Signs

You may need a building consent, and/or a resource consent for any sign that:

• is more than 1.8 metres high
  
• has a surface area bigger than two square metres 
  
• is mounted on a wall or verandah 
  
• is located on one site but advertises a different activity, product or service (e.g. a billboard).
  

Find out more at www.building.govt.nz - check if you need consents. 

You need a permit for all signs, whether they’re on public or private land or buildings. 

Promote the community and local groups while maintaining the overall look of an area and ensuring public safety when placing signs around Porirua City.

Sign Requirements

Signs cannot be placed or displayed:

• Within 50 metres of any road or street intersection. 
• On any State Highway. 
• On any City park or reserve. 
• On any vehicle, trailer or stand parked on any road, footpath, berm or other public place. 
• In such a manner as to create a hazard or danger to the public or obstruct pedestrians or vehicular traffic. 
• Road and pedestrian traffic must not be obstructed or inconvenienced in any way

All directions issued by the Police or authorized Council Officer must be promptly complied with:

• Signs must meet a minimum standard
• Signs must be of a safe, robust and comply with New Zealand standards - NZS4203:1984, Part 4 – Wind loads.
• They only may be single faced i.e, one display face per sign.  "V" and other multi-faced signs are prohibited. 
• They cannot exceed 1.8 metres in total height above ground level nor have a face surface area exceeding 2 square metres (approx. 1400 mm x 1400 mm) in size.
• Signs on public sites must be free standing.
• Signs exceeding the size and construction restrictions will require a Building Consent and Resource Consent.

Your sign must not:

• Contain any offensive words, pictures or material. 
• Be constructed of or contain any reflective material. 
• Appear similar to traffic signs in design, shape or colour. 
• Have any moving parts. 
• Have means of self-illumination i.e., they have internal or external lighting. 
• You must remove your signs promptly on completion of the event or activity to which   they relate. No more than 2 days after completion.
• Have more than one sign promoting the same event in the same location.

• Signage must comply with Porirua City Council General Bylaw 1991 - Part 15 Signs (78KB pdf).

Sign Approval

Your group must apply for permission before the sign is displayed. To apply you will need to supply the following information.

• The name of the organisation on whose behalf the application is being made.
• The purpose of the sign, i.e. the activity or event being advertised or promoted.
• The dates on which the sign is to be displayed.
• A drawing or picture of the proposed sign, and its size.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure signs are compliant.

Please complete the application form below

Approved locations

A number of locations throughout Porirua City have been pre-approved for community sign display. The sites have been chosen with a view to:

• Assist community groups to achieve a high level of exposure.
• Protect important underground utility services.
• Minimise damage to grass and road reserve areas.
• Prevent hazards for road and pedestrian traffic.
• Maintain the good appearance of the city. 

• Map - Electioneering/Advertising Signs and Hoardings - Public Display Sites (434KB pdf).

Real estate signs do not require a permit but must meet the following requirements: 

• Sign must be located within the boundary of the property which is for sale or lease.
  
• If the property does not have direct road frontage, the sign may be displayed on the grass verge directly outside the property, or as close as practical to the property.
  
• Only one sign per agency advertising the sale or lease of the property may be displayed. 
  
• Must not be placed in such a manner as to create an obstruction or hazard.
  
• Must not exceed height of 1.8 metres above ground level.
  
• Must not exceed a size of 1400mm by 1400mm (a surface area of two square metres).
  
• Must comply with the Porirua City Council General Bylaw 1991 - Part 15 Signs (78KB pdf).
  

If any agents wish to have the sign conditions modified for any particular site then please complete the application form below for approval

The following is information on the displaying of sandwich board advertising signs on public footpaths and in public areas in reference to Part 15 Signs on Road or Public Places of the Porirua City Council General Bylaw 1991

Sandwich Board Signs must meet a minimum standard

• Is is important that your sandwich board sign is of a professional design, appearance and construction standard.
• It cannot exceed 90cm in height above ground level, 60cm in width at the widest point or have a base area exceeding 0.45 square metres.
• The base must be weighted to resist wind and the signage must be firmly secured to its base and have no sharp corners, edges or fittings that could cause injury to any person or damage property.
• Wind rotated signs must have no gaps for children to insert fingers into.

Where you may display your sandwich board sign

Sandwich board signs can only be displayed on a paved public pedestrian footpath or walkway, immediately up against the front of your shop or business premises.

They cannot be displayed in such a position or manner that they:

• Create a hazard or danger to any person
• Obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic
• Reduce the useable footpath surface to less than two metres in width
• The signs may be displayed only during normal business hours and must be removed at the close of each trading day
• You must comply with Police or Council Inspector directions to move or remove a sign even if you have a permit.

Council Inspectors will remove and impound non-complying signage that is displayed in breach of conditions.

A permit is required where signs are to be displayed on public or private land. 

Apply in writing, addressed to the Chief Executive, Porirua City Council,  PO Box 50218, Porirua City, or by email to records.management@poriruacity.govt.nz.

Your application must include the following information:

• The name, address and contact telephone number/s of the candidate and the name and contact telephone number of any nominated contact person (if applicable). 
  
• The number of signs required, their dimensions, construction details and method of erection and/or display, i.e., free standing, attached to fence, building etc. 
  
• A map or description indicating the exact locations in which it is proposed to display the signs. 
  
• A photo, copy or sketch of the sign which shows the exact wording.
  

Signage must comply with Porirua City Council General Bylaw 1991 - Part 15 Signs.

Standard rules apply with the exception of sign size and duration of display:

• Must not exceed size of 1700mm by 1700mm (a surface area of three square metres).
  
• Display up to nine weeks prior to election date and remove by midnight of the day prior. 
  

Additional restrictions apply to signs displayed on or facing any state highway.  

Local elections candidate handbook provides full guidelines for electioneering signage.

General election signage must comply with the Electoral (advertisements of a specified kind) Regulations 2005.

Check the map for approved locations for signs around the city.

• Map - Electioneering/Advertising Signs and Hoardings - Public Display Sites (434KB pdf).