Portable Signs
Approval
Portable signs are either “portable directional signs” or “portable advertising signs”.
Prior to erecting a portable sign on a thoroughfare permission must be obtained from the Shire. An ‘Application for a Portable Sign Permit’ form is required to be completed and submitted together with the applicable fee. If approved a permit will be issued and you will be invoiced annually, unless you advise in writing that you wish to cancel the permit.
A permit is NOT however, required for certain sized portable direction signs which are erected on an infrequent or occasional basis only to direct attention to a place, activity or event during the hours of the actual activity or event. (such as a garage sale). These signs are exempted from a permit but must comply with certain conditions.
Approval of portable signs (other than exempted above) will only be granted in the following circumstances:
- Application form is completed and submitted together with applicable fees and insurance; and the
- Application complies with certain conditions detailed below.
Portable Sign Application Form
Legislation
This policy includes provisions of Main Roads WA, the Building Code of Australia, the Shire of Northam Activities on Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2008, Local Planning Policy 16 - Advertising signs and Council’s Planning Scheme.
Activities on Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2008
The aim of this section of the Local Law is to manage the number and location of portable advertising, election advertising and direction signs on thoroughfares, in such a manner that will enable business to advertise and provide information, candidates in an election to notify the public and to direct the community to events, without compromising public safety and visual amenity.
What is a Portable Advertising Sign?
A portable advertising sign relates to portable advertising devices which are located on thoroughfares outside of the premises from which the commodity or service described on the sign may be obtained and it is directed at pedestrians.
A portable advertising sign is an A-Frame device of not more than 1m2, which is not:-
- Rotating;
- Illuminated; or
- Have changeable messages.
Council’s Local Law defines an advertising sign as a sign used for the purpose of advertisement and includes an election sign and it defines a Portable Sign as being a portable free standing sign.
What is a Portable Direction Sign?
A direction sign is a sign used to indicate the direction of another place, activity or event. A portable direction sign is a free standing direction sign.
What is a Thoroughfare or Public Place?
A thoroughfare is defined under the Local Government Act 1995 as a road or other thoroughfare which includes structures or other things appurtenant to the thoroughfare that are within its limits.
A Public Place is defined in the Local Law as including any thoroughfare or place which the public are allowed to use.
Portable Advertising Sign - Conditions
Signs are to be:
- No more than 1 metre in height;
- 1m2 area maximum on any side;
- 200mm minimum height for lettering;
- Maintained in a good condition;
- Content to relate only to business activity described on permit;
- Anchored so not to be moveable by wind or other natural forces;
- Erected immediately adjacent to the building or business, providing the position does not obstruct or impede the reasonable use of the thoroughfare or access; and
- Erected only when the business is trading;
Signs are not to be:
- Erected on a footpath
- Placed on round-a-bouts, intersections, natural features or bridges
- Rotating;
- Illuminated; or
- Have changeable messages
Number of portable advertising signs permitted are:
- 1 portable advertising sign per business maximum.
Public Liability Insurance is required to the amount of:
- $10,000,000 (10 million dollars).
Portable Directional Signs - Conditions
Exempt from approval and permit are portable directional signs which comply with the following:
- 500mm in height maximum;
- 5m2 area maximum on any side;
- Anchored so not to be moveable by wind or other natural forces; and
- They are erected on an infrequent or occasional basis, only to direct attention to a place, activity or event during the hours of the actual activity or event.
Portable Directional signs are to be:
- 200mm minimum height for lettering;
- Constructed of non-metallic pliable material which will not cause injury on impact;
- Anchored so not to be moveable by wind or other natural forces;
- Maintained in a good condition;
- Content to relate only to business activity described on permit.
- Erected in a position which does not obstruct or impede the reasonable use of the thoroughfare or access;
- Erected only when business is open for trading and removed when closed.
Signs are not to be:
- Placed within 50m of a business selling the same or similar product.
Number of portable directional signs permitted are:
- 1 portable directional sign per business on weekdays; and
- Up to 2 portable directional signs per business on weekends.
Public Liability Insurance is required to the amount of:
- $20,000,000 (20 million dollars).
Election Signs - Conditions
Permit from the Shire is required together with an application fee and a copy of liability insurance.
Signs are to be:
- At minimum of 30m from any intersection;
- Free standing and NOT AFFIXED to any existing sign, post, power or light pole, or similar structure;
- Placed so as not to obstruct or impede the reasonable use of a thoroughfare, or access to a place by any person;
- Placed so as not to obstruct or impede the vision of a driver of a vehicle;
- Removed within 24 hours of the close of polls on polling day;
- Maintained in good condition;
- Securely installed;
Signs are not to be:
- Erected until the election to which it relates has been officially announced;
- Placed within 100m of any works being undertaken on the thoroughfare;
- Display only part of a message which is to be read with other separate signs in order to obtain the whole message.
- Illuminated or incorporate reflective or fluorescent materials;