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Rules about signs and posters

You can put up temporary or permanent signs, depending on the rules set out by Council.

Definition of a sign

The District Plan defines a sign as:

  • any name, figure, image, character, outline, spectacle, display, delineation, announcement, poster, handbill, or an advertising device, appliance, or things of a similar advertising nature intended mainly to attract attention, and
  • placed on or fixed to any land or building, or incorporated in the design of any building (whether by painting or otherwise), and
  • visible from a public space. This excludes signs within buildings and signs for the management of the legal road.

Temporary signs

A temporary sign means something that is up only for a specific period of time. There are different ways to apply for temporary signs, depending on what you want.

On public property

On private property

Generally, you do not need Council permission to put up temporary signage on private property. You just need permission from the landowner. 

For some private-property locations you may have to get permission from both the Council and landowner because of the zone the sign is in, for example, city or residential areas, rural or suburban centres. If you’re unsure, please contact rcmonitoring@wcc.govt.nz.

Permanent signs

You are allowed signs relating to non-residential activity, but you will need to supply the Council with details about the signs in your resource consent application.

For residential areas: 
Working from home in a residential area (52KB PDF) | Text version (11KB RTF) 

For rural areas: 
Working from home in a rural area (49KB PDF) | Text version (9KB RTF)  

On public property

You will need approval from the Council and the landowner. You normally get landowner consent through an encroachment licence, regardless of what type of public property it is on (eg road, reserve or housing property). Encroachment licence fees may apply.

Contact us

If you have any questions about signs or posters, contact the Street Activities team:

Email: rcmonitoring@wcc.govt.nz