Buskers and street performers help make our city a vibrant place to live, however it's important you have the appropriate permission. If you intend to busk or solicit money for street entertainment in public places in the Invercargill City or Bluff areas, you must:
- have a Buskers/Street Performers Permit
- receive permission from the shop or business owners where you intend to be located
- be considerate and respectful
Be considerate
Public places are for everyone and buskers and street entertainers must not create a nuisance:
- do not litter
- do not use amplifiers, speakers, loud hailers or other noisy equipment (permission is required from the Council if you intend to use any of this type of equipment)
- do not obstruct footpaths or pedestrian areas and avoid shop entrances (allow at least 2m space on all footpaths)
- do not distribute or sell offensive or obscene material
- your entertaining or entertainment equipment must not produce any odours or smells.
Most complaints about buskers are from businesses and focus on noise, blocking window displays or congestion of their entrance ways. Similarly, prolonged playing in any one area tends to give rise to complaint: you might like to try various sites or rotate sites during the day.
If you cause a problem while busking the Council staff or Police might simply require you to move on, however, legal action including might be considered.
Apply for a permit
To apply, complete the application form below and email it to the Road Corridor team.
Road Corridor team
