Movable signs must be placed in accordance with the Code of Practice for Movable Signs. The placement of movable signs is enforced by City Rangers. Penalties apply.
Examples of movable signs can include:
- business signs
- real estate signs
- community signs
- electoral advertising signs.
Non-compliant movable signs can be reported via Fix My Street. Non-compliant signs will be removed and a warning notice or penalty may apply. If seized, a notice of seizure will be sent detailing the location and reason for seizure. Signs not collected after 7 days may be disposed of in accordance with the Uncollected Goods Act 1996. An administrative fee of $154.20 may apply for the return of seized signs.
Quantity and time requirements
The following requirements are in place depending on the type of signage:
- Business signs: A maximum of 2 movable signs are allowed per business. They can only be displayed while the business is open for trading and must be kept within the with boundaries of the commercial or industrial trading area in which the business is physically located.
- Real estate signs: Directional signs for open/display homes may be displayed while the exhibition is open.
- Community signs: Schools, community groups and registered charities may display a maximum of 20 movable signs for up to 2 weeks prior to the advertised event.
- Electoral advertising signs: Electoral advertising signs may be displayed for up to 6 weeks. Individuals and entities are limited to 250 signs on public unleased land. For example a political party with 5 candidates in 5 electorates must not exceed 6,500 signs (250 for each candidate and 250 for the entity).
Insurance requirements
A person who places a movable sign in a public place must have a current public liability insurance policy for at least $10,000,000 limit of liability. This includes any liability to the public or the Territory arising out of such a sign, its design, construction or placement.
Placement restrictions
The following restrictions apply to movable signs on public land:
- Signs may not be placed:
- at roundabouts
- at median strips of roads
- within 20 metres of traffic lights
- on residential nature strips
- within 20 metres of a corner of an intersection
- in emergency vehicle access routes
- less than 1.2 metres from the street kerb
- within the light rail and associated road corridor network including interchanges
- in designated areas of the National Capital without the expressed approval from the National Capital Authority. See Section 8 of the Code for a full listing of designated areas.
- Movable signs must be self-standing. They cannot be attached to or obstruct government property i.e. bridges, overpasses, trees or other vegetation on public unleased land, traffic lights or streetlights, traffic control boxes and poles. The use of star-pickets or metal posts is prohibited.
- Movable signs must not:
- cause danger or restrict pedestrian access to walkways or nature strips
- encroach onto or obstruct pathways
- restrict access to fire hydrants, above-ground services and in-ground services
- impede maintenance activities (i.e. grass mowing).
Electoral advertising placement restrictions
In addition to the above requirements, electoral advertising signs cannot be placed:
- within 100 metres of a polling place during polling, unless they are authorised by the Electoral Commissioner
- on or adjacent to designated public roads, which are roads with a usual speed limit of 90 km/h or more, even if a temporary reduced speed limit is in place.
Non-compliant signs
Non-compliant signs will be removed and a warning notice or penalty may apply. If seized, a notice of seizure will be sent detailing the location and reason for seizure. Signs not collected after 7 days may be disposed of in accordance with the Uncollected Goods Act 1996. An administrative fee of $154.20 may apply for the return of seized signs. The owner of the sign may apply to ACAT for a review of a decision to remove a sign.
The following infringement penalties apply:
- $1100: breaches related to insurance
- $220: breaches related to all other requirements for movable electoral signage under the Code.
Non-compliant movable signs can be reported via Fix My Street.
General requirements
Please refer to the Code and relevant legislation prior to placing any movable signs on public land. Some of the requirements are summarised below.
- Content: Movable signs should not display words or images likely to cause offence and must identify the responsible owner of the sign.
- Length of time: Signs may be displayed up to 6 weeks before the election date until 48 hours after the polling booths closing. Any election signs not removed within 48 hours will be considered unauthorised and the responsible owner may be fined.
- Design: Movable signs cannot exceed 90cm x 120cm in size. They can be ‘A’ frame or a non-metal board mounted to wooden stake(s) with smooth edges and no protrusions that could be a danger to the public. Signs must be stable in windy conditions.
- Disposal: Do not put corflute signs in household bins. For information on how to dispose them see corflute signs.
Self-adhesive signs or stickers are not movable signs and are not included in the Code. It is an offence under the Crimes Act 1900 to damage or deface public or private infrastructure and assets. Penalties apply.
For information on where vehicles can park if displaying advertising or electoral matter see roadside advertising on vehicles.
If you would like to know more, please contact the Public Land Use team on 13 22 81.
