Planning permit decision guidelines for sign applications

When assessing a planning permit application for a proposed sign, the council must use the following decision guidelines. They apply to all signs as per Clause 52.05-8:

The character of the area including:

• • • • The sensitivity of the area in terms of the natural environment, heritage values, waterways and open space, rural landscape or residential character.
      • The compatibility of the proposed sign with the existing or desired future character of the area in which it is proposed to be located.
      • The cumulative impact of signs on the character of an area or route, including the need to avoid visual disorder or clutter of signs.
      • The consistency with any identifiable outdoor advertising theme in the area.

Impacts on views and vistas:

• • • • The potential to obscure or compromise important views from the public realm.
      • The potential to dominate the skyline.
      • The potential to impact on the quality of significant public views.
      • The potential to impede views to existing signs.

The relationship to the streetscape, setting or landscape:

• • • • The proportion, scale and form of the proposed sign relative to the streetscape, setting or landscape.
      • The position of the sign, including the extent to which it protrudes above existing buildings or landscape and natural elements.
      • The ability to screen unsightly built or other elements.
      • The ability to reduce the number of signs by rationalising or simplifying signs.
      • The ability to include landscaping to reduce the visual impact of parts of the sign structure.

The relationship to the site and building:

• • • • The scale and form of the sign relative to the scale, proportion and any other significant characteristics of the host site and host building.
      • The extent to which the sign displays innovation relative to the host site and host building.
      • The extent to which the sign requires the removal of vegetation or includes new landscaping.

The impact of structures associated with the sign:

• • • • The extent to which associated structures integrate with the sign.
      • The potential of associated structures to impact any important or significant features of the building, site, streetscape, setting or landscape, views and vistas or area.

The impact of any illumination:

• • • • The impact of glare and illumination on the safety of pedestrians and vehicles.
      • The impact of illumination on the amenity of nearby residents and the amenity of the area.
      • The potential to control illumination temporally or in terms of intensity.

The impact of any logo box associated with the sign:

• • • • The extent to which the logo box forms an integral part of the sign through its position, lighting and any structures used to attach the logo box to the sign.
      • The suitability of the size of the logo box in relation to its identification purpose and the size of the sign.

The need for identification and the opportunities for adequate identification on the site or locality.

The impact on road safety. A sign is a safety hazard if the sign:

• • • • Obstructs a driver’s line of sight at an intersection, curve or point of egress from an adjacent property.
      • Obstructs a driver’s view of a traffic control device, or is likely to create a confusing or dominating background that may reduce the clarity or effectiveness of a traffic control device.
      • Could dazzle or distract drivers due to its size, design or colouring, or it being illuminated, reflective, animated or flashing.
      • Is at a location where particular concentration is required, such as a high pedestrian volume intersection.
      • Is likely to be mistaken for a traffic control device, because it contains red, green or yellow lighting, or has red circles, octagons, crosses, triangles or arrows.
      • Requires close study from a moving or stationary vehicle in a location where the vehicle would be unprotected from passing traffic.
      • Invites drivers to turn where there is fast moving traffic or the sign is so close to the turning point that there is no time to signal and turn safely.
      • Is within 100 metres of a rural railway crossing.
      • Has insufficient clearance from vehicles on the carriageway.
      • Could mislead drivers or be mistaken as an instruction to drivers.

Source Victoria Planning Provisions by the Department of Transport and Planning