Advertising and signage

Advertising Roads and streets Illegal or dangerous Political

Advertising signs

Before you put up an advertising sign, you first need to check if you need planning permission. It depends if the proposed signage can meet certain requirements.

Do I need approval?

You will not need approval if the signage meets all the relevant standards:

• NSW Legislation – General requirements for exempt development
• NSW Legislation – Subdivision 1 General requirements for advertising and signage

If the proposal doesn't qualify as exempt development, you may be able to apply for a Complying Development Certificate or a Development Application.

Do I qualify for a Complying Development Certificate?

A Complying Development Certificate may be issued for your proposed signage if it meets all the relevant development standards:

• NSW Legislation – Requirements for complying development for all environmental planning instruments
• NSW Legislation – Land on which complying development may not be carried out
• NSW Legislation – Part 5 Commercial and Industrial Alterations Code

If your proposal does not meet all of the standards you must lodge a Development Application.

I need a DA, what do I do next?

If your proposal does not qualify as Complying Development, you will need to lodge a Development Application.

• DA Checklist – Commercial and industrial signage(PDF, 155KB)
• Tweed DCP A4 – Advertising signs code(PDF, 272KB)
• State Environmental Planning Policy No.64 (Advertising and Signage)

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment also has a useful guide to the DA process.

Signs on roads and street signs

For road and street signs, head to roads and bridges.

For signs or advertising on bus shelters, head to public transport and bus shelters.

Illegal or dangerous signs

If you see illegal or dangerous signage please report it online.

Political and electoral signs

Candidates and their supporters must comply with State and Council regulations when erecting signage.

• Complaints about signs on public property are sent to the campaign office of the respective candidate, and candidates are reminded of their legal obligation. If you see illegal or dangerous signage please report it online.
• All posters and signage containing electoral material must comply with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 Part 2 Division 2, Subdivision 13 – Election signs.
• Election signs can only be on displayed during the following periods:
  • 8 weeks immediately preceding the day on which the election is held
  • the day on which the election is held
  • 1 week immediately following the day on which the election is held.
• As part of these regulations, election signs must be no more than 0.8 square metres in area.
• No signs are allowed in Council's road reserves, either free-standing pole signs or those affixed to trees or street furniture. Signage is also not allowed to be displayed on a trailer parked on a road or road-related area.
• Election signs can be affixed to private telegraph poles; however, the owner needs to be certain the pole is not owned by an electricity provider as legal action has occurred elsewhere in the State.
• All signage connected to power poles will be reported to Essential Energy for their attention and action.
• Signs can be attached to the walls of houses or commercial buildings if they adhere to size limitations in State regulations and are not attached to heritage or draft heritage items.
• Council officers will contact the sign owner if they are not a standard sign or in a dangerous location. The owner has 48 hours to remove the signage. Unlawful signage may also be seized in accordance with the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 and fines apply ($660 for an individual, $2640 for a corporation).
• Any signage remaining 1 week immediately following the day on which an election is held may be seized by Council and fines applied.
• Council officers will undertake a program of compliance and monitoring.