Do I need a permit?
Whether you are starting or growing your business, you will likely need a permit to operate – some businesses may need more than one permit.
Buying an existing business
Considering buying an existing business can offer a range of advantages and disadvantages. It is important when deciding to buy a business that you consider its current worth, reputation and the future of the business. Just like starting a new business, depending on your business type, you may require one or more permits from Council.
It’s important to note that if you are looking to buy an existing food, accommodation, beauty, tattooist or other health business, you will need to get the current owner to complete a section of the form to transfer the business into your name.
Health and Food Requirements
If you want to sell food, accommodate people or provide cosmetic services, you will most likely be required to be registered under the current food and health acts.
The below questions can help you to understand which permits you may require.
Planning Permit
If you answer yes to any of the below questions, you may require a Planning Permit:
- Are you changing the business type from what is currently is?
- Are you making any changes to the trading hours of your business?
- Are you applying for or altering a liquor licence?
- Are you adding or changing signage?
- Are you looking to do any work on a heritage listed building (including minor works like paint)?
- Do you have a car park or are you seeking to make any changes to the available car parking?
For more information visit Planning Permits.
Building Permit
If you answer yes to any of the below questions, you may require a Building Permit:
- Are you planning on carrying out any internal fit outs or alterations on your premises?
- Are you going to be carrying out any structural alteration to the exterior of the building (including increasing window and door sizes)?
- Do you want to increase the number of people that can occupy your building at any one time?
- Are you changing the business type from what is currently is?
- Are you altering any essential safety measures? (e.g. fire hydrants, fire hose reels, exit signs, emergency lighting or paths of travel to an exit).
For more information visit Building Permits.
Health Permit
If you answer yes to any of the below questions, you may require a Health Permit:
- Do you intend to sell health related services such as hairdressing, beauty treatments, tattooing, skin penetration or piercings?
- Are you opening an accommodation business such as a hotel, motel, hostel, student dorms, holiday camps, rooming house or residential accommodation?
- Do you intend to sell food or drink at your business?
For more information visit Health and Food Requirements.
Local Law Permit
If you answer yes to any of the below questions, you may require a Local Law Permit (e.g. Footpath trading, A-frame signage, Display of goods, Footpath dining):
- Are you looking to have an A-Frame sign, or other type of sign out the front of your business?
- Will your business have an outdoor dining area?
- Will there be any additional works outside the front of your business, such as umbrellas, pots and planter boxes?
- Will there be a display of goods out the front of your business?
For more information visit Local Law Permits.
Whether you are starting or growing your business, you will likely need a permit to operate – some businesses may need more than one permit.
Considering buying an existing business can offer a range of advantages and disadvantages. It is important when deciding to buy a business that you consider its current worth, reputation and the future of the business. Just like starting a new business, depending on your business type, you may require one or more permits from Council.
It’s important to note that if you are looking to buy an existing food, accommodation, beauty, tattooist or other health business, you will need to get the current owner to complete a section of the form to transfer the business into your name.
If you want to sell food, accommodate people or provide cosmetic services, you will most likely be required to be registered under the current food and health acts.
The below questions can help you to understand which permits you may require.
Planning Permit
If you answer yes to any of the below questions, you may require a Planning Permit:
- Are you changing the business type from what is currently is?
- Are you making any changes to the trading hours of your business?
- Are you applying for or altering a liquor licence?
- Are you adding or changing signage?
- Are you looking to do any work on a heritage listed building (including minor works like paint)?
- Do you have a car park or are you seeking to make any changes to the available car parking?
For more information visit Planning Permits.
Building Permit
If you answer yes to any of the below questions, you may require a Building Permit:
- Are you planning on carrying out any internal fit outs or alterations on your premises?
- Are you going to be carrying out any structural alteration to the exterior of the building (including increasing window and door sizes)?
- Do you want to increase the number of people that can occupy your building at any one time?
- Are you changing the business type from what is currently is?
- Are you altering any essential safety measures? (e.g. fire hydrants, fire hose reels, exit signs, emergency lighting or paths of travel to an exit).
For more information visit Building Permits.
Health Permit
If you answer yes to any of the below questions, you may require a Health Permit:
- Do you intend to sell health related services such as hairdressing, beauty treatments, tattooing, skin penetration or piercings?
- Are you opening an accommodation business such as a hotel, motel, hostel, student dorms, holiday camps, rooming house or residential accommodation?
- Do you intend to sell food or drink at your business?
For more information visit Health and Food Requirements.
Local Law Permit
If you answer yes to any of the below questions, you may require a Local Law Permit (e.g. Footpath trading, A-frame signage, Display of goods, Footpath dining):
- Are you looking to have an A-Frame sign, or other type of sign out the front of your business?
- Will your business have an outdoor dining area?
- Will there be any additional works outside the front of your business, such as umbrellas, pots and planter boxes?
- Will there be a display of goods out the front of your business?
For more information visit Local Law Permits.