Commercial Activities on Footpaths
The Commercial Activities on Footpath Policy is currently under review, with community consultation planned for early 2025.
It is important to note that all current permit holders under the Commercial Activities on Footpath Policy may be required to supply additional information and/or documents once the new policy is adopted to ensure compliance from all businesses operating on the footpath within the Mornington Peninsula Shire. For further information please email footpathtrading@mornpen.vic.gov.au
The primary goal of the Commercial Activities on Footpath Policy(PDF, 1MB) is to provide a practical balance between the competing needs and interests of pedestrians and businesses whilst ensuring that there is continuous, safe and dignified access to all.
When we refer to Commercial Activities on Footpaths, we are referring to businesses wanting to utilise public space for commercial purposes in our townships including:
- displaying goods
- bulky goods
- a-frame signs
- tables and chairs (with and without alcohol)
- screens
- planter boxes.
It’s important to keep in mind that footpaths are community space, while we do want to support business operations, we also need to protect the safety of pedestrians, visual amenity and traffic flow. To ensure that you can take advantage of the space in an optimal way, consider the guidelines and apply for a permit to gain permission.
Guidelines for Commercial Activities on Footpaths application (with and without alcohol)
We're here to support you obtain the permits you need to conduct your business. To help you understand the conditions of a Commercial Activity on Footpaths Permit, the following core provisions must be complied with to be considered:
- commercial activities can only be approved directly in front of the business' premise
- the minimum footpath width required to undertake a commercial activity is 2.5 metres wide (allowing 0.7m width for the kerbside zone and 1.8m for the pedestrian zone)
- the minimum width of the pedestrian zone shall be 1.8m and the minimum width of the kerbside zone shall be 0.7m
- commercial activities shall be placed on the road side of the Commercial Activities Zone. Any unutilised space within the Commercial Activities Zone must be left clear for pedestrian access
- all furniture, furnishings and equipment must be placed along the road side of the footpath at all times that they are on the footpath – even in inclement weather
- where an officer of the Shire or the relevant road authority deems that there is a safety risk due to the undertaking of a commercial activity on a street corner no commercial activities will be permitted
- no commercial activity may be placed directly adjacent to a designated access car parking space, bus stop, formalised pedestrian crossing, loading zone or fire hydrant
- advertising area on screens shall be restricted to the business name or logo, or the key product (eg. The brand of coffee or mineral water that is available at that business that is subsidising the cost of the screens). This must not exceed 20% of the total area of each screen
- temporary screens may not be greater than 1.2m in height and fixed screens may not be greater than 1.5m in height
- planter boxes may not display advertising material
- permits for commercial activities must be displayed prominently at the front of the business
- if you are applying for a liquor license or a permanent structure on the footpath, you need to include a copy of your license or lease, along with the associated planning permit.
If you are unsure on what you can do with your business in terms of commercial activities on footpaths, contact Community Safety on 5950 1434 or email customerservice@mornpen.vic.gov.au.
Understanding the footpath zones
To assist, the policy divides the footpath into three zones:
1. Pedestrian Zone
The area of public land that is immediately adjacent to the property boundary (a minimum of 1.8 metres) and that is for the exclusive use of pedestrians. Where the property boundary is inset (ie. due to a road widening reservation) and this results in irregular front property boundaries – the pedestrian zone will be taken as being a consistent line with other surrounding properties so as to provide a continuous accessible path of travel.
2. Commercial Activity Zone
The area of public land that is located between the Pedestrian Zone and the Kerbside Zone that may be used for Commercial Activities.
3. Kerbside Zone
The area of public land that is located between the Commercial Activity Zone and the front of the kerb. This section of the pavement provides a buffer between pedestrians and vehicles, while also giving vehicles on the road sufficient room to manoeuvre, park, and open their doors. The Kerbside Zone provides a 0.7 buffer and must not be used for commercial activities.
Within these zones, there are minimum requirements to ensure optimal pedestrian flow and safety. For more information and to gain greater understanding of the Commercial Activities on Footpath specifications, download the documents below.
When to apply for a Commercial Activity on Footpath permit
Any business, individual or organisation that wants to use public footpaths for commercial activities in Mornington Peninsula must apply for a permit.
How to apply or renew for a permit - Commerical Activity on Footpath (without liquor)
To apply for a permit, you need to provide the following:
Once you have electronic copies of the above documents and a credit card ready, you can click 'apply online' below to submit your application.
Apply online
Renew online
For a hard copy of the application form, please download: Commercial Activities on Footpaths Application form.
Once the form has been completed, please contact our Customer Support Team on 1300 850 600 to make payment. Please note your receipt number on your application form and ensure you have included a copy of the above documents when returning to us. You can submit your application via any Shire Office, by emailing a copy of your application form and documents to customerservice@mornpen.vic.gov.au or via post at Mornington Peninsula Shire, Private Bag 1000, Rosebud 3939. If submitting a hard copy, please allow additional time for processing.
How to apply or renew a licence - Commerical Activity on Footpath (with liquor)
The Commercial Activities on Footpath Policy is currently under review. During this period, footpaths that include liquor services will be issued permits valid for 12 months, until the new policy is adopted.
If you would like to apply for a Commercial Activities on Footpath Licence with liquor you will need pay a non-refundable application fee of $158.00 and provide a copy of the following documents;
- Minimum 0.7m Kerbside Zone: This is the area between the Commercial Activity Zone and the front of the kerb
- Minimum 1.8m wide Pedestrian Zone: This allows for exclusive use of pedestrians
- Minimum 0.5m clearance on each end of the Commercial Activity Zone: This allows for distance between separate Commercial Activity Zones
- Perimeter measurements of the Commercial Activity Zone/s. Provide the total m2 area that will be utilised.
- Trading layout plan, this will show where you intend on putting all chairs and tables including any permanent or temporary infrastructure (example planter boxes) within the area of your endorsed red line plan. Please ensure this plan adheres to the Commercial Activities on Footpaths Policy(PDF, 2MB) including but not limited to;
- No commercial activity may be placed directly adjacent to a designated access carparking space, bus stop, formalised pedestrian crossing, loading zone or fire hydrant.
- Tables and chairs directly adjacent to the Kerbside Zone are to be configured so that no patron of an outdoor dining facility has their back towards the road unless they are protected by a fixed screen
Please familiarise yourself with our Commercial Activities on Footpath Policy(PDF, 2MB). This policy provides clear guidelines of activities on the footpaths to ensure safe and equitable pedestrian access for all.
Your annual permit fee will be calculated and provided to you once we have received all these documents and once accepted permit will be issued.
A bond of $500.00 or 3 months permit fee (whichever shall be the greater) is required in advance and will be invoiced along with the first period of permit term once the permit has been approved.
To proceed with an online application please select “Apply online” below. You will be able to upload the required documents and pay the application fee of $158.00.
Make sure you have electronic copies of the above documents and a credit card ready.
Apply online
If you prefer to apply by completing a paper copy please complete Application Form – Commercial Activities on Footpath with Liquor.(PDF, 306KB)
Payment of the Application fee $158.00 can be made by calling 1300 850 600 and make a payment over the phone with a cashier. Please Quote “Short Code 064” when making your payment and request a copy of the receipt.
Please email the payment receipt and copies of the above documentation to footpathtrading@mornpen.vic.gov.au
For Renewals only please select "Renew online" below (application fee not applicable).
Renew online
If you wish to apply for a permit for commercial activities without liquor please select the option above “How to apply for a Permit - Commercial Activity on Footpath (without liquor)”
Please email footpathtrading@mornpen.vic.gov.au if you have questions or call 5950 1434 if you would like to discuss further.