Permits for footpath dining and outdoor dining in malls
As part of our vision for a well-designed, subtropical city, Council supports outdoor dining to take advantage of Brisbane’s unique climate and relaxed lifestyle. Council requires permits for specific locations, to ensure pedestrian access and safety.
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Call the Business Hotline on
133 BNE (133 263)
Footpath dining
The Footpath Dining Local Law 2011 enables food business operators at fixed premises to create an outdoor footpath dining area under specific conditions that ensures the safety of diners and pedestrians.
If you have an existing food business licence and want to offer dining on a public footpath outside your premises, check if you may require a footpath dining permit to use the area for customers to eat and drink.
| Permit required if | Permit not required if |
|---|---|
|
|
Application/occupation fees for footpath dining
| Application/occupation | Fees |
|---|---|
| Obtain a new permit | $1,009.00 |
| Renew an existing permit | $111.40 |
| Vary existing permit - significant change | $588.80 |
| Vary existing permit - minor change | $334.00 |
| Transfer an existing permit | $366.35 |
| Occupation fee | (see below) |
Successful applications will be issued an invoice for the footpath occupation fee based on the zone location and m2 of space to be occupied. This applies to each square metre of space occupied under the permit each year.
Footpath occupation fees:
| Zone | Location | Fee per m2 |
|---|---|---|
| Zone A | Brisbane City (not including Queen Street Mall) | $546.95/m2 |
| Zone B | Fortitude Valley (not including the Valley Malls) and Spring Hill Racecourse Road Hamilton Given Terrace Paddington Oxford Street Bulimba Jephson Street, High Street and Sherwood Road Toowong Park Road Milton Logan Road Stones Corner Kedron Brook Road Wilston Boundary Street West End | $261.50/m2 |
| Zone C | Other areas | $157.15/m2 |
Outdoor dining in malls
If you have an existing food business licence at fixed premises and want to put tables and chairs for dining in an outdoor mall space directly outside your premises, check if you may require an outdoor mall dining permit to use the area for customers to eat and drink.
Permit required if:
- Queen Street
- Brunswick Street (from Wickham Street to Ann Street)
- Duncan Street (from Wickham Street to Ann Street)
- Beirne Lane, Brunswick Street Mall.
Maps of mall precincts
Application/consent fees for outdoor dining
| Application / annual consents | Fees |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $158.00 |
| Queen Street Mall: Annual consent for outdoor dining | $876.00 |
| Brunswick Street and Chinatown Malls: Annual consent for outdoor dining | $266.00 |
Additional approvals to consider
Additional approvals to consider
In addition to your food business licence, you may need the following depending on your planned activities:
- development approval for a restaurant or cafe
- advertising signs
- building approval from Council or a private building certifier if you intend to build additional structures such as shade awnings
- liquor licensing from Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.