Real Estate Advertising Permits

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.

Council’s Community Local Law 2014 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.

Displays Allowed

Two portable signs per property
One advertising sign outside the property for sale or lease in Whitehorse
One sign and or goods to be placed outside your business premise in Whitehorse
Size of the sign should be less than 1m x 600mm

Annual Fees (GST Exempt)

Fees (from 1 September 2021) $530

Before Applying

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 trading guidelines ( PDF 547.5KB)

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.

More details can be found in the footpath and trading guidelines including definitions of the zones other restrictions that you must adhere to in accordance with the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992).

Permit Conditions

The use of permits are subject to the following conditions:

The permit fee must be paid before use
The applicant must supply valid copies of the required documentation
The permit is only valid for the time period stated on the permit
The permit is not transferrable:
Permits are not to be leased, sold or given away
No form of advertising of a permit for rent, lease, sale profit or other beneficial or fraudulent consideration of causing such an advertisement to be published is permitted
At the conclusion of the permit period a new application form must be submitted
Permit holders must display the permit sticker provided in the front of the building so it can be seen from the street
No more than two portable signs for property and one advertising sign outside the property for sale or lease in Whitehorse
One sign is to be placed outside your business premises in Whitehorse
Signs to be no more than 1 m X 600mm
Permits are for a maximum period of 12 months
Permits are subject to annual renewal and payment of a renewal fee set by Council
Permit applications must meet the requirements of the general footpath trading guidelines or specific footpath trading guidelines for Carrington Road, Box Hill
Permit holders should ensure disabled/accessible parking has a 2-metre clearance to avoid obstruction
Permit holder must display permit sticker provided in the front of the building so it can be seen from the street
The permit may be suspended by an authorised Council Officer for any reason at any time. No permit fee will be refunded

Apply Online - Real Estate Advertising Permit

Lodging an Application

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

Public Liability Insurance certificate of currency (mandatory) for $10 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

Real Estate Agents Advertising Permit Online Application

Renewing Your 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 $10 million liability as part of your renewal and pay the required fee.

Payment for the renewals can be made online.

Payment reference id will be supplied by Council.

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