Real estate sign rules in WA, SA, the ACT, Tasmania and the NT

In Western Australia, South Australia, the ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, the state or territory usually sets the planning framework, and the detail agencies deal with every week (area limits, number of signs, removal periods and footpath permits) sits in a local planning scheme, council policy or by-law. This guide explains who regulates what, and where to find the rule for a given property.

This is general information, not legal advice. Instruments are amended regularly and councils add their own conditions, so confirm the current rules with the council or territory agency before ordering boards.

What should an agency check before putting up a real estate sign in WA, SA, the ACT, Tasmania or the NT?

Whatever the jurisdiction, the same six questions decide whether a board can go up without an application:

1. Is a sign advertising the sale or lease of the land exempt from approval in this planning scheme?
2. What is the maximum area, and is it measured per face or in total?
3. How many signs can the property carry?
4. Does a heritage listing, overlay or special area change the answer?
5. How long after sale, lease or settlement must the sign come down?
6. What approval is needed for anything on the footpath or verge, such as an open home A-frame?

The sections below point to where those answers live.

What are the real estate sign rules in Western Australia?

In Western Australia, each local government sets the detailed real estate sign rules, within a state framework of deemed provisions. In WA, every local planning scheme incorporates the "deemed provisions" in Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. Clause 61 of the deemed provisions lists development that does not need development approval, and allows a local planning scheme to add further exemptions.

In practice, the rules for real estate signs are set by each local government, usually in a signs or advertising local planning policy that lists exempt signs and their conditions. The City of Perth, for example, publishes a local planning policy on signs that sets out which signs need approval within its area. Typical conditions in WA local policies cover a single sign on the property, an area cap and removal shortly after the sale or lease.

Signs on footpaths and verges are generally controlled by the local government's activities in thoroughfares and public places local law, which commonly requires a permit for portable signs. Signs facing state roads may also be subject to Main Roads WA controls.

What are the real estate sign rules in South Australia?

South Australia has a single statewide Planning and Design Code, made under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. Schedule 4 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 lists exempt development, and it includes certain advertisements, including temporary signs about the sale or letting of the land they are on, subject to conditions such as size and timing. Where an advertisement is not exempt, the Code's advertisement policies apply to the assessment.

Footpaths are council land. Most SA councils regulate A-frames and other movable signs through a moveable signs by-law made under the Local Government Act 1999, with conditions on size, placement and clear footpath width.

What are the real estate sign rules in the ACT?

In the ACT, development on leased land is governed by the Territory Plan under the Planning Act 2023, which replaced the Planning and Development Act 2007 in late 2023. Signage on leased land has historically been governed by the Signs General Code; confirm how sign controls are expressed under the current Territory Plan before relying on older guidance.

Because there are no local councils in the ACT, the territory government also manages public land. Signs on verges, footpaths, roundabouts and other public unleased land, including directional and open home signs, need approval from the ACT Government, generally under the Public Unleased Land Act 2013. Access Canberra is the usual starting point.

What are the real estate sign rules in Tasmania?

Tasmania now has a single Tasmanian Planning Scheme, made up of statewide State Planning Provisions and a Local Provisions Schedule for each council. The State Planning Provisions include a list of exempt use and development and a Signs Code, so the basic treatment of real estate signs is the same in every council area that has moved to the new scheme. Local Provisions Schedules, heritage listings and specific area plans can still change the answer for a particular property.

Footpath signs remain a council matter. The City of Hobart, for example, manages A-boards and other signs on footpaths through its own permits and by-laws.

What are the real estate sign rules in the Northern Territory?

In the NT, development is regulated by the NT Planning Scheme 2020 under the Planning Act 1999 (NT Legislation). The scheme includes provisions for advertising signs and lists signs that do not need a development permit. Signs on footpaths and road reserves are controlled by councils, for example under City of Darwin by-laws.

Do real estate A-frames on footpaths need approval in WA, SA, the ACT, Tasmania and the NT?

Usually, yes. Across all five jurisdictions, the board on the block is a planning question and the sign on the footpath is a local government or territory land question. Even where a state code exempts the board, it rarely exempts an A-frame on the footpath, a directional sign on a corner or a sign on the nature strip. Those need the council's (or, in the ACT, the territory's) permission, and conditions usually cover a clear pedestrian path, a setback from the kerb, display hours and public liability insurance.

For an agency working across several councils, it helps to keep a one-page register for each council you list in: the exemption and its source, the area cap, the removal period, and the footpath permit with its expiry date. The eastern states are covered in real estate sign rules in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, and the areas of common board formats are in real estate sign sizes.

How is delivery to Perth, Hobart, Darwin and regional areas charged?

Delivery to Perth, Hobart, Darwin and regional addresses is quoted at cost before you pay, and your consultant will confirm freight with the quote. Our prices include delivery to metro Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Canberra.

For listing boards sized to sit inside typical residential limits, see corflute signboards, from 600 x 450mm to 1200 x 900mm, and A-frame footpath signs for open homes. Frames, stakes and installation are arranged through your consultant. The real estate sector page shows how we support agencies across signage, brochures and stationery.