Terms and conditions for street performance and busking licences

The following conditions apply to all buskers and street performers wanting to perform in public places:

• Approvals are issued to individuals or groups.
• Approvals cannot be transferred to other performers.
• Performers under the age of 12 must have parental or legal guardian consent to apply for an approval. The Council recommends that street performers and buskers under twelve are supervised by an adult at all times when performing.
• All street performers and buskers must have their licence and photo identification on them while performing.
• There are specific areas and times where amplified performance and busking is not allowed - see the sound performances section below.
• Sites may move, be temporarily unavailable or permanently removed at the Council’s discretion.
• If a street performer or busker is performing immediately outside retail premises and is asked by the retailer or security guards to move on, they must do so.
• Street performers or their audiences must not at any time block footpaths, residential doorways, bus stops, pedestrian crossings, fire escapes, or shop doorways (during business hours).
• A busker can only perform at one site for a maximum time of 90 minutes per day. This allocated time includes both performance and non-performance time (set up, breaks, and pack down).
• If you're a professional performer, you will need public liability insurance cover of $1 million.

The following special conditions apply to sound performances:

• Sound performances that meet all busking and street performance conditions are allowed in any public place in Wellington between 7am and 9pm.
• Between the hours of 9pm and 3am on Friday and Saturdays only certain areas are available for street performance. These are listed on our website.
• Sound performances that receive complaints may be requested to setup in different locations and times through a special condition on the licence.
• Sound performances should be separated by a minimum distance of 50 metres between acts.
• We reserve the right to place special conditions on street performance and busking approvals such as amplification limits and restrictions on drums and bag pipes.

Approval is required for pavement art in Wellington. The following conditions apply:

• Art must be temporary.
• An timeframe and removal plan must be agreed with the Council.
• The art is removed when it is no longer needed or relevant.
• It is not permitted on footpaths.
• It is only permitted in certain areas of Wellington, which will be listed on the Council’s website.
• Materials used must be easily washed off without leaving any residue.
• The materials must not be slippery or create a trip hazard.
• If the pavement art is created on a removable surface, such as plastic, canvas or paper/card, and is fixed to the pavement, it must be with a product that does not leave any residue.
• The site must be kept clean, tidy and safe at all times.
• Commercial advertising is not permitted.
• Offensive material and images are not permitted.

The following special conditions apply to performances using dangerous materials or objects:

• Performers are required to be skilled and experienced in using dangerous materials or objects.
• A health and safety plan may be required.
• Fireworks are not permitted in street performances.
• The performance space must be defined by setting a visible boundary of at least two metres between the performer and the audience, for example, using a rope, chain, or chalk line that is removed once the performer has completed the act.
• The Council reserves the right to withhold permission for street performances involving fire if a fire ban is in force in the city.
• The only flammable liquid/hazardous substance permitted in street performance acts is kerosene. No other flammable liquids or hazardous substances will be permitted.
• A fire blanket or fire extinguisher must be part of performance kits when using fire, and it must be visible and accessible throughout the performance.
• Kerosene must be stored in portable, unbreakable, closed containers of a 5-litre maximum capacity and clearly labelled ‘Kerosene/Poison’.
• Kerosene fuel should be prevented from being dripped, tipped, or flicked onto people, vegetation, or property. Any kerosene stains on ground surfaces must be removed immediately following the end of the performance.
• It is recommended that street performers using dangerous materials or objects in their performance have at least $1,000,000 public liability insurance cover.