Brisbane’s council signage regulations might seem overwhelming at first, but these rules play a vital role in your business’s visibility and legal compliance. Light levels for illuminated signs must stay between 300-500 cd/m². That’s just one example of what your business signage needs to follow.
New business signage needs proper approval before installation. The good news is that the council reviews some sign types quickly through express applications. You could get an answer within five days if everything checks out. But keep in mind that your location matters. Rules change depending on whether you’re setting up in the city centre, business district, industrial zone, residential area, or greenspace.
This detailed guide will help you understand Brisbane City Council’s signage rules. You’ll learn how to plan, pick, and put up signs that follow all the rules for your business in 2025.
Understanding Council Signage Rules
Brisbane businesses should know that signs need different levels of approval. The Brisbane City Council keeps a close watch on advertising devices through the Advertising Devices Local Law 2021. This law groups signs based on their type, size, and where they’re placed.
Types of Signs That Need Approval
An advertising device can be any temporary or permanent sign, structure, or device used for advertising. Here’s what usually needs approval:
- Awning fascia signs
- Footpath signs (A-frames)
- Pole and pylon signs
- Projecting and wall signs
- Roof signs
- Temporary inflatable signs
- Vertical banners
- Real estate signs
The council doesn’t call some items advertising devices. These include umbrellas, marquees, portable shade structures, vehicle advertising, skywriting, and official traffic signs.
Common Size and Placement Restrictions
Each type of sign must follow specific size rules. A 1,000m2 property block can’t have more than 60m² of total signage. Signs shouldn’t cover more than 50% of the fascia height. In-ground signs must stay under 1.8m in height and 6m2 in area. Wall signs need to be under 5m² and fixed flat against the wall.
Space between signs is a vital factor. Most signs need 2.4m of clear space from ground level. Properties with street frontage under 100m can only have one ground sign. Longer frontages might allow more signs, but they need to be at least 60m apart
Heritage Area Considerations
Heritage properties need extra care with their signage. You’ll need approval for any sign on a heritage site, even if that type of sign usually doesn’t need it. Level 2 fees apply, but religious or charitable organisations might qualify for exceptions.
Properties on the Queensland Heritage Register need approval from both Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government. New signs must match the heritage place’s size, scale, and design. They can’t damage or remove existing important signage or building materials.
Temporary signs on heritage properties have special rules. They must be placed behind or on glass surfaces and can’t be illuminated or flash. These signs can’t have fixings that damage important building materials. Permanent signage on heritage properties always needs development approval. There’s no way around it through General Exemption.
Planning Your Business Signage
Your signage planning journey in Brisbane starts with exact measurements and a clear grasp of size limits. You need specific details about your storefront and allowed sign parameters before you sketch designs or talk to sign makers.
Measuring Your Storefront
The first step is to create accurate site plans that show where existing structures and new signs will go. You’ll need these complete measurements of your shopfront:
- Total façade width and height
- Window dimensions (to calculate window signage)
- Distance from ground to awning or verandah
- Clearance between footpath and lowest sign part
- Setback from property boundaries
These measurements are the foundations of your application. Photos from different angles can help support your plans, especially with heritage properties that have strict placement rules.
Calculating Allowed Sign Dimensions
Brisbane City Council sets specific size limits for different types of signs. Window signs must not cover more than 25% of the glass panel area and cannot exceed 2m². Under-awning signs have limits of 2.5m length, 0.5m height and 0.3m depth.
A-frame signs on footways must follow these limits:
- Maximum height: 1m
- Maximum width: 0.6m
- Maximum depth: 0.6m
Awning fascia signs need to stay within the fascia outline and can’t be taller than 600mm. Wall signs have different rules. They’re usually limited to 5m² and must sit flat against the wall with no more than 300mm thickness.
Choosing Sign Locations
The right sign placement affects both compliance and how well your sign works. You must put footway signs on the curbside of the path. Keep them at least 450mm from the curb and leave a clear 2m path for pedestrians between your property boundary and the sign.
Signs work best at eye level instead of high up on building sides. Under-awning signs must have at least 2.4m space between their lowest point and the footway surface.
Each shop can have up to two footway signs. Properties with less than 100m of street frontage get one in-ground sign. Larger properties can have more signs if they’re at least 60m apart.
A pre-lodgement meeting with Council can help you learn about potential issues before you submit your application. These meetings happen either at your site or Council offices and can save you time and money by preventing rejected applications.
Selecting the Right Sign Type
You need to think about council regulations and your business needs when picking different types of signs. Each type of sign has its own set of rules that determine if it will work for you.
Window Signs vs. Outdoor Signs
Window signs are easier to get approved while outdoor signs give you better visibility. Brisbane City Council says window signs can’t take up more than 25% of the glass panel area and must stay under 2m² in total size. These indoor signs usually have fewer rules, which makes them great for businesses watching their budget.
Outdoor signs like A-frames need to follow exact size rules:
- Maximum height of 1m
- Maximum width of 0.6m
- Maximum depth of 0.6m
A-frames also need specific placement. They must be at least 450mm away from the curb and leave a 2m clear path for pedestrians. You can only have two A-frame signs per shop, which can be tough if you want to promote multiple things.
Permanent vs Temporary Options
Permanent signs are a big investment and need a full approval process. These fixed signs become part of your brand identity but face stricter checks.
Temporary signs give you more flexibility and are easier to get approved. To cite an instance, business promotion signs can show your sales or events if they:
- Stay under 4m² in size
- Show up only where your business operates
- Don’t use electronic displays
- Stay up for no more than 14 days in any 90-day period
Commercial flags are another quick option. They can be up to 5m² in fabric size and shouldn’t go higher than 6.5m above ground.
Illuminated Sign Regulations
Illuminated signs light up your business after dark but need to follow extra rules. These signs must meet the advertising devices technical standards, especially about how bright they can be.
Electronic displays face tighter rules. They need to have “low impact” and can’t be bigger than 4m². Heritage buildings have even stricter rules where illuminated or flashing signs usually aren’t allowed.
Bad sign planning could lead to council enforcement and your sign might get taken down if it breaks the rules. Remember to include application costs in your budget because taking shortcuts will hurt your business later.
The right sign should match what you need for visibility while following all the rules to help your Brisbane business succeed.
Getting Your Sign Approved
Your business sign needs proper paperwork and must follow specific rules to get approval. The first steps involve planning your sign’s size and type. After that, you’ll need to gather the right documents.
Required Documentation
You’ll need these key documents in Word, PDF, or JPG format to get your approval quickly:
- Accurate site plans that show where existing structures and new signs will go
- Design and construction details with photos or drawings that show the size, shape, and specs clearly
- Owner’s consent form if you don’t own the property where you’ll put up your advertising device
Your sign must also meet safety and structural standards. The council rules say all approved signs should be:
- Structurally sound
- Placed where they don’t block or distract drivers and pedestrians by a lot
- Set up according to environmental protection rules
- The right size for nearby buildings (not too big or overwhelming)
- Matching the area’s look and feel
Brisbane City Council offers pre-submission meetings that you should think about scheduling. These meetings help you spot any problems before you submit your formal application. You can fill out the online form for sign approvals and pay with your Mastercard or Visa.
You must have public liability insurance when your sign goes on or over public land. The policy needs to list Brisbane City Council as an interested party, and you’ll need to add your insurance paperwork to your application.
You might need more documents based on your sign type. The smart move is to call Brisbane City Council before you buy or put up any signs. They’ll give you a detailed list of rules and specs that apply to your case.
For Expert Advice on Brisbane City Council Signage Regulations, Contact Signs Brisbane
Navigating the city council rules and regulations around signage is no easy feat, but with expert guidance, it doesn’t have to be.
If you’re wondering what signage you can use to promote your business, contact the team at Signs Brisbane. We offer end-to-end services from planning to installation, ensuring your signage not only meets Brisbane City Council regulations but also stands out for all the right reasons.
