Parklet program

Originally created to support local businesses during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, the Parklet Program allows eligible hospitality businesses to offer outdoor dining in on-street car parking bays directly outside of their business, or the neighbouring business with permission.

Step 1 – read our Parklet Policy and Design Guidelines

Before you apply for an outdoor dining parklet, please read the Parklet Policy and Design Guidelines

Additionally, there are three more conditions not included in the Guidelines:

A parklet cannot have any ground structure, furniture or infrastructure built over, or covering a stormwater pit.
A parklet must maintain a minimum of 600mm clearance from the side of any stormwater pit.
Upon written request from Yarra Council, the applicant must remove the parklet (for the purposes of required cleaning, maintenance, infrastructure renewal, utility works etc.)

Step 2 – submit an enquiry

If your business is interested in having an outdoor dining parklet, please complete the below enquiry form.

Submit a parklet enquiry

Please note: this is not an application form. Once you complete this enquiry form, a Yarra Council officer will contact you to discuss the next steps.

Step 3 – approval from Yarra Trams

Once you receive approval from Yarra Council to proceed with your application, you may need additional approval from Yarra Trams. If you wish to install your parklet on a road space where trams operate, you must read Yarra Tram's installation guidelines. Your parklet design and must be submitted to Yarra Trams for approval.

Fees

There are two components to parklet fees.

There is an application and inspection fee. This is a flat rate of $300 that each parklet application is required to pay no matter the location or size of the parklet.
There is a tiered fee structure depending on the type of street your parklet is on:

Primary streets – for example Brunswick Street, Smith Street and Gertrude Street
Secondary Streets – any street that has paid parking on it, that isn’t a primary street
Neighbourhood Streets – any eligible street, that is not a primary or secondary street

The table below outlines what you will be charged per car parking bay (or equivalent sized space).

Parklet fees

All applications must pay the application and inspection fee. You can choose between a 'summer' or 12 month permit.

Street type	Application and inspection fee	'Summer' permit fee per parking bay	12 month permit fee per parking bay
Primary	$300	$2,600	$5,200
Secondary	$300	$1,560	$3,120
Neighbourhood	$300	$1,170	$2,340

Installation

Hire or buy

If your application to operate a parklet is successful, you will need to hire or buy the parklet infrastructure, and pay for its installation, in addition to the permit and parking bay hire fees.

You will be able to select from the following options for your parklet infrastructure:

Purchase or hire Parklet infrastructure from a readymade parklet company and self-maintain the parklet.
Build your own parklet subject to comply with parklet technical specifications and Yarra Council approval. Note: there will be additional assessment timeframes, to review the designs and provide comments, while ensuring the structure meets any requirements of a road safety audit.

If you have an existing approved parklet installed, your supplier or contractor will need to ensure the installation and that the parklet infrastructure adheres to the current technical design specifications for parklets.

Readymade or build-your-own parklet

It is at your discretion to choose between building your own parklet or using a readymade parklet (either way it must comply with our Parklet Design Guidelines).

Yarra City Council does not endorse or recommend any specific suppliers, but some examples of readymade parklet providers include:

Of course, there are many other companies to choose from if you wish to hire or buy a readymade parklet.

Greening your parklet

Parklet operators are encouraged to 'green' their parklet wherever possible. Below are some companies that can help you plant and maintain your planter boxes:

Frequently asked questions

Step 1 – read our Parklet Policy and Design Guidelines

Before you apply for an outdoor dining parklet, please read the Parklet Policy and Design Guidelines

Additionally, there are three more conditions not included in the Guidelines:

A parklet cannot have any ground structure, furniture or infrastructure built over, or covering a stormwater pit.
A parklet must maintain a minimum of 600mm clearance from the side of any stormwater pit.
Upon written request from Yarra Council, the applicant must remove the parklet (for the purposes of required cleaning, maintenance, infrastructure renewal, utility works etc.)

Step 2 – submit an enquiry

If your business is interested in having an outdoor dining parklet, please complete the below enquiry form.

Submit a parklet enquiry

Please note: this is not an application form. Once you complete this enquiry form, a Yarra Council officer will contact you to discuss the next steps.

Step 3 – approval from Yarra Trams

Fees

There are two components to parklet fees.

There is an application and inspection fee. This is a flat rate of $300 that each parklet application is required to pay no matter the location or size of the parklet.
There is a tiered fee structure depending on the type of street your parklet is on:

Primary streets – for example Brunswick Street, Smith Street and Gertrude Street
Secondary Streets – any street that has paid parking on it, that isn’t a primary street
Neighbourhood Streets – any eligible street, that is not a primary or secondary street

The table below outlines what you will be charged per car parking bay (or equivalent sized space).

Parklet fees

All applications must pay the application and inspection fee. You can choose between a 'summer' or 12 month permit.

Street type	Application and inspection fee	'Summer' permit fee per parking bay	12 month permit fee per parking bay
Primary	$300	$2,600	$5,200
Secondary	$300	$1,560	$3,120
Neighbourhood	$300	$1,170	$2,340

Installation

Hire or buy

If your application to operate a parklet is successful, you will need to hire or buy the parklet infrastructure, and pay for its installation, in addition to the permit and parking bay hire fees.

You will be able to select from the following options for your parklet infrastructure:

Purchase or hire Parklet infrastructure from a readymade parklet company and self-maintain the parklet.
Build your own parklet subject to comply with parklet technical specifications and Yarra Council approval. Note: there will be additional assessment timeframes, to review the designs and provide comments, while ensuring the structure meets any requirements of a road safety audit.

Readymade or build-your-own parklet

It is at your discretion to choose between building your own parklet or using a readymade parklet (either way it must comply with our Parklet Design Guidelines).

Yarra City Council does not endorse or recommend any specific suppliers, but some examples of readymade parklet providers include:

Of course, there are many other companies to choose from if you wish to hire or buy a readymade parklet.

Greening your parklet

Parklet operators are encouraged to 'green' their parklet wherever possible. Below are some companies that can help you plant and maintain your planter boxes:

Frequently asked questions

How and when can I apply?

Applications for parklets are now open. Please read through the Parklet Policy and Design Guidelines to ensure you are eligible for a parklet. You are required to fill out an enquiry form before progressing to the application form.

How long will my application take?

Once you have submitted your application, we will endeavour to process your permit as quickly as possible. Depending on the complexity of your parklet design, and the detail in your submitted plans will also dictate how many approvals are required.

Additionally, if your parklet is on a street with a tram line, you will need approval from Yarra Trams. Yarra Trams have advised that they will have a 14 day turn around time from the time of submission.

Once you have submitted your application, we will endeavour to process your permit as quickly as possible. Depending on the complexity of your parklet design, and the detail in your submitted plans will also dictate how many approvals are required.

Additionally, if your parklet is on a street with a tram line, you will need approval from Yarra Trams. Yarra Trams have advised that they will have a 14 day turn around time from the time of submission.

Why do I need an engineer or other professional to design my parklet?

All parklets need to ensure the safety of patrons is first and foremost, therefore all parklets must be designed, built and signed off on by a qualified professional.

We also need to ensure that parklets can stand up to Melbourne’s weather, with high winds, heavy rain, and occasional earthquake – parklets need to be built so they can handle all weather extremes.

Additionally, all parklets need to be built to the highest civic standard. That doesn’t mean we’re restricting your creativity, but it does mean that we expect all parklets to be of a high standard both in the way they are built and in the way they look.

All parklets need to ensure the safety of patrons is first and foremost, therefore all parklets must be designed, built and signed off on by a qualified professional.

We also need to ensure that parklets can stand up to Melbourne’s weather, with high winds, heavy rain, and occasional earthquake – parklets need to be built so they can handle all weather extremes.

Additionally, all parklets need to be built to the highest civic standard. That doesn’t mean we’re restricting your creativity, but it does mean that we expect all parklets to be of a high standard both in the way they are built and in the way they look.

What is the difference between an application fee and a permit fee?

An application and inspection fee is a one-off, flat rate that each parklet application is required to pay no matter the location or size of the parklet.

The permit fee is calculated based on your business location multiplied by the number of bays you are wishing to occupy.

An application and inspection fee is a one-off, flat rate that each parklet application is required to pay no matter the location or size of the parklet.

The permit fee is calculated based on your business location multiplied by the number of bays you are wishing to occupy.

When will my permit be renewed?

6-month (summer) permits will need to be applied for each year, and will start 1 October and expire 30 March.

12 month permits run from 1 October to 30 September each year.

Why can’t I build a parklet over a drainage pit?

Under the Road Management Act 2004 Code of Practice, Yarra Council have clearly defined responsibilities for managing our drainage network. When drainage pits have parklet structures built over or are covered, Yarra Council loses the ability to survey and access a drainage pit. If a pit is blocked, we need access for the pit lid to be removed, so the drainage crew can quickly and efficiently address the issue. During a flooding event, time is critical when a pit is blocked. In the event of an emergency, having a structure blocking access to these assets will increase the potential for localised flooding.

Allowing structures to be built over drainage pits greatly limits our ability to meet our legislative obligations under the Act and increases risk and liability in the event of flooding of private property.

This is all outlined in the Permanent Parklet Policy and Guidelines

My parklet has been in place since October 2020, why is this only an issue now?

The temporary parklet program was implemented as a short-term measure to support traders to recover from the COVID-19 lockdowns and pandemic restrictions such as indoor density limits.

At the time of implementation, we managed the risk but did not anticipate the temporary program to be extended for more than two years. As we transition businesses to the permanent program, we need to ensure parklets allow sufficient access to drainage pits.

What are my options? Are there any alternatives?

Yarra Council staff will contact impacted businesses via phone in the first instance, and in-person visits will be organised to discuss options. Impacted businesses will also receive a follow up email.

When do I need to make these changes by?

All parklets must be compliant with the Permanent Parklet Policy and Guidelines by 30 June 2022.

Under the Road Management Act 2004 Code of Practice, Yarra Council have clearly defined responsibilities for managing our drainage network. When drainage pits have parklet structures built over or are covered, Yarra Council loses the ability to survey and access a drainage pit. If a pit is blocked, we need access for the pit lid to be removed, so the drainage crew can quickly and efficiently address the issue. During a flooding event, time is critical when a pit is blocked. In the event of an emergency, having a structure blocking access to these assets will increase the potential for localised flooding.

Allowing structures to be built over drainage pits greatly limits our ability to meet our legislative obligations under the Act and increases risk and liability in the event of flooding of private property.

This is all outlined in the Permanent Parklet Policy and Guidelines

My parklet has been in place since October 2020, why is this only an issue now?

The temporary parklet program was implemented as a short-term measure to support traders to recover from the COVID-19 lockdowns and pandemic restrictions such as indoor density limits.

At the time of implementation, we managed the risk but did not anticipate the temporary program to be extended for more than two years. As we transition businesses to the permanent program, we need to ensure parklets allow sufficient access to drainage pits.

What are my options? Are there any alternatives?

Yarra Council staff will contact impacted businesses via phone in the first instance, and in-person visits will be organised to discuss options. Impacted businesses will also receive a follow up email.

When do I need to make these changes by?

All parklets must be compliant with the Permanent Parklet Policy and Guidelines by 30 June 2022.

Yarra City Council

Parklet program

Step 1 – read our Parklet Policy and Design Guidelines

Step 2 – submit an enquiry

Step 3 – approval from Yarra Trams

Fees

Parklet fees

Installation

Hire or buy

Readymade or build-your-own parklet

Greening your parklet

Frequently asked questions

Step 1 – read our Parklet Policy and Design Guidelines

Step 2 – submit an enquiry

Step 3 – approval from Yarra Trams

Fees

Parklet fees

Installation

Hire or buy

Readymade or build-your-own parklet

Greening your parklet

Frequently asked questions

My parklet has been in place since October 2020, why is this only an issue now?

What are my options? Are there any alternatives?

When do I need to make these changes by?

My parklet has been in place since October 2020, why is this only an issue now?

What are my options? Are there any alternatives?

When do I need to make these changes by?

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