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Permit assessment guide

 

A business owner stands in front of his shop wearing a light blue apron and with arms folded.

 

Whether you are starting a new business, changing or growing a business, or purchasing an existing business you will probably need some permits and registrations to operate. These are organised into the following areas:

  • Planning permit (including liquor)
  • Building permission (including hoarding, report and consent, asset protection)
  • Food business registration
  • Health or beauty registration
  • Accommodation registration
  • Footpath trading permit

This guide will help you find out what permits you may need and it will take you about three minutes.

See also

Checklists

This permit is for

Building and works (including for heritage listed buildings), liquor licences, car parking, signage and other considerations.

How do I know if I need a planning permit?

The business may need a planning permit if you answer yes to the following questions:

  • Are you changing the use of an existing business?
  • Are you changing the trading hours of the business?
  • Are you applying for or altering a liquor licence?
  • Are you adding or changing signage on the front of a building?
  • Are you looking to partially demolish or alter a heritage listed building?
  • Will there be a formal increase in parking demand or are you removing existing car spaces?

When do I apply for a planning permit?

It is essential to ensure planning advice has been sought and the planning process initiated as the first step in the permit approvals process. You cannot be assessed for a Health, Local Laws or Building permits until your Planning permit is assessed (if one is required).

Apply for a planning permit

Still unsure? We can support you through the process.

If you would like a formal response from the planning department stating whether or not your proposal will need a planning permit, please submit a planning information request.

If you would like general advice from a planner you can call 9599 4666.

Or you can organise a consultation meeting with a planner.

Already have a planning permit? You can amend the permit.

Fit outs, renovations, structural building works and change in use of premise and other considerations.

How do I know if I need a building permit?

The business will likely need a building permit if you answer yes to the following questions:

  • Are you proposing to change the use or classification of the premises? e.g. to change an office into a café.

  • Are you planning to carry out any internal fit out or renovations on your premises?
  • Are you planning to carry out any alterations, additions or structural work on your premises?

When do I apply for a building permit?

A building permit can only be obtained when a planning permit has been approved or it has been confirmed that no planning permit is required. Building permits are obtained through registered Building Surveyors, you will need to appoint a building surveyor to assess your proposed buildings and works.

Is council report and consent or asset protection required?

As part of the building permit process, you may need Council Report and Consent from the Building Surveying Department for certain buildings and works proposed. Speak to your consultant and Building Surveyor to determine which approvals are required.

Proposed building works maybe subject to a Council Report and Consent application and an Asset Protection Permit that may be required prior to the issue of a Building Permit or commencement of building works.

 

How do I know if I need to register a food and drink business?

You will need a food business registration if you intend to sell food or drink from the premises of your business, such as a café, restaurant, pub or take away food business.

When do I apply to register a food and drink business?

Starting a new business

You can arrange for a free onsite pre-application meeting once your premises has been selected. To arrange a free onsite meeting with an Environmental Health Officer, please contact the Environmental Health Unit on 9599 4417.

We highly recommend completing a plans assessment application to ensure what you are planning complies the Food Standards Code and any food regulations. The Environmental Health Unit will assess the internal fit out and issue you a comprehensive report with a list of requirements before you fit out your new food premise. For further information to assist you, see our food premises design and construction specifications. If plans are not submitted for assessment, any works undertaken must comply with the Food Safety Standards.

You should only apply for your food business registration once the fit out and internal works are completed, and your business is ready to trade.

A final inspection is required of the food premises prior to Council issuing a Certificate of Food Act Registration. For most food businesses, you will also need to nominate and upload a Food Safety Supervisor’s Statement of Attainment or Certificate to process your Application for Food Business Registration.

Register to open a new food business

Buying or taking over an existing business

Before you buy an existing food and drink business, it is recommended you request for Council to undertake a transfer of food business registration inspection request for you. The consent of the current proprietor is required to release the report to you. This report will provide a prospective purchaser information about any minor or major structural requirements at the premises, as well as any outstanding Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) Food Act 1984 orders or notices relating to the business.

When you buy or take over an existing food and drink business you will need to transfer the current food registration into your name. 

Council will undertake a mandatory transfer inspection at the food business prior to approving the transfer of food business registration. For most food businesses, you will also need to nominate and upload a Food Safety Supervisor’s Statement of Attainment or Certificate to process your transfer of the registration.

Transfer a food business registration

 

How do I know if I need to register a health or beauty business?

You will need a registration if you intend to offer health or beauty related services, such as hairdressing, waxing, tattooing or skin penetration, on your premises.

When do I apply to register a health or beauty business?

Before operating a personal care or body art business, the proprietor has to consider a number of compliance issues and must register their business with Council’s Environmental Health Department to comply under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Starting a new business

You can arrange for a free onsite meeting once your new premises has been selected. If you would like to arrange free onsite meeting with an Environmental Health Officer, please contact the Environmental Health Unit on 9599 4417.

We highly recommend reviewing the personal care and body art premises guidelines and completing a plans assessment application to ensure what you are planning complies the Public Health regulations. The Environmental Health Unit will assess the internal fit out and issue you a comprehensive report with a list of requirements before you fir out your new health premise. If plans are not submitted for assessment, any works undertaken must comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 and infection control guidance material.

You should only apply for your health or beauty business registration once the fit out and internal works are completed, and your business is ready to trade. A final inspection is required before you operate.

Register a new health and beauty business 

Buying or taking over an existing business

Before you buy the business, it is recommended you request Council to undertake a pre-transfer inspection of the registered business for you. The consent of the current proprietor is required to release the report to you and complete the process.

When you buy or take over an existing health or beauty business you need to transfer the registration into your name or company name. For hairdressing businesses, we cannot transfer the existing registration, so the process is to apply as if starting a new business. 

 

How do I know if I need to register an accommodation business?

You will need a registration if you intend to operate an accommodation business, such as a Rooming House or Hotel or other premises with beds.

When do I apply to register an accommodation business?

Before operating a prescribed accommodation business, the proprietor has to consider a number of compliance issues and must register their business with Council’s Environmental Health Department to comply under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Starting a new business

You can arrange for a free onsite meeting once your new premises has been selected. If you would like to arrange free onsite meeting with an Environmental Health Officer, please contact the Environmental Health Unit on 9599 4417.

We highly recommend completing a plans assessment application to ensure what you are planning complies the Public Health regulations. The Environmental Health Unit will assess the internal fit out and issue you a comprehensive report with a list of requirements before you fir out your new health premise. If plans are not submitted for assessment, any works undertaken must comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 and infection control guidance material.

You should only apply for your accommodation business registration once the fit out and internal works are completed, and your business is ready to trade. A final inspection is required before you operate.

You may need to pass other council department requirements prior to operating the business. These include: Building, Town Planning, and Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Register a new accommodation business

Buying or taking over an existing business

Before you buy the business, it is recommended you request Council to undertake a pre-transfer inspection of the registered business for you. The consent of the current proprietor is required to release the report to you and complete the process.

When you buy or take over an existing accommodation business you need to transfer the registration into your name or company name. The process is to apply as if starting a new business by gaining consent from the existing proprietor and then completing the transfer application. 

How do I know if I need this?

You’ll will need a footpath trading permit if you answer yes to the following questions:

  • Are you planning on placing chairs and tables or other furniture on the footpath?
  • Are you planning on placing an A-frame sign on the footpath?
  • Are you planning to place goods for display on the footpath?
  • Are you planning to install fixed screens around the tables?

When do I apply for this?

Once your buildings and works are complete and it has been registered with Council, it is ready to trade and you can apply for a footpath trading permit.

If you would like to speak to a local laws officer please contact us. If you are interested in the Bayside Local Laws, refer to our footpath trading guidelines.