The 'Business Permit Support Service' helps people who want to start, expand, or buy a business.
The team will let you know what permits and registrations you need.
This is the first and best contact at Council for Business Permit information before you:
- sign a contract, lease or purchase agreement
- buy an existing business
- begin or start any fit-out or work on your premise
- start operating your business
Find out what permits you may need by completing the Business Permit Checklist below.
Your business location and how you operate can result in the need for one or more permits issued by Council.
Before you sign a lease, review the Retail Leases Information Brochure below:
Retail Leases Information Brochure - 2.2KB
To understand timeframes for Permit Assessments please review our Starting Expanding or Buying a Business - End to End Process Map
Starting Expanding or Buying a Business -End to End Process Map - 3.3MB
Learn how Council can help you by watching the Better Approvals video on YouTube.
Permit Types
Different teams in Council issue different permits:
For example:
- Planning - for land use, development, signage and parking
- Building - to comply with the building legislation
- Public Health - to comply with 'The Food Act’ and ‘Public Health and Wellbeing Act'
- Local Laws - For any activity on the footpath within the municipality,
- placing of chairs and tables
- an A-frame sign
- display of goods
- playing, singing or entertaining
- selling of good
- Civil Works - For works carried out on,
- a footpath
- nature Strip
- roadway
The Business Permit Support Service will talk to all the departments for you. This can save you time and money. We are your one point of contact as you start your process to begin, grow or buy a business.
The Checklist takes less than five minutes to complete. It will give you clarity about the permits you may need.
Our business team will then call you within three working days to:
- discuss your proposal in more detail
- talk to you about the permits you may need
- help you through the permit application process from the beginning
If you need help completing the Business Permit checklist, contact us via email businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1550.
More Information
Below is a list of possible permits that you may need to start your business. Please select individual subject areas to learn more.
For any further enquiries contact the Business team via email businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1550.
Planning
Also known as Town Planning and Statutory Planning are the two departments responsible for considering applications that require a planning permit, including applications to build or extend a building, open a business, or erect advertising signage. Put simply, they are assessing the use of the land.
If you are considering working from home, or moving your business from home into another area, or undertaking buildings and works, or business signage, you may need a planning permit.
Applications for planning permits are assessed against the policies and controls in the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme.
Read more information on planning permit fees and information guides
For any more information visit Statutory Planning or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Building
A building permit is required before commencement of most building work. The definition of 'building work' in the legislation includes new buildings, demolition and/or alteration. In many cases the builder or architect/draftsperson obtains the permit on behalf of the property owner.
Building permits are issued by building surveyors.
If a planning permit is required, this will have to be obtained before a building permit can be issued. After receiving your planning permit (if required), you must then apply for a building permit via a private building surveyor.
For more information visit Building Services or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Register a Food Business
If you are planning on operating a food business you are required to be registered under either the Food Act 1984 of Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
For further information visit the Register a Food Business webpage or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Temporary and Mobile Food Operators
If you are planning on operating a temporary or mobile food premises you must be registered on the State Government website, Streatrader.
Apply for Streatrader Registration
For further information visit Temporary and Mobile Food Operators or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Purchase an existing Food Health or Accommodation Business
If you are considering buying a business which is registered with the City of Greater Dandenong, it is recommended you organise a Council inspection and premises report prior to purchase.
The inspection conducted will only assess the requirements under the Food Act 1984 and/or Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. If you need information about compliance with Council’s Building and/or Planning Department requirements, you will need to contact these departments separately.
For more information visit Purchasing a Food, Health or Accommodation Business Registration or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Register a Beauty Business
If you are planning on operating a Personal Care and Body Art Premises, you are required to be registered your business under The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
A pre-registration assessment form will be sent to you following completion of the Business Permit Checklist and discussion with our Business team.
Complete the Business Permit Checklist below.
For more information visit Register a Personal Care Business or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Footpath Trading
If you would like to have an advertising sign, goods for sale, outdoor dining or Itinerant Trade (mobile food van) on a footpath road or public place, you may need a Local Laws permit.
Apply for Footpath Trading Permit
For more information visit Trading in Greater Dandenong or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Register an Accommodation Business
If you are planning on operating a Personal Care and Body Art Premises, you are required to be registered under The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.
A pre-registration assessment form will be sent to you following completion of the Business Permit Checklist and discussion with our Business team.
Complete the Business Permit Checklist below.
For more information visit Register a Prescribed Accommodation Business or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Outdoor Dining
If you would like to have outdoor dining, on a footpath road or public place you may need a Local Laws permit.
Apply for a Footpath Trading Permit
For more information visit Outdoor Dining and Trading in Greater Dandenong or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Itinerant Trading Permit - Mobile Food Van/Stall
If you would like to have Itinerant Trade (mobile food van) you may need a Local Laws permit.
Apply for a Itinerant Trading Permit
For more information visit Trading in Greater Dandenong or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Liquor Licence
If you are selling or serving alcohol as part of your business, by law a liquor licence required.
Visit Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) website to read information about what liquor licence you need.
A planning permit is also generally required to sell and provide alcohol to the public.
Read Council's information guidelines for Liquor-Related Planning Permit Applications - 650KB
For more information, please visit the Victorian Commission for Racing, Gaming and Liquor website or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Busking
If you would like to busk on a footpath road or public place you may need a Local Laws permit.
For more information visit Trading in Greater Dandenong webpage or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Civil Works
If you planning to do works off your premises, for example widening your driveway, you will require a Civil Works Permit.
Apply for a Civil Works Permit
For further information visit the Civil Works Permit webpage or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Domestic Animal Businesses
If your business involves domestic animals (pet shop, breeding, boarding, shelters) you will need to register your business with Council.
Download Domestic Animal Business Registration Application Form - 380KB
For more information visit Domestic Animal Businesses or contact the Business Permit Support team via email at businesspermits@cgd.vic.gov.au or telephone 8571 1000.
Home Based Food Business
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