Local Laws permits

Council regulates advertising devices and signage to ensure public safety and to maintain the local amenity.  There are two main types of advertising that are regulated under Council's Local Laws - 1. advertising devices, and 2. footpath stickers and decals. You may need a permit from Council before installing these types of advertising devices, and there are different application processes for each type.

Advertising devices

This covers devices such as sandwich boards, pylon signs, banners, real estate signs and garage sale signs.  These advertising devices are regulated under Local Law No. 4 (Advertising Devices) ( PDF, 7.99 MB ) to ensure that they do not impact the amenity of the community, cause safety concerns or interfere with infrastructure.

The Local Law identifies whether an advertising device is prohibited, can be installed without a permit, or requires a permit from Council before it can be installed.

• See our Advertising devices page for more information, including how to make an application for an advertising device.

Footpath stickers and decals

Council has clear guidelines on the use of adhesive labels or signs which attach to, are drawn on or transferred to the footpath.

Applications to use footpath stickers and decals are assessed as an application for a permit for an alteration of local government controlled areas or roads permit in accordance with Council's Local Law No.11 ( PDF, 0.41 MB ) (Local government controlled areas and roads) 2016 and Local Law No. 1 ( PDF, 3.07 MB ) (Administration) 2016.

A permit will only be approved for a maximum of 10 footpath stickers/decals per event, installed in specified locations (with only one sticker permitted at each site) for a maximum period of one month.

• See our Footpath stickers & decals page for more information, including how to apply for a permit to alter a Council-controlled footpath with adhesive labels or signs.

Council regulates the keeping and control of animals within the local government area under Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2016, Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2016 and the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008.

The local law regarding animal management supplements the powers of Council in the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008. The focus of the local law is to uphold the expectations of the community regarding animal management, to ensure that there’s an appropriate place for animals in the community in a way that safeguards against risks to the public’s health and safety and protects the amenity of the community.

Some of the key permit types of the local law include where a property intends to:

• keep more than 1 dog on a multiple dwelling or dual occupancy premises;
• keep more than 1 dog on a premises that is less than 450m²;
• keep more than 2 dogs on any premises that is 450m² and above;
• keep more than 2 cats on any premises;
• keep more than 2 cats in any single dwelling which is part of a multiple dwelling or dual occupancy premises; and
• operate a kennel, cattery, pet shop or shelter.

Read more about Animal management and responsible pet ownership.

Local Law No. 5 (Temporary Homes and Camping) 2016 allows for an application to be made for camping on private property which allows residents the flexibility to have family and friends visit and camp on their properties.

A permit is required where there is camping on that private property for more than a period of four (4) weeks in a 12 month period. Conditions will be imposed on permits to ensure appropriate and sanitary facilities are available to those camping and to manage the impacts to the surrounding areas.

Apply for a permit to occupy premises for camping ( PDF, 0.43 MB ).

Council regulates the operation of camping grounds, caravan parks and shared facilities accommodations under Local Law No. 6 (Camping Grounds, Caravan Parks and Shared Facilities Accommodation) 2016 through a permit process.

The focus of this permit process is to protect people using camping grounds, caravan parks and shared facilities accommodation by ensuring that public health and safety standards are upheld and basic necessities are provided through permit conditions.

See our Accommodation premises page for more about camping grounds, caravan parks and shared facilities accommodation.

Council regulates the treatment of human remains, both within a cemetery and outside of a cemetery, under Local Law No. 7 (Human Remains and Cemeteries) 2016 through permit processes.

Cemeteries are essential assets for the community. It is important that cemeteries are managed effectively to ensure that the needs and expectations of the community are met.

Read more about Cemeteries.

Council can permit certain commercial activities to occur on Council areas or roads through a permit process under Local Law No. 11 (Local Government Controlled Areas and Roads) 2016..  Permitted activities include but are not limited to the following:

• Roadside vending – mobile or stationary
• Displaying goods for sale from a Council controlled area or road
• Using a Council controlled area or road to take off or land an aircraft or for skydiving landings
• Filming or photography on a Council controlled area or road
• Activities for sporting, recreation, tourism or education purposes for participants only
• Commercial training or tours (such as fitness classes or personal training).

Council regulates the above commercial activities carried out on Council land to ensure that the activities are carried out safely for the commercial users and the public, to protect the amenity of the community and to protect public spaces.

See our Footpath Dining page for more information about footpath dining including how to apply.

See our Commercial activities on Council land page for more information about the above permit types including how to apply.

Local Law No. 11 (Local Government Controlled Areas and Roads) 2016 allows for applications for a permit to have a fire on a Council area or road for either cultural purposes or where it is associated with a filming or photography permit.

These permits include conditions that:

• a nominated person be responsible for monitoring the fire and the safety of people around the fire,
• specified materials be used in the lighting of the fire, and
• the area used must be reinstated after the fire is extinguished.

To apply for a permit for a cultural fire, download and submit the printable form ( PDF, 0.32 MB ). You will also need to book a public space to use a Council area or road for your cultural fire.

To apply for a permit for filming or photography that involves fire, please apply for a filming or photography permit.

Local Law No. 11 (Local Government Controlled Areas and Roads) 2016 allow for an application to be made to undertake the following types of non-commercial activities on a Council controlled area or road:

• fundraising
• a display, demonstration, educational or informational activity
• a research or scientific investigation activity.

To apply for one or more of these activities:

• Complete our online form
• Download and submit the printable form    ( PDF, 0.73 MB )

Council’s local laws, under Local Law No.11 (Local Government controlled Areas and Roads) 2016, regulates other activities or uses of Council areas or roads through permit processes. These include but are not limited to the following activities:

• Temporarily closing footpath or road for building or maintenance works eg : the installation of a construction zone with a site office temporarily;
• Use of adhesive labels or signs which attach to, are drawn on or transferred to the footpath; and
• Clearing or alteration of vegetation on Council areas or roads.

See our Alteration or Improvement to Local Government Controlled Areas or Roads webpage for more information on these activities, including how to apply.

• Temporarily depositing goods and materials - including shipping containers, skip bins, portable toilets, building and landscaping materials, machinery and temporary fencing - on a Council area or road

See our Depositing of Goods and Materials on Local Government Controlled Areas or Roads webpage for more information on these activities, including how to apply.

Council regulates parking to ensure the efficient use of parking spaces and safety of motorists and pedestrians in the region.

Local Law No. 12 (Parking) 2016 provides a permit process to issue permits for parking which includes

• commercial vehicle parking permits
• residential parking permits
• reserved bay parking permits
• business parking permits
• TPI (Total and Permanent Incapacitation) or EDA (Extreme Disablement Adjustment) parking permits.

See our Parking in Cairns page for more information about parking, including permit applications.

Entertainment events can bring large numbers of people within the community together and may involve a range of activities that have the potential to impact upon the health, safety and amenity of attendees and the wider community.

Council regulates temporary entertainment events under Local Law No. 9 (Temporary Entertainment Events) 2016 which requires event organisers of certain events to obtain a temporary entertainment event permit to conduct an event on either private property or Council land. The purpose of the local law is to balance the delivery of events in the community while managing risks associated with events to ensure the health and safety of attendees and to protect the amenity within community.

Read more about temporary entertainment events including which events require a permit and the application process.

Local Law No. 5 (Temporary Homes and Camping) 2016 allows for applications to be made for a temporary home to be used on private property while a permanent dwelling is being erected on that land under a building approval. There are time limits that apply and conditions are imposed on permits to ensure that there are appropriate and sanitary facilities in place and to ensure that the amenity of the area is not impacted.

The local law aims to balance the need for short-term accommodation in temporary homes on private properties with the need to preserve the safety and amenity of neighbours and the broader community.

Apply for a permit to establish a temporary home ( PDF, 0.43 MB ).

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates the use of remotely piloted aircrafts (drones) and model aircrafts while they are being flown in the air. Council regulates the launching and landing of these aircraft from Council land as the owner or manager.

Council permission is required to launch or land drones and/or model aircraft from a Council-controlled area or road. You will need to provide details about the proposed activity and include any other approval you may require to operate the drone or aircraft. This permit is in addition to all other approvals that are also required to fly a drone or aircraft, such as CASA.

Council also requires applicant to complete a letterbox drop to nearby properties and residents within a specified radius from the launching or landing area to inform them of the activity and relevant details. This letterbox drop is typically required to be completed seven (7) days prior to commencing the activity.

Operators of drones or model aircraft must comply with the relevant CASA rules at all times and are responsible to ensure that they have all necessary CASA approvals, licenses and accreditations required.

Apply for a Restricted Activity Permit - use of model aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft (drone) from Council areas ( PDF, 0.72 MB ).