What you need to know
Footpath Trading and Parklets
Footpath Trading Permit renewals
Traders are now being issued renewals for their Footpath Trading Permits.
Compliance checks are being undertaken to ensure traders have current permits in place for footpath trading. To avoid any unwanted fines, please either pay your permit renewal, or if you do not have a current permit to renew, you can apply for one via our webpage below.
Trading Permits
Council owns and maintains the footpaths, roads and laneways in public spaces, and has a legal responsibility for the regulation of any activities undertaken in those spaces.
Council aims to provide a safe environment for people who move through the City of Moonee Valley, and this requires Council to provide clear unobstructed footpaths for the public. Council also supports local businesses by encouraging innovation and creative uses of road reserve, including footpath trading, parklets and laneway occupancy.
If you are operating a business within Moonee Valley and wish to place items on the footpath, you can apply for a Footpath Trading Permit online.
| Zone | Clearance / Setback |
| Pedestrian zone The area that extends from the property line to the potential trading zone, to allow for continuous and accessible path of travel for footpath users |
1.8m clearance -Puckle Street Moonee Ponds -Union Road, Ascot Vale -Racecourse Road, Flemington -Racecourse Road, Kensington -Keilor Road, Niddrie 1.2m clearance for all other areas. |
| Kerb zone The area between the face of the kerb and the trading zone. This zone is important for the safety of pedestrians entering and exiting the road, including access to and from parked vehicles, and access to loading and delivery bays. |
0.5m clearance. |
| Trading zone The only area of the footpath that allows for commercial activity. |
1m clearance between abutting property boundaries (could be achieved by 0.5m on each side) If the trading zone is greater than 10m in length, a gap of 1m must be created in the centre to allow for pedestrian access to the kerb. |
| On-street parking zone Parklets occupy one or more on-street parking spaces that can be used for street dining, display of goods or activation offering public seating. |
Immediately adjacent to the kerb. |
Fees applicable until 30 December 2025
| Type | Annual Fee |
| Display of Goods | $344 |
| Advertising signs, small structures of displays | $172 |
| Temporary stalls | |
| Information stands and signs related to Local, State and Federal elections | No fee |
| Temporary activation/charity collectors | $164 per 3 day period |
Outdoor Dining
| Type | Annual Fee |
| Extra small 5 m2, seating for 2-5 people |
$328 |
| Small 6-15 m2, seating for 5-15 people |
$655 |
| Medium 16-25 m2, seating for 16-25 people |
$982 |
| Large 26-35 m2, seating for 26-35 people |
$1475 |
| Extra large36 m2+, seating for over 36 people | $1965 |
| Partial use of footpath, parklet or laneway where an area is interrupted by public infrastructure, or where Council agrees to an area either being used in a reduced capacity, or shared between multiple traders | Determined upon assessment of application |
Parklet Installation
| Where there is no existing parklet, or when an existing parklet is no longer safe and requires replacing, Council will charge a single one-off build and install fee. | |
| Single space parklet | $2100 |
| Double space parklet | $2625 |
| Triple space parklet | $3150 |
Please follow the below steps to complete your application:
- Before you apply for a Footpath Trading and Parklet permit, please read:
This is what your application will be assessed against.
- Take a photograph of your store frontage / trading area.
- Apply for Footpath Trading Permit via our online application form
Once you have lodged your application and made payment, Council will validate your permit details, and your annual permit will be issued via e-mail.
Your application may be referred to other departments in Council to determine suitability and if it meets all requirements. Depending on the assessment, amendments to your proposal may be requested.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to adhere to all requirements and permit holders will be monitored for compliance by Authorised Council Officers who may take enforcement action should any breaches be detected.
Please note, Footpath Trading Permits are non-transferrable between business owners.
If you are taking over a business, you will need to apply for a new Permit.
If you have sold or are closing the business, you will need to notify us to cancel your permit.
Email council@mvcc.vic.gov.au to:
- add or remove items from your existing permit
- update your details
- cancel your permit.
Please ensure you include your existing footpath trading permit number so that your request can be linked.
Visit our Local Laws page for:
- Moonee Valley’s Activities and General Amenities Local Law 2018 -2028 – amended 2020(pdf, 683KB)(the Local Law)
- Application to Conduct Personal Training/Group Fitness Sessions on Moonee Valley Parklands and Open Spaces
- Mobile Food Vehicle Policy and Guidelines and Mobile Food Vehicle Application.
Visit the Business page on our website for further information and to get in touch with our friendly Small Business Engagement Officer.
Parklet Permits
Parklets are on-street parking spaces that have been converted into extensions of the footpath, either to provide additional space for outdoor dining, public seating or to otherwise provide additional space for public or commercial activities.
The following criteria must be fulfilled to apply for Council for a parklet:
- The business area car parking occupancy rate is measured by Council as under 85 per cent parking occupancy. Or, if equal to 85 per cent or greater a further case-by-case eligibility assessment will apply.
- The nominated location must be located in-front of or immediately adjacent to the business applying for the parklet (Council is aware that car spaces marked out on the road will not perfectly align with business boundaries, and a parklet may not sit fully within those boundaries).
- The nominated location must be within a standard Council carpark (an area clearly marked out on the road reserve for cars to park in).
- The nominated location must not be within a designated loading zone, bus zone, mail zone, accessible parking zone, taxi zone or clearway area.
- Parklets are to be located on streets where appropriate traffic calming measures are in place, on roads with a maximum speed limit of 50km/h (or lower), and on Council managed (local) roads.
- Parklets must provide a 10metre set-back from intersections.
- Parklets cannot be accommodated on sloping streets because of the complexity a slope adds to the build (OH&S, stormwater flow) – the gradient of the street must be no more than 5 degrees.
- Parklets may not obstruct access to underground services, drains, access lids, manholes, fire hydrants, rubbish bins, ticket machines, mailboxes, street parking signs and similar.
- Parklets must not occupy more than three on-street carparking spaces.
- Parklets support the general business area, and being Council infrastructure they are not to be branded with business logos or advertising signage.
Please follow the below steps to complete your application:
- Before you apply for a Parklet permit, please read:
This is what your application will be assessed against.
- Take a photograph of your store frontage / trading area, including any carparking bays.
- Apply for Parklet Permit via our online application form.
Your application will be referred to multiple departments in Council for assessment. Please allow at least 20 working days. You will be notified of the outcome via email.
If your application for a parklet is successful, you will be shortlisted for the next available parklet installation, which could take around 3 months.