Council and other permits

Events held in Yarra’s open spaces may require an Event in Public Spaces Permit (EIPS Permit) as well as other separate permits depending on the elements of the event.

Common event elements that trigger permit requirements are listed below. Other permits that may be required include a Temporary Public Space License, Place of Public Entertainment Permit, Filming Permit, and Temporary signage board approval.

Our Event Permit Officers will help you identify the permits and permissions you require for your event and guide you through the process of application. They will also inform you of any fees or charges that apply.

For more information and assistance please email eventapplications@yarracity.vic.gov.au or phone us on 03 9205 5205.

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 include:

  • an entrance fee is charged
  • the event occupies a building and/or venue space with an area of greater than 500 square metres
  • the size and type of temporary structures to be used
  • the event site is substantially enclosed
  • more than 5000 patrons are expected 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 has been considered.

For example, a POPE Permit may require the following:

  • 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 is required to issue an occupancy permit before the event goes ahead.

Approval time: Dependant on size and complexity of the event. We recommend at least four weeks for processing.

Food at events

In order to sell food to the public, each individual food vendor - whether a stall, marquee or van - will need to apply for a Mobile Food Vendor Permit.

Vendors must complete the Application for Temporary Mobile Food Vendor and the Statement of Trade through Streatrader.

The preparation and sale of food will trigger other requirements and considerations such as food safety programs, gas safety and electrical safety. Where an event extends onto a road a Temporary Road Occupation Permit may also be required.

A Temporary Public Space Permit may be required for operators who sell goods, conduct promotional activity or conduct fundraising such as fundraising BBQs on Council land.

Approval time: between two to five weeks depending on the size and nature of the event. 

Temporary Road Occupation

A Temporary Road/Footpath Occupation Permit is required from Council to temporarily close any part of a road, car park or footpath which is managed by Council.

This permit would be needed for events such as street parties, fun runs or any activities associated with your event that may occur on the footpath such as filming or a temporary art installation.

Occupying a road will trigger other requirements such as a Traffic Management Plan, Business and Resident approval, Resident Notification and, where the event is held on an arterial road, a VicRoads Memorandum of Authorisation.

Approval time: Up to 12 weeks. 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 the City of Yarra’s parks between the hours of 9am-9pm. This applies to BYO alcohol.

If you intend to sell alcohol at your event, or if your event is ticketed, you may require a Temporary Limited Liquor Licence which is issued by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) and approved by the City of Yarra.

Liquor licence applications should be lodged at least eight weeks before your event. The time taken to process an application will vary depending on a range of factors including the complexity of the application and any objections raised.

Information about the application fees associated with temporary limited licences, useful fact sheets and application forms can be found on the VCGLR website here.

A Mobile Food Vendor Permit may be required from Council including the attending requirements of submitting a Statement of Trade and evidence of insurance coverage.

Including alcohol at your event presents potential risks that need to be responsibly managed. How alcohol is served and behaviour managed should be carefully considered and outlined in your Event Assessment and Control documents. Refer to the Safety section of this toolkit for more information and templates.

Approval time: up to eight weeks.

Music and amplified sound

If you are planning 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. Our Event Permit Officers will advise you of all the requirements.

Approval time: up to five weeks.

Musical performance or broadcast

Entertainers at an event 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

Notification to discharge fireworks from Council Land must be provided as part of your event permit application.

In addition to your event permit application documentation you must also provide:

  • Notification of intention to discharge fireworks Work Safe form.
  • Certificate of currency showing a minimum of $20 million public liability insurance.
  • The proposed fireworks discharge must be addressed in your event/risk management plan.
  • Notification letter with the details of the event, fireworks display, and contact information. This letter must be distributed at least seven days prior to the event and to all properties within 200 metres of the event location.
  • Site Plan of event set up to include discharge location and exclusion zone.

For any additional enquiries or when the notification request is not part of an event application please email eventapplications@yarracity.vic.gov.au or info@yarracity.vic.gov.au.

Fireworks discharged from Private Land

Notification to discharge fireworks from private land must be submitted through an online request:

Request consent to discharge fireworks

You must submit your request at least 10 business days prior to the proposed discharge and provide:

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.

Yarra City Council will consider exceptions only 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 will need to lodge the notification through the link:

Request consent for burn off or bonfire

Further information on fireworks

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