Outdoor dining

Businesses are vital to our City's vibrancy and cosmopolitan lifestyle, and many business operators are keen to utilise the footpath space in front of their premises for outdoor dining.

As outdoor dining adds to the attractiveness and ambience of the city, it is supported by Council within a policy framework. The objective of the Footpath Trading Policy is:

  • to find a balance between the various stakeholders' interests in public areas that are used for footpath trading (including outdoor dining spaces);
  • and to ensure that any such use maximises the safety and accessibility needs of pedestrians.

Applications for footpath trading permits to accommodate outdoor dining will be considered on their individual merits. The Footpath Trading Guidelines will be used to assess each application to ensure the consistency and equitable allocation of the available footpath, whilst ensuring pedestrian safety.

Smoke-free outdoor dining

All public outdoor dining areas in South Australia became smoke-free under the Tobacco Products Regulation Act 1997. Smoke-free outdoor dining is designed to protect the community from the harms of second hand tobacco smoke and increase the comfort and enjoyment of non-smokers dining in outdoor areas.

If you are a business owner and answer YES to both of the following questions, the law will apply to your business:

1. Do you have an outdoor area in which tables, or tables and chairs, are permanently or temporarily provided for customer dining? 
AND
2. At any time, do you offer food for purchase, or otherwise provide food (other than pre-packaged snack food such as potato crisps, nuts, chocolate bars and pre-packaged biscuits) for consumption in the outdoor area?

Preparing for smoke-free outdoor dining

If your venue or event has an outdoor dining area for the public, SA Health can provide assistance via:

Follow the steps below to:

  • apply for a new permit; or 
  • renew your existing permit.

Online

Step 1.Before you begin

Read our Footpath trading operating guidelines(PDF, 3MB) for further information, including how we assess the application, which will include a risk assessment of the location.

Step 2.What you will need

  • A copy of your current public liability insurance to the value of $20 million ($20,000,000) with the City of Unley and any adjacent premises listed as an interested party.
  • Images or descriptions of all items being placed in the space.A detailed plan showing the space you wish to use, all items you will be using and  you need to include all measurements.
  • A copy of your current public liability insurance to the value of $20 million ($20,000,000) with the City of Unley and any adjacent premises listed as an interested party.

Step 3.Costs

Please refer to the  2023-2024 Fees & Charges Schedule(PDF, 1MB), under "Street Traders - Renewed Outdoor Dining Permit".

Step 4.Complete the application online

Click below to start a new Outdoor dining permit request, or renew an existing Outdoor dining permit.

Apply online

Step 5.What happens next?

We will assess your application, and notify you of the outcome. We may contact you if more information is required.  If your application is approved, you will be issued an invoice for payment.

Your permit will be issued once payment has beenr received.

You cannot trade unless you have received written approval from Council and a permit has been issued.

In person

Step 1.Before you begin

Read our Footpath trading operating guidelines(PDF, 3MB) for further information, including how we assess the application, which will include a risk assessment of the location.

Step 2.What you will need

To RENEW your current permit

  • A copy of your current public liability insurance to the value of $20 million ($20,000,000) with the City of Unley and any adjacent premises listed as an interested party.

 

To apply for a NEW permit

  • Images or descriptions of all items being placed in the space.
  • A detailed plan showing the space you wish to use, all items you will be using and  you need to include all measurements.
  • A copy of your current public liability insurance to the value of $20 million ($20,000,000) with the City of Unley and any adjacent premises listed as an interested party.

Step 3.Costs

Please refer to the 2023-24 Fees & Charges Schedule(PDF, 1MB), under "Street Traders - Renewed Outdoor Dining Permit".

Step 4.Print and complete the application

Download and print the application form.

Complete all required fields, and remember to include a copy of your public liability insurance, and any other relevant documents.

Apply-for-a-Footpath-Trading-permit.pdf(PDF, 94KB)

Step 5.Visit us

We are open Monday to Friday,  8.30am to 5:00pm and closed on Public Holidays.

Our Location

Find us at 181 Unley Road, Unley.

  

Step 6.What happens next?

We will assess your application and make contact with you within 10 working days. Should your application be approved, you will be issued an invoice for payment.

You cannot trade unless you have received written approval from Council and a permit has been issued.

 

 

Applications for footpath trading permits to accommodate outdoor dining will be considered on their individual merits.

The Footpath Trading Guidelines will be used to assess each application to ensure the consistency and equitable allocation of the available footpath, whilst ensuring pedestrian safety.

 

Need help?

If you need help or have any questions about outdoor dining, you can contact a Permit Officer during business hours on (08) 8372 5111 or e-mail regulatoryadministration@unley.sa.gov.au

 

 

Supporting information

 

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