Advertising and signage - planning advice

Advertising signage can have a big impact on landscape, streetscape, amenity and traffic management and safety.

Permit for your sign – do you need one

Whether you need a planning permit for a sign depends on:

• location of the property
• zoning and types of overlays that apply to the land
• type and form of signage planned.

The Planning Scheme controls for signs are in Clause 52.05.

There are four categories:

• Category 1: business areas
• Category 2: office and industrial
• Category 3: high amenity areas
• Category 4: sensitive areas

Each category identifies types of signs that do not require a planning permit, that do require a permit, and those that are prohibited. As you move from Category 1 to Category 4, the level of control over signage increases.

Certain types of signs, such as traffic signs and ‘for sale’ signs located on the land for sale, do not need a planning permit under specific circumstances.

These planning controls are complex. Talk to us about your permit requirements before you put up any advertising signs. There are penalties for displaying illegal signage.

When we receive an application for signage we will consider it against the Clause 52.05 decision guidelines. Make sure you address them when preparing your application. They include:

• area character
• impact on views and vistas
• streetscape, setting or landscape - relationship of proposed sign
• site and building - signs on buildings should not detract from their appearance
• structures associated with the sign - impact
• construction, design and quality of signs
• illumination - impact on adjoining land or roadways
• logo box associated with the sign
• the business’ need to identify itself and opportunities on the site or locality
• road safety impact.

Referral to Department of Transport and Planning

An application to display an animated or electronic sign within 60 metres of a freeway or arterial road will be referred to the Department of Transport and Planning. 

Council must consider their advice when assessing the planning application.

Apply for signage permit

Sign size, location, structure, illumination, design and context. What you need to include when you apply to put up a sign. Use our put up a sign planning application checklist (17P).