Advertising signage licence

Advertising involves the use of any temporary or permanent signage for the sale or exposing for sale, or for the purpose of publicising any matter. If you would like to display an advertising sign on the Gold Coast you may need to apply for an advertising sign licence.

If your sign is not visible from a public place you don’t need an advertising sign licence.

Activities that require an advertising sign licence

You can apply for an advertising sign licence if the sign is visible from a public place and involves:

illumination – either internally or externally
a sign on or over a public place, for example, fixed to an awning that overhangs a City footpath
an exceedance of the maximum allowed face area(PDF, 42KB) for all signs on the premises
an advertising sign defined as:

billboard sign
building name sign
created awning fascia sign
projected image sign
pylon sign
real estate development sign
real estate directional development sign
roof sign
third-party sign
tourism directional sign
under awning sign
sport club sign.

any sign that does not comply with the exemption criteria in Subordinate Local Law No. 16.8 (Advertising Devices) 2016(PDF, 596KB).

We do not licence advertising signs that are displayed on a parked vehicle or trailer or are attached to City assets such as street poles.

Advertising sign licences are renewed annually and are valid until 31 August each year. For more information visit Permits & licensing renewals.

Activities that don’t require an advertising sign licence

Advertising signs that comply with the local law exemption criteria don’t typically require an advertising sign licence.

Examples of advertising signs that may not need an advertising sign licence include:

footpath sign (A-frame)
real estate vendor sign (for sale/ lease sign)
real estate directional sign (open house sign)
garage sale sign.

Before you apply

For a faster and more convenient way to apply for an advertising sign licence, register for My Account.

You need to submit your application and all supporting documentation at least 30 business days before you want to display your advertising sign.

Licences are granted following an assessment process. We cannot guarantee your application will be approved.

To avoid processing delays please provide:

a site plan showing the location of the sign and nearby buildings, footpaths, driveways etc
public liability insurance certificate of currency for a minimum $20 million (if your sign is on or over a public place).
sign design and construction details including:

either images or drawings showing the design, dimensions and how the sign will appear on the building / on-premises
details on how the sign will be attached / fixed or supported
sign materials
associated illumination.

Depending on the sign and its location, you may also be requested to provide Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) certification for any awnings or other structure to which the sign is attached and / or Building Approval.

Additionally, if the sign has potential to adversely impact safety or amenity, specialist consultant reporting may be requested.

Licence fees

There is no fee for on-premise advertising sign applications, however, fees associated with third-party advertising signs are outlined in our current Register of Fees and Charges(PDF, 2MB).