Parklet installation

In some cases, a local business may install a parklet over one or more nearby street car parking spaces. Although parklets are maintained by hosts, they are public spaces for the community to enjoy.

Benefits to business and community

  • Provision of public amenity.
  • Pedestrian activation of a vehicle dominated public space.
  • Heightened visibility and street presence.
  • Opportunity to extend seating and offer outdoor dining options.

A parklet can be shared between 2 businesses at different times of the day if the space extends beyond an applicant's frontage.

Eligibility

Businesses must commit to our operation and maintenance, safety, access and amenity standards. Businesses also must:

  • not be located on a Department of Transport & Planning operated and managed road
  • hold or be eligible to hold a Footpath Trading Permit
  • demonstrate they can comply with the furniture/equipment set up to our standards
  • provide evidence of $20M public liability insurance
  • agree to maintain and upkeep the parklet in good order with annual audits.

Things you may need

There are many moving parts to installing a parklet. Each installation will have location-specific and unique requirements as a business goes through the approvals and construction journey.

Planning permit for alcohol, patronage and heritage

A business may require a planning permit to serve liquor or increase patron capacity on a parklet in addition to approval by Liquor Control Victoria (LCV).

If the business does not have a current liquor licence, an application can be lodged directly with LCV.

If a previous planning permit has been issued for serving liquor but does not cover serving alcohol on the footpath and parklet, an amendment to the existing planning permit is required.

If a previous planning permit has been issued that restricts patron numbers, an amendment to that existing permit is required if the parklet intends to accommodate more people than that permit allows.

If the parklet location is within a heritage area, a permit may be required for proposed structures to be built.

Works within road reserve consent

If you intend to conduct work on a footpath or any of our land to assist with the installation of the parklet and any street furniture, then you will need our consent before you begin.

A security bond may be requested and will be determined by what Council assets surround the proposed parklet location.

You do not need this consent before applying to apply for a parklet installation, but you may need this depending on your build.

Steps to apply for a parklet

Step 1.Vision

It is best to have a clear vision on how the parking space(s) in front of the business will be used.

Our Parklets Policy sets out a number of traffic, access, dimension and health-related requirements that must be factored in a parklet's design, build and annual maintenance.

Step 2.Eligibility

All points of eligibility found on this page and in the policy are required for a proposed parklet.

If alcohol will be served on the parklet, if patron capacity will increase or if there may be heritage concerns with the proposed space, then a new planning permit or an update to an existing planning permit may be required.

Before you apply for a parklet, contact our Development Planning Team on 9490 4222 or at enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au to discuss plans.

Step 3.Consultation

Consultation with all immediately neighbouring businesses about the parklet and its use is mandatory. Written letters of support from those neighbours must be included in a parklet application.

If the parklet extends to a neighbouring frontage and will be shared with another business, then written confirmation from that business about such an arrangement must also be included.

Step 4.Traffic management plan

Required for all applications, a traffic management plan (TMP) should address all requirements in our Parklet Policy, including advance warning signs and temporary speed reductions that may be required at business's expense.

Major components of a parklet TMP include:

  • access for essential and emergency vehicles to abutting land and road access points to be maintained
  • infrastructure not to be fixed to the roadway
  • must not negatively impact public transport
  • must have a kerb outstand or bollards on the approach and departure sides of parklet.

Step 5.Footpath trading

Parklet permits are only approved for business that want to expand their trade.

While a business can have a footpath trading permit and no parklet, the advent of a parklet necessarily means that a footpath trading permit is also required unless the business already has one in place.

If not, a footpath trading permit can be applied for at the same time as the parklet permit using a single form.

Step 6.Apply

Apply for a parklet installation

We will assess the application and get back to the applicant within 10 business days.

Step 7.Consent

Works within road reserve consent is required only if the parklet includes fixtures or furniture to be attached to a footpath. This does not include moveable tables, chairs and umbrellas for dining.

If applicable, request this consent after a parklet application has been submitted. We will discuss this in our communications with applicants.

Step 8.Traffic safety audit

Once a parklet is constructed and in public use, the business must appoint a traffic engineer to conduct a traffic safety audit of the newly built space within 3 months.

The parklet could be temporarily or permanently closed without this audit being submitted to us.

Contact us

For more information about installing a parklet, contact our Municipal Laws & Public Assets Team on 9490 4222.

Annual fees

  • One parking space: $530.45
  • Each additional space: $371.00
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