Adopted by Council on 22 July 1998.

  1. Low-volume pedestrian areas
    1. Signboards shall not protrude more than 200 millimetres into the public place parallel to the premises frontage.
    2. In addition to (a) one only free-standing signboard may be placed on the kerbside per business, outside that business.
    3. Upstairs shop(s) with a street entrance, may have one free-standing signboard (multi-advertising if necessary) per building placed on the kerbside outside the entrance to that business.
  2. Central Business District and other high-volume pedestrian areas (other than malls) e.g. Riccarton Road
    1. Signboards shall not protrude more than 200 millimetres into the public place parallel to the premises frontage.
    2. As an alternative to (a) one only free-standing signboard may be placed on the kerbside per business, outside that business.
    3. Upstairs shop(s) with a street entrance, may have one free-standing signboard (multi-advertising if necessary) per building placed on the kerbside outside the entrance to that business.
  3. Pedestrian malls (e.g. City Mall, Worcester Boulevard, Cathedral Square)
    1. Signboards shall not protrude more than 200 millimetres into the public place parallel to the premises frontage.
    2. As an alternative to (a) only one free-standing signboard may be placed against the shop frontage per business, outside that business.
    3. Upstairs shop(s) with a street entrance may have one free-standing signboard (multi-advertising if necessary) per building placed against the entrance to those premises.
    4. Shops in Arcades fronting, or alleyways opening, onto malls (ground floor and upstairs) may have one mobile multi signboard placed by entrance way to each arcade.
  4. All signboards whether in high or low pedestrian areas or pedestrian malls shall
    1. Not obstruct the view of traffic, and in no case will be permitted on roadways, medians, traffic islands, planted areas, grass berms or extended footpath areas.
    2. Not have a surface area exceeding 0.5 square metres, on any one side, with a height of not more than 900mm or a width of not more than 600 millimetres except for mobile signboards at entranceways to arcades fronting, or alleyways opening, onto malls.
    3. On any wind-assisted signboard have not less than 30 millimetres between the sail of the signboard and the stand.
    4. Have no reflective materials or internal or external illumination.
    5. Be removed during the period the premises are closed.
    6. Be adequately secured (may require to be fixed to the premises or weighted).
    7. In the case of wind-assisted or rotating signboards, the height of the frame shall not exceed 1400 millimetres provided there is clear space between the frame and any signage within it.
  5. For an 'open home' or real estate promotion there shall be permitted only one signboard for the sale of a property or a house in accordance with 4(b) above and [this] shall be removed after the promotion has finished. In addition, two only 'Open House' signs of approved design may be placed at the entrances to the street in which the "open home" promotion is occurring for a period of not longer than the house is open for general inspection on the day the event is occurring.
  6. Erection of signboards outside the above conditions may be considered on the application, and if approved will be subject to appropriate charges and conditions.
  7. Signboards found in contravention of the above policy may be seized and removed after written notification to the business/owner requesting compliance.
  8. All signs and their supporting structures shall be constructed, fixed, placed and maintained in a manner so they do not pose a danger to property or the public.

Please note that a freestanding sign includes flags and rotating signs.