Election signage can be placed on public land or private land if certain requirements are met. Find out more below.
Definition of Election Signage
Election signage refers to the promotional signage used by political candidates, political parties or any political material relating to any federal, state or local government election.
Planning/Development and Building Approval for Election Signage
You do not need planning/development approval to place election signage on public or private land provided it complies with the following requirements which are outlined in clause 61 of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (WA) deemed provisions:
- The signage is erected or installed in connected with an election conducted under the Commonwealth Electoral Act (Cth), Electoral Act 1907 (WA) or the Local Government Act 1995 (WA);
- The primary purpose of the sign is for political communication in relation to the election;
- The sign is not erected or installed until after the writ/s have been issued for the election (Federal or State Elections) or if a local government election, until the 36th day before the election; and
- The sign is removed no later than 48 hours after the closing of polls.
You do not need building approval to place election signage on public or private land.
Although you do not require planning/development or building approval to place election signage, you may need a permit from us or approval from Main Roads if the signage will be placed on public land. You will also need the consent of the owner/occupier if you intend to place election signage on their land, or on the verge in front of their property.
As outlined in clause 3.6 of our
Activities in Thoroughfares, Public Spaces and Trading Local Law 2014, you must have a permit* to place any election signs on thoroughfares or verges. The signage must also comply with the following conditions:
- The sign must not be installed or erected until after the writ/s have been issued for the election (Federal or State Elections) or if a local government election, until the 36th day before the election
- The sign must be removed no later than 48 hours after the closing of polls.
- The sign must be placed at least 30 meters from any intersection
- The sign must not be placed within 100 meters of any works on the thoroughfare
- The sign must not be placed on or over a footpath
- The sign must be free standing and not be affixed to any existing sign, post, power or light pole
- The sign must be placed so as not to obstruct or impede the reasonable use of a thoroughfare, or access to a place by any person
- The sign must be placed so as not to obstruct or impede the vision of a driver of a vehicle entering or leaving a thoroughfare or crossing
- The sign must be maintained in a good condition
- The sign must be securely installed
- The sign must not be an illuminated sign
- The sign must not incorporate reflective or fluorescent materials
- The sign must not display only part of a message which is to be read with other separate signs in order to obtain the whole message.
It is an offence to place election signs on thoroughfares or verges without a permit*, and if you do we may remove or impound the sign or issue you with an infringement.
* The CEO will be issuing permits to all candidates who successfully nominate for the 2025 State and Federal Elections, allowing them to place signage on verges abutting local roads (excluding median strips and rounabouts) as long as the conditions listed above are met. This permit takes effect from the date the nomination is accepted by the Returning Officer. Election Signage on State Road Reserves
If you wish to place signage on a State road reserve, you will need to seek approval from Main Roads. See their Policy and Application Guidelines for Advertising Signs for more information. We cannot issue permits for election signage on State road reserves.
As outlined in clause 3.13 of our
Local Government Property Local Law 2010, a permit is required to place election signs on local government property which is not a thoroughfare or road reserve.
You will need the consent of the owner/occupier if you wish to place election signage on their land.
Signage Posing Safety or Health Risks In the interests of public safety, we may remove and impound election signage if it poses a health or safety risk to the community.