Real estate signboard rules in Australia: a state-by-state guide

The short answer: in every state and territory, a "For Sale" or "For Lease" signboard on the property itself usually doesn't need a permit, as long as it follows the state's conditions. The usual conditions are one sign, a size limit, and removing it soon after the sale or lease. Pointer signs and A-frames on footpaths and nature strips are different. Those are controlled by your local council, and the rules change from one council to the next.

Last checked: October 2026. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the linked source or your council before you rely on a number.

Rules that apply almost everywhere

  • Signboards go on the property being sold or leased. The exemptions only cover a sign on that land.
  • Take it down soon after the sale or lease. Removal periods run from about 7 to 14 days depending on the state.
  • Pointer signs only while the home is open. Most councils that allow open-home pointers on footpaths only allow them for the inspection or auction. Put them out just before and collect them straight after.
  • Never on roundabouts, medians or traffic islands. Keep them clear of driver sight lines at intersections.
  • Leave room for people to walk past. Don't block footpaths, kerb ramps or driveways.
  • Self-standing only. Don't tie signs to trees, power poles, street signs or council property.
  • Councils can remove non-compliant signs. Some impound them and charge a fee to get them back.

New South Wales

Signboard on the property: exempt development under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, "real estate signs". The conditions:

  • one sign per property
  • not externally lit
  • removed within 14 days after the sale or lease

Council fact sheets put the size limit for a home at 0.75 m² per face on a double-sided or V-shaped sign. NSW legislation · NSW Planning Portal

Pointer signs and A-frames: off-site directional signs aren't covered by the state exemption, so council rules apply. For example, Hawkesbury's fact sheet allows:

  • up to 3 pointer signs per property per day
  • one per intersection per agency per direction
  • a maximum size of 60 × 50 cm each
  • never on roundabouts or traffic islands

Other councils, such as Mosman, rarely allow signs on council land at all.

Victoria

Signboard on the property: no planning permit is needed for a real estate sign of up to 10 m² that publicises the sale or letting of the land it stands on. This is set by Victoria Planning Provisions clause 52.05-10. Amendment VC294 (27 October 2025) updated this clause. The earlier version allowed one sign and required removal within 7 days after the sale, so check the current clause for the exact conditions.

Pointer signs and A-frames: many councils require a permit under their local law. Some examples:

  • Casey: A-frames up to 900 × 600 mm, 3 per property, removed within an hour of the inspection ending.
  • Manningham: permit required, 2 pointer boards per property.
  • Whitehorse: real estate advertising permits under its Community Local Law.

Queensland

There's no statewide exemption. Council local laws decide. In Brisbane (Advertising Devices Local Law 2021), real estate signs are self-assessable if they meet the conditions, including:

  • removal within 14 days after settlement
  • nothing on the road reserve except as the rules allow
  • never obstructing pedestrians
  • a sales footway sign up to 1 m high, one at a time, during an open house or auction

Brisbane City Council. Toowoomba allows directional signs only on the day of an open inspection or auction.

Western Australia

Signboard on the property: handled through each council's local planning policy on signs. These policies usually exempt a sale or lease sign on the property, but check your council's policy for the size and removal conditions.

Home open signs on verges: each council sets its own rules. For example:

  • Town of Victoria Park: 3 direction signs without a permit on home open day, one outside the property and one at each nearest intersection.
  • Cambridge: home open signs up to 450 × 600 mm, out from 7am and removed by 6pm the same day.

South Australia

Signboard on the property: not "development" under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017, Schedule 4, if it meets all of these:

  • it's on the land being sold or leased
  • it's 4 m² or smaller
  • it doesn't move or flash
  • it isn't internally lit
  • it comes down within 2 weeks of the sale completing or the lease

This exemption doesn't apply to State heritage places. Schedule 4

Open inspection signs: covered by council moveable-sign by-laws. Many, such as Barossa, exempt open-inspection signs. Check yours, because councils are updating their by-laws.

Tasmania

Signboard on the property: exempt under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme Signs Code (Table C1.4) if it's only on the land for sale or lease and is removed within 7 days of the sale or lease. Signs Code

Footpath signs: council rules apply. Launceston, for example, needs a permit for portable signs on footpaths and doesn't allow them on nature strips.

Australian Capital Territory

Open home pointer signs on public land: no permit is needed, but you must follow the Movable Signs Code of Practice. Its rules:

  • only while the home is open
  • not at roundabouts or on medians
  • not within 20 m of traffic lights or an intersection corner
  • at least 1.2 m back from the kerb
  • self-standing, with no star pickets and nothing attached to trees or government property
  • covered by public liability insurance of at least $10 million

Signboard on the property: check the Planning (Exempt Development) Regulation 2023 or ask Access Canberra.

Northern Territory

In Darwin, the Outdoor Advertising Signs Code sets these rules:

  • open inspection and auction signs on roads only while the property is open or the auction runs
  • never on medians
  • never blocking pedestrians or traffic
  • fence-line signs up to 2.5 m² on a residential property

Roads managed by the NT Government need the transport department's approval.

What about the wording on the sticker?

Planning rules don't cover wording, but the Australian Consumer Law does. Anything on a sign must not be misleading. That includes claims like "Sold in 7 days", "Record price" or "Sold above reserve", which need to be true and provable. The ACCC notes that agents can mislead even without meaning to. Price wording on sale signs is also regulated in several states:

  • NSW and Victoria don't allow "offers over" or "+" pricing, and price ranges can span at most 10%.
  • In Queensland, price guides aren't allowed for auctions.

For ideas that keep you on the right side, see our sticker wording ideas.

Quick checklist before your next open home

  • Is the signboard on the property itself?
  • Have you checked whether your council needs a permit for pointer signs or A-frames?
  • Are pointers going out only for the inspection, and coming back straight after?
  • Are they clear of roundabouts, medians, intersections and the walking path?
  • Is the board diarised to come down after settlement?

Need the signs themselves? See our pointer signs, A-frames and coreflute boards, or put a whole open home kit together.

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