Outdoor Dining Assistance for Hospitality Sector

Latrobe City Council aim to ensure footpath trading is undertaken in a safe and well-regulated manner. Businesses must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, which ensures equal access for all, regardless of age or ability. This means that everyone, including people with vision impairment or limited mobility and parents with prams, must be able to travel safely along footpaths without being impeded by merchandise stands, furniture or advertising signs.

Businesses can apply to use your neighbour's footpath trading area to serve your customers. To enquire about this option, businesses will need to provide a letter from the owner/operator of the neighbouring property. This should express “no concerns” in relation to your business utilising their footpath trading area.  Additionally, prepare a footpath trading plan, detailing all items to be placed in your neighbour’s footpath trading area, including the dimensions of your items (tables, chairs, A-frame sign, etc.) and any Latrobe City Council infrastructure (bins, benches, poles, parking signs, etc.) and the times that the items will be placed in your neighbour’s footpath trading area. 

Businesses who are considering using adjacent laneways as an outdoor dining area, will need to submit confirmation from any neighbouring properties who utilise the laneway, that they have ‘no concerns’ for this area to be used and that it will not restrict access.   

Additionally, prepare a laneway trading plan, detailing all items to be placed in the lane way including the dimensions of your items (tables, chairs, A-frame sign, etc.) and any Latrobe City Council infrastructure (bins, benches, poles, parking signs, etc.) and the times that the items will be placed in the laneway.

We aim to ensure footpath trading is undertaken in a safe and well-regulated manner. Latrobe City Council and local traders must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, which ensures equal access for all, regardless of age or ability. This means that everyone, including people with vision impairment or limited mobility and parents with prams, must be able to travel safely along footpaths without being impeded by merchandise stands, furniture or advertising signs.Learn more about footpath trading permits or apply. 

To complete this process, you need an understanding of what permits and registrations your business will need. Find out what permits and registrations you need by completing the Pre-Application Questionnaire and the Business Approvals Officer will provide you with the registrations and permits you require.

To complete this process, you need an understanding of what permits and registrations your business will need.

Find out what permits and registrations you need by completing the Pre-Application Questionnaire and the Business Approvals Officer will provide you with the registrations and permits you require.