Signage plays a major role in any business – it is your brand identity and marketing asset. It varies in appearance and many business owners tend to overlook the rules and regulations of erecting signage, especially if they are smaller in size.

It is important to keep in mind that just like developing or renovating your building or land, almost all businesses require a planning permit from the local Council to erect signage on and around your business property. Additionally, most of these planning permits for signage are subject to expiry dates.

Hence, it is best to acquire the services of experienced town planning consultants to advise you on whether your business requires a planning permit to erect signage and guide you through the process of obtaining a planning permit, should you need one. Read on to find out more about planning permits for business signage.

When does business signage require a planning permit?

There is a variety of signage which are used for a myriad of purposes, including advertising business names, special events, and third-party commercial ads. However, not all signage may require a planning permit depending on the zones it is to be erected in, the type of signage, the nature of the business, and many other factors.

Commercial and industrial locations have less stringent signage requirements than sensitive areas such as residential zones, where only small home-based business signs can be put up without a permit. This means other businesses such as childcare centres and medical centres will need a planning permit to display their signage. As for certain business zones, there is an authorisation for “as of right” signage that does not require a business to apply for a planning permit.

The different requirements for signage are set out in a planning scheme and it includes:

• ensuring the signage is appropriate for an area’s amenity and aesthetic appeal

• making sure the signage does not reduce amenity or have a detrimental effect on the surrounding environment

• ensuring the signage does not impact the safety, appearance or efficiency of a road

• and other requirements.

The requirements, however, differ according to your local Council; thus it is recommended that you reach out to your local town planning consultants to verify if you are required to apply for a planning permit to erect signage on or around your property.

Do signage permits expire?

Many people are not aware that their signage has expiry dates. Under the Victorian planning scheme, planning permits for signage – other than a major promotional sign – expires on the date specified in the permit. If there is no date specified, the signage expires 15 years from the date that the permit was issued.

Displaying signs with an expired planning permit is a violation of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. Your local Council may take enforcement action against the owner or occupier of the property, including imposing penalties and ordering the removal of any unapproved signs. This poses a problem for:

• The purchasers of existing businesses – who will want to ensure that the business they are acquiring has the necessary permits.

• Existing business operators – who may be unaware that their permits to display signs have lapsed.

• Commercial property landlords – who can be held liable in the event of a breach by a tenant.

On the other hand, replacing existing signage does not require a planning permit if it was previously legally allowed to be erected. However, a permit may be required if the display area is increased, and the replacement is different from the original.

Although your signage has been approved in the past, it does not mean it will be allowed again, especially if the local planning policy or the physical site context has changed. In circumstances like these, it is best to check with your local town planning consultants to avoid being fined or having your signage removed.

What do you need to prepare for a signage planning permit application?

Planning permit applications for business signage are often done together with land use or development planning application. However, if you are unsure about the types of signage you may want to use or have not considered it yet, you can apply for the signage planning permit separately later on.

To evaluate an application for business signage, your local Council may require certain information about your plans to erect the signage, which includes:

• The amount, size, height, and position of the signage.

• The information that is to be displayed on the signage (in colour).

• Detailed information on the signage’s supporting structures or internal or external lighting.

• The way in which the signage fits in with the surroundings and local planning policies.

If you are planning to erect more than one signage, each of them needs to be detailed separately during your planning permit application. You may also need to submit blueprints of how the signage will look on your building or property. For simpler signage, you may be able to do it yourself using design software and tools. However, for complex cases, you may need to engage a draftsperson to represent your proposal.

This is merely general information on the signage planning permit application process. Remember that the requirements and application process of the signage planning permit differ according to your local Council; thus, you should discuss with your local town planning consultants what regulations apply to your situation and include an assessment of signage policies in your application.

Do not be afraid to seek expert advice

The planning system is complex and can be frustrating for business owners – it is not always clear what permits are required for business or promotional signs, or what information is required during the application process to receive approval. Not to mention that the whole process can be very demanding in terms of both time and money!

If you are unsure about how to tackle the labyrinth of rules concerning your business signage permit application, especially if you are confused about the different local Council requirements, do not hesitate to reach out to experienced consultants from town and regional planning companies who can offer guidance specific to your business plan and location. Your signage permit application can be quick, easy, and hassle-free with the help of professional town planning consultants!