Real Estate Advertising

Real Estate agencies temporarily displaying boards or signs to advertise activities such as ‘for sale’, ‘open for inspection’, ‘auction’ or ‘for rent’ on council land are required to obtain an annual permit. 

The Whitehorse City Council Community Local Law 2024 ( PDF 973.95KB) S2.12 requires businesses to have a permit before placing an advertising board in public places including footpaths, nature strips, Council managed land or any other location likely to impact residents or visitors.

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Displays Allowed 

  • A sign with a size of less than 10 square meters publicising the sale or letting of up to 20 real estate lots. Only one sign may be displayed outside the property, it must not be an animated sign and it must not be displayed longer than seven (7) days after the sale/letting date.
  • A sign larger than 10 square meters publicising the sale or letting of more than 20 real estate lots. Only one sign may be displayed outside the property, it must not be an animated sign and it must not be displayed longer than seven (7) days after the sale/letting date.
  • Two portable directional A-frame signs per property
  • One A-Frame sign and or goods to be placed outside your business premise in Whitehorse. Refer to the Footpath trading guidelines ( PDF 547.5KB).

Guidelines

The footpath trading guidelines below and Disability Discrimination Act 1992 outline the rules and conditions for placing signs on footpaths. They also explain permit zones and other restrictions related to footpaths.

Footpath Permit Zones

In order to provide unobstructed access for pedestrians, the following zones have been created.

  • Pedestrian zone
  • Trading activity zone
  • Kerbside zone
  • Exclusion zone. 

These zones are outlined in the diagrams below.

Footpath Zones Figure A
Footpath Zones Figure B
Footpath Zones Corner Location

Permit Period

Permits are valid from September to August each year and must be renewed annually.

Annual Fees (GST Exempt) 

Fees (from 1 September 2024) $567

Lodge an Application

You will need the following details to submit a new application:

  • Public Liability Insurance certificate of currency (mandatory) for $20 million from your insurance company detailing coverage that extends to all items placed on footpath
  • Any images or supporting documentation for your application
  • Application fee (mandatory) 

Once you have submitted an application form, Council will arrange to inspect your premises to assess the permit application. After the assessment if your application is successful, a permit will be sent to you. If your application is unsuccessful, any fees paid will be refunded.

Apply Online

Renewing a Permit

If you have an existing permit, we will send you a renewal notice from early September each year. Payment is due by the end of September.

It is a mandatory requirement that you submit a current certificate of currency from your insurance company with $20 million liability as part of your renewal and pay the required fee.

Payment for the renewals can be made online. Please use the payment reference id supplied by Council.