Business Signage
Signage plays an important role within the Ballina Shire Council area, offering essential information, identifying businesses and services, and contributing significantly to the local streetscape. In the Ballina Local Government Area, signs are primarily used for business advertising and for providing directions and information. It is important that signage is designed to be visually appealing, architecturally appropriate, and enhances the surrounding environment, rather than detracting from it.
The following signage standards are set as part of Council’s policy to ensure consistency and fairness in the regulation of signage. These guidelines ensure that businesses are subject to the same controls as others in the same zone, while also protecting them from the negative impacts of excessive or intrusive signage from competitors or neighbouring properties. Council is obligated to regulate advertising structures under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
Without a clear and consistent set of criteria, signage can become disruptive, dominating the local environment due to its size, shape, number, lighting, or movement. The Council is committed to promoting signage that reflects the character and regional identity of the area, while ensuring it contributes positively to the broader streetscape and built environment.
Free-Standing Signboards
The following provisions apply to free-standing signboards:
- One sign per premises
- Maximum area of 1.5m²
- Sign must be located entirely on private land.
Free-standing signs or A frame signs are prohibited on all public land, including footpaths. Only Council approved street furniture and temporary structures may be placed on public footpaths. Refer to Council’s Commercial Use of Footpaths Policy.
Council Compliance Officers conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with these regulations. Placing a free-standing signboard (e.g., an A-frame sign) on public land is considered an offence and may result in further compliance action, including a fine. Additionally, the offending signage may be removed and impounded.
Exempt and Complying Development
In some circumstances, signage may be considered exempt or complying development under the Council's Development Control Plan (DCP). This may apply to certain types of signage that meet specific criteria and do not require formal approval. However, businesses should ensure that their signage complies with the relevant standards outlined in the Development Control Plan 2012, Chapter 8, Section 3.4: Signage.
Exempt signage typically includes minor or temporary signs that do not pose any risk to public safety or visual amenity. Complying development allows for a streamlined approval process if the signage complies with the predetermined criteria set forth in the DCP.
It is important for businesses to consult the DCP and ensure their signage complies with these standards to avoid compliance action and to ensure that all signage is legally placed.
Resources
Enquiries
Development Application Enquiry and Compliance Matters
Planning and Environmental Health Division
Phone: 1300 864 444
Commercial Use of Footpath Approvals and Enquiries
Commercial Services Section
Phone: 1300 864 444