Small Bar
A Small Bar is any business which is subject to a small bar liquor licence under the Liquor Control Act 1988.
You don’t need planning approval for your Small Bar if:
- It is located in a District Centre or Regional Centre zone.
- The lot where it is located does not directly adjoin a Residential Zone. This includes lots which are separated from a Residential Zone by a laneway, right-of-way or street, as shown in the diagram below.
To check the zoning of your property and neighbouring properties, open our Online Maps. Then search your property address at the bottom of the page, click on the neighbouring properties and refer to the “LPS2 Zone” of these properties at the top right of the page.
If your Small Bar does not meet these conditions then it needs planning approval. To check what you need to do to get planning approval see here.
If your Small Bar does meet these conditions then it doesn’t need planning approval.
Whether you need planning approval or not, you may still need the following approvals:
Building Permit Approval
Building permits are generally required for all works involving alterations and additions to premises or food business fit outs, including installation of cool rooms and exhaust hoods. In most cases, proposed partitioning works for food business fit outs will affect the way the building complies with an applicable Building Standard and will require a building permit.
Building permits are not needed where a simple fit out is proposed, and only movable furniture is being replaced or painting and decorating is being carried out.
For information on the building permit process please visit the following webpages:
Building & Occupancy Permits for Commercial Fitouts
Building Services Information
Building Application Forms
Have any questions? Give our Building team a call on 9273 6000 between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday or email us at mail@vincent.wa.gov.au.
Health Approval
A Small Bar is considered a public building and is permitted to hold up to 120 persons under the Liquor Control Act 1988. Food may also be served.
Public buildings require approval to ensure they are safe and suitable for the public to occupy, as a requirement under the Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992.
A Small Bar selling, serving and/or making food is also classed as a food business under the Food Act 2008 and must be registered with the City.
The Department of Local Government, Sporting & Cultural Industries (Liquor Licensing Directorate) is responsible for issuing liquor licences. They may ask the City if there are any objections to issuing a permit, or request a ‘section 39’ certificate to check Health and Building compliance. For more information visit their website here.
For more information on registering your Small Bar, health approval requirements and to download the food and public building application forms please click the following links:
Food Businesses
Public Buildings
Liqour Applications (Section 39)
Any Small Bar which requires health assessment or approval will require an Environmental Health Officer to come out to the property and complete a final inspection before your business can open. This will ensure the premises complies with the relevant health laws. If all requirements are met, then a certificate or letter will be issued.
Have any questions? Give our Health team a call on 9273 6000 between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday or email us at mail@vincent.wa.gov.au.
Occupancy Permit Approval
An occupancy permit must be obtained from the City before a commercial tenancy or building can be occupied. This is required to change the use or classification of a building.
An occupancy permit relates to the building, and not to the owner or occupier. This means that subsequent tenants may do renovation, fit out or minor works that do not involve a change of use or classification without needing to obtain a new occupancy permit.
A copy or details of the occupancy permit must be displayed at or near the principal entrance to the building so that it is clearly visible to occupiers and other people using the building.
For more information on occupancy permits please visit the following webpages:
Occupancy Permits
Building & Occupancy Permits for Commercial Fitouts
Have any questions? Give our Building team a call on 9273 6000 between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday or email us at mail@vincent.wa.gov.au.
Once you have got the required approvals then you can open your Small Bar and start operating!
Some other information which may be useful is available here: