Approvals, Licenses & Permits

The City of Perth is a fantastic place to open a business, with close proximity to offices, transport and being located in the centre of Western Australia's Capital City. Before opening a business, it is important to understand the approvals, licenses and permits required to operate within the City of Perth.

Food Businesses

The City registers and inspects food businesses operating in the city. There are minimum standards by which these premises must operate in relation to food safety and maintenance.

If you wish to establish or purchase a food business in the City of Perth, it is recommended that you contact the City for advice prior to entering into contractual arrangements or undertaking any significant works. The construction, operation and maintenance of food businesses are subject to the requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

  • Food Trucks in the City of Perth

    The City of Perth Mobile Food Trading Policy allows for unique and high quality food vehicles to trade at selected parks and reserves around the city, providing relaxed outdoor dining options to local residents and visitors, and adding to the overall vibrancy of our city.

    Applications are now closed, and will reopen on 1 January 2019.

    Find a Food Truck

    Mobile food operators participating in the program will be able to trade seven days a week between 7.00am and 3.00am at any of the locations listed below: 

    • John Oldham Park, Narrows Interchange  
    • JH Abrahams, Nedlands 
    • Langley Park , Perth (two locations) 
  • Temporary Food Vendors

    Businesses planning to operate a food stall or food truck at an event in the city must:

    • Hold a current Food Act registration certificate with the local government in which the business is located.
    • Lodge a special events application form to the City along with the relevant applicable fee, and
    • comply with the City’s stall holder guidelines.

    Annual and one-off vendor licenses are available. Annual Food Vendor Permits fees are $241.40 for the 2018/19 financial year. A one-off Food Vendor Permit is $144.45 for one event only.

    The City will conduct an inspection of your stall/vehicle prior to the event or on the day of the event.

    For alternative payment and application options, please contact the City of Perth on (08) 9461 3218.

  • Food Business Notification

    Please complete the Food Business Notification Form if your business:

    • Serves complimentary drinks in conjunction with another business conducted on the premises (eg. hairdresser providing tea and coffee).
    • Only sells shelf stable products that are entirely contained in a closed package (eg. liquor store with no tastings).

    A $45.00 fee will apply.

  • Food Business Registration

    Please complete the Online Food Business Registration Form if you have purchased an existing business and will make no change to the premises or operations of the business.

    A $95 fee will apply. An annual service fee will also apply.

  • Food Business Approval

    Please complete the Online Food Business Approval if you are making changes to a kitchen such as changing equipment, cupboards or flooring (does not include changes to walls or ventilation/ roof. You will be required to upload a floor plan showing where food is stored or handled and a materials schedule.

    A $95 registration fee and $150 Approval fee will apply. An annual service fee will also apply for new registrations.

    Note: If you are fitting out a new food business, are making changes to a kitchen which include changes to walls or ventilation (roof), or making any changes to the outside of the building, please phone the City for advice. You will require a building permit and may require planning approval prior to applying for your Food Business Approval. Once you have submitted your building permit you will be required to complete the Online Food Business Approval.

  • Alfresco Dining

    Food businesses wishing to operate an alfresco area on public land (e.g. footpath) are required to obtain an alfresco dining licence from the City. Alfresco areas are subject to compliance with the City’s alfresco dining policy and local law. Annual fees applicable to alfresco areas are based on the size of the alfresco area and the precinct in which the business is located. Please refer to our fees and charges page for a description of alfresco fees by area.

  • Liquor Licensing

    To be able to sell liquor, a liquor licence is required from the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor. An application for liquor licence is to be accompanied by a certificate of local health authority (‘section 39’ certificate) and certificate of local planning authority (‘section 40’ certificate) from the City of Perth. Application fees apply. For more information please contact the City.

Food Safety Training

All food handlers (i.e. persons working with food) are required to be competent in terms of food safety skills and knowledge. ‘I’m Alert’ is a free online interactive food safety training course that covers basic food safety skills and knowledge. It is recommended that all existing and new food business employees complete this online training course prior to undertaking food handling activities. In addition to ‘I’m Alert’, the City can customise group food safety training packages for food businesses operating within the City. Food safety training delivered by the City of Perth covers topics such as:

  • Temperature control of potentially hazardous foods.
  • Basic microbiology.
  • Hygienic food preparation.
  • Maintenance of premises and equipment.
  • Food receipt and transport.
  • Food safe® food safety program.  

If you are interested in food safety training, please contact the City.

Other Businesses

Lodging Houses

The City licenses and inspects backpacker lodging; hostels, transitional/crisis accommodation and other short stay accommodation operating in the City. There are minimum standards by which these premises must operate in relation to hygiene, fire and electrical safety, and the number of people that can be accommodated in the premises.

If you wish to establish or purchase a lodging house in the City of Perth, it is recommended that you contact the City for advice prior to entering into contractual arrangements or undertaking any significant works. The construction, operation and maintenance of lodging houses are subject to the requirements of the City of Perth Health Local Law.

Obstruction Permits and requirements

There are a variety of reasons why roads, footpaths or verges may need to be closed or obstructed. Any Proposed works which affects the road, verge or the footpath within the City of Perth must have an Obstruction permit. Failure to do so will result in infringements being issued to responsible parties and a notice to remove the obstruction.

Obstruction Permits are required and issued under the authority of the City of Perth Thoroughfares and Public Places Local Law 2017 and the City of Perth Local Government Property Local Law 2005. Obstruction permits can take a minimum of 3 working days to process.

  • Road, Verge or Footpath
    Any Proposed works which affects the road, verge or the footpath within the City of Perth must have an Obstruction permit. Failure to do so will result in infringements being issued to responsible parties and a notice to remove the obstruction.
  • On Street Parking

    Any works obstructing limiting the public use of on street parking bays will be charged as a part of the permit application.

    Any use of parking bays that are not for vehicles will need an obstruction permit. If the obstruction permit is for State body works please reference this in the application.

    Any access into malls will require all vehicle registrations of any vehicles intending to enter the malls.

    Please note that the processing time for parking bays will not commence until all other approvals are complete for all other stakeholders.

  • Transport

    If any part of the proposed works will impact on vehicular movement, the City of Perth Transport Unit may require a Traffic Management Plan (TMP). A TMP is required for any activity on the road reserve and obstructs the passage of vehicle or the movement of any other road user. Traffic Management Plans are prepared and implemented by accredited personnel and designed in accordance to Main Roads WA Code of Practice and the relevant standards, please refer to Main Roads WA website for further information.  

    Any works that will be in close proximity to traffic signal or are classed as complex as defined in AS 1742.3 may need a Road Traffic Manager (RTM) Approval.

    Processing times vary:

    • Basic Traffic Management plan as defined in Main Roads WA Codes of Practice and AS 1742.3 – a minimum of 3 full working days.
    • Complex Traffic Management plan as defined in Main Roads WA Codes of Practice and AS 1742.3 – a minimum of 3 full working days.
    • Complex Traffic Management plan as defined in Main Roads WA Codes of Practice and AS 1742.3; within 200m of traffic signals – a minimum of 18 full working days.
  • Noise Control
    Any works to be conducted outside normal working hours will require a noise management plan as required by the Environmental Protection (noise) Regulation 1997. For further information visit the Noise Control page.
  • Parks
    Any works that will affect any garden beds trees, shrubs and/or flora within the City of Perth are required to submit a marked-up map/plan of work area that provides a damage mitigation strategy for any damage that may be incurred. Processing will take a minimum of 2 working days.

Registration and Approval forms

Please click on the relevant section for more information and forms for changes to business. 

  • Change of Owner

    Please complete the Change of Owner form if you have purchased an existing business and will make no change to the premises or operations of the business. 

    A $71.00 transfer fee will apply. 

  • Changes to Building

    If you are making changes to a business such as refurbishing the kitchen please complete the Online Health Approval (does not include changes to walls or ventilation/ roof). You will be required to upload a floor plan showing the proposed changes.

    A $71.00 transfer fee and $150.00 approval fee will apply.

  • Changes to Capacity

    Please complete the Online Health Approval if you would like to have the capacity of your venue reassessed.

    A $150 Approval fee will apply.

    Note: If you are fitting out a new food business, are making changes to the premises which include changes to walls or ventilation (roof), or making any changes to the outside of the building, please phone the City for advice. You will require a building permit and may require planning approval prior to applying for your Health Approval.

    Once you have submitted your building permit you will be required to complete the Online HealthApproval.

  • Payments

    You may make a payment for an application to the Activity Approvals Unit or Development Approvals Units using one of the following methods: 

    • In person at Council House, Ground Floor, 27 St Georges Terrace, Perth 
      Payments can be made by Cash, Cheque, EFTPOS or by Credit Card. * 
      Cashier Hours - Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4.30pm (Excl Public Holidays)

    • By mail to City of Perth, GPO Box C120 PERTH WA 6839. 
      Cheque or money order payments are to be made payable to CITY OF PERTH and crossed "Not Negotiable".
       
    • Online Credit Card Payment - Please note that online credit card payment CAN NOT be used when lodging an Application. You may make an online credit card payment for outstanding Application, Works Bond, Hoarding/Gantry and/or BCITF Fees. Credit card payments are limited to $10,000 per card, per application, per year. Only Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards are accepted.

    • Application Payment (Activity Approvals Unit or Development Approvals Unit).

Additional Fees

  • Parking Fees
    Where parking bays are impacted by works being undertaken, fees are applicable. You will be invoiced separately for these fees once an assessment is made by the City’s Parking Services Unit.  
  • Works Bond

    A bond is generally required for road excavations and where permitted, whenever a heavy vehicle or machine is to be driven on or across a footpath or in the malls. If a Bond is required, you will be invoiced separately. 

    Please Note: Additional fees may be applicable for public health approvals and traffic management advice. Where these fees are payable, you will be notified by the Activity Approvals Unit and invoiced separately.

    Obstruction Permits will not be issued until all additional invoices have been paid.

    Required Documents 

    DOCUMENT  WHEN REQUIRED
    Diagram of Location of Works Required for every application
    Diagram of Work Site Layout Required for every application
    Works Staging Plans Only required when works will be scheduled in stages
    Notification Letter for Out of Hours Works

    Only required if works being undertaken outside of the following hours: 

    7am - 7pm Monday - Saturday (excluding public holidays)
     Noise Management Plan

    Only required if works being undertaken outside of the following hours: 

    7am - 7pm Monday - Saturday (excluding public holidays)
     Drawing detailing new pits and conduits Where new pits and conduits are being installed
    Traffic Management Plan Required when the activity that obstructs the passage of vehicles (full road closures or partial road closures) Traffic Management Plan, in accordance with the Code of Practice, including traffic and pedestrian movement and control. Please refer to Main Roads WA for information on Traffic Management Plans
     Notification letter for Road Closures and diagram showing the proposed distribution area  Required when a road will be closed 
     Certificate of Currency – Public Liability Insurance, minimum indemnity of $10m  Only required for commercial works 

    To Apply

    Please note: The Permit Holder is responsible for ensuring compliance with the conditions as outlined in the Obstruction Permit. If you are applying on behalf of another company, and are not able or willing to ensure compliance, please have the appropriate company complete the application form. Non-compliance with permit conditions can result in infringements and/ or work being halted.

    Please ensure you have read the information of processing times prior to submitting your application. 

    First Time User

    If you are a first time user, register online.

    Registered Users

    If you are a registered user, please sign in and then on Submit Obstruction Permits Online. 

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