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

8.1 Community signs are permitted for the purposes of promoting any forthcoming event, community organisation and providing community information without advertising for other goods or services. Community signage must:

a. be placed on the approved sites only (Schedule 1). Only one sign per site per event or activity;

b. be free standing and not attached to any tree, lamppost, fence, street furniture, building or similar structure;

c. Not exceed 3 metres in total height above ground level and not exceed a surface area of 6 square metres;

d. not be erected more than four weeks prior to the event and must be removed no later than three days after the event.

e. be safe, robust and comply with New Zealand standards - NZS4203:1984, Part 4 – Wind loads.

f. be single faced i.e., one display face per sign. "V" and other multi-faced signs are prohibited.

g. Signs exceeding the size and construction restrictions will require a building consent and resource consent. In the case of a building consent, schedule 1, section 25 of the Building Act 2004 provides an exemption to building work in connection with a sign (whether free-standing or attached to a structure) if:

(a) no face of the sign exceeds 6 square metres in surface area; and

(b) the top of the sign does not exceed 3 metres in height above the supporting ground level.

8.2 Signs cannot be placed or displayed:

a. Within 50 metres in or around an intersection on the Porirua City local road network (unless inspection from an authorised officer deems that there is no obstruction or distraction with having the sign there).

b. On any State Highway.

c. On any City park or reserve.

d. On any 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.

Download the Signs Bylaw 2020 document

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: 

10.1 Real estate signs are permitted for the purpose of advertising for sale, lease, rent or auction the whole or part of land or premises. Any real estate sign must:

a. be displayed on the property to which it relates.

b. be free standing or attached to the wall or fence of the property to which it relates. Not on the berm in front of the property.

c. be removed within 30 days of the ‘sold’ or ‘leased’ notification being placed on the sign.

d. not exceed a height of two metres above ground level.

e. not exceed a surface area of two square metres (e.g. up to 1.4 metres in height and 1.4 metres in width).

f. not be placed in a manner so as to create a hazard or obstruction for members of the public.

g. Not have more than one (1) temporary sign on any land or premises (being a sign advertising that land or premises for sale, auction or lease) for each real estate agency involved in the sale, auction or leasing of that land or premises.

10.2 Where a property does not have direct road frontage real estate signage may be displayed as close as practical outside the property to which it relates.

10.3 Directional real estate signage is to be put out and removed on same day of the auction or open home.

10.4 Real estate flags or banners may be displayed on a stationary vehicle during the time of an open home or onsite auction, so long as neither the flag or banner nor any supporting structure protrudes from the side of the vehicle.

10.5 All real estate signs must comply with section 6.7.

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

Download the Signs Bylaw 2020 document

The following is information on the displaying of sandwich board advertising signs on public footpaths and in public areas in reference to the Signs Bylaw 2020

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 0.9 metres in height and 0.6 metres in width.
• 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.

Download the Signs Bylaw 2020 document

https://poriruacity.govt.nz/documents/3904/Signs_Bylaw_2020_.doc

12.1 Election signage is regulated by the Electoral Act 1993 and Electoral (Advertisements of a

Specified Kind) Regulations 2005.

12.2 The general requirements of this Bylaw apply to any election signage not regulated by the Electoral Act 1993 and Electoral (Advertisements of a Specified Kind) Regulations 2005.

12.3 Election signage can only be displayed during the period beginning 9 weeks before polling day and ending with the close of the day before polling day.

12.4 Any election signage displayed on a public place must be on the approved sites only (Schedule 1) and must be free standing (Schedule 2). Only one sign per candidate and/or party is permitted at each site.

12.5 Signs advertising a candidate standing for local election to a ward position may only be displayed within the boundaries of that ward.

12.6 Signs must not be placed 50 metres from any road or street intersection and must be placed at a greater distance if visibility for pedestrians or drivers is obscured unless inspection from an authorised officer deems that there is no obstruction or distraction with having the sign there.

12.7 All election signs must comply with the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004 Part 3 Advertising Signs.

12.8 All election signs must comply with section 6.7

Download the Signs Bylaw 2020 document