Café proprietors need to apply for a permit to operate an outdoor café.
The City of Melbourne assesses all applications for permits and monitors the operation of outdoor cafés. An audit and compliance program ensures all operators are aware of their permit requirements and responsibilities in maintaining safety, access and amenity of the public space.
The City of Melbourne, in conjunction with the Melbourne Hospitality Advisory Board, has compiled the Hospitality toolkit to help you prepare as much as possible.The toolkit contains tips and suggestions, practical guides and informative links so that you can be part of the strong hospitality sector within the municipality that creates benefits for the whole city.
How to apply for an outdoor café permit
1. Download and complete the Application:
2. Return your completed form and $50 non-refundable application fee using one of the following options:
In person to:
Council House 1
Level 4, 200 Little Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
By mail to:
Street Trading
City of Melbourne
PO Box 1603
Melbourne VIC 3001
By fax to:
Fax: 9658 9931
Please note: cash payments can only be made at the Melbourne Town Hall, 90–130 Swanston Street Melbourne 3000. Cheques for $50 (non-refundable) should be made payable to City of Melbourne.
Outdoor café fees
The permit is issued for a 24-month period. Existing permit holders can re-apply every two years.
| Permit fees |
Annual rate |
Equivalent 24 month rate |
| Swanston Street |
$69.18 per square metre |
$138.36 per square metre |
| Lygon Street |
$50.46 per square metre |
$100.92 per square metre |
| CBD 1 |
$33.55 per square metre |
$67.10 per square metre |
| CBD 2 |
$33.55 per square metre |
$67.10 per square metre |
| AREA 3 |
$15.64 per square metre |
$31.28 per square metre |
- Swanston Street precinct – Swanston Street from Flinders Street to Grattan Street
- Lygon Street precinct – Lygon Street from Victoria Parade to Elgin Street, including area Cardigan Street to Drummond Street, from Queensberry Street to Elgin Street
- CBD 1 precinct – east of Swanston Street to Spring Street, Flinders Street to Victoria Parade
- CBD 2 precinct – west of Swanston Street to Spencer Street, Flinders Street to La Trobe Street, including William Street to Peel Street to Victoria Parade
- AREA 3 precinct – all other areas including Docklands
Outdoor Café Guide and permit conditions
The Outdoor Café Guide came into effect on 1 February 2008. This document supersedes the Kerbside Café Code 2003.
The guide provides improved management principles, strong decision making criteria and best practice standards for outdoor cafés now and in the foreseeable future. It provides details on the application requirements, assessment processes and criteria that must be satisfied before a permit is issued.
All outdoor café permit holders must comply with all conditions on the application form, the outdoor café permit and the Outdoor Café Guide.
View the Outdoor café permit conditions.
Mini guides
Also available are eight mini guides that cover areas of particular interest:
- Central City Main Streets (PDF, 1.1MBb)
- Central City Main Streets (text only, 16kb)
- Central City Intermediate Streets (PDF, 1MB)
- Central City Intermediate Streets (text only, 23kb)
- Central City Minor Streets and Laneways (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Central City Minor Streets and Laneways (text only, 16kb)
- Outside Central City (with naturestrips) (PDF, 1MB)
- Outside Central City (with naturestrips) (text only, 16kb)
- Outside Central City (without naturestrips) (PDF, 648kb)
- Outside Central City without naturestrips (text only, 15kb)
- Outside the Central City: Lygon Street and Faraday Street (PDF, 656kb)
- Outside the Central City: Lygon Street and Faraday Street (text only, 16kb)
- Residential areas (PDF, 437kb)
- Residential areas (text only, 32kb)
- Melbourne Docklands (PDF, 901kb)
- Melbourne Docklands (text only, 20kb)
Suppliers
As part of the application process you must provide complete details, including photographs or architectural drawings and measurements, of each item proposed for use within the outdoor café.
The list of suppliers provided here may help you complete the application for an outdoor café. However, we suggest that you do not purchase any item until a valid Outdoor Café Permit is issued.
The list is not a recommendation or endorsement of the suppliers. The City of Melbourne is not responsible for the goods or services that are offered by the suppliers or for any loss, damage or injury incurred or sustained by you or any person as a result of use or reliance on the information.
List of suppliers
For more information contact the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658.