There are a significant number of signs across South Wairarapa district. Signage serves a purpose but keeping things simple and compliant helps all of us to enjoy the places we live in. The Council will be checking on signs over the next few months, so please help us out by making sure your signs are okay, in terms of complying with regulations.
Guidelines if you have a freestanding sign or sandwich board, banner, flag
- Keep the number of freestanding signs on your property to one.
- Freestanding sign must be on your property – not someone else’s.
- Depending where your freestanding sign is, there are specific size and other requirements. You can find these particulars for freestanding signs within each area and the requirements for signs on buildings on the Council website here.
General guidelines for freestanding signs
These types of signs must:
- Not use reflective materials or be flashing, moving or illuminated by any means other than directional lighting.
- Not exceed 0.5m2 in area (on all faces).
- Be no higher than 7.5 metres in industrial or commercial areas or two metres in residential areas.
- In residential areas they must relate to a home business.
Guidelines for sandwich boards, flags, banners or bunting (and more information here)
- Sandwich boards, flags, banners and bunting must only be out during your normal business hours and must be taken in when you are closed.
- If they are on the footpath, please allow two metres width for clear unobstructed pedestrian access.
- Locate them immediately outside the building or against the kerb edge.
- Weight them so that they do not blow over.
- They must not affect traffic or pedestrian safety.
If you are in Greytown village centre, please check out the Greytown Heritage Trust guidelines for the look, size and placement of signs as well as advice on how they can attach to structures; either new or existing. These guidelines help to preserve the character of Greytown, which we all value. You can find out more on the Greytown Heritage Trust’s Style Guide.
Where can you find out more about signs?
If you currently have a sign and you want to check things then please get in touch with Council at enquiries@swdc.govt.nz or phone 06 306 9611 and ask for the Planning Team.