Apply for a goods on footpath permit

Display goods on the footpath outside your business to attract more customers and increase your street visibility.

We are now  accepting applications on our online services portal, please read ahead to learn how you can prepare what you need.

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About this permit

Displaying goods outside your business can help attract customers and create a more active shopping area.

This permit allows you to display goods on the footpath outside your business, provided the display is safe, accessible and meets Council's requirements.

Permits help balance support for local businesses with keeping footpaths clear and accessible for everyone.

Costs depend on the amount of footpath you want to use.

Eligibility

You can apply if:

  • you operate a business in Waverley
  • the goods displayed on the footpath are sold by your business
  • you already have planning approval to operate from your business premises
  • have a display that meets the design requirements

Do not apply if:

  • you want to use the footpath to advertise your business rather than display goods
  • you want to use a parking spot outside your business
  • you want to use the footpath for outdoor dining, see Apply for a footpath seating permit
  • you want to display an A-frame sign. There is currently no permit for these so new ones are not allowed.

Your proposed display must:

  • keep at least 2 metres of clear footpath for pedestrians
  • be no more than 1 metre deep
  • use safe, sturdy and purpose-built display furniture
  • be kept clean, tidy and in good condition
  • be removed outside your approved operating hours

Your display cannot:

  • be so heavy that it could damage the pavement, for example household furniture or whitegoods
  • be fitted with lighting, refrigeration, speakers or other powered equipment
  • use shopping trolleys, shopping baskets, packing crates or cardboard boxes
  • include dangerous or protruding items, such as hardware
  • include goods that could damage or stain the pavement, such as oils or dyes
  • include mirrors or highly reflective surfaces that could distract drivers
  • include any third-party advertising.

What you'll need

Before you submit your application, you'll need:

  1. Your planning approval number
  2. A site plan
  3. A footpath display plan
  4. Details of your display furniture

Your planning approval number is usually the approval number from your Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

Enter the approval number in your application.

If you don't know your approval number, contact Council on 9083 8000 to request a copy of the historical approval records.

A site plan shows where your business is located in relation to the surrounding streets.

It doesn't need to be professionally prepared. For example, you can print a map from Google Maps, Apple Maps, SIX Maps or a similar mapping service and mark it up by hand.

Your site plan needs to show:

  • the street your business is on
  • your business location on that street
  • the nearest cross street.

Provide a scaled plan (1:50 or 1:100) showing where you want to place your display. Most businesses will use a professional to have these drawn up.

Your plan should show:

  • your shop frontage, including doors and windows
  • the width of the footpath
  • nearby features such as trees, bins, street furniture, crossings, traffic lights, utility services and drains
  • the location of the kerb
  • the proposed location, dimensions and total area of your display in square metres.

We'll use this plan to assess your application and calculate your annual leasing fee.

Provide a photo, brochure or manufacturer's information for the display furniture you want to use, such as shelving, tables or plinths.

Your proposed furniture must match the design shown in your application.

Costs

The cost of this permit is:

  • Application fee: $397 (non-refundable, flat fee), as well as
  • Annual leasing fee: $620 per square metre of display area (as shown in your Footpath Display Plan)

The application fee is paid when you apply online.

If your application is approved, we'll email you to pay the fees before your permit becomes active.

  
 

Need more detail?

You can read the Display of Goods on the Footpath Policy and Guidelines for more information about the design requirements, assessment process and permit conditions.

We can also help over the phone by calling our Customer Service team on 9083 8000.


How to apply

Once you have your site plan, footpath display plan, planning approval number and any your supporting documents, you’re ready to make your application.

  1. Fill in the online application form.
  2. Enter your planning approval number.
  3. Attach your supporting documents
  4. Pay the application fee.
  5. Submit your application.


What happens next

We'll access your application and contact you if we need more information. If your business is on a classified road we'll also refer your application to Transport for NSW for approval.

If your application is approved, we'll email you an invoice for the fees. Please pay it within 48 hours.

We’ll then issue your goods and footpath permit and let you know any conditions that apply.

More information

If you are business changes owner

Goods on footpath permits belong to the business operator, not the premises. If the business changes owner, the new operator must apply for a new permit.

What’s a classified road?

A classified road isn't defined by how busy it is or how many lanes it has. It's a road that has been legally classified by the State government to be important for moving people and goods across the state or region.

So a road can look like an ordinary suburban street but still be a classified road because of the role it plays in the transport network.

Because of this, Transport for NSW must approve certain activities on these roads, including goods on footpath permits.

Examples of classified roads in Waverley include:

  • Bondi Road
  • Old South Head Road
  • Sections of Campbell Parade
  • Sections of Oxford Street

Contact us

For help filling in your application, call our Customer Service team on 9083 8000 or email info@waverley.nsw.gov.au. Email are actioned within three business days.