Live music venues in the Valley
Apply for an amplified music venue permit to operate a music venue in the Valley precinct.
About the Special Entertainment Area
The Valley is well-known for its live music venues, such as The Fortitude Valley Music Hall. These venues make the area one of our city’s most popular nighttime and cultural hubs. They also play an important role in developing local music talent.
To recognise this, part of the Valley has been designated a Special Entertainment Area. Special noise and planning laws apply to venues in the area. They balance the needs of residents and local entertainment businesses.
To find the boundaries of the Special Entertainment Area, see the Fortitude Valley Neighbourhood Plan.
Regulating noise levels
Live music venues in Brisbane are regulated under the Amplified Music Venues Local Law 2006. The law restricts noise levels in the city’s entertainment precincts.
Live music venues in the Valley must have an amplified music venues permit.
You need a permit to:
- open a new live music venue
- take over the operation or management of an existing venue.
Council may impose conditions of the amplified music venue permit. To find out about the conditions, including maximum noise levels, refer to the Amplified Music Venues Local Law 2006.
Apply for a permit
To complete your application, you need to supply plans drawn to scale 1:100 or 1:200, with elevations and details not more than 1:50. They must be a maximum A3 and clearly legible.
They include:
- a site plan that shows the location of site in relation to surrounding land
- floor plans that show areas and locations of all activities, including:
- room dimensions
- location of any sound amplification equipment, e.g. speakers, mixing desk
- the direction the speakers emit sound
- indicating if windows and doors will be open or closed during times amplified music will be played.
You must also include:
- written consent of land use from the landowner
- a copy of the liquor licence and conditions, if applicable.
When requesting a permit amendment you must include a copy of the current amplified music venue permit and conditions.
The following fees apply for amplified music venue permit applications.
| Application type | Fee per application |
|---|---|
| New application or amendment (significant) | $925.50 |
| Variation of conditions of permit by applicant (significant) | $719.60 |
| Licence renewal | $488.55 |
| Replacement of permit certificate | $62.10 |
Online
To submit your application, complete the online form and upload your supporting documents.
You can pay the application fee using a Visa or Mastercard.
By mail
Download and complete a hard copy form.
Mail to:
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001
In person
You can lodge your application at a Customer Centre.
Renewals
Live music venue permits are renewed annually on the anniversary date of the registration.
A renewal notice will be posted to you approximately 30 days before the expiry date. Any changes to your details must be forwarded to Council in writing.
Surrendering a permit
To surrender an amplified music venue permit, complete the licence or permit surrender application form.
Other permits and approvals
You may need other permits and approvals when opening your business.
Check if you need to lodge a development application for changes to the use of premises or for building works on your property.
Most construction requires a building permit before commencing. Once certification is received, you must supply a copy to Council.
You need a plumbing permit to carry out work such as installing sinks and hand basins or changing exiting plumbing.
If your building works are scheduled outside of prescribed work hours, you need to apply for out of hours construction approval.
You need a food licence if you prepare or manufacture food, or sell or serve unpackaged food on your premises.
