Advertising Signage

Some signage can be completed as ‘Exempt Development’, which does not necessitate development consent, as long as there is minimal environmental impacts and the installation meets the specific development standards when constructing, installing or displaying signage as outlined in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.

The state policy identifies specific development standards relating to the following signage types:

• Building Identification Signs
• Wall Signs
• Fascia Signs
• Under Awning Signs    
• Top Hamper Signs
• Window Signs
• Replacement of Identification Signs
• Internal Signs
• Election Signs
• Temporary Event Signs
• Real Estate Signs
• Community Notice and Public Information Signs

Should the installation exceed any of the listed development standards. Development consent will need to be obtained prior to installation.

Development consent may be sought via Complying Development for the installation of signage, provided it meets the development standards as outlined in the NSW Complying Development Industrial and Business Alterations Code.

Comprehensive checklists and instructions on how to lodge the application via the NSW Planning Portal can be found on our Lodging an Application page.

If the proposal does not qualify as complying development, you will need to lodge a development application.

Development consent can be sought through a development application for the installation of signage, provided the proposal meets the relevant planning controls.

Planning controls for development can be found in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 (LEP) and Newcastle Development Control Plan (DCP).

The current Newcastle Development Control Plan (DCP) outlines the control in relation to advertising and signage.

Comprehensive checklists and instructions on how to lodge the application via the NSW Planning Portal can be found on our Lodging an Application page.

• If you propose to remove or prune any existing trees or vegetation, you should contact your council first to make sure you don’t need approval for this
• Works must be structurally adequate, installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
• Any structures that would be located on public land, or on or over a public road (including temporary structures), must have separate approval from the relevant council, or Roads and Maritime Services under the Roads Act 1993  and the Local Government Act 1993 

Generally, exempt development cannot be carried out on:

• land that is, or on which there is, an item that is listed on the State Heritage Register  under the Heritage Act 1977 or that is subject to an interim heritage order under that Act (unless an exemption has been granted under section 57 of the Heritage Act 1977;
• a critical habitat of an endangered species, population or ecological community under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995  or the Fisheries Management Act 1994 ;
• a wilderness area under the Wilderness Act 1987

• Lodging an Application
• NSW Planning Portal
• NSW Department of Planning DA Guide
• NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008