Your guide to navigating key areas of business compliance

Published on 28 June 2024

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Does your business have all the necessary approvals in place?

Ensuring your business complies with local regulations and checking your permits and licenses are up to date will ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your business. Other benefits include:

  • Operating legally guarantees your insurance coverage remains valid

  • Identifying and mitigating risks to your business

  • Protection from costly fines, penalties, and liabilities

  • Building trust with your community and customers

  • Exploring what new business offerings you can lawfully provide.

We’ve put together a guide to the top compliance areas to assist your business. For other areas of compliance relevant to your business please contact our team.

Trading on council land

Expanding your business offering

If you want to expand your business by using council space or land you will need to apply for a permit. If trading on Council land results in an increase in capacity or material change to the way the business operates a Development Application may be required.

Find out more at onkaparingacity.com/Services/permits and contact the Planning team if you are considering expanding your business offering.

Outdoor dining and footpath trading

If you would like your customers to dine outside on land owned by council or if you are a retail business wanting to display goods for sale on the footpath or council land, you will need a permit.

Find out more at onkaparingacity.com/Services/Permits/Outdoor-dining-on-council-road-verge.

Placement of moveable signs

Businesses are permitted to place up to three (3) moveable signs (A and T frame or vertical banners) on footpath areas in proximity to the business premises.

All other sign types require a permit.

For more information on construction and placement of moveable signs refer to By-law 2 here or contact the Compliance team.

Change in current use of land

Are you pivoting your business to a new offering e.g. retail store to a cafe? Or moving into a new premises?

You may need to submit a development application if there’s a change to the current approved land use. Council need to assess how much impact the proposed changes will have on the environment, neighbourhood and other properties to ensure compliance with approved capacity, operating hours and activities. Find out more at onkaparingacity.com/Planning-and-development.

Serving food?

Did you know it is a legal requirement that all food businesses and food events complete a Food Business Notification form before starting any food handling operations? If this relates to your business you can access the form here.

Liquor licencing

Are you planning on serving alcohol at your business premises? Applications must be approved by the Liquor Licence Commission.

Make sure you apply for the correct licence for the type and size of your venue by visiting their website or phone 131 882.

Don’t take risks with non-compliance!

Our team of experts can offer FREE advice to assist your business in being compliant.

Simply email us or call 08 8384 0666 to speak with our Customer Service team.

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