Permits and registrations for your business

You may need a Planning Permit if you want to:

• Change the type of business in the existing premises (also known as a change of use), such as changing from a retail shop to a medical centre or from a restaurant to a gym
• Change the trading hours or the patron numbers approved under an existing planning permit
• Add or change signage
• Internal alterations to the building
• External alterations &/or additions to the building
• Change car park arrangements
• Provide accommodation
• Start an animal boarding, training, grooming, daycare or breeding business
• Start a home-based business.

Learn about the planning permit process on our Prepare your Planning Permit application page.

Learn about permits for home-based businesses on our Apply for a permit for a home-based business page.

Planning Permit

You may need a planning permit if you want to:

• Change the type of business in the existing premises (also known as a change of use), such as changing from a retail shop to a medical centre or from a restaurant to a gym
• Change the trading hours or the patron numbers approved under an existing planning permit
• Add or change signage
• Internal alterations to the building
• External alterations &/or additions to the building
• Change car park arrangements
• Provide accommodation
• Start an animal boarding, training, grooming, daycare or breeding business
• Start a home-based business.

Learn about the planning permit process on our Prepare your Planning Permit application page.

Building Permit

You may need a building permit if you want to:

• Change the type of business in the existing premises (also known as a change of use)
• Propose constructing a new building
• Carry out any internal alterations (or renovations) to the building
• Carry out any external alterations (or renovations) to the building
• Affect any ‘Essential Safety Measures (aka ESMs)’. Examples could be installing exit signs, fire hose reels, altering paths of travel to exits).

Learn more on our Apply for a Building Permit page.

Other considerations

If your works require access to a road, footpath or other Council land, during construction activities or operating equipment outside your premises, you may need a Road and Footpath Permit.

You may need an outdoor trading permit if you want to:

• Use the footpath as part of your business (e.g. outside dining, umbrellas, heaters, chairs or tables)
• Display goods outside your business on the footpath
• Put signage (including A-frames) outside your business on the footpath
• Set up an outdoor dining structure or parklet.

Learn about footpath trading, outdoor dining structure or parklet permits on our Outdoor trading permits page or call us on (03) 9278 4444.

Before operating a business from your home, you may need a permit from Council. Requirements will depend on the type of business and its impact on the surrounding area.

Factors that may affect permit requirements include:

• Customer visits to the property
• Staff working on-site
• Deliveries or commercial vehicles
• Signage
• Noise, parking or other impacts on neighbours.

Learn more about home-based business requirements on our Apply for a permit for a home-based business page or call us on (03) 9278 4444.

In Victoria, you cannot sell food to the public until your food business has been registered or notified with your local council. This applies whether you’re opening a new food business or taking over an existing one.

Depending on your premises and business activities, you may also need planning, building or outdoor trading permits.

Learn more about food business registration, food vans and temporary food premises on our Food businesses page, or call us on (03) 9278 4444 for advice.

Businesses proposing to sell, supply or allow the consumption of alcohol may require a liquor licence. Liquor licences are regulated by Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) and aren’t issued by us.  

Contact Liquor Control Victoria directly to determine whether a licence is required for your business and to obtain information about the application process.

Health, beauty and skin penetration businesses must be registered with Council before they can operate. This applies whether you’re starting a new business, taking over an existing business or introducing services that require registration.

Depending on your premises and business activities, you may also need planning and/or building permits.

Learn more about registration requirements for health, beauty and skin penetration businesses on our Health, beauty and skin penetration businesses page, or call us on (03) 9278 4444 for advice.

Accommodation businesses may need to meet planning, building and health registration requirements before they can operate. This can include hotels, motels, serviced apartments, hostels, student accommodation, prescribed accommodation, specialist disability accommodation (SDA), rooming houses, or bed and breakfasts.

If you’re opening, taking over or changing an accommodation business, you should confirm all applicable requirements before commencing operations. Requirements may include planning approval, building permits, occupancy permits, registration with council and compliance with fire safety and building standards.

Depending on the services you provide, you may need to register with other organisations and/or meet additional requirements.  

Learn more about accommodation business requirements on our Accommodation businesses page or call us on (03) 9278 4444.

You must obtain a permit to operate a domestic animal business. This includes:

• Pet shops
• Dog training
• Rearing or breeding
• Daycare
• Overnight boarding
• Animal shelters.

Depending on your premises and business activities, you may also need planning and/or building permits. 

Learn more about domestic animal business permit requirements on our Apply for a Domestic Animal Business Permit page or call us on (03) 9278 4444.

If you operate a business in Boroondara, you may be eligible for a Traders Parking Permit, allowing all-day parking in designated areas of selected council car parks.

Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply on our Traders Parking Permit page.

If your business or service facility has a pool, spa or interactive water feature, it must be registered with Council before it can operate.

Learn more about registration requirements on our Register an aquatic facility page.

Learn about Planning permits on our Prepare your Planning Permit application page.

Learn about Building permits on our Apply for a Building Permit page.