpath Trading Policy: You must comply with all requirements of the footpath trading policy when undertaking this activity.

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit an online application using the button below.

Step 2: Council will assess your application and work with you if there is any further information required.

Step 3: Pay the fee (if applicable), receive your permit and commence fundraising.

Fees:

A fee of $130 per 2 weeks will apply.