Permits for public streets
If you want to use part or all of a public street managed by the City of Hobart for skip bins, undertaking construction, or holding a special event, you may require a permit.
Construction activities that need a permit
You will need to a permit from the City of Hobart to undertake certain construction activities, including:
- road closures so that you can safely undertake construction
- any construction that requires the road or footpath surface to be excavated
- placement of a crane, scissor lift, cherry picker, skip bin, shipping container, concrete pump, hoarding, scaffolding or similar infrastructure on the public street
- installation of traffic control devices (traffic cones, traffic signs, safety barriers, etc.) to safely manage any other construction activity.
Special events that need a permit
Certain events occurring on public streets need a permit from City of Hobart (in consultation with Tasmania Police), including:
- road closures for festivals, gatherings or other commercial purposes
- closure of part of the road or footpath for festivals, gatherings or other commercial purposes.
Special events that need a permit from Tasmania Police
Some events occurring on public streets will need a permit from Tasmania Police, these include:
- motor vehicle race, cycling or athletic events
- demonstrations or street processions
- charitable collections.
Enquiries for special events of these types should be directed to Tasmania Police. See the Tasmania Police permits for events webpage.
Permits and applications
Road closures
If you need to close a road for construction works or a special event you need to apply for a permit.
You can apply for a permit by completing the online form:
Apply online
A printable form is available on our forms page.
Occupying or carrying out works on a public street
You may require a permit if you need to carry out excavation work, or occupy a road or road reserve with any of the following:
- cranes
- concrete pumps
- scaffolding
- traffic control
- industrial waste containers (skip bins and shipping containers)
- special vehicles (including scissor lifts, cherry pickers, travel towers, boom lifts)
- temporary fencing (hoarding)
- excavation work - minimum of 14 days notice required
To apply for a permit (excluding permits for skip bins or shipping containers) you need to provide the following:
- a Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance of at least $10 million (excluding the use of skip bins and shipping containers)
- a Traffic Management Plan, prepared by someone with appropriate training and experience, which complies with the requirements of Traffic Control for Works on Roads – Tasmanian Guide 2014 (excluding the use of skip bins and shipping containers).
Please note: if works will involve the excavation of the surface of any part of the public highway, a permit to occupy and carry out works in a highway is needed (in addition to any permit required for the traffic management component of the works).
You can apply for a permit by completing the online form:
Apply online
A printable form is available on our forms page.
More information is available on the roads and footpaths page.
Vehicle movement
If you want to apply to move a vehicle over a footpath, nature strip or kerb and gutter you will need to apply for a permit.
To apply for a permit you need to provide the following:
- a Traffic Management Plan, prepared by someone with appropriate training and experience, which complies with the requirements of Traffic Control for Works on Roads – Tasmanian Guide 2014 or an explanation for an exemption
- a Safe Work Method Statement which identifies risks associated with the event and how they will be treated
- a completed application for vehicle movement form.
You can apply for a permit by completing the online form:
Apply online
A printable form is available on our forms page.
Parking sensors
Any individual, contractor or other authority intending to carry out works in areas with in-ground sensors requires notification to and approval from Parking Operations.
The activities include road opening as well as operating heavy machinery, such as an excavator, within the metered spaces.
The City must be advised at least 7 business days in advance when works are planned in areas with in-ground parking sensors in order for the sensors to be removed.
You can submit an application by completing the online form:
Apply online
A printable form is available on our forms page.
Fees will apply for any removal and reinstatement or damage caused to any in-ground sensor. Refer to the below table for removal and reinstatement fees.
| Number of sensors |
Total cost |
| 1 |
$295 |
| 2 |
$390 |
| 3 |
$485 |
| 4 |
$580 |
| 5 |
$675 |
| 6 |
$770 |
| 7 |
$865 |
| 8 |
$960 |
| 9 |
$1055 |
| 10 |
$1150 |
| 11 + |
quote per job |
For costs related to damaged sensors or any further information please contact Parking Operations on 03 6238 2711 or email coh@hobartcity.com.au.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges apply for each of the following:
- scaffolding permits
- skip bin permits
- crane/concrete pump/cherry picker permits
- hoarding permits
- road closure licence
- carrying out excavation - invoicing for this occurs after works are completed
The cost of these are available on the fees and charges page.
If you apply for a permit, you may be contacted and asked to pay the permit fee via credit card to allow the assessment to proceed. If it is determined that no permit is required for what you are proposing to undertake, then the permit fee will be refunded.