Advertising signs are subject to the Planning Scheme. In many instances signs require planning permits. The control of advertising signage is very important as they can have a profound impact on landscape, streetscape, amenity, traffic management and safety.
What does the Planning Scheme Say about Signs?
Clause 52.05 of the Planning Scheme includes the controls relating to advertising signs. There are four categories of advertising signs.
Category 1 applies to business areas.
Category 2 applies to office and industrial areas.
Category 3 applies to high amenity areas.
Category 4 applies to sensitive areas.
Each category identifies signs that do not require a planning permit, those that do require a planning permit and those that are prohibited.
As you move from Category 1 through to Category 4, the level of control over advertising signage increases. Category 1 includes a number of signs that do not require a permit, subject to meeting size limits. Most signs in Category 4 either need a permit or are prohibited.
The table below provides a summary of the advertising signage category applicable to each Zone. Each Zone of the Planning Scheme identifies the category of advertising sign control that is applicable to the land in that Zone.
There are certain signs, such as traffic signs and "for sale" signs that do not require a permit regardless of the zoning of the land and the applicable advertising signage category.
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Decision Guidelines
The following decision guidelines will be considered by the City when assessing an application for an advertising sign and should be addressed in developing your proposal:
- the effect of the sign on the amenity of the area including the need to avoid visual disorder or clutter of signs
- the effect of the sign on the built environment or the landscape, with particular thought to its effect on any objects of scenic, historic, architectural, scientific or cultural interest
- the need for identification and the opportunities for adequate identification on the site and nearby
- the advertising pattern and theme in the area and the number of signs of the same type
- the effect of the sign on existing signs
- the size and likely impact of the sign having regard to the size of the premises on which it is to be displayed and the scale of surrounding buildings
- the effect of the sign on the safety, warning and security of premises and public areas
- the effect of the sign on the appearance and efficiency of a road, railway, waterway or other public way, having particular regard to the sign's colour, brightness and location
- the effect on road safety.
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Referral
If the sign is a floodlit, animated, internally-illuminated, panel, reflective or sky sign to be displayed within 60m of, or is to project over, a freeway, state highway, metropolitan bridge or other road declared under the Transport Act 1983, it must be referred to the Road Corporation (VicRoads). The City must have regard for their advice when considering the permit application.
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Supporting Information
The following information should accompany an application for advertising signage:
- application form
- relevant fee
- copy of Title
- site plan showing proposed location of sign
- elevation detail, including details about colours and illumination, at an appropriate scale to provide adequate detail about the proposal.
Note: The City of Greater Geelong has adopted a detailed policy in respect to advertising signage which is incorporated into the Planning Scheme - "Advertising Sign Guidelines" which is used as a further guide for decisions on planning permits which relate to advertising signage.
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| |
ADVERTISING SIGNAGE CATEGORIES |
| Zone |
Category 1
Business Areas
Minimum limitation |
Category 2
Office and Industrial Areas
Low limitation |
Category 3
High Amenity Areas
Medium limitation |
Category 4
Sensitive Areas
Maximum limitation |
| Residential 1 |
|
|
X |
|
| Residential 2 |
|
|
X |
|
| Low Density Residential |
|
|
X |
|
| Mixed Use |
|
|
X |
|
| Township |
|
|
X |
|
| Industrial 1 |
|
X |
|
|
| Industrial 2 |
|
X |
|
|
| Industrial 3 |
|
X |
|
|
| Business 1 |
X |
|
|
|
| Business 2 |
|
X |
|
|
| Business 3 |
|
X |
|
|
| Business 4 |
X |
|
|
|
| Business 5 |
|
|
X |
|
| Rural |
|
|
X |
|
| Environmental Rural |
|
|
|
X |
| Rural Living |
|
|
X |
|
| Public Use |
|
|
|
X unless otherwise specified
in the schedule to the Zone |
| Public Park and Recreation |
|
|
|
X |
| Special Use |
|
|
X unless specified |
|
| Comprehensive Development |
|
|
X unless specified |
|
| Urban Floodway |
|
|
|
X unless specified |
