Changes to election sign rules

Earlier this year we reviewed the rules for election signs in our Signs and Use of Public Places Bylaw. During elections we want candidates to be able to promote themselves and for the community to take part in elections, while also making sure public spaces stay safe, tidy, and enjoyable for everyone.

Submissions closed on 11 May. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback or made a submission. 

Changes made following public submissions

Following public consultation, several changes were made to the proposed amendments to the Signs and Use of Public Places Bylaw (Election Signs):

• The rules for election sign sizes in residential areas were simplified, and the Racecourse Zone was added to the table of permitted maximum sign sizes.
• Signs up to 3m² can be displayed in residential areas for the general election in line with Electoral Commission guidelines; for local elections, the maximum sign size in residential areas is 0.6m².
• The definition of an election sign was updated to make it clearer when election signs can be displayed and to address concerns about signs being displayed outside the election campaigning period. 
• The definition of a digital sign was updated to include permanent advertising structures, such as commercial digital billboards. 
• The rules for displaying election advertising on illuminated and digital signs were clarified, with related changes made to improve consistency and support road safety. 
• The purpose of the bylaw was clarified to make it clear that it focuses on safety, nuisance and the effects of signage on the use of public places, rather than the visual appearance of signs. A duplicate clause was also removed. 
• References to Sign Parks were removed from the bylaw and Administration Manual, and the rules for election signs in public places were simplified and aligned with the general rules for signs in public places. 
• A new rule was added to make it clear that more than one election sign can be displayed on a site, as long as there is no more than one sign for each candidate and one sign for each political party.

You can find out more about how the submissions received influenced the changes made here:

Changes made following submissions on proposed amendments to the Signs and Use of Public Places Bylaw (Election Signs)(PDF, 188KB)

We're aiming to review the rest of the Signs and Use of Public Places Bylaw later this year.