Permits

The Activities in Public Places Bylaw 2023 applies to the Queenstown Lakes District. The purpose of this bylaw is to:

• protect the public from nuisance
• protect, promote, and maintain public health and safety
• minimise the potential for offensive behaviour in public places
• manage and protect Council-owned or controlled land, structures and other property and assets from misuse, damage or loss
• regulate trading in public places

Under the Activities in Public Places Bylaw 2023, the following activities require registration with Council:

• Busking
• Charity street collection
• Pop up stall
• Organised Licensed Premises Tour

The Activities in Public Places Bylaw 2023 (the Bylaw) provides the Council with the tools to manage land under its control.

This is important because it ensures that the competing interests of people who want to use public land are considered and that the use of public spaces is safe from nuisance and is equitable.

The Bylaw provides for the Council to control nuisances that may arise from an activity. The Health and Safety of the public using public land is also important, and any activity that is a danger to the Public requires the Council to manage these effects carefully.

The Council is able to see activities and control them through its Registration and Permitting system.

Generally, as long as Pop-up Stalls and other commercial activities comply with the requirements of the Bylaw, the Council will provide permission for the use of public land.

However, there are some situations where activities do not or cannot comply with all the conditions of the Bylaw, and it is the Council’s role to assess these activities, to ensure that the impact of these on public land, and people using the land, is reduced and controlled. This is why there is a requirement under the Bylaw to apply for a Permit where an activity does not comply with the relevant terms of use.

The Bylaw clearly sets out how and where You may operate as a commercial activity on public land. You should read the Bylaw carefully and understand what your obligations are before you consider trading on public land.

If you Register with the Council, you are agreeing to comply with all terms and conditions, and if you cannot comply then You will require a Permit. Permits allow the Council to properly assess the activity against the purpose of the Bylaw, to ensure that Your activity will not compromise the use of public land by other members of the Public, and will not cause a nuisance, or be a danger to health or safety of others.

If you are seeking to busk, operate a pop-up stall or undertake charity street collection outside of a permitted busking area or outside the conditions listed in clause 12 you must apply to the Council for permission under clause 12.2 of the Bylaw to operate. This can be done through the Council’s online permit system. This will guide you on what information you will need to provide to ensure the smooth and efficient processing of your application.

If you have any questions in regard to the above, please contact:

rcmonitoring@qldc.govt.nz

Where can I trade under a valid registration or permit?

You can view the permitted trading areas here: Busking, Pop-Up Stalls, and Charity Street Collection

Important Update to the Registration and Permitting System of Pop-up Stalls

Effective 17 April 2025, the Council resolved to prohibit pop-up stalls from trading on the Queenstown lakefront under the Activities in Public Places Bylaw 2023. This prohibition will remain in place for one year.

What this means for current pop-up stall permit holders:

If you already hold a valid registration or permit, you may continue to operate on the Queenstown lakefront until your registration or permit expires.

Conditions

Ensure you're familiar with specific conditions applicable to the activity you wish to undertake.

Register or Apply for a Permit

Registration or applying for a permit for busking, charity street collection or a pop-up stall must be completed using the online form here: Activities in Public Places Registration Form.

An amusement device is any mechanically powered unit used for rider entertainment.  Traditionally, amusement devices were fairground machinery.  For example: merry-go-rounds, ferris wheels, roller coasters and more.

However, today there are a number of devices that fall within the “amusement device” definition, including bumper boats, bumper cars, indoor go-kart operations and mini bikes (three and four wheeled all-terrain vehicles).

Land-borne inflatable devices

When a device is not classified as an amusement device, it may fall within the category of a ‘Land-borne inflatable device’ (eg bouncy castles and horizontal bungees)

Operators must comply with the requirements outlined in the attached document:

Technical bulletin - LBI devices

Registration

All amusement devices must have a Certificate of Registration issued by the Department of Labour, who can be contacted on 0800 209 020.

The Department of Labour will inspect the mechanical aspects of the machinery to ensure it is safe to use.

Permit to operate

Before a registered device is operated, the owner of the amusement device must obtain a permit from the Local Authority to operate the device.

An application must be made using Form 4 Amusement Device Regulations and forwarded to Queenstown Lakes District Council, Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348 or emailed to:
services@qldc.govt.nz

Local authority's responsibilities

Before issuing a permit to operate, a local authority must ensure that the site and device are inspected by its engineer or some other competent person and that:

• The ground on which the device is erected is able to support the device without risk of subsidence.
• There is sufficient clearance between any part of the device and any fixed or moving objects in the vicinity, to prevent injury to any person when the device is in operation.
• Where considered necessary for safety of the public protective fences or barriers are erected.
• Complies with the Local Authority bylaws.

Fees

The fees prescribed by the regulations for the issue of permits are:

1. For one device, for the first seven days of proposed operation or part thereof, $10:
2. For each additional device operated by the same owner, for the first seven days or part thereof, $2
3. For each device, $1 for each further period of seven days or part thereof.

The above is to be intended as a guide only and must be read in conjunction with the Amusement Device Regulations 1978 and the Machinery Act 1950.

Any commercial filming that takes place on Queenstown Lakes District Council land (including roads) will first require an approved film permit from us. You may also require resource consents for bigger and/or long-term productions.

Find out more via our Film Permits page.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is responsible for fire permitting within the Queenstown Lakes District.

Our district has a high risk of fire. Head to www.checkitsalright.nz to find out if you’re allowed to light a fire and the steps you can take to reduce the risk.  There’s also lots of information about the use of backyard fires and BBQs.

There are a number of areas under a total fire ban all year round. This means no open-air fires or fireworks at any time:

• Queenstown Red Zone

• Pig Island

• Albert Town Recreation Reserve and Campground

• Coronet Forest

• Mt Iron

• Pigeon Island

• Ruby Island

Under section 101 of the Gambling Act 2003 and section 96 of the Racing Industry Act 2020, we're required to adopt a policy to regulate the growth and location of Class 4 (non-casino electronic gaming machines or “pokies”) and Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) venue gambling within our district.

The areas we have authority to control are:

• To determine whether new class 4 and or TAB venues may be established within the district and if so, to determine any restrictions to be placed on those locations; and

• If Class 4 venues are permitted in the district, to determine the maximum number of machines that may be in each venue, subject to statutory maxima.

Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy 2024 (PDF, 258.16KB)

Applications

To operate a Class 4 gambling machine or gambling venue in the Queenstown Lakes District, you must apply for consent from the Council before the Gambling Commission will issue an operator’s licence and a venue licence.

Applications for local authority consent from the Council must be made on the approved form and must provide the following information with it:

• Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy

• Staff Training Programme

• Gambling Host Responsibility Policy

• Locality map showing locations of other gambling venues, childcare facilities, schools, places of worship, and community facilities all within 50 metres of the proposed premises.

• A scale floor plan of the entire premises including detailing the proposed gaming area with area size and machine setup.

• Photo of the exterior of the premises, and proposed gaming area.

• Landowner approval indicating they are aware their building will be used for gambling purposes.

• A copy of the current alcohol on-licence for the premises.

• $500 application fee

Find out more on our Gambling Information page.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) administers HSNO legislation.  However, there are a number of agencies responsible for enforcing the HSNO Act.

We're included as an agency, as we've been contracted by the Department of Labour to enforce the provisions of the Act in any work place.

We also enforce the provisions of the Act for non-work places in the Queenstown Lakes area.

Your HSNO obligations

All hazardous substances are subject to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act.

This could mean that you have to obtain test certificates to confirm your site is to the required standard and that staff are trained. A Test Certificate is a document that shows a site (including equipment) or a person meets the standards for safe use of a hazardous substance. The certificates are issued by an EPA approved test certifier.

There are specific requirements to be followed to safely manage hazardous substances’. Responsibility for HSNO rests with the “person in charge”, who can be the owner, lessee, sub-lessee, or the occupier of the premise.

What is a hazardous substance?

There is a wide range of hazardous substances from industrial chemicals to everyday household products.

A hazardous substance will have one or more of the following properties:

• Explosive
• Flammable
• Able to oxidise (accelerate a fire)
• Poisonous to people
• Corrosive (to human tissue or metal)
• Harmful to the environment

Where do I find information on HSNO and Test Certifiers?

Further information regarding the HSNO can be found at www.epa.govt.nz or by contacting:

Department of Labour - 0800 209 020
Queenstown Lakes District Council - 03 441 0499

For rules on signage provisions within the District Plan, click here.

If you need to occupy council road reserve, you will need to apply for a Licence to Occupy Road Reserve.

The Licence to Occupy Road Reserve process:

• Council assesses the proposed occupation and how it will impact on the community and surrounding business, while considering council policies, strategies, and bylaws. 

• Once a recommendation is made, a council report is presented to the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Chief Executive or the Wānaka Community Board (depending on the location of the road reserve in question) for a formal decision to be made. If the LTO is granted, a specific set of conditions will be imposed which need to be adhered to throughout the occupation.

• Each application incurs a $739.00 initial application fee. This is to cover the initial costs of reviewing the application and doing our due diligence to ensure the proposal is appropriate and there is no adverse effect on council property or the community. The fee is not being charged for a licence or a lease but is to cover administration costs only. If the initial fee is insufficient to cover the actual and reasonable costs of work undertaken on the application, you will be required to pay any additional amount and will be invoiced monthly as work on the application continues. 

How to apply for a License to Occupy Road Reserve:

Download and complete the application form below and make sure the following documents are included with your application:

• Application Form

• Location Map showing site of proposal and Council land affected

• Photographs of the site (where relevant)

• Plans of the proposal (plans must be to scale)

• Plans must clearly show measurements concerned with the proposal

• Cover Letter advising details of application

• Details of Assignment (Transfer) of Licence to Occupy including application reference (if applicable)

Applications can be lodged via our online Community Portal or by email engineeringapprovals@qldc.govt.nz

Contact:

For more information on obtaining a Licence to Occupy, please email: engineeringapprovals@qldc.govt.nz

We offer a range of parking permits in the Queenstown Lakes District. You'll find more information on the permits and application process here.

A reserve permit is required for any sporting, arts or community activities taking place on QLDC reserves. Construction works and access onto reserves can also be applied for through this permit.

In order to process a Reserve permit application please provide the following information:

• A completed permit application form. 

• A site plan that shows the area of the reserve you intend to use. Council’s GIS Property Info Maps may be of assistance.

• A Risk Management Plan/Health and Safety Plan.

• A copy of your Public Liability Insurance certificate.

• Harbour Master approval – required for any activities on/in the water.

Fee information can be found on our Community Facilities Venue Pricing Guide.

All applications are to be lodged to:
services@qldc.govt.nz