Outdoor dining

Use the footpath or on-street parking outside your business for dining.

Overview

An outdoor dining permit allows you to place tables and chairs on the footpath. You may also apply to occupy your neighbour’s footpath, providing you supply Council with their written consent.

You must hold Public Liability Insurance (min $20 million coverage) and list the City of Port Phillip as an Interested Party on the policy, before you apply.

When you submit your application, you will be required to pay an application fee. If your application is approved, you will be issued with a tax invoice for your permit fees. A card payment fee applies.

Permit fees are based on a 1 July to 30 June financial year (or part thereof).

Please allow up to 20 business days for your application to be determined.

Footpath Trading Fee Policy (2025)

View the Footpath Trading Fees 2026/27 PDF (669 KB)

Outdoor dining is charged per square metre of the area occupied, at two rates:

Standard rate - for a business in a main precinct, refer to the plans below
Discounted rate - for any other business, including Acland, Fitzroy and Carlisle Street primary areas.

The rates charged are reviewed each financial year.

Supporting the seasonal cash flow challenges of our hospitality industry
Interest-free, monthly, part-payment plans are available to all businesses.

Supporting business affected by major construction works
Discounts are provided to businesses affected by major building works including streetscape upgrades. The amount of the discount is based upon the duration of works and determined on a case-by-case basis.

Supporting precincts undergoing change
The discount rate is used in precincts where there is a 20% (or greater) vacancy rate of ground floor tenancies and used for other social and economic reasons.

Supporting new outdoor dining opportunities
Where outdoor dining has not previously occurred, or for an existing business which has not provided outdoor dining for two years, outdoor dining permit fees are:

Discounted by 100% in a Discount Rate precinct
Discounted by 50% in a Standard Rate precinct

The application fee is still payable.

Seasonal footpath trading activities
For any outdoor dining business wishing to occupy the footpath for part of the year, fees will be calculated pro‑rata.

Income from footpath trading activities
The income Council receives from footpath trading fees helps to fund a range of Council services, including the provision of permitting services, street cleaning and the maintenance of our public spaces.

Permits are valid from 1 July to 30 June each year.
Application fees are not refundable.
Permits that commence after 1 August, are charged pro-rata, per month until 30 June

A refundable bond of $2,500 is charged for fixed items such as glass screens before a permit is issued. The bond protects Council's assets and can also be used towards the removal of the screens, if required.

Business Parklet Fee Policy

View the Business Parklet Fees 2026-27 and Policy (PDF 569 KB)

Fees are calculated based on the location (precinct) and are charged per parking bay.

A refundable bond of $2,500 per parking bay is charged before a permit is issued. The bond protects Council's assets and can also be used towards the removal of the parklet, if required.

Before you apply

Read Council's Footpath Trading Guidelines and Outdoor Trading (Dining) Policy 2022 and Business Parklet Guidelines (PDF 2.4 MB). These contain all the information you need to help make your application a success.

Our team are also available to guide you through your application on the phone, in person at St Kilda Town Hall or on site at your business, at a time convenient to you.