Permits and Approvals

Depending on the nature of the business you are operating or planning to operate, there are likely to be a number of permits and approvals that will be required.

Some of these permits are issued by Council and some by other authorities. You are likely to need a permit or approval if you:

• Change the nature of your business from one type to another
• Construct a new building
• Alter the external or internal construction of a building
• Put signs in front of your building
• Alter your car parking
• Manufacture or sell food
• Display goods on footpaths
• Operate hairdressers, beauticians or tattooists
• Perform body piercing

Different areas of Kingston are designated or zoned for different types of uses. Every piece of land in Kingston has a zone. The main zones cover uses such as Residential, Industrial and Business. Certain types of uses may require a permit to operate in some zones, or even be prohibited in others eg. a factory would very likely be prohibited in a residential zone.

For more information, please contact the Economic Development Unit on 9581 4735, or send an email to business@kingston.vic.gov.au

Planning

• Construct a new building
• Alter the external appearance or the internal floor layout of a building
• Erecting signs on your site
• Alter your car parking arrangements

If you are going to lease, buy or renovate a retail/industrial space, you should check with Council in relation to the zoning of the premises, as different zones have different requirements as to what use is or is not permitted in a zone. Permits can be issued for the use a premises (“use only”) and/or for the construction of buildings and works. You may not need a permit for the “use only” of a premises if it falls within an appropriate zoning, however, if you wish to undertake external building works, you probably will need a permit. If you are altering the internal floor layout of an existing building, such as constructing a mezzanine level, or increasing the office space, then your car parking requirements will have changed and, depending on how many car parking spaces you have, a planning permit may be required for a reduction in car parking requirements, as specified in the planning scheme. You may require a permit for erecting signage on your site. If you need a planning permit for the use, buildings and works, signage and/car parking reduction, then you can apply for all of these under the one planning permit application.

For further detailed information on the above and to make appropriate checks on properties, you can contact the Statutory Planning Department on:

Customer Service 1300 653 356, or come along to the Planning and Building Customer Service Counter on the first floor of 1230 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham.

http://www.kingston.vic.gov.au and follow the links to Planning and Building

Health

There are many issues you need to be aware of should you be engaging in a food-related or food sale business and/or a premises where environmental controls are an issue – including the requirement for permits. Businesses typically requiring these types of permits are those that manufacture or sell food, or operate businesses such as hairdressers, beauticians, tattooists or those performing body piercing. For further information, you can contact the City Of Kingston, Environmental Health Department on the following number:

• Customer Service 1300 653 356

Local Laws

City of Kingston Local Laws look after issues including, but not limited to, Litter, A Frames (advertising), private use of public footpaths for chairs/tables and goods, animal ownership, and burning off.

Should you wish to advertise your retail/service premises by means of an A Frame sign, you will need an annual permit to do so. Retailers also need to be aware of specific public liability issues that are separate for the inside and outside of a retail premises.

If your business involves the placement of chairs/tables or goods on a footpath, you will require an annual permit for this from Council’s Local Laws office. If your business involves the display of goods outside your store, there are height and width requirements for different goods, and you will require a permit for this display. You can seek a copy of the policy governing these uses from Local Laws.

For these and many other issues, you can contact Local Laws at the following:

• Customer Service 1300 653 356

This number can be called from 8.30am to 5.30pm (and AHS for animal emergency only). Please note that if you are seeking a permit, allow approximately 2 weeks for availability depending on the type of permit you require (it may take more or less time). It is advised you contact the above number to discuss your requirements well in time.

Waste Management

If your new business involves setting up anything from a food/restaurant premises to a clothing store, you do need to be aware of certain waste management and current storm water litter issues.

There are three current aims for all traders/retailers and home businesses in relation to Stormwater management. These are encouraging businesses that require storing of solid waste to do so securely at their premises, litter prevention concerning street dining and sweeping shop front/home front litter into bins rather than the storm water drains. There are also local laws and/or Health planning requirements involved in specific waste disposal issues.

Knowing and following these simple ideas will clean up traders’/businesses’ immediate area, assist in keeping our beaches clean and healthy and in turn draw customers into your area and shopping precinct.

There are further commercial waste management requirements for business owners in relation to litter and waste products that you may also need to be aware of and organise for your business.

For further information you can contact the Waste Services Administrator on

• Customer Service 1300 653 356

Home-Based Businesses

If you are considering starting a home-based business or you currently run a home-based business, there are local laws and requirements of which you need to be aware. Enclosed in this pack is a recently published paper catered to your needs.

Home-based businesses have different needs and are often isolated from the central business community. There are several avenues to investigate and become self-informed including the internet, telephone call centres and Business Centres. Making use of these information and referral services may be critical to the success of your business.

Home-based business owners will need to be aware of licensing and codes of practice covering Local, State and Federal Governments as required. There may be permits required for your home business. The primary issues you need to be aware of may include those such as - no more than one person who does not live in the dwelling may work in the occupation or, that no motor vehicle may be serviced or repaired for gain.

For further information on restrictions and permits, please contact Town Planning at City of Kingston and request a copy of the ‘Home Occupancy Regulations’. Please read the enclosed ‘Guide for Victorian Home-Based Businesses’ for further information.

Child Care Information

When you are thinking of starting a business, whether you do this within or outside of your home, childcare may be an important consideration for you. Juggling family and a new business can be difficult, but it doesn’t need to be. The City of Kingston offers a range of services that may be of benefit to you.

All of Kingston’s Child Care Centres are accredited by the National Child Care Accreditation Council. Each Centre is open from 7am to 6pm weekdays. For further information about these Centres, please contact the Centre direct.

Centre	Address	Suburb	Telephone
Carrum Childcare Centre	9 Dyson Rd	Carrum	9773 1252
Lochiel Avenue Childcare Centre	6 Lochiel Avenue	Edithvale	9772 1560
Stawell Street Childcare Centre	4 Stawell Street	Mentone	9584 5169
Mountview Ave Childcare Centre	3 Mountview Avenue	Parkdale	9580 9846

Alternatively, Family Day Care may be what you are looking for. Family Day Care is a Council service and accredited under the National Childcare Accreditation Council. It provides quality childcare for children from babies to 12yrs of age in small groups in the homes of carefully selected Care providers. Childcare benefit is available.

For further information you can contact Community Sustainability on

• Family Day Care 9581 4584