Hamilton City Council is committed to ensuring that activities in public places such as al fresco dining or street performances add to the vibrancy, creativity and look and feel of our city.
The 
Public Places Bylaw 2016 (PDF, 146KB) and the Public Places Policy (PDF, 456KB) set out the rules to ensure that activities are managed in an appropriate way to ensure that Hamilton's public places are lively and attractive whilst not compromising safety and access.
A Public Place is generally defined as a place that is 'owned or under the control of Council, any part of a public place that is opened to, or being used by the public.'
COVID-19 Outdoor Dining Permit formAs an immediate step to support Hamilton's hospitality sector, the Council is waiving outdoor dining permit fees until the end of June and making it easier for new applications.
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Permissions
Applications must seek to deliver on the following principles:
Provides rich and diverse culinary, entertainment and art experience that generate vitality and discourse.
Promotes enterprise to all its communities
Encourages the chance encounter, where casual contact can flourish to generate new possibilities and development.
Celebrates Hamilton’s character, reflecting the uniqueness of its setting and enhances the culture of the city and its people.
Adds to the city’s vibrancy and strengthening the existing function of areas.
You will need to apply for a permit for operating any of these activities in a public place:
Factors taken into consideration when approving a permit are public safety, location, time, type of activity and whether the activity will create a public nuisance.
If you have any concerns with regards to your activity please contact us.
Applying for a permit
You will need to fill in the correct permit application form and either post, email or bring in the completed form to Hamilton City Council. Alternatively, you can now apply for some permits online below.
Municipal Building, Garden Place
Apply Online
You can now apply for the below permits online. More permits will be added in the future.
Fees and Charges
Fees are charged on a pro rata basis. There may be additional fees and charges associated with your permit application. For more information please see the 
Public Places Fees and Charges brochure (PDF,269 KB).