Starting a new market
Brisbane City Council supports markets as they help us achieve our vision for a vibrant and creative city. To ensure amenity and safety, Council regulates markets under Council’s City Plan 2014, thePublic Land and Council Assets Local Law and theEvents Local Law 2022.
If you are planning to start a market, find out the approvals triggered by:
Market location
You can minimise the approvals required to start your market by choosing the location carefully.
If you locate your market in a preferred zone on private property, you will not need planning approval from Council, but may still require approval under the Events Local Law 2022 depending on the market frequency and attendance numbers.
If you propose to hold your market on Council land, such as parks, roads or footpaths you may need consent under the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014 from Council as the owner of the land. The requirement for consent depends on the market frequency and attendance numbers.
Make your initial request for markets on Council land by calling Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263).
Preferred zones
Preferred zones
You can access the key facts about a property to find out the zone of the land you are proposing to use for the market.
City Plan 2014 encourages markets to locate in the following zones:
- SR2 Sport and recreation (District)
- SR3 Sport and recreation (Metropolitan)
- OS2 Open space (District)
- OS3 Open space (Metropolitan)
- PC1 Principal Centre (City centre)
- PC2 Principal Centre (Regional centre)
- MC Major centre
- DC1 District centre (District)
- DC2 District centre (Corridor)
- MU1 Mixed use (Inner city)
- MU2 Mixed use (Centre frame)
- MU3 Mixed use (Corridor)
- CF2 Community facilities (Major sports venue)
- CF4 Community facilities (Community purposes)
- CF5 Community facilities (Education purposes).
If you locate your market in these preferred zones, you will not need to submit a development application for planning approval.
If your proposed market location is not in one of the preferred zones, contact Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) for specific planning advice.
Market frequency
Markets can be a one-off occasion or a regular event. The frequency of your market determines the type of approval that may be required under Council’s Events Local Law 2022 or Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014.
One-off market
One-off market
Council land
Council consent is required under the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014 for a one-off market on Council land with an expected attendance of 500 people or more over the duration of the event.
If the market is proposed to be a one-off event on Council land and 1000 or more people are expected to attend over the duration of the market, you may also require an event permit under the Events Local Law 2022. Find out more about when you need an event permit.
An event permit is not required for a one-off market held on Council land with less than 1000 people attending over the duration of the event.
Private property
Council consent is not required under the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014 for markets on private property.
An event permit is also not required for a one-off market on private property with less than 1000 people attending over the duration of the event.
If the market is proposed to be a one-off event on private land and 1000 or more people are expected to attend over the duration of the event, you may require an event permit under the Events Local Law 2022. Find out more about when you need an event permit.
For more information regarding event permits for a one-off market on private property phone Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Regular market
Regular market
Council land
Council consent is required under the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014 for regular markets on Council land with an expected attendance of 500 people or more over the duration of the event.
If the market is proposed to be a regular market on Council land, you may also require an assessable event permit. Find out more about when you need an event permit.
You can find out more information and make your initial request by calling Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Private property
Council consent is not required under the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014 for markets on private property.
If the market is proposed to be a regular market on private property, you may require an assessable event permit. Find out more about when you need an event permit.
You can find out more information and make your initial request by calling Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
When you need an event permit
- an outdoor musical performance, if the sound pressure level is expected to exceed 95dBC when measured 15 metres from any speaker
- commences before 7am on any day (excluding bump-in times)
- finishes after 10pm on any day (excluding bump-out times)
- involves the service or consumption of alcohol
- involves road closures or traffic management
- the expected attendance is more than 5000 people at any given time
- the expected attendance is more than 10,000 people over the duration of the event.
However, if your event has an expected attendance of 2000 or more people over the duration of the event, but does not involve any of the above, you may be eligible for a self-assessable event permit.
Find out more about how to apply for event permits.
Related market activities
Food stallholders
Food stallholders
Food stall operators may require a food business licence. Generally, owners of stalls that involve the preparation or handling of unpackaged food require a licence. Find out more about when a licence is required for temporary food stalls and mobile food vehicles.
You should ensure that all food vendors at your market have a current food business licence. You may be asked to provide Council a list of all food vendors and their food business licence details.
Signage for markets
Signage for markets
If you are intending to advertise your event using temporary or permanent advertising signs they must comply with the requirements of the Advertising Devices Local Law 2021.
More information
For further information about operating a market, phone Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.