Election activities and signage

Signs on Private Property

An election sign displayed on a private property is allowed without a planning permit by Clause 52.05-10 under the following conditions:

• You have consent from the owner/occupier of the land
• There is only one sign displayed on a property, and there is no duplication of the same sign even if they are joined together.
• The display must not replicate or repeat information about the candidate
• It has one flat surface – Any A-frame on private land, triangular signage mountings (or similar) is considered to be more than one sign, even if they are joined together
• The display area of the sign is no bigger than 5 square metres
• Not to be animated or internally lit
• Signs must not be displayed for more than 3 months in total
• Must not be displayed longer than 14 days after the election date
• Can include information about one candidate
• Any sign not in accordance with the above requires a planning permit as a promotion sign
• Any breach of these requirements will be the responsibility of both the candidate and the owner of the land, under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.  Any breach will require the non-compliant signage to be removed within 24 hours, and may result in a fine being issued for each day the breach remains.

Signs permitted ONLY on the day of election

A permit is not required to any authorised sign which is placed out on the day of the election for the sole purpose of advertising the location of a voting centre.

For all other information on day of election signage, please visit Victorian Electoral Commission website.

Advertising boards placed on vehicles and trailers

In transit

• Is allowed if the sign does not unreasonably restrict the use of the road, or endanger the safety of members of the public

Pamphlet or flyer distribution

• A permit does not apply to placing electoral material in resident’s letterboxes

Door knocking

• A permit does not apply if visiting residents and business premises 

Bill Posting

• No signs can be affixed to any fixed structure without the consent from the owner, occupier, or manager of the structure. Fixed structures can include: light posts, traffic posts, bus stops etc
• Placing loose flyers under car windscreen wipers

Signs placed on Council structures

• Approval will NOT be given to place signs on a Council fixture, assets, trees, or anything under the management of Council.

Advertising Signs placed on vehicles and/or trailers on Council controlled land

• Advertising on a vehicle and/or trailer in a park, garden, reserve, nature strip or road-related area 

Both the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme and the Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law provide for penalties for any breaches detected by Authorised Officers

Impounding signs/furniture

Local Laws Officers can impound any sign displayed in a public place without a permit or not complying with the conditions of a permit.

Retrieving Impounded signs/furniture

Cost of retrieval of a confiscated sign or furniture is $60 per sign, payment and collection can be arranged at Lilydale Civic Centre – 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale 3140. Please contact customer service on 1300 368 333 to discuss your requirements.