You may require building and/or planning approval to construct a sign in Cockburn. Find out if you need approval, how to apply and application procedures.
From 1 August 2019 if a building approval is required for signage it will be addressed by way of completing a building permit application, see the details for completing a building permit application.
Depending on the type of sign/advertising that is proposed, you may require building permit, and in some instances you may also need planning approval.
Please submit your Building Permit application to the City's Building Services and a planning approval application (if required) to the City's Statutory Planning Service.
Some signs can be constructed without any approvals if building and planning legislation exempts them.
Signs and advertising exemptions are dependent on:
- Size
- Location
- Sign face of the proposed sign or advertising structure
- Zoning of the land the sign will be erected on.
Sign application process
From 1 August 2019 the approval process for signage (other than direction signs) will be the same as the general Building Permit application process. The Planning application for signage (other than direction signs) will be the same as the general development application process.
When a facility of interest to the community is located on a side street, direction signs provide road users with general information about it and point the way to the facility. Direction signs are not advertisement signs for any private or public companies.
In the past, the City has installed direction signs for businesses but this practice is currently on hold whilst the Direction Sign Guidelines and operational position on the use of these signs is reviewed. It is anticipated that this review will be finalised later this year.
Direction sign removal
Please note that the City will remove an approved direction sign without notifying the sign holder after the following expiry dates, whichever comes first:
- The first day of January, five calendar years after an approval is given
- When the community / organisation / business ceases to exist at the location stated in the application form.
The City reserves the right to remove a direction sign whenever it is deemed necessary, without compensation or notification to the sign holder, especially in circumstances where the sign has been badly damaged by vandalism or vehicle collisions.
New applications are assessed on a "first in first served" basis.
The City covers the manufacture and installation costs of direction signs and does not require a sign holder to pay an ongoing annual site rental or maintenance fee. If you require the City to undertake any replacement or maintenance work for a direction sign after its installation, you will be liable for the cost of the work.
Please contact Building Services for information on building a sign, or Statutory Planning for planning approval on 08 9411 3444 or at [email protected].