FAQs about signage

This depends on what zone of the district your property is in.

In residential zones
Signage rules that would need to be followed in residential zones are proposed to stay more or less the same. For example, signage would continue to be limited to no more than one per site, with a maximum size of 0.5m2 where there is a residential activity occurring on the site, and increasing to 1m2 where there is no residential activity.

However, you may not be able to place a sign that is not related to your property (eg small signs advertising businesses or upcoming events) without a resource consent.

In the Rural Zone
Signage rules that would need to be followed in the Rural Zone are proposed to stay the same for site-related signage but are proposed to be changed for signage not related to the site, such as trailer-mounted signs in paddocks, billboards and digital signs.

In business zones
Signage rules that would need to be followed in the Business Zones are proposed to stay the same for site-related signage on buildings. However, greater control is proposed for advertising signs, such as sandwich boards displayed within or over Council-owned footpaths and roads. Free-standing signs are also proposed to be limited to one per site in general.

Such signage can result in a spread of signs across the district, especially in highly visible locations, such as adjacent to major roads and at prominent intersections. This is particularly an issue in the more environmentally sensitive rural and residential parts of the district, where it doesn’t fit with the look and feel of an area and can also have adverse effects on traffic safety.

Digital signage is a relatively new technology which is becoming more common. The current rules don’t provide for this type of signage and therefore new rules will ensure such signage is managed.

The detail of the new or amended rules for these types of signs needs to be determined in the next stage of the review. This includes taking into consideration any feedback received during the public consultation.

There are many Council reserves and associated community and recreation facilities that have a public benefit and where appropriate signage serves a functional or informative purpose and therefore should be enabled. More permissive rules would avoid or lessen the need for resource consents.

The detail of new or amended rules or a Council Bylaw needs to be determined in the next stage of the review. This includes taking into consideration any feedback received during public consultation.

For more information about the Council’s preferred option for draft changes to signage and all the work done to date as part of the review visit Council website where all the reports developed for the District Plan Review are kept.