Display of goods permit

What is it?

A display of goods permit allows you to place items on the footpath that are sold in the premises.

It’s valid from 1 July to 30 June (or part of) each year.

Who is it suitable for?

Businesses that can apply for a permit:

• operate a business (premises) with a footpath immediately in front of it
• have public liability insurance.

They are often:

• food businesses
• fashion and retail businesses
• and more.

Fees

Detailed fee information is available in the Footpath Trading Fees 2024/25 (PDF 220 KB).

Fees are invoiced when your complete application is received. A card payment fee applies.

Fees greater than $800 may be eligible for a payment plan. Contact the Footpath Trading Unit for more details

Before you apply

Before you apply, read our Footpath Trading Guidelines. They contain important information about the display of goods.

Checklist

1. A letter of approval from the business you wish to operate in front of (only if applying to occupy footpath trading space in front of a neighbouring premise).
2. A current copy of your public liability insurance (in the form of a Certificate of Currency) for a minimum $20 million. It needs to detail coverage that extends to all items placed on the footpath and indemnifies the City of Port Phillip against all claims.
3. Site plan at 1:100 scale showing the proposed footpath activity showing:
   1. The width of the building frontage.
   2. The width of the footpath from the outside edge of the kerb to the building line. Existing infrastructure (public seats, rubbish bins, bicycle stands, trees and tree pits, light poles, fire hydrants, parking restrictions, and location of parking signs, etc.).

Other things to consider

Council ensures footpaths are safe and accessible to everyone in the community. When you apply for a permit, you can ask Council to move public infrastructure.

This includes:

• litter bins
• bench seats
• bicycle hoops
• and more.

If you want to do this, you'll need to show how it benefits the community in your application.

Plus, you'll need to cover any costs associated with moving public infrastructure.

Costs include:

• relocation costs
• reinstatement costs.

If you trade on the footpath without a valid permit, you may receive a fine.

Read our Footpath Trading Guidelines, or speak to a team member, about footpath trading regulations.

When you apply

Follow these steps to apply for your permit on My Port Phillip:

Step 1. Register or log in using registration details

Step 2. Apply for a permit

Step 3. Select permit type - display of goods - on footpath

Step 4. Address

Step 5. Lodge

Step 6. Confirmation - accept terms and conditions of use

Step 7. Summary - attach any required documents

Step 8. Payment - securely pay by credit card.

Alternatively, you can submit an Application for Display of Goods Permit (PDF 290KB) along with all required documents via email, post or in person.

If your application is approved, any fees due must be paid before the permit can be issued.

A card payment fee applies.

After you apply

Fees are invoiced when your complete application is received. A card payment fee applies.

Assessment time

Display of good permit assessments may take 10 business days. (This is from the time your complete application is received.)

It is important that you submit all required information to avoid delays. The time required to assess your request will depend on how complex it is.

Decision process

If your permit is approved, you’ll receive:

• a letter detailing your approval
• an endorsed plan showing the permitted trading zone
• Footpath Trading Permit.

If your application is refused or you are dissatisfied with the permit decision, you can request a review. These are considered by the City Permits Panel (DOCX 43 KB).

Contact us

Our Footpath Trading team is here to help.

Send us a message on My Port Phillip

Email: footpathtrading@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Phone: 03 9209 6844