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To run your business from home while leasing your property, you need to get permission from your landlord first.

Get in touch with our Economic Development Team and let us know what your vision is, so we can ensure that your neighbourhood is not adversely affected by your business.

Once we understand what your plan is, we will confirm if we think you need a planning permit, by checking some key criteria.

This criteria includes:

• Whether you are living in the residence
• How many people will be working from your property
• Amount of home space used by the business
• How your business will impact utilities in the neighbourhood, such as sewerage and electricity demand
• How your business will impact your neighbours. 
• How your customers obtain your product from you
• What your plans are for signage

Note: 

• Not all businesses require a planning permit, but it is important to investigate whether you need a permit before you proceed. 
• Sometimes a planning permit can be a complex and lengthy process, which can take up to two years. The complexity will vary dependant on the proposed location and the request.

This may be a mobile food van or mobile dog wash

Operating on private land

If your business will operate on privately owned land, please touch base with our Economic Development Team, so we can understand your vision and support you in obtaining the appropriate permits

Operating on City of Ballarat land

If you would like to operate a business on land that is controlled by the City of Ballarat, you will need to apply for an Itinerant Trading Permit

To apply, you will need to provide:

• A site plan showing the location where you wish to set up
• Proposed days and times of operation
• Vehicle registration details
• Details on what you are planning to sell
• Certificate of Currency of a public risk insurance policy with a minimum cover of $20 million

To apply for an Itinerant Trading Permit

View and print the Application for Itinerant Trading Permit

Fill out the form and return:

• Via email info@ballarat.vic.gov.au

• Via post to Regulatory Services, City of Ballarat, PO Box 655, Ballarat VIC 3353

• In person to Customer Service Officer at The Phoenix, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat

This may occur if your property was utilized for a different purpose and there has been a modification in the intended use.

It is important to investigate whether you need a planning permit before you proceed. 

Our team will assess the classification of your business within the Planning Scheme and determine if it is allowed at your chosen property. We will then evaluate your business vision against the property's planning controls to advise you on whether you should apply for a Planning Permit.

Please contact our Economic Development team, who can support you in seeking advice from our Planning team on the most appropriate action for your property and business vision.

For more information, refer to the resources on this page

Artistic and cultural performances are an important part of our creative and vibrant city, and the City of Ballarat aims to improve and encourage such performances. 

Visit or Busking permit page to apply or for further Information. 

• Building Approval Process
• Building Classifications

• Food Safety
• How to apply for a liquor licence
• Liquor Licensing Responsibilities
• Types of Liquor Licences

• How to Apply for a Planning Permit
• Building and Works
• Car Parking
• Change of Use
• Compliance with permit conditions
• Existing Use Rights
• Ancillary Uses
• Right of Appeal

• Footpath Trading
• Acoustics and Unreasonable Noise
• Acoustics for Gyms
• Acoustics for licenced premises, food and drink and live music venues
• Seeking Professional Advice on Acoustics

• $200 for outdoor dining*
• $100 for display of goods for sale or hire*
• $100 for A-frame signage*

Any permit issued will expire 31 July 2026.

*The Council's adopted budget can lead to changes in these fees.

You will need:

• A site plan of the outdoor area detailing where you wish to trade
• Photographs of the proposed footpath area
• Public Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency with $20 million coverage

Apply for your permit:

• Read the Outdoor Trading Guidelines
• Have your site plan, photos and insurance documentation ready to attached to your application
• Online: Complete the online Outdoor Dining or Trading Application

The City of Ballarat will notify you of the outcome of your application as soon as possible

If you would like to place signage such as an A-Frame or flag on a City of Ballarat managed space, for example the footpath, you will need to apply for an Outdoor Trading permit.

Complete the online Outdoor Dining or Trading Application

For more information view or download the Footpath Trading fact sheet

If you live within a residential area and you are operating a business from home be mindful that you can only display signage at your house that is smaller than 0.2sqm (approx. 40cm x 50cm)

Please speak with the Economic Development Team if you would like to enquire about signage for your home based business.

A Building Permit will cover things like the structural integrity of the build, fire safety features within a building and accessibility to and within a building.

Every building is classified and designed according to what it can be used for, ultimately to ensure the safety of the building occupiers and other property.

If you plan to change a building’s layout, configuration, occupant numbers or use, these works will require a building permit to be obtained.

A building surveyor is responsible for issuing a building permit at the start of a building project and an occupancy permit or final certificate on completion of the building works.

The surveyor should be included at the start of the process. Your appointed building surveyor will liaise with the City of Ballarat, so that City of Ballarat’s Building Service Department are aware that the correct building permits have been obtained to occupy the building.

After the building permit is issued, the building surveyor will carry out inspections at different stages during the project to make sure the building work meets minimum Building Code of Australia requirements.

View or download these commonly used fact sheets may help you in understanding the permits required for your business:

• Buildings and Work
• Building Classifications
• Building Approval Process

A planning permit will consider the impact of your business to the precinct you are operating within. 

Not all businesses require a planning permit, but it is important to investigate whether you need a permit before you proceed.

• How to Apply for a Planning Permit
• Building and Works
• Car Parking
• Change of Use
• Compliance with permit conditions
• Existing Use Rights
• Ancillary Uses
• Right of Appeal

• Building Approval Process
• Building Classifications

• Food Safety
• How to apply for a liquor licence
• Liquor Licensing Responsibilities
• Types of Liquor Licences

• How to Apply for a Planning Permit
• Building and Works
• Car Parking
• Change of Use
• Compliance with permit conditions
• Existing Use Rights
• Ancillary Uses
• Right of Appeal

• Footpath Trading
• Acoustics and Unreasonable Noise
• Acoustics for Gyms
• Acoustics for licenced premises, food and drink and live music venues
• Seeking Professional Advice on Acoustics