There are a range of common event elements that trigger permit requirements.
There are a range of common event elements that trigger permit requirements.
Events in our open spaces may require an Event in Public Spaces (EIPS) permit. Other permits will depend on the elements of your event.
On this page
- Place of Public Entertainment (POPE)
- Food at events
- Temporary road occupation
- Alcohol at events
- Music and amplified sound
- Music performance or broadcast
- Fireworks, fire pits and bonfires
- Resources
- More information
An Event Permits Officer will help you identify the permits and permissions you require for your event and guide you through the application process. They will also inform you of any fees or charges that apply.
Place of Public Entertainment (POPE)
A Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) is often required for events that need to temporarily occupy a building or public space or conduct a street party.
Triggers for a POPE may include:
- charging an entrance fee
- occupying a building and/or venue space with an area of greater than 500 square metres
- using certain types of temporary structures
- being substantially enclosed
- expecting more than 5000 people within the event site at any one time.
POPE permits have a checklist of requirements that event organisers must meet to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people attending.
For example, a POPE Permit may require:
- emergency management and evacuation plans
- the confirmed attendance of Safety Officers (required to hold a Public Safety Officer Certificate)
- first aid facilities
- amenities such as toilet facilities and water fountains
- prescribed emergency exit widths (calculated on event capacity)
- detailed site plans
- list of prescribed temporary structures
- occupancy permits for prescribed structures.
Under the Building Act, a building surveyor must issue an occupancy permit before the event goes ahead. This includes an inspection, which requires additional fees separate from the permit charge.
Approval timelines depend on the size and complexity of the event. We recommend at least 12 weeks for processing.
Food at event
To sell food to the public, each individual food vendor - whether a stall, marquee or van - must apply for a Mobile Food Vendor Permit.
Vendors must complete the Application for Temporary Mobile Food Vendor and the Statement of Trade through FoodTrader.
The preparation and sale of food triggers other requirements such as food safety programs and gas and electrical safety. Where an event extends onto a road a Temporary Road Occupation Permit may also be required.
You may need a Temporary Public Space Permit if you sell goods or conduct promotional activity or fundraising events on Council land.
Approval can take between two and five weeks depending on the size and nature of the event.
Temporary road occupation
You need a Temporary Road/Footpath Occupation Permit to temporarily close any part of a Council-managed road, car park or footpath.
You need this permit for events such as:
- street parties
- fun runs
- temporary art installations
Occupying a road triggers some other requirements such as:
- a Traffic Management Plan
- business and resident approval
- resident notification
- a VicRoads Memorandum of Authorisation (where the event is held on an arterial road).
Allow up to 12 weeks for approval. New events will require a longer lead time while repeat events will take less time.
Alcohol at events
You are legally allowed to consume alcohol within our parks between 9am and 9pm. This applies to bring-your-own (BYO) alcohol.
If you intend to sell alcohol at your event, or if your event is ticketed, you may need a Temporary Limited Liquor Licence from the Victorian Liquor Commission (VLC). After the VLC grants a licence, we must also approve it.
You should lodge liquor licence applications at least eight weeks before your event. The time we take to process an application depends on factors such as the complexity of the application and any objections raised.
For information about Temporary Limited Liquor Licences, visit the VLC website.
You may need a Mobile Food Vendor Permit from us. This includes the attending requirements of submitting a Statement of Trade and evidence of insurance coverage.
Including alcohol at your event presents potential risks that you must manage responsibly. You should carefully consider how you serve alcohol and manage behaviour, and outline this in your event assessment and control documents.
How alcohol is served and behaviour managed should be carefully considered and outlined in your Event Assessment and Control documents.
For more information, visit our safety page.
Approval time: up to eight weeks.
Music and amplified sound
If you plan to have music or amplified sound at your event, you will need either a Minor or Major Amplified Sound Permit in addition to your EIPS Permit. You must submit a separate application form to assess what type of permit is suitable.
An Amplified Sound Permit will trigger other requirements such as distributing a notification to local residents and businesses. An Event Permits Officer will advise you of all the requirements.
Approval time: up to five weeks.
Musical performance or broadcast
Event entertainers who are not performing their own original compositions will need a permit from the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA).
If an event uses copyright protected pre-recorded music or music videos, a permit from Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) will be required.
Approval time: between three to six weeks.
Fireworks, fire pits and bonfires
Fireworks discharged from Council Land
You must provide notification to discharge fireworks from Council land as part of your event permit application.
You must also provide:
- a notification of intention to discharge fireworks Work Safe form
- certificate of currency showing a minimum of $20 million public liability insurance
- information on the proposed fireworks discharge in your event/risk management plan.
- notification letter with the details of the event, fireworks display, and contact information (you must distribute this letter at least seven days before the event, to all properties within 200 metres of the event location)
- a site plan of the event set-up to include the discharge location and exclusion zone.
For more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected].
Fireworks discharged from private land
You must make an online request to discharge fireworks from private land
You must submit your request at least 10 business days before the proposed discharge and provide:
- a notification of intention to discharge fireworks Work Safe form
- notification letter with the details of the event, fireworks display, and contact information. (you must distribute this letter at least seven days before the event, to all properties within 200 metres of the event location).
Fire pits and bonfires
Fire pits and bonfires are not permitted in the City of Yarra, whether on council or private land. Refer to the general local laws for these requirements.
We will only consider exceptions for contained smoking ceremonies.
If the smoking ceremony is proposed on Council land this will be reviewed as part of your event permit application/park booking.
If the smoking ceremony is proposed on private land you need to lodge the notification below:
Resources
For more information about fireworks, visit:
- Worksafe: Fireworks discharge notification.
- Civil Aviation Safety Authority: Fireworks display page.
- Fire Permits Victoria: Check, apply and notify for fire permits.
- Victorian State Government: Country Fire Authority Act 1958
More information
For more information about permits, email [email protected] or call 9205 5205.