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Footpath works and permits

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Find out how to request approval for works or activities on or around a footpath.

Apply to close a footpath

You need to apply for approval before you start works or activities that impact a footpath.

Allow 20 days for an outcome for your approval or permit request.

1. Check if you need approval

You need approval to begin works on a public footpath. In some situations, you’ll also need a permit. 

You need to apply for approval to: 

  • construct or modify commercial and residential driveways
  • construct or repair a footpath
  • temporarily deposit building equipment and materials on a footpath
  • display or store goods on a footway
  • drive over a kerb or a channel that isn’t a driveway
  • dig a footway to connect to a Council stormwater drain
  • temporarily set up structures, such as a street stall/booth, on a footway
  • temporarily set up fencing around a construction site
  • excavate a footway or roadway.
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Note

If you're excavating a roadway, you'll also need to apply for a temporary lane and road closure.

You may also need a permit to:

  • temporarily use a footway
  • deposit equipment or materials on a footway
  • set up hoarding and gantry
  • display or store goods on a footway outside a shop.

You don’t need approval for using a footway or depositing equipment and materials on a footway for less than 48 hours if the work: 

  • is outside the Brisbane Central Business District (CBD) - refer to the PC1 principal centre (city centre) zone as identified in City Plan online interactive mapping
  • isn't on a state-controlled main road.

You must leave the following distance from the property alignment or kerb clear at all times to allow for safe pedestrian passage:

  • in residential areas - 1.2 metres
  • in CBD or business areas - 1.8 metres (additional permit conditions may apply).

2. Identify the location's zone

Find out which zone your works location falls under Council's planning scheme, Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan). This will determine your fees.

Zones include:

  • Zone A - the principal centre (city centre) zone (PC1) - (does not include the Queen Street Mall or Valley Malls)
  • Zone B - the principal centre (regional centre) zone (PC2) or major centre zone (MC), district centre (corridor) (DC2), high density residential (HDR) and mixed use (MU)
  • Zone C - other areas of Brisbane.

To determine the location zone, use City Plan online interactive mapping.

3. Prepare your documents

You’ll need to submit the following supporting documents with your application. Accepted file types include PDF, JPG and JPEG.

Mandatory documents

A site plan sketch that: 

  • identifies the location of the work 
  • shows the dimensions of any proposed temporary structures
  • includes the location and scale of any proposed earthworks (cut, trench and/or filling) 
  • details how pedestrians will navigate around the work.

Non-mandatory documents

Supporting documents you can submit in your application include:

  • approved plans that relate to the proposed work, including driveway construction plans and stormwater connection plans
  • site photos
  • a traffic management plan.
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Note

You may be asked to supply more information during the assessment of your application, such as a pedestrian management plan. 

4. Understand the fees

You must pay the correct application fee, based on the location's zone. We will contact you if the zone selected in the application form is incorrect. It’s important to select the correct zone category to avoid unnecessary delays in processing your application.

Application fees

The zone of the adjoining property to the works will determine your application fee.
 

Application type      Fee      
Residential driveway that requires full assessment (including onsite inspection)
 $293.40
Residential driveway - self-assessable $20.30
Commercial driveway $715
Display or storage of goods on roadway or footway $143.30


All other applications:

  • Zone A and B: $352
  • Zone C: $176.
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Note

Qualifying Type 1 Religious or Charitable Organisations listed in the Schedule of Fees and Charges are exempt from application fees.

Permit fees

If your work requires a permit, additional permit fees apply.

Zone Unit Fee
Zone A Each square metre of space utilised under the permit per week*   $11
Zone B Each square metre of space utilised under the permit per week*   $5.20
Zone C Each square metre of space utilised under the permit per week*   $3.05

* Each permit fee will incur a minimum 5-week charge.

 

Fees to store or display goods

Find the permit fees for displaying or storing goods on a road or footway.

Zone Unit Fee
Zone A Each square metre of space utilised under the permit each year
 $568.85
Zone B Each square metre of space utilised under the permit each year
 $256.95
Zone C Each square metre of space utilised under the permit each year
 $153.80

5. Apply for approval

To apply for approval, you must complete an Application/Notice to Work on Council Property form. You can lodge your form online, in person or by mail.

Apply online

Applying online is the quickest way to apply for approval. You can save your application as you go.

Payment options include credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard only).

Apply

In person or by mail

Download and complete the form. You can submit it with copies of your supporting documents:

  • in person at any Customer Centre
  • by mail to:
    Brisbane City Council
    GPO Box 1434
    Brisbane Qld 4001

After you apply

We’ll process your application within 5 working days, where all relevant fees have been paid and your application is:

  • for one of the following works:
    • temporary use of footway
    • depositing equipment or materials on a footway
    • display or storage of goods on a footway
    • excavation of a footway
  • for a suburban location
  • not associated with a Council issued development permit.

Applications that are incomplete or require further information may take up to 20 days to be processed.

Apply