Sign Permit Checker

✓

State

Suburb

Sign Type

Size

Heritage

Results

Where is your sign going?

Select your state or territory to get started.

State / Territory

Find your suburb or council

Type your postcode to auto-detect, or select manually.

Postcode (fastest)

Suburb / Council

What type of sign?

Choose the sign type that best matches your project.

🏠

Business
Identification

🗃

Fascia /
Shop Front

🏰

Pylon /
Freestanding

💡

Illuminated
Sign

🖥

Digital /
LED Screen

🋧

Awning
Sign

🪑

Window /
Decal

🏳

Banner /
Temporary

How big is your sign?

Tap a preset size or enter a custom measurement.

1m²Small window

2m²Standard fascia

3m²Large shopfront

5m²Pylon / tower

8m²Large pylon

12m²Billboard

Custom size (m²)

How many signs?

Heritage or conservation area?

This affects your permit type, cost, and timeline.

🏝

Standard Property

Normal commercial/industrial zone. Standard permit rules apply.

🏯

Heritage Area (HCA)

Heritage conservation zone. Extra documents + longer approval.

⁉

Not Sure

We will flag this for council verification. Estimate assumes standard rules.

Your Permit Results

How It Works

Get Your Permit Info in 60 Seconds

Enter Location

Select your state, enter a postcode, and we auto-detect your council, suburb, and heritage risk.

Choose Sign Details

Pick your sign type from visual cards, enter the size, and tell us about heritage constraints.

Get Instant Results

See your permit status, estimated council fees, approval timeline, required documents, and council contact.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are the permit estimates?

Our estimates are based on publicly available council fee schedules and planning rules, updated quarterly. Accurate for 90%+ of standard sign applications. Always confirm with your specific council before lodging.

Do all signs need council approval?

No. Small business identification signs meeting exemption criteria (size, placement, illumination, zone) may not require approval. Our tool checks exemption criteria for your specific council and sign type.

How long does approval take?

Exempt: no wait. CDC via private certifier: 10-20 days. Standard DA: 4-12 weeks. Heritage areas: 12-20 weeks. Pre-application meetings with council can speed up the process significantly.

What documents do I need?

Standard applications require: Site plan, scaled sign drawings, photos of existing site, photo montage, completed DA/CDC form, and owner consent. Heritage areas need a Heritage Impact Statement. Illuminated signs need lighting specifications.

Can I install while waiting for approval?

No -- installing before approval can result in fines from $1,500 for individuals and $3,000 for corporations. Always wait for formal approval before installation.

Is my data saved or shared?

No. This tool runs entirely in your browser. We do not store, save, or share any information. No account required, no cookies track your inputs. Estimates generated locally using public council data.