So you’ve got a sexy new sign for your business. Great! Yet before you race to have it installed, there is a bit of legalistic housekeeping.
And hey, I get what you’re thinking: permits and regulations aren’t the most exciting subject out there. But if you mess up, you could pay over $10,000 in fines or have to redo your signs. Not fun.
The good news? Getting a sign permit in Perth is easy once you know what to do. Let me guide you through all of the details.
Why Perth Has Signage Regulations (And Why You Should Care)
Look, nobody loves red tape. But Perth’s signage laws are there for some fairly good reasons. They keep our streets neat and tidy, stop visual cacophony, and kerb the potential danger of signs for safety. Consider it—if there were no rules, we would have huge billboards obstructing our view of the traffic and shoddy installations crashing down on people’s heads.
These regulations are governed by the City of Perth in addition to other Western Australia local councils. And believe me, they do. I have watched businesses forced to remove costly signs because they failed to obtain approval first. That’s an expensive mistake you can ill afford.
Do You Actually Need a Permit for Your Sign?
There is no requirement to get approval for all signs in Perth, WA. But it can save you a lot of headaches to know which logs do.
Some of the reasons you will certainly require signage approval in Perth, WA, include:
- Signs large enough to be visible from the street are essential.
- Lighted signs (if they are on all night).
- Resident projection signs: add transient projection advertisements posted – ads that project out of your building.
- Roof-mounted signs.
- Freestanding signs and pylon signs.
- Signs on heritage-listed buildings.
You may not need a permit if:
- Small window decals are under some sizes.
- Temporary (with time limit) signs for events or sales.
- Internal directional signs.
- Real estate “For Sale” or “For Lease” signs (without size restrictions).
Here’s the thing – council rules vary. What’s legal in the City of Perth might not be in Fremantle or Joondalup.
To apply for a sign permit, please refer to the Sign Policy No. 4.6. The City of Perth has information about when you need a sign permit and some exemptions. If you live in another council area, check its website. Don’t assume anything.
The Actual Process for Getting Signage Permits in Perth
Right, let’s get practical. Here’s how you get your sign approved.
Step 1: Figure Out Which Council You’re In
Discover which local government operates in your property’s area. Perth metro has a handful of councils, so rules may vary from one to the next.
The City of Perth encompasses the CBD and surrounding suburbs; however, you may be dealing with the many cities.
Step 2: LOCAL PLANNING SCHEME
Check whether your council’s rules for deciding if you can subdivide are included in its Local Planning Scheme.
Every council has a local planning scheme that delineates the permissible activities. Your council’s website should have that information somewhere. Check the signage provisions or advertising device sections.
Some councils have detail-rich signage policies, including provisions for sizes, heights, and levels of illumination in contrast.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
You will have to prepare a development application. Although it may sound fancy, this documentation describes the appearance of your sign and its approximate location.
Your application should include:
- Schematic drawings or plans that depict the sign you intend to create, including scaled dimensions.
- Photos of the existing site.
- A site plan indicating the location where the sign will be placed.
- This includes the materials, colours, and whether the sign will be illuminated.
- If the sign is for a building, you may also need structural engineering documents and certifications..
You don’t have to worry about that; professional signage companies like Complete Projects WA (who have been doing this for over 25 years) handle it.
That’s worth paying for.
Step 4: Submit and Wait
Different cities have different processing times, but plan on at least four to six weeks if the application is straightforward. Heritage areas or popular locations take longer.
Application fees, for most councils, are charged according to the sign’s value—they’re not massive costs but something for your budget.
Step 5: Also Get a Building Permit
Here is something that traps people. Even after you receive planning approval, you will frequently need a separate building permit before installation can proceed.
This process focuses on structural safety. If you work with professional sign installers, they will take care of this on your behalf.
Special Considerations in Perth, WA
In Perth, we have some particular idiosyncrasies to look out for on our signs.
Heritage Areas
Should your property be on the heritage list or situated within a heritage precinct, expect heightened scrutiny. The WA Government’s list identifies signage that requires approval from heritage authorities.
They’re particular about maintaining character. That digital LED billboard you were envisioning? Probably not happening.
Heritage approvals require more extensive applications that take longer. But it’s not impossible to get signs approved in these neighbourhoods – you just have to play by the rules.
Strata Properties
Do you run your business in a strata building? You have another layer to navigate. Even if your sign doesn’t require council approval, there may be rules in your strata company about signage. Before you do anything, always check your strata bylaws. Some strata schemes are very tight on uniformity in appearance.
Roads and Traffic
If your sign is close to a significant road or intersection, Main Roads WA may have to have their say. They will determine if your sign could distract drivers or create safety problems. Flashing signs near intersections? That’s a hard no.
Environmental Considerations
Perth’s getting light pollution-aware. If you are intending to use an illuminated sign, councils want to be sure it’s not going to flood neighbouring properties with light or disturb residents. Most areas have specific lux level requirements.
Common Mistakes People Make (Learn From Others’ Failures)
I have witnessed many sign projects go astray over the years. Most of these disasters, it turns out, are 100% preventable if you know what to look for.
Here are the big ones that will save you grief:
- First install, and then apply mistake No. 1: councils have the power to make you take them down, and you’ll be in the hole for whatever they cost you to put up.
- Doing what the neighbour did: You’re not next door — just because the house there has a particular sign doesn’t mean yours gets approved. Rules change.
- Disregarding sign size limits: Bigger isn’t better if you get a rejection.
- Ignoring access for maintenance: Signs have to be maintained and cleaned. Consider access now, not later.
- Not ruling out removal: all must go broom beneath the sun. Will removal damage the building?
Don’t learn expensive lessons the hard way when other people have already done your work for you. A little bit of forward planning is always better than receiving council enforcement notices.
Working With Professional Sign Installers
Listen, you might be able to weather all of this on your own. But there’s a good reason why companies all over Perth hire professional contractors.
Organisations like Complete Projects WA take care of everything.
That means:
- Perform preliminary input on site surveys to identify possible problems early.
- Documenting up correctly for council applications.
- Liaison with councils on your behalf.
- Arranging required permits and certifications.
- Handling installation and ongoing maintenance.
After 25 years in the trade, they’ve dealt with every kind of signwriting Perth can dish up to them. Hospitals, shopping centres, schools – they’ve seen them all.
That’s the kind of experience that is less of a headache for you. No applications were turned down because forms were wrong.
No delays on account of someone overlooking a regulation. Nothing but professional service that gets your sign-up legally and safely.
What Happens If You Don’t Get Approval?
Jamaican uprising: Having second thoughts about that permit? Don’t be. Councils also have enforcement teams that are out there actively seeking unauthorised signs.
If you’re caught with an unauthorised sign, you’ll probably receive:
- A formal removal or alteration notice to the sign.
- Fines (which can be substantial).
- How notices received from you can get you into legal trouble.
- A council record that could make it more difficult to apply again.
What’s more, your insurance may not cover any damages or injuries that relate to an unapproved sign. That’s not a risk any responsible business owner should take.
How Long Does Approval Last?
Signage approvals are most often permanent, assuming your sign is kept in good condition. But if you hope to change your sign later, alter the message, add lights, or enlarge it, you will require new approval.
Some temporary signs have time-limited approvals. Election signs, event signs and promotional banners are generally time sensitive. Miss the deadline for having them removed and you’ll cop a fine.
Tips for Smooth Approval
Trying to make this as painless as can be? It doesn’t have to be a nightmare to have your signage permits approved if you follow several savvy tips.
Here’s what actually works:
- Get a jump on it: Don’t leave it until the last minute. Account for factor approval in your timeline from day one.
- Talk to your council: if you have a question about something, just ask. Planning departments prefer if you ask first rather than send in the wrong application.
- Understand it takes: the more complicated or unusual the sign, the longer it will take to get approval. Skip unnecessary complexity.
- Consider your neighbours: objections may slow down or stop applications. If your sign could influence others, discuss it with them first.
- Hire professionals: Professional assistance tends to pay for itself in time saved and headaches averted.
If you follow these tips, the approval process goes much faster. Most delays occur because someone overlooks one of these steps.
Getting It Done Right
Signage permits in Perth don’t have to be a hassle. Yes, there’s paperwork. Yes, you’re supposed to follow the rules. But manage it we can, with a little planning and the right assistance.
The secret is to take the approval process seriously from day one. Instead of an irritating obstacle, see it as protecting your investment.
Knowing Perth Signage Rules Will Save You Time, Money and Headaches. And when you’re dealing with seasoned sign installation professionals who have completed these tasks hundreds of times? Even better.
Before another sign is designed or an installation date is confirmed – make sure your permits are in order. Your future self will be grateful.
Looking for assistance on your sign permits or installation in Perth? Complete projects – WA have over 25 years of experience in all aspects of project management. Contact us to tell us more about your project.