Footpath and outdoor dining permits
Apply for a footpath dining permit. Find out if you need a permit to offer outdoor dining in the city’s mall precincts.
About footpath and outdoor dining
Council encourages alfresco dining so locals and visitors can enjoy Brisbane’s unique climate and lifestyle. It also helps revitalise public spaces and support the local economy.
Outdoor dining refers to setting up a dining space directly outside of a premises specifically in the Queen Street Mall, Brunswick Street Mall or Chinatown Mall. This requires an outdoor dining permit.
Footpath dining involves a business setting up a dining area on a public footpath outside of their premises in all other locations across Brisbane. This requires a footpath dining permit.
If the dining area is on private property, you don’t need an outdoor dining or footpath dining permit.
Local laws
Footpath dining in Brisbane is regulated under the Footpath Dining Local Law 2011.
The local law regulates the placement of tables and chairs on the footpath for dining purposes through a permit.
Permits for outdoor dining in malls are issued under the Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014.
Council regulates activities in the mall precincts to protect all mall users.
Apply for a footpath dining permit
You need a permit to set up a footpath dining area if you:
- have a food business licence
- intend to use a public footpath outside of your premises for dining purposes
- run a sidewalk cafe, takeaway food store or convenience store with tables and chairs on the footpath.
Footpath dining fees
Footpath dining permit costs include:
- new permit fee: $1,049.35
- occupation fee: based on the zone location and total area of the space occupied.
Occupation fees
Zone A
| Location | Brisbane City (not including Queen Street Mall) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $568.85/m² |
Zone B
| Location |
|
|---|---|
| Fee | $271.95/m² |
Zone C
| Location | Areas outside of Zones A and B |
|---|---|
| Fee | $163.45/m² |
You must pay the relevant fees when you lodge your application.
Before you apply, complete the Footpath Dining Design Checklist and gather your supporting documents.
What you need:
- food business licence number
- photos or brochure of the proposed furniture
- photos of the site and proposed footpath dining area
- business details, including your ABN and business address
- detailed plans that show the existing site and proposed footpath dining area (must be to scale)
- proof of public liability insurance (must be to the value of $20 million and name Council as an interested party)
- a suitability statement (if you've had a footpath dining permit refused, suspended or cancelled)
- approval from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (if the proposed dining area is next to a state-controlled road).
You can apply for a footpath dining permit online, in person or by mail.
Apply online
Complete the online form to apply for a footpath dining permit.
You can pay the fees using Visa or Mastercard.
Lodge by mail or in person
Download a copy of the application form and submit it with your supporting documents:
- in person at a Council Customer Centre
- by mail to:
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001
Download and complete the form.
Appeal a decision
If you’re unhappy with the outcome, you can apply for a review of the decision.
To request a reassessment, complete and submit the internal review form:
- in person at a Council Customer Centre
- by mail to:
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001.
Download the internal review form.
Apply for an outdoor dining permit for malls
You need a permit to set up an outside dining area if your food business is located within:
- Queen Street Mall
- Brunswick Street Mall, including Beirne Lane
- Chinatown Mall.
Outdoor dining dos and don'ts
Make sure you:
- operate with a current and approved permit
- operate within the area marker discs
- pack up all furniture and equipment when you close everyday (where applicable)
- inspect and ensure the outdoor dining area is always clean
- inspect and ensure all furniture and equipment, including garden beds or greenery, has a high standard of appearance and style.
Always avoid:
- leaving food waste unattended
- displaying third-party advertising
- stacking furniture within the outdoor dining area
- umbrellas with a minimum clearance of less than 2.3 m
- selling takeaway food in the outdoor dining area
- cheap and fully moulded plastic chairs or tables that may crack or discolour.
A fee of $164 applies to all applications.
You must also pay an annual consent fee for outdoor dining of:
- $911/m² for businesses in Queen Street Mall
- $276/m² for businesses in Brunswick Street and Chinatown Malls.
Before you apply, read the Outdoor Dining Guide (if your premises is in the Fortitude Valley malls) and gather your supporting documents.
- food business licence number
- detailed plans that show the proposed outdoor dining area and pedestrian traffic circulation (must be to scale)
- colour photos or brochure detailing the furniture, accessories and fittings to be placed on the mall
- photos or drawings of advertising to be placed on any structures or equipment
- details of any proposed external lighting
- proof of public liability insurance (must be to the value of $20 million and name Council as an interested party)
- photos of the site, clearly showing the proposed outdoor dining area relative to other buildings and existing features in the mall.
Complete the online form to apply for an outdoor dining permit.
You can pay the fees using Visa or Mastercard.
You will receive a response within 10 days.
Other approvals
Frequently asked questions
You can transfer a footpath dining permit if you're buying or leasing the food business. You must:
- get the current permit holder’s written consent
- have a food business licence
- ensure the premises hasn’t been modified without Council approval.
You can apply to transfer a footpath dining permit online, in person or by mail.
Yes, you can update your footpath dining permit if you plan to make significant changes to the business. This includes changes to the approved area, furniture or operating hours.
Update your permit online, in person or by mail.
Yes, you can renew your footpath dining permit by paying the renewal fee.
Renewal notices are sent to customers with instructions on how to pay.