Council Approval Process For Installing Signage on Commercial Property

Planning to install a new sign on your commercial property? Before anything goes up, it is important to understand what approvals may apply. G&S Industries works with businesses across Australia on engineered steel poles and sign structures, so we know how important it is to get the planning and structural details right from the start.

In this blog, we break down what affects council approval for signage and the key checks you should complete before starting your sign project.

Not All Advertising Signs Need Council Approval

This surprises a lot of people. Many councils across Australia have exemption provisions that allow certain signs to be installed without formal approval. A small, non-illuminated wall sign on private land, for example, may fall within exempt development thresholds in your state or territory.

The NSW Planning Portal notes that some advertising and signage may be classed as exempt development, meaning they may not need planning permission if the relevant standards are met. For Perth businesses, this is still something to check at a local council level. The City of Perth has its own signage policy, and other Perth councils may have different local laws, sign licence requirements or development approval processes.

The keyword here is “may”. Exemptions differ between councils, and what is allowed in one suburb is not necessarily allowed in the next.

Before relying on an exemption, it is important to check the eligibility requirements for your sign type, location and council area. Temporary signs, A-frame signs and construction site signage may also be exempt, depending on size and placement.

What Affects the Council Approval Process?

If your proposed sign does not meet the exemption criteria, you may need some form of council approval or permit. The exact process can depend on several factors.

• Sign type: Pylon signs, roof signs, illuminated advertising devices and third-party advertising structures are usually assessed more closely than basic fascia signs.
• Size and height: Larger signs are more likely to need planning approval, development approval or a building permit.
• Location: Signs on public land, road reserves, footpaths or near major roads may require extra consent from the relevant council or road authority.
• Illumination: LED, digital or internally lit signs may need to meet extra requirements around brightness, light spill and operating hours, especially near residential premises.
• Zoning: Rules can change depending on whether the sign is located in a commercial, industrial, mixed-use, residential or sensitive area.
• Heritage status: Properties on a heritage list or in a heritage area may face stricter controls around sign size, placement, materials and illumination.
• Private land vs. public land: Signs on private land are usually handled through the local council, while signs on public land or road reserves may involve additional approvals.

Some councils may also list prohibited advertising devices under their local law, so it is worth checking whether your proposed signage is allowed before moving ahead with the design.

Types of Approval You May Need

Depending on your circumstances, one or more approvals may apply before your sign can be installed.

Planning approval or development approval

If your proposed sign does not qualify as exempt development, your council may ask you to lodge a planning approval or development approval application. As part of the application process, you may need to submit a development application with a site plan, elevations with dimensions, illumination details and information about where the sign will be located.

A building permit

Structural signs may also need a building permit, especially if they are freestanding, roof-mounted, larger pylon signs or signs that need engineered footings. In these cases, councils or building surveyors may ask for construction details, structural drawings and wind-load calculations.

A sign permit or council consent

Some councils also have local law requirements for signs and advertising devices. This may mean you need a sign permit or council consent, separate from planning approval or building approval, depending on the council and the type of advertising device being installed.

Because each council handles signage differently, it is worth checking the approval requirements before you finalise the design, submit forms or begin installation.

What Documents Do You Need to Submit For Council Approval?

The application process varies, but most councils will ask for some combination of the following:

• Completed application form, often available through an online portal
• Site plan showing lot boundaries, existing buildings and where the sign will be located
• Elevations with dimensions, height, materials and colours
• Structural drawings and engineering documentation, where required
• Illumination details, including brightness levels and hours of operation
• Photo mock-up or streetscape images showing how the proposed sign will look
• Owner’s consent if you are a tenant lodging the application
• Payment of application fees

The structural documentation is often where sign projects can slow down. Councils and building surveyors may need certified drawings that show the pole, footing or sign structure can handle the wind loads for the site’s region and conditions. For freestanding signs, roof signs and larger pylon signs, it is worth checking these requirements early so the application process does not get held up later.

Why Structural Engineering Matters for Sign Approval

A sign that looks simple from the street can involve a surprisingly complex engineering exercise underneath it. Pylon signs and freestanding advertising structures need to be designed for the correct wind region, terrain category, and load case. Without certified drawings, your building permit application may be delayed or sent back for more information.

G&S Industries has supplied engineered galvanised steel poles for sign and advertising structures across Australia for more than 50 years. Our steel sign and lighting pole are designed to meet relevant Australian Standards, and our in-house engineering team can provide the shop drawings and footing designs required by councils and building surveyors. That means fewer back-and-forth delays and a smoother path through the approval process.

If your sign project involves a traffic signal or sign support pole, or you need a structure designed for a specific wind region or cyclonic zone, our custom design and engineering service is built for exactly that. Contact our team to discuss your project requirements.

The Approval Process Is Not Something to Guess At

Installing a sign without checking your approval obligations first can lead to delays, extra costs or compliance issues. Councils may ask for non-compliant signs to be changed or removed, so it is worth checking the requirements before the sign is made or installed.

Start by contacting your local council or checking their website for signage local laws, exemption rules and application requirements. If your sign is freestanding, roof-mounted or illuminated, it is also worth considering whether a building permit, structural certification or engineering documentation may be needed.

If you are working on a sign structure that needs to comply with Australian Standards, make sure your pole supplier can provide the right documentation to support the project.

Need Support With a Sign Structure?

If your signage project involves a freestanding sign, banner pole, pylon sign or engineered support structure, G&S Industries can help with project-specific pole design, fabrication and engineering support. Our team can work with your project requirements to help provide the documentation and structural details needed for a smoother approval and installation process.

To discuss your next signage project, contact G&S Industries.

Frequently Asked Questions