Election Signage

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 36^th 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.

Election Signage on Thoroughfares and Road Reserves

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 36^th day before the election;
• The sign must be removed no later than 48 hours after the closing of polls;
• The sign must have an area of less than 4.5 square metres;
• The sign must not be placed on a verge in front of private property unless you have permission from the property owner to do so;
• 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 any natural feature such as a rock or a tree;
• The sign must not be placed on any bridge or structural approaches to a bridge;
• The sign must not be placed on a footpath;
• The sign must not be placed over a footpath where the resulting vertical clearance between the sign and the footpath is less than 2.5 metres;
• 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 on which it is placed, or reasonable access to any place abutting the thoroughfare;
• 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 placed so as not to obstruct lines of sight along a thoroughfare or case danger to any person using the thoroughfare;
• The sign sign must be placed so as not to cause a safety issue or danger for pedestrians or drivers using the thoroughfare on which it is placed;
• 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 be capable of being read on its own, and not display only part of a message which is to be read with other separate signs in order to obtain the whole message; and
• The sign must comply with Main Roads WA 'Guidelines for Roadside Election Signs'. Where there is any inconsistency between the Main Roads guidelines and the conditions outlined above, the conditions outlined above prevail.

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 roundabouts) 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 Roadside Election Signs guidelines for more information. We cannot issue permits for election signage on State road reserves.

Election Signage on Local Government Property Which Is Not a Thoroughfare or Road Reserve

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.

Election Signage on Private Property

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.