Outdoor event and market permits

A Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) permit is needed when one or more of the following apply to an event providing public entertainment:

• the event is open to members of the public.
• the venue has an area greater than 500m^2.
• the event is enclosed or substantially enclosed. For example, a controlled space with fencing, structures, or natural features that would be reasonably seen as being an exclusive area.
• Entry to the event is gained by payment of money or giving of other considerations.

A POPE is not needed if 1) the event is organised and controlled by a community organisation, and 2) if the number of attendees does not exceed 5,000 at any one time.

To apply, you will need to fill out the below and submit to Council's Building team:

• Application form for Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) (PDF 274 KB)
• Application form for Siting of Prescribed Temporary Structures (PDF 273 KB)

Major events, new events or events with several structures should submit their application to the Building team 3 months prior to the event. This allows enough time for changes to be made to ensure compliance with the Building Act, Building Regulations, and Temporary Structures Standards.

Late fees apply for any application received less than 10 working days before the event start date.

Council’s Building team may need to approve your event if it includes any of the following:

• tents, marquees or booths with a floor area greater than 100m².
• seating stands for more than 20 persons.
• stages or platforms, including sky borders and stage wings, exceeding 150m² in floor area.
• prefabricated buildings exceeding 100m² other than ones placed directly on the ground.

All temporary structures must be built as per the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) Temporary Structures Standards. This is so that the structures meet construction and safety standards appropriate to the site conditions, such as wind, terrain, and soil types.

Events held along the foreshore have an unusually high wind terrain category rating. All structures built along the foreshore require a VBA Occupancy Permit that is suitable for Terrain Category 1 (Foreshore Area).