Signs

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Temporary Signs

A temporary sign is an advertising sign displayed for less than 12 months for the purpose of:

Advising of a forthcoming community event, occasion or service which is primarily a not-for-profit event, organisation or service.
Electioneering.
Identifying a construction site or a development under construction.
Notifying the availability of land and/or premises for sale or lease.
Advising of a resource consent application.

Temporary signs may be located either on-site or off-site, be freestanding or attached to a building. Provided the related District Plan rules and the Building Act are complied with, these may be erected on private land throughout the district.

Location of temporary signs

Temporary signs must be on private land. Signs on or over state highway reserve areas are prohibited and will be removed by Transit New Zealand.

Temporary signs of a restricted size may, with the prior approval of the utility owner, be attached to power poles (Powerco) or street lights (contact us). Conditions apply.

Please note that signs fixed to parked trailers or parked vehicles are subject to these rules. Signwritten vehicles are exempt provided they are primarily used as a means of transport.

If you need to erect a sign in a particular location and there is no practical site for the sign on the adjoining land to which the sign relates, you should contact one of our planning officers to discuss the matter.

Size of signs

The maximum total area of temporary signage per site is 3m2 per sign face. Please note that most business and commercial properties are often allowed a greater area of non-temporary signage that can be used to display larger temporary signs.Return to top

Lettering size

Where any sign is intended to attract the attention of motorists, the minimum lettering size is 120mm in any area where the speed limit is less than 70 km/h and 160mm in other areas.

Proximity and visibility

Signs in areas where the speed limit is 70km/h or more must be located not less than 0.6m times the posted speed limit from another sign and present an unrestricted view for not less than 160m.

Building consents

A building consent is required for any sign whose structure and support exceeds 2.4m in height or where the sign itself exceeds 3m² in area. A sign of this size attached flush to a building will not normally require building consent but may if it projects beyond the face of the building.

Display time

Temporary signs may be displayed for up to 12 months, but must be removed within seven days following the event or after the sign has completed its purpose.

Commercial advertising signs

These guidelines don't apply for display advertising signage for what are primarily for profit events, e.g. fashion outlet sales, furniture or appliance expos, etc. Contact us to find out more about the relevant rules applying to advertising signs.

What if I don’t comply with these rules?

We may issue infringement notices for non-complying signs. A fine between $300 and $750 applies to each infringement.