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) S4.14 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.
Quick Links for this Page
Permit Conditions and Breaches
Displays Allowed
-
A sign with size less than 10 square meters publicising the sale or letting of the property on which it is displayed. 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 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.



Permit Period
Permits are valid from September to August each year and must be renewed annually.
Annual Fees (GST Exempt)
Fees (from 1 September 2022) $545
Lodge 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
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 $10 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.