What are franchise charges?

Franchise charges are fees set by the Council for specified services or exclusive rights; exact definitions are found in the relevant bylaw or fee schedule and vary by service.

How do I find the applicable fee for my business?

Locate the named fee schedule or bylaw on the Christchurch City Council website and check the current fees table; if an amount is not shown, contact the Council's finance or licensing team.

Who enforces non-payment or breaches?

By-law Enforcement, licensing officers or Council debt recovery staff enforce breaches; complaints and reports are managed through the Council's service pages.

Christchurch Bylaws: Franchise & Targeted Business Fees

Taxation and Finance Canterbury 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026

Christchurch, Canterbury businesses may face franchise charges and targeted business fees where the Council provides specific services or requires licences for use of public space. This guide explains how such charges are set, who enforces them, how to find official schedules and forms, and practical steps to apply, pay or appeal the Council decision. For primary fee schedules and charging policies see the Council's fees pages ^[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

The Christchurch City Council enforces bylaws and fees through its bylaw and regulatory teams; specific penalties and enforcement procedures are published in the controlling bylaws or fee schedules. Where the Council has set a targeted rate or a licencing charge, non-payment or breach may trigger debt recovery, infringement notices, or prosecutions under the relevant bylaw or Council policy ^[2].

Fines: monetary amounts are not specified on the cited page unless set out in a named bylaw or fee schedule; check the controlling bylaw or the specific fee schedule for exact amounts.^[2]
Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence treatment is determined by the bylaw or penalty schedule and is not specified on the cited page unless shown in that instrument.
Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement options can include orders to remedy, notices to cease activity, seizure of unauthorised goods, suspension of licences, and referral to court.
Enforcer and complaints: By-law Enforcement and regulatory teams at Christchurch City Council investigate complaints; report issues via the Council's service pages.
Appeals and reviews: appeal routes depend on the instrument (bylaw, licence decision or rating objection); time limits for appeals are stated in the controlling document or statutory process and are not specified on the cited page unless shown there.
Defences and discretion: many bylaws allow defences such as "reasonable excuse" or provide for discretionary permits or variances; check the specific bylaw text or policy for details.

Check the exact bylaw or fee schedule named in your notice to confirm precise fines and time limits.

Applications & Forms

Licence to occupy / street trading forms: the Council publishes permit and licence application forms where occupation of public space or trading is regulated; details and submission methods are available on the Council website.
Targeted rates and rating objections: forms and instructions for rates queries and objections are provided by the Council's rates service pages.
Where a named form or fee code is required, the controlling bylaw or fee schedule will list the form name/number and the payment method; if a form is not published there, it is not specified on the cited page and you should contact the Council.

Common Violations and Typical Outcomes

Unauthorised trading or franchise activity on public land — may attract notices to cease and require retrospective licences.
Failure to pay targeted business fees or rates — may lead to debt recovery procedures and additional charges.
Non-compliance with licence conditions (safety, signage, waste) — can result in suspension or cancellation of the licence.

If you receive an infringement or notice, act promptly to query or remedy it to avoid escalation.

FAQ

What are franchise charges?: Franchise charges are fees set by the Council for specified services or exclusive rights; exact definitions are found in the relevant bylaw or fee schedule and vary by service.
How do I find the applicable fee for my business?: Locate the named fee schedule or bylaw on the Christchurch City Council website and check the current fees table; if an amount is not shown, contact the Council's finance or licensing team.
Who enforces non-payment or breaches?: By-law Enforcement, licensing officers or Council debt recovery staff enforce breaches; complaints and reports are managed through the Council's service pages.

How-To

Identify the controlling instrument: check whether the charge is in a bylaw, targeted rate notice or the Council's fees schedule.
Download the relevant application or form from the Council website, or contact the listed department for the correct form.
Complete the form and pay the fee by the method specified on the Council page; keep receipts and reference numbers.
If you disagree, follow the appeal or objection steps in the controlling document and note any statutory time limits.

Key Takeaways

Always check the specific bylaw or fee schedule named on your invoice or notice for exact amounts and time limits.
Contact Christchurch City Council early to request forms, payment options or dispute procedures.