Bigger or outdoor licensed area

Who it's for

To extend the licensed area on your liquor licence, you apply to Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) for a variation with a new red line plan. Owning or leasing the space isn't enough: liquor can only be served inside the licensed area. We draw the new plan, prepare the application and check what council needs for the works.

• You've built, or are building, a beer garden or courtyard.
• You want a rooftop bar above your venue.
• You've leased the room or shop next door.
• You want tables on the footpath with drinks.

Not you? Fitting more people into your current space? See more patrons.

Footpath is different. Serving on the footpath needs council's footpath trading permit as well. See outdoor dining.

Extending the licensed area outdoors: the neighbours

LCV assesses the new area itself, not your whole licence again. For a beer garden or rooftop, the main question is usually noise. Who lives nearby? When will the area be used? Will music play outside? Many variations are advertised at the venue for 28 days, when police, council and neighbours can object. A clear plan for the outdoor area, covering closing time, smoking and noise, is what they'll want to see. We write it with you.

Do you need a planning permit for an outdoor area?

Not for the liquor. Since Amendment VC286 took effect on 1 July 2025, you don't need a planning permit to sell liquor. But a deck, pergola, rooftop structure or new room may need a permit for buildings and works, especially under an overlay such as heritage. Depending on the zone, the use of new space may need one too. If your endorsed plans show the area differently, a secondary consent or section 72 amendment may be needed. Building permits are separate again.

Rooftop bars

A rooftop bar licence works like any other new area: a new red line plan and a variation, or part of a new licence application if you're starting out. Rooftops usually add planning and building questions about structures, access and noise, so we check those before you commit to a design.

How it works

Licence, planning and council handled together.

1. 15-minute call Tell us about the new space. We confirm what's needed and fix the fee.
2. Online form and drawings You upload your licence, red line plan, permit and drawings or photos of the new area.
3. New plan and application Our draftsman draws the new red line plan and we prepare the variation. You review and sign off.
4. We lodge and manage it We lodge with LCV, manage advertising and objections, and deal with council on any planning or footpath permits.

Fees and timing

Our fee is fixed before we start. LCV's and council's fees are separate.

Our fee

Fixed fee, quoted before we start

New red line plan

Drawn in-house

Licence timeframe

LCV's guidance for some variations is 9–11 weeks; objections and advertising can add time

Planning permit, if needed

Council has 60 statutory days for a standard application; often longer in practice

What we need from you

You upload these through your client portal, from any device.

• Your current liquor licence and red line plan
• Drawings or photos of the new area, with measurements if you have them
• Your planning permit and endorsed plans
• How you'll use the area: hours, seating, music, staff

Questions