Advertising Devices

For Sale sign

Noosa Council has local laws related to advertising devices/signage in the Shire, with the aim of preserving the Shire's unique visual amenity.

New Local Law requirements for Advertising Devices (signage) came into effect on 28 February 2020 for temporary signs.  With the commencement of the Noosa Plan 2020 on 31 July 2020, the local law requirements now apply to both temporary and permanent signs.

The detailed requirements for temporary signage are contained in Subordinate Local Law No.1 (Administration) 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The following temporary signs are self-assessable against the requirements of the local law and do not require an approval. The requirements of the local law must be met to erect these temporary sign types.

    • Development / construction site hoarding;
    • Elections signs;
    • Event directional signs;
    • Real estate signs;
    • Real estate directional signs;
    • Garage signs
    • Prize home direction signs;
    • Sandwich board / A-frame signs.

    Refer to Schedule 10 - Installation of Advertising Devices of Subordinate Local Law No.1 (Administration) 2015

  • The following sign types require approval under Subordinate Local Law No.1 (Administration) 2015 via the Advertising Devices Application form.  

    • Freestanding signs
    • Pylon signs
    • Pole signs
    • All illuminated signs

    Refer to Schedule 10 - Installations of Advertising Devices - Subordinate Local Law No.1 (Administration) 2015

  • The following permanent signs are self-assessable against the requirements of the local law and do not require an approval. The requirements of the local law must be met to erect these temporary sign types.

    • Above awning sign;
    • Awning fascia sign;
    • Under awning sign;
    • Business name plate;
    • Community service organisation sign;
    • Created awning sign;
    • Flag pole sign;
    • Fence sign;
    • Hamper sign;
    • Home based business sign;
    • Multi-tenancy arcade sign;
    • Sporting field fence sign;
    • Stall board sign;
    • Wall sign;
    • Window sign;
    • Vertical sign.

    Refer to Schedule 10 - Installation of Advertising Devices of Subordinate Local Law No.1 (Administration) 2015

    All new freestanding, pole, pylon and illuminated signs require approval under Subordinate Local Law No.1 (Administration) 2015 via the Advertising Devices Application form.  

  • The following signs are prohibited in Noosa Shire.

    • Animated sign;
    • Balloon sign;
    • Banner sign;
    • Billboard sign;
    • Blind sign;
    • Bunting sign;
    • Created roofline sign;
    • Flashing sign;
    • Inflatable advertising sign; 
    • Motor vehicle sign;
    • Moving sign;
    • Neon sign;
    • Portable illuminated sign;Portable interchangeable letter sign;
    • Projected sign;
    • Rooftop sign;
    • Tear drop flag;
    • Third party sign;
    • Three dimensional sign;
    • Trailer sign;
    • Written roof sign;
    • An advertising devices attached to a tree or other vegetation;
    • An advertising device attached to roadside infrastructure of the local government;
    • Any other advertising device not identified in the local law;
    • Advertising devices that do not comply with the signage requirements in section 3 or 4 of the local law;
    • An advertising device that exceeds the maximum individual sign face area of 4sqm or 6sqm in the Industrial zone (excluding Noosa Eumundi Rd & Walter Hay Dr.)
    • The combined area of all advertising devices on a tenancy that exceeds 10sq,
  • A building approval will generally be required for the installation of a fixed freestanding signs or a sign attached to a building or structure. To obtain further information, it is recommended that you contact Council’s Building and Plumbing Services on (07) 5329 6500 or your private building certifier.

Real Estate Signage

All real estate signage must comply with the new Local Law requirements. Detailed requirements for Real Estate signage are contained in Schedule 10 - Installation of Advertising Devices of Subordinate Local Law No.1 (Administration) 2015.  

  • A maximum of 2 real estate signs can be used per premises on open for inspection or auction days.

    These include: 

    • one (1) for sale or lease sign 
    • one (1) open for inspection / auction sign or one (1) real estate directional sign

    Other days

    • A maximum of 1 for sale or lease sign per premises.
  • One (1) real estate sign is allowed and located on the premises that is for sale or lease. If it is not practically possible to locate the sign on the premises then it must only be placed immediately adjacent to the premises.

    • The sign can be double sided but only if it does not create a hazard for pedestrians or motorists by protruding from the premises.
    • The total sign face area of the sign cannot exceed 2.16 sqm. If the sign is double sided each side must not exceed 1.08 sqm.
    • The sign must not be illuminated or have flags protruding from the structure.
  • Open for inspection or auction day signs must only be placed on the premises on the day of the inspection or auction and removed immediately after its completion.

    • Flags and A frame signs must not be used during open houses or auction days.
    • The sign face area must not exceed 750mm x 400 mm or 0.3 sqm per side.
    • A maximum of 1 sign per premises is allowed and must not be located on a road, roundabout, centre traffic island, median strip or state controlled road.
    • The sign must not be illuminated or animated.
  • Real estate directional signs are now limited to a maximum of one (1) directional sign per open house inspection / auction.

    • The sign must only be placed on or directly in front of the property to which it refers on the day of the open house inspection or auction and removed immediately after its completion.
    • The sign face area must not exceed 750mm x 400 mm or 0.3 sqm per side.
    • The sign must not be illuminated or animated.

Further information on the Advertising Devices (signage) Local Law is available in Subordinate Local Law No.1 (Administration) 2015 or via the following Fact Sheets: