Amendment of the Signs Bylaw 2007
From City Scene, published on 8 November 2009
Summary of information
The council resolved at its meetings on 27 August and 22 October to undertake
the special consultative process under the Local Government Act 2002 to invite submissions
on its proposals to amend the Auckland City Council
Signs Bylaw 2007. For more information
on making a submission on this proposal, see the section at the end of this document.
Auckland City Council's Signs Bylaw 2007 (hereafter referred to as "the bylaw")
came into effect on 2 July 2007. The purpose of the bylaw is to provide for the
appropriate use of signs in Auckland city. It is the council's intention to regulate
all signs (except billboards) through the bylaw. The bylaw provides that no person
shall place, affix
or use any sign visible from a public place
that contravenes -
- any of the requirements of the bylaw without the permission of council
- any act, regulation or district plan
- any condition of a resource consent.
The bylaw is subject to ongoing review to ensure that it meets it purpose. It
is appropriate that the council considers the effectiveness and implications of
the bylaw and to make amendments thereto where this is appropriate.
It is proposed that the provisions of the bylaw relating to the display of real
estate signs in residential zones in the isthmus be amended to provide for pragmatic
solutions to problems experienced in marketing properties. The display of signs
where more than one real estate company is marketing a property ("multi-listing")
will be clarified by requiring that one sign be used by all real estate companies
marketing a property. Provision is to be made for the display of real estate signs
where the properties that are being marketed do not have road frontage by allowing
the display of real estate signs next to the access ways to these properties.
An increase in the size of directional (from 0.2m2 to 0.28m2) and real estate
signs (from 1m2 to 1.5m2) are intended to assist with the marketing of properties
during the current downturn in the housing market. The permitted duration of display
of real estate signs is to be increased from three to six months and real estate
signs are to be removed within seven days if properties are withdrawn from the market.
The council also intends to amend the provisions in the bylaw in relation to
poster boards. The council intends to provide a clearer definition of the purpose
of poster sites in the bylaw as part of an overall system of providing for the management
of posters. The council intends restricting poster boards to advertising forthcoming
artistic, cultural, religious, community or sporting events. This restriction will
not stop sponsors from including their branding on posters advertising events.
The proposed amendment of the bylaw as part of an overall system of providing
for the management of posters will have the effect of tightening the controls over
postering on private land while facilitating the provision for postering opportunities
on public land, all within a clearer definition under the bylaw as to the purpose
of posters and the use of poster sites. By restricting the contents of poster boards
in this manner, the original purpose of poster boards is clarified and the council
will limit demand for poster boards on private and public land.
A decrease in the number of poster boards will ensure that posters do not create
clutter, dominate the streetscape or significantly alter the physical appearance
of buildings and other structures and that they enhance rather than detract from
the environment.
An overall system of providing for the management of posters - which includes
restricting the contents of poster boards, imposing standards for private poster
sites and a managed provision of public poster
sites - will promote the social, environmental, cultural and economic well being
of the community.
In addition to any other feedback on the proposed amendments in relation to poster
boards, the council requires public feedback on:
- whether general commercial advertising should be allowed on poster boards
- the nature of any advertising and/or sponsorship on poster boards which would
be inappropriate from the community's perspective, eg alcohol/gambling advertising.
Making a submission
You are invited to make written submissions on any of the above proposals. The
written submission period begins on 9 November 2009 and closes on 10 December 2009.
Any person may make a submission on this proposal. Any person who makes a submission
will have the opportunity to be heard by council, but must make that request.
A copy of the proposed bylaw, statement of proposal which provide the reasons
for the proposed bylaws and analysis that has gone into their development, and submission
forms are available from:
- Auckland City Council service centre,
35 Graham Street, central city
- Waiheke service centre, 10 Belgium Street, Ostend
- Great Barrier service centre, Hector Sanderson Road, Claris
- level 10 of the Civic Administration Building, 1 Greys Avenue, central city
- online
- all Auckland City Council libraries.
Submissions may be lodged:
- by post, to Auckland City Council, Private Bag 92516 Wellesley Street, Auckland
1141 (attention: manager, city planning)
- online (conditions apply, see this site)
- at level 10 of the Civic Administration Building, 1 Greys Avenue, central city,
or at Waiheke or Great Barrier service centres (addresses listed above).
Phone Auckland City Council if you have any questions about the proposals
or the submission process.
