Yarra Ranges Council Online Services - Occupancy permit (place of public entertainment)

Occupancy permit (place of public entertainment)

Apply for an occupancy permit for place of public entertainment (POPE) to ensure your venue meets all safety and building codes required for hosting events.

Last updated on: 05 September 2025

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Before you start
Fees
Information required
Processing time
Apply now
Do you need help?

Before you start

If you're planning a public entertainment event, you may need an Occupancy Permit for a Place of Public Entertainment (POPE).

This is to ensure the event complies with all safety requirements, such as exits, fire safety, public amenities and if necessary that stages or other temporary structures suitably located and sound in construction.

If the area used for public entertainment is greater than 500m2, it is considered a place of public entertainment. Exemptions are in place for community organisations. Please contact our building team to find out if this applies to you.

An occupancy permit (or certificate of occupancy) is a legal document from the local government. It confirms that a building meets all safety and building codes in relation to the Event.

If you are putting up temporary structures for the event you must have a current occupancy permit for your temporary structure before applying for a place of public entertainment.

A temporary structure is:

A stage or platform exceeding 150m2
A tent, marquee or booth with a floor area greater than 100m2
A seating stand that holds more than 20 people
A prefabricated building with a floor area exceeding 100m2 which is used as an assembly building / places of public entertainment.

You can apply for an occupancy permit through the Victorian Building Authority.

You may also need consent from Council for the temporary structure.

Fees

No fees are requested at the time of lodgement. Fees are requested after an application has been submitted and when the event size has been confirmed. An invoice will be emailed once the application has been assessed.

Application Fee	Fee Cost
500m2 - 1,000m2 (including 2 inspections)	$1,110.00
500m2 - 1,000m2: Late Fee*	$288.09
1,001m2 - 5,000m2 (including 2 inspections)	$2,200.00
1,001m2 - 5,000m2: Late Fee*	$576.72
5,001m2 - 10,000m2 (including 2 inspections)	$3,330.00
5,001m2 - 10,000m2: Late Fee*	$864.79
Greater than 10,001m2 (including 2 inspections)	$4,440.00
Greater than 10,001m2: Late Fee*	$1,153.42
Additional Inspections Per Inspection	$260.00

Information required

Information you may be required to provide when submitting your application:

Site Plan: Drawn to scale, showing the location of the proposed temporary structure in relation to other buildings and property boundaries.
Service and Facility Plans: Indicating the location of:
Fire extinguishers
Emergency lighting and exit signs
Exit locations and aggregate widths
Sanitary facilities, including the number provided for each sex
Occupancy Permit: A copy issued by the Victorian Building Authority for the prescribed temporary structures included in this application.
Emergency Management Plan
Risk Management Plan
Public Liability Insurance

Please Note: Further information may be required upon assessment of your application.

Processing time

Apply now

You will need to register or sign in to start your application.

If you had an account in our previous online services portal (before August 2025) your login details will not work in the new system.

You will need to register and create a new account.

Do you need help?

You can also visit one of our community links or call us on 1300 368 333.

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