Outdoor dining & footpath trading

Businesses are vital to our City's vibrancy and cosmopolitan lifestyle and an eclectic mix of professional services, retail, cafés and dining experiences make the City of Unley a great place to live, visit and do business.

Many business operators wish to utilise the footpath space in front of their premises to display merchandise and for outdoor dining, which adds to the attractiveness and ambience of the City. At the same time, Council must ensure that any such use maximises safety and the accessibility needs of pedestrians.

Council supports the use of public footpaths and spaces for footpath trading (including outdoor dining and display of goods), within a policy framework. The objective of the policy is to find a balance between the various stakeholders' interests in public areas that are used for footpath trading.

Smoke-free Outdoor dining

All public outdoor dining areas in South Australia became smoke-free under the Tobacco Products Regulation Act 1997. Smoke-free outdoor dining is designed to protect the community from the harms of second hand tobacco smoke and increase the comfort and enjoyment of non-smokers dining in outdoor areas.

If you are a business owner and answer Yes to both of the following questions, the law will apply to your business:

1. Do you have an outdoor area in which tables, or tables and chairs, are permanently or temporarily provided for customer dining?   Yes/No

AND

2. At any time, do you offer food for purchase, or otherwise provide food (other than pre-packaged snack food such as potato crisps, nuts, chocolate bars and pre-packaged biscuits) for consumption in the outdoor area?    Yes/No

Preparing for smoke-free outdoor dining

If your venue or event has an outdoor dining area for the public, SA Health can provide assistance:

 

Applications will be considered on their individual merits and the Footpath Trading Guidelines will be used to assess each application to ensure consistency and equitable allocation of the available footpath along with ensuring pedestrian safety.

Follow the steps below to:

  • Apply for a new permit 
  • Renew your existing permit

Online

Step 1.Before you begin

Read our Footpath trading operating guidelines(PDF, 5MB) for further information, including how we assess the application, which will include a risk assessment of the location.

Step 2.What you will need

To RENEW your current permit

  • A copy of your current public liability insurance to the value of $20 million ($20,000,000) with the City of Unley and any adjacent premises listed as an interested party.

To apply for a NEW permit

  • Images or descriptions of all items being placed in the space.
  • A detailed plan showing the space you wish to use, all items you will be using and  you need to include all measurements.
  • A copy of your current public liability insurance to the value of $20 million ($20,000,000) with the City of Unley and any adjacent premises listed as an interested party.

Step 3.Costs

Please refer to Fees and Charges(PDF, 2MB) schedule. 

Outdoor dining fees are listed under Street Traders -Outdoor dining permit.

Display of goods fees are $64.40 per year.

Step 4.Complete the application online

Apply now

Step 5.What happens next?

We will assess your application and make contact with you within 10 working days. Should your application be approved, you will be issued an invoice for payment.

You cannot trade unless you have received written approval from Council and a permit has been issued.

In person

Step 1.Before you begin

Read our Footpath trading operating guidelines(PDF, 5MB) for further information, including how we assess the application, which will include a risk assessment of the location.

Step 2.What you will need

To RENEW your current permit

  • A copy of your current public liability insurance to the value of $20 million ($20,000,000) with the City of Unley and any adjacent premises listed as an interested party.

 

To apply for a NEW permit

  • Images or descriptions of all items being placed in the space.
  • A detailed plan showing the space you wish to use, all items you will be using and  you need to include all measurements.
  • A copy of your current public liability insurance to the value of $20 million ($20,000,000) with the City of Unley and any adjacent premises listed as an interested party.

Step 3.Costs

Please refer to Fees and Charges(PDF, 2MB) schedule. 

Outdoor dining fees are listed under Street Traders -Outdoor dining permit.

Display of goods fees are $64.40 per year.

Step 4.Print and complete the application

Download and print the application form.

Complete all required fields, and remember to include a copy of your public liability insurance, and any other relevant documents.

Apply-for-a-Footpath-Trading-permit.pdf(PDF, 94KB)

Step 5.Visit us

We are open Monday to Friday,  8.30am to 5:00pm and closed on Public Holidays.

Our Location

Find us at 181 Unley Road, Unley.

  

Step 6.What happens next?

We will assess your application and make contact with you within 10 working days. Should your application be approved, you will be issued an invoice for payment.

You cannot trade unless you have received written approval from Council and a permit has been issued.

 

Need help?

If you need help or have any questions with your Footpath Trading Permit application, contact us during business hours, on (08) 8372 5111 and ask to speak with the Permit Officer.

Supporting information

Footpath trading policy(PDF, 355KB)

Footpath trading guidelines(PDF, 5MB)

 

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