Commercial advertising signs on both private and public land may require planning approval, and possibly a building permit. Find out about requirements and how to apply.
Overview of requirements
Commercial advertising signs and devices on private land are required to comply with the provisions of the City’s Advertisements Local Planning Policy (see below).
Advertising signs on local government property and thoroughfares are regulated by the City under the Public Property Local Law (see below), which prohibits any commercial advertising within road verges and thoroughfares.
Outlined below are the approvals required for business signage:
- Planning approval: Unless exempted under the policy, an application for development (planning) approval is required for external signage, or signage that can be viewed externally from a premise. For temporary signs that are exempted under the policy, an application for Written planning advice is required.
- Building approval: To verify whether your sign needs a building permit, please submit a detailed request in writing outlining proposed plans and send this to the City via info@joondalup.wa.gov.au.
Important note: Before proceeding with your applications, we strongly recommend contacting the City via email to discuss your specific project. This initial consultation allows us to provide tailored guidance on the approvals required and the recommended order for application submissions. This step is crucial to ensure that you follow the correct process for your business needs.
Apply for business signage
For detailed information on how to apply, fees, and the application process, please refer to the Requirements for planning applications page.
You have two options when applying for a Building Permit:
- Certified application: Lodge a BA1 form, accompanied by a Certificate of Design Compliance (BA3 form) signed by a registered building surveyor, confirming compliance with building standards.
- Uncertified application: Lodge a BA2 form, and the Uncertified Building Application Checklist - Signs: Class 10b (PDF)
You can download BA1 and BA2 forms from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety website.
For more detailed information, including the application process, timeframe and fees, refer to Requirements for building applications page.
More information and contact
For further details on commercial signage and advertising, contact the City on 9400 4000 or info@joondalup.wa.gov.au.