Perth Advertising Setbacks for Major Roads
Perth, Western Australia regulates advertising signs near major roads through a combination of local planning controls and state road authority permissions. Property owners and advertisers should check City of Perth planning rules and Main Roads WA requirements before installing signs or billboards adjacent to arterial roads, because approvals may be needed both from the local planning authority and the road manager. This guide summarises how setback and visibility controls are enforced, who issues permits, typical compliance steps and what to do if you receive an order or infringement notice. Where an exact fee or fine is not published on the official page cited, this article notes that it is "not specified on the cited page" and indicates the source used, current as of February 2026.
Overview of controls
Two layers commonly apply to advertising near major roads in Perth: the local government planning framework (development approvals, local planning policies and the local planning scheme) and state road reserve controls administered by Main Roads WA for advertising devices within or affecting a controlled road corridor. Advertising that affects traffic sightlines, driver distraction, or is sited within a road reserve will often require a separate road authority permit in addition to any planning approval.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement is usually carried out by the local council’s planning or by-law enforcement team and by Main Roads WA for matters on or affecting the road reserve. Specific penalty figures, where not shown on the official planning page cited below, are marked "not specified on the cited page".[1]
- Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation: first/repeat/continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page; councils may issue infringement notices, orders to remove signs, and continue to prosecute in court.
- Non-monetary sanctions: removal or rectification orders, stop-works directions, seizure of unauthorised devices, and court injunctions or prosecution.
- Enforcer & complaint pathway: City of Perth Planning Services or By-law Enforcement for council-controlled land; Main Roads WA for advertising within or affecting controlled roads. Use council planning contact pages or Main Roads customer/contact pages to report breaches.
- Appeals and review: planning decisions are generally appealable to the State Administrative Tribunal; time limits for appeals are set in the planning decision notice or the Planning and Development Act processes and should be checked on the decision document (if not shown on the cited page, time limits are not specified on the cited page).
Applications & Forms
Applications for signage on private property commonly use the City of Perth development application process for signs and advertising; Main Roads WA issues separate permits for signage affecting state-controlled roads. Specific form names, fees and lodgement methods must be confirmed on the issuing authority’s official pages — if a form or fee is not published on the cited page it is "not specified on the cited page".[1]
- Planning application: submit a development application to your local council when signage requires planning approval.
- Main Roads permit: apply to Main Roads WA for signs within or affecting a controlled road corridor.
- Fees: check the issuing authority’s published fee schedule; many councils publish development application fees, but exact fees may vary and are not specified on the cited page.
Practical compliance steps
- Verify whether your site is within a road reserve or affects sightlines on a major road.
- Consult the City of Perth planning team about local policy and whether a development application is required.
- If the sign is on or visible from a state-controlled road, contact Main Roads WA to confirm permit requirements.
- Design signs to minimise distraction and avoid illumination or placement that obstructs driver sightlines; include mounting and setback details in applications.
- Pay any application fees and respond to information requests promptly to avoid delays or enforcement action.
FAQ
- Do I need permission to put a sign beside a major road?
- Yes. You may need local planning approval and a Main Roads WA permit if the sign is within or affects a state-controlled road corridor. Confirm with the City of Perth and Main Roads WA.
- How close to the road can a billboard be?
- Setback requirements depend on road classification and local planning rules; specific setback distances are not specified on the cited page and must be confirmed with the relevant authority.[1]
- What happens if I install a sign without permission?
- The council or Main Roads WA may issue removal orders, fines, or commence prosecution; exact penalties are not specified on the cited page and will vary by circumstance.
How-To
- Check whether the site is adjacent to a state-controlled road or within the City of Perth local planning area.
- Contact City of Perth Planning Services to determine whether a development application is required.
- Contact Main Roads WA if the sign affects a controlled road corridor and apply for any required road authority permit.
- Prepare and lodge required plans, elevations, and traffic-safety evidence with applications.
- Pay fees, respond to requests for further information, and retain all approval documents on site.
Key Takeaways
- Both local planning approval and Main Roads WA permits may be required for signs near major roads.
- Penalties and precise setback distances are not specified on the cited page and must be confirmed with the relevant authority.
- Early engagement with planning and road authorities reduces risk of enforcement action.