A Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) permit is often required for events that need to temporarily occupy a building, public space or street in the City of Yarra.
Public entertainment means an event or meeting which members of the public can attend, such as:
- circuses
- cinema in the park
- community fairs
- carnivals
- live performances.
A Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) permit is often required for events that need to temporarily occupy a building, public space or street.
POPE permits have a checklist of requirements event organisers need to meet to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone attending. This includes:
- security
- emergency exits
- fire services
- toilets
- drinking water
- first aid.
Under the Building Act, a building surveyor is required to issue an occupancy permit before the event goes ahead.
How do I apply for a POPE?
Before applying please read our information on How to submit Place of Public Entertainment [ PDF, 639.46 KB] .
A POPE Permit is required when your event is in:
- a building that is intended to be used for public entertainment
- a place which is intended to be used for the purpose of public entertainment if:
- the place is larger than 500 sqm
- the place is enclosed or substantially enclosed OR
- the place can only be accessed by payment of money or giving of other consideration
You'll need siting approval to set up temporary structures such as:
- seating stands
- marquees
- tents
- booths
- stage/s.
If you are a community-based organisation, and the number of people attending your event will exceed 5,000 people, you will need an occupancy permit.
- Public Entertainment is defined as an entertainment or meeting to which admission may ordinarily be gained by members of the Public.
- Enclosed or substantially enclosed is considered to be a controlled space (by fencing, structures or natural features) that a reasonable person would see as being an exclusive area.
- 'Community Based Organisation' means a body, whether or not a corporate body that is not established primarily for the purpose of profit or gain; does not distribute any part of any profit or gain made in the conduct of its activities to any members of the organisation; operates in a community wholly for: a philanthropic or benevolent purpose, including the promotion of art, culture, science, religion, education or charity; or any sporting or recreational purpose, including the benefiting of any sporting or recreational club or association
- Private Building Surveyors may only issue a Permit for a Place of Public Entertainment where a related Building Permit is required for Building Works.
- Siting of any prescribed temporary structures must be approved by the Municipal Building Surveyor. Erection of Prescribed Temporary Structures must be carried out by the Relevant Registered Building Practitioners. Certificate of Compliance-Inspection must be issued by Relevant Building Practitioners when structures erected. Certificate of Compliance-Inspection and Occupancy Certificate to be displayed.