Food business - what permits do I need?

Already know the address of your proposed business?

If you already know your proposed business address, you can submit an online Business Enquiry form

We’ll get back to you with the Council Permits that are required for that address and type of business.

Not sure where to base your business?

If you’re still exploring location options, the following information can help with the effect different locations have on the need for Council permits, and whether a Planning, Building, Community Health or Street Activities Permit is required.

Do I need a Planning Permit?

The assessment on whether you need a Planning permit is based on the business address, the type of business, the parking needs, and the prior use of the land and permit history. Here are aspects to consider while looking for business premises.

Home-based business?

If your business is home-based, see Running a business from home for any Planning Permit requirements.

Business location

The location of your business can affect whether you need a Planning Permit, or even if you are permitted to run your business there.

Know your location already? Or ready to sign a lease?

  • If you already have a location in mind for your business and would like to get some site-specific advice for your business, you can talk to our Statutory Planning Team on 1300 88 22 33 or (03) 9298 4598
  • You can submit a business permit enquiry form, or talk to Council’s Business Concierge, to get accurate information on the Council permits required for your business.

We also encourage you to seek independent legal advice before signing a lease for your business, as not all permit applications are approved.

Not sure of the location yet?

Considerations when narrowing down a location for your business are:

  • Is the location adjacent to a Road Zone Category 1? You can find this information on the VicPlan website.  A planning permit is required to create or alter access to a Road in a Road Zone Category 1.
  • Are there any restrictions such as S173 or covenant on the title of the land? You can check the title on the Landata website.
  • The premises’ current usage can also impact whether a permit is required. Ask the real-estate agent or the landlord for more information on the current use of the land.

Broadly, most businesses in Maroondah will be located in a Commercial, Industrial or Residential Zone. You can check the Planning Zones and overlays that apply to your business address using VicPlan. The following table can help determine if a Planning Permit is required.

Business type  Definition  Commercial 1 zone  Industrial 1 zone Residential zone
 Cafe  Food and drink premises  No permit required  Permit required Permit required
Takeaway only Food and drink premises primarily for immediate take away food with no more than 10 seats available for consumption on the premises No permit required No permit require  Permit may be required or the business may be prohibited in this area.

*Call Council
Restaurant Land used to prepare and sell food and drink, for consumption on the premises. No permit required

 

 Permit required Permit required
Food manufacturing Premises used primarily for the manufacturing of food but not selling *Call Council

 

 *Call Council

 

 *Call Council

 
Convenience restaurant Food and drink premises that sells food and drink for immediate consumption, where substantial provision is made for consumption both on and off the premises No permit required Permit required Permit may be required or the business may be prohibited in this area.

*Call Council
Food Shop Shop that sells food, including bread, pastries, cakes etc. No permit required Prohibited (other than convenience shop*) *Call Council to get site specific advice on the application of exemptions in the Residential Growth Zone

Please call Council’s Statutory Planning team on 1300 88 22 33 or (03) 9298 4598 for site-specific advice on whether a permit is required.

Car parking requirements

Car parking arrangements can also affect whether you need a Planning Permit for your business.

You’ll need the following information to assess parking requirements:

  • Number of parking spaces The real estate agent can give you information on the number of car park spaces available, as well as the net floor area and leasable floor area at the premises.
  • Principal Public Transport Network area- PPTN To see if the business premises is in a Principal Public Transport Network area, download:

Maroondah PPTN area maps

View PPTN area maps (PDF download from Planning Victoria site)

If you don’t meet the minimum car parking requirements shown in the following table, you are likely to need to apply for a Planning Permit.

Business type Non-PPTN area PPTN area

Café

4 spaces per 100 sq.m. of leasable floor area

3.5 spaces per 100 sq.m. of leasable floor area

Takeaway only

4 spaces per 100 sq.m. of leasable floor area

3.5 spaces per 100 sq.m. of leasable floor area

Restaurant

0.4 spaces per patron

3.5 spaces per 100 sq.m. of leasable floor area

Food manufacturing

*Call Council

*Call Council

Convenience restaurant

0.3 spaces per patron

3.5 spaces per 100 sq.m. of leasable floor area

Shop

4 spaces per 100 sq.m. of leasable floor area

3.5 spaces per 100 sq.m. of leasable floor area

Please call Council’s Statutory Planning team on 1300 88 22 33 or (03) 9298 4598 for site-specific advice on whether a permit is required.

Building works

The presence of planning overlays on your property will influence if a Planning Permit is required for any building works.

If there are no overlays at the premises and:

  • you are only planning to carry out internal fit-outs to the building, you do not need a Planning Permit.
  • you plan to increase the gross floor area, you may need a Planning Permit.
  • you plan to carry out works to the exterior of the building, you may need a Planning Permit.

If there is an overlay at the premises and:

  • you are planning to carry out internal or external works, you are likely to need a Planning Permit.

For site-specific advice on whether you need a Planning permit, talk to our Planning Team or submit an online business permit enquiry.

Liquor licensing

You may need to apply for a Planning Permit if you intend to sell alcohol at your business premises. You will also need to apply separately for a liquor licence from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.

A Planning Permit or permission is required for the following licence types:

  • general licence
  • on-premises licence
  • restaurant and cafe licence
  • packaged liquor licence
  • club licence (full and restricted)
  • producer's licence (previously beer and wine producers).

A Planning Permit is not required for the following licence types:

  • pre-retail licence
  • BYO permit
  • limited licence
  • major event licence.

If you have all other relevant permits in place, you can start trading as a food and drink premises while the Liquor Licence and Planning Permit (for liquor) applications are being processed, provided you do not serve alcohol at the premises during this time. 

Advertising signage

You may also need a Planning Permit if you want to install advertising signage for your business, depending on the zoning of the premises and the extent of signage proposed. To see if you need a Planning Permit, please contact our Statutory Planning Team on 1300 88 22 33 or (03) 9298 4598.

Ready to apply for a Planning Permit?

Apply for a Planning permit

Do I need a Building Permit?

Commercial buildings

If you answer yes to any of these questions a Building Permit will be required for these works.

Activity

Permit required?

Are you changing the use or class of an existing building? eg factory to gym or office to shop/café, office to a hair dressing salon etc

Yes

Are you replacing or altering the front façade of your building?

Yes

Is your signage less than 3.0m from the street alignment and exceeds 1.0m in height above ground level?

Yes

Is your signage more than 3.0m from the street alignment and exceeds a height of 8.0m above ground level and exceeds 6m2 in display area?

Yes

Is there a new floor layout of a new or existing building? (Including install of a new mezzanine floor)

Yes

Are you removing walls or installing walls in an existing building?

Yes

Are you planning alterations to any of the following essential safety measures: change the path of travel to the required exit door, change the locks to a required exit door, the location of existing fire extinguishers.

Yes

Is the building over 200m2 and you’re planning alterations to emergency lighting and exit signage or relocation of hose reels, sprinkler heads or smoke detectors?

Yes

Ready to apply for a Building Permit?

Do I need a Community Health permit?

Do you intend to handle* or prepare food or drink for sale at your business premises?

You are likely to need a Food Premises registration for your business.

*Note: handling, in relation to food, includes the making, manufacturing, producing, collecting, extracting, processing, storing, transporting, delivering, preparing, treating, preserving, packing, cooking, thawing, serving or displaying of food.

Apply for food premises registration

Mobile or temporary premises?

Mobile and temporary food or drink premises must use FoodTrader to register with Council. Find out more on temporary and mobile food premises registration:

Apply for FoodTrader registration

Both mobile and fixed premises? You’ll need to apply for both.

Do I need a Street Activities Permit?

Trading or advertising on the footpath

Activity Permit required?

Do you plan on adding to street beautification (pots and planter boxes)?

Yes

Do you plan on displaying goods?

Yes

Do you plan on advertising (A-Frames)?

Yes

Do you plan on having outdoor dining in the footpath area?

Yes

Please ensure you read and understand the Street Activities Policy and Guidelines before applying.

Apply for a Street Activities Permit

Need help? Talk to our BizHub Concierge

Our BizHub Concierge can guide your business through the application process, and then help you at each step of the way.

Contact BizHub on 9298 4678 (9am to 5pm) or email bizhub@maroondah.vic.gov.au.

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