Roadside Vending

Council regulates roadside vendors to ensure these activities are carried out in a safe manner for road users and pedestrians. This activity means the commercial supply of goods or services on a road.

Roadside vending can involve travelling from place to place on a road and the waving down of the person operating the roadside vending by a customer (mobile roadside vending) or the activity being established in one place (stationary roadside vending).

This approval does not apply to footpath dining activities.

Do I need an approval?

When you need an approval

The following activities require an approval from Council:

Vendors wanting to start a business on Council land require a permit. This includes not-for-profit permits. Refer to: 

Other types of commercial uses of community land include:

For more information on commercial activities on community land, refer to Council's website.

Note: Council can not issue permits for roadside vending from a fixed location on a main road. Please contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Roadside Stalls

The purpose of the stall is to sell farm produce grown on that property.

Roadside stalls built along the boundary line of a rural property require a permit.

Development approval may be required. Please contact Council's Development Information.

Refer to the Roadside Stall application.

When you do not need an approval

The following activities do not require an approval from Council:

In the Sunshine Coast region, stalls wholly within private property:

  • do not require a permit
  • may require development approval

Please contact Council's Development Information.

How to apply

To apply for a Roadside Vending approval, you will need to submit a complete application to Council. The following information will assist you in ensuring your application is complete and that you consider other applications that may be required for your business.

Development Approval

Roadside stalls on private property may require Development approval. Please contact Council's Development Information.

Related Applications

  • Do you intend to or already sell food? If so, refer to the food business licensing information.
  • Do you intend to, or already have any advertising signs/devices erected? If yes, refer to the advertising signs information.
  • Do you intend to, or already discharge trade waste to Council’s sewer system? If yes, contact Council.
  • If you are registering a new business name you will need to contact the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Forms

Council telephone, email, post and office locations

Low-use / Low-impact Commercial Use of Community Land application includes Itinerant Food Vendor Permit (Word 554KB)

Related information:

Plans

You may need to submit a site plan with your application.

Public Liability Insurance

You must have current public liability insurance for a minimum of $20 million. This insurance must note Council as an interested party. A copy must be submitted with the application.

How to submit an application

Applications can be submitted (with the relevant fee) in person at Council offices or by surface mail. 

The applicant for a licence must be a legal entity, for example, person(s) or a company. Note - a business name or shop name is not a legal entity and cannot be the licence holder.

Council telephone, email, post and office locations

Process for new roadside vending

  • You are responsible for ensuring the roadside vending approval application is complete.
  • You will be contacted should additional information be required to process the application.
  • You will be notified when a decision has been made regarding your application.
  • When approved, you can then carry out roadside vending in accordance with the approved application.
  • Council will inspect the site on a regular basis.

Process for taking over existing roadside vending

There are no transfer provisions for this approval, follow the above approval process for a new application if you are taking over an existing roadside vending business.

Process for making changes

If you need to amend details on your approval, contact Council. Changes to the location of your site will require a new application with Council.

How to comply

Education

Your council does not have any specific information on roadside vending.

Regulation (Inspection process)

Council is required to monitor roadside vending and this is achieved through a routine inspection program.

Enforcement

If you are conducting roadside vending you must have a current approval and comply with the conditions on your approval.

If you have difficulty complying, contact Council.

Failure to comply with your approval conditions may result in one or more of the following enforcement actions:

  • a warning notice being issued
  • a legal notice being issued requiring action to be taken or work to be conducted
  • prescribed infringement notice (PIN) or on-the-spot fine
  • suspension of an approval
  • cancellation of an approval
  • seizure of roadside vending items
  • prosecution.

Complaint management

Council has a duty to investigate and respond to complaints received.

A complaint may result in an inspection of your operations to ensure you are complying.

Renewal

You will be notified prior to the expiration of your current approval.

If you need to amend details on your approval or require a copy of your approval, contact Council.