Market permits ensure safety and amenity in public spaces and are suited for regularly scheduled markets that operate for the purpose of selling goods and services.
Applications for markets will only be considered for publicly-managed hard spaces where it is deemed appropriate. Scroll down for more information on the locations where applications to hold markets will be considered.
Market permits differ from event permits, as they are scheduled regularly at a particular location and the main activity is the provision of goods and services for the public to purchase.
If you are a vendor wishing to trade at an existing market operating within our municipality, you will need to contact the market organiser directly.
How to apply
To express your interest in applying for a market permit, you will need to:
- Complete the Expression of interest for a new market form.
- Submit the form at least 30 days prior to the proposed market commencement date. Forms submitted with incomplete information will require longer assessment timeframes.
Social enterprises are encouraged to apply. Social enterprises are organisations that combine trade with a social purpose, where that social purpose is a defining part of their business. We welcome the opportunity to support social enterprises, particularly enterprises that are seen to be vital, energetic and entrepreneurial.
All successful permit holders, including social enterprises need to meet the desired application selection criteria.
We currently have issued market permits for the following locations:
- Arts Centre – St Kilda Road
- NewQuay Promenade – Docklands
We don’t accept market applications in parks or green spaces and will only consider applications in public managed hard space, such as promenades or road space with appropriate traffic management.
Prior to submitting an application, we recommend you contact the Street Trading team to discuss suitable locations for your market, and availability of the space.
Please read the terms and conditions before applying:
General conditions
The sale of goods and services from public places within the municipality is regulated under the Melbourne City Council’s Activities Local Law 2019.
The sale of food, drink and merchandise
- The Melbourne City Council authorises the sale of food, drink and merchandise from the approved market area subject to the following conditions:
- Only vendors listed in the approved market plan are permitted to trade within the market site.
- The operation is only to occur during the following dates and times, as specified in this Permit.
- If selling food, market stalls must be registered in accordance with the Food Act 1984. The Permit holder must comply with the requirements of the Food Act 1984, Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and all other relevant Acts and laws.
- Health registration must be obtained from the Council’s Health Services Branch in respect of the sale of any food, before the commencement of this proposal.
- The permit holder agrees to provide readily available product information.
Vehicles
- The entry of vehicles into the market space is generally prohibited, unless set out in the approved market plan. Where vehicle access has been permitted for drop off and pick up of equipment, vehicles must remain on paths and be driven at a maximum speed of 10 km per hour with hazard lights on, under the direction of a spotter.
- Vehicles involved in the set-up and removal of equipment associated with the temporary market are to abide by all road rules.
- Access must be provided at all times for emergency and essential vehicles.
Alcohol
- The market organiser must ensure any liquor sold on the market site is done in accordance with a valid liquor licence from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), and any applicable red line areas.
Structures
- Tents, marquees and other similar structures are permitted in some locations, where set out in the approved market plan. Where approval is granted, all structures must be sited prior to the market taking place and must be adequately weighted.
- Tents, marquees and other structure must not be pegged or fixed to trees, lighting poles or other street furniture.
- Market organisers are responsible for providing security for any structure or equipment erected within the public place. City of Melbourne does not take responsibility for any structure or equipment placed in the public place.
- Structures must not be placed within a radius of 4.5 metres from trees/shrubs, near a tree canopy or within 2.5 metres of garden beds.
- Marquees and structures must not obstruct fire hydrants, booster connections, fire exits or street hydrants.
Barbecues and cooking appliances
- Only gas operated barbecues and spit roast appliances are allowed but must not be operated within 4.5 metres of foliage.
- Protective matting and drip trays must be placed under any cooking areas to prevent damage to hard surfaces and grass.
- Barbeques and spit roast appliances are not permitted on total fire ban days, unless a permit or exemption is obtained from Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).
- Barbecues located within parks cannot be booked for exclusive use.
- Barbeques and gas appliances must be operated in accordance with Energy Safe Victoria Guidelines and gas safety regulations.
- All marquees with any type of gas cooking or other cooking appliances must be equipped with a fire blanket and a dry chemical extinguisher.
- All cooking appliances must be at least 900 mm – 1200 mm off the ground, and at least 500 mm from any wall surface as per FRV guidelines.
General conditions may include but are not limited to the following:
- The market organiser is required to obtain a permit from the Council to conduct a market on or in a public place. Penalties apply for selling goods without a permit or not in accordance with a permit.
- Street trading infrastructure must not be positioned on the footpath in such a manner that obstructs pedestrian flow.
- The permit is not transferable, and is required to be provided on request to any Authorised Officer of the Council or any member of the Victoria Police. The permit holder must to comply with any direction of an Authorised Officer or any member of the Victoria Police.
- The Council may, without written notice, suspend or cancel a permit and/or relocate the site. No claim shall be made for payment or compensation from the Council for, or in respect of, such suspension, cancelation and/or relocation.
- The permit is subject to general and specific conditions decided by the Council delegate which must be adhered too at all times.
- No part of the operation, including the infrastructure, is to be within 5 metres of any intersection or any other planned activity, event or other street trading site.
- The permit holder must be the holder of a current public liability insurance in the joint names of the permit holder and the Council. This insurance shall cover the Council, the permit holder and its sub-contractors and provide a minimum cover of 20 million dollars ($20,000,000.00) against any claims whatsoever arising out of or incidental to the use and operation of the street trading stall on the street trading site. The permit holder must provide a copy of the public liability insurance to the Council.
- Any breach of the conditions of the permit may result in immediate suspension or cancellation of the permit.
- The permit holder agrees to pay the Council an agreed permit fee, payable in advance.
- The permit holder shall not place any tables and chairs in or around the street trading site without first obtaining the written approval from the Council. This approval must be available for inspection by an Authorised Officer upon request, during any time the tables and chairs are placed out.
- The market/street trading site and surrounding area must be kept in a clean and tidy state during all times of operation.
- The permit holder shall, when vacating the market street trading site, leave the site in a clean and tidy condition suitable for another permit holder to immediately occupy the site.
- Cigarettes are not permitted to be sold on site and the market site must be maintained as smoke free throughout the markets hours of operation, in accordance with Department of Health regulations for conducting a ‘food fair’.
- Permit holder must not dispose of any sullage, foul water or liquid, grease, decomposed substance or any poisonous, noxious or offensive matter into any channel, gutter, drain or sewer, or on any street road, footpath or other land in contravention of any laws.
- The permit holder shall be responsible for any breach of the permit by their employees and stall holders.
- The Council may suspend or cancel the permit if there is a material misstatement or concealment of fact in relation to the application for the permit or material change of circumstances which has occurred since the granting of the permit.
- If any cleaning or restoration work is required to be carried out by the Council as a result of the permit holder’s failure to leave the site in a condition fit for another immediate occupation by another permit holder, the Council may make good the site and seek expenses from the permit holder.
- The Council shall have the right of access to the street trading site at all times.
- Any other condition the Council delegate sees fit.
Terms and conditions are subject to change.
Fees for market permits vary depending on the location and size of the market proposed.
- $1156 per annum for markets consisting of less than 10 stalls
- $1735 per annum for markets consisting of more than 10 stalls, but less than 15 stalls
- $1735 per annum plus $87 per market stall for more than 15 stalls
- Social enterprises that meet our definition of a social enterprise under its Social Enterprise Strategy may apply to have fees waived.
We may waive fees if the applicant is a registered charity or not for profit organisation (Consumer Affairs Victoria Registration) or the applicant has an Endorsement as a deductible Gift Recipient from the Australian Taxation Office.
- Our Market vendor list template (DOC 208 KB) lists the details of all vendors intending to sell food & beverage or goods & services at the market in the below template.
- For information to help develop a plan to effectively manage and operate a successful market, please view the Melbourne Event Planning Guide.
- Read the Victoria Police safe event resourcesOpens in new tab for the management of crowded places.
- Find out more about what you can do to run a sustainable market by reading the Sustainable Event Guide.
- Learn how to promote your market.
- Read more about temporary structure siting approval applications.
Ask market-related question online
Use 'Market' as the subject.