On 27 October 2025, Amendment VC294 to the Victorian Planning Provisions was gazetted, amending clause 52.05 (Signs) to remove default permit expiry dates for most signs and exempt further types of signs from planning permit requirements.
Prior to Amendment VC294, planning permits for all signs except major promotion signs had a default planning permit expiration date of 15 years in circumstances where the planning permit did not specify an expiry date.
Clause 52.05-4 (Expiry of Permits) has now been amended to specify that only two types of signs have a default planning permit expiration date of 15 years, in circumstances where the planning permit does not specify an expiry date, being:
- a. major promotion signs; and
- b. promotion signs that promote matters not occurring on the land on which the sign is sited.
Further, clause 52.05-10 (Signs not requiring a permit) has been amended to exempt the following types of signs from requiring a planning permit:
- a. signs that provide information, warning or direction about weather conditions, public safety, a natural event or an emergency and are displayed by or with the agreement of a government department, public authority or municipal council;
- b. building permit and workplace health and safety signs that do not exceed two square metres in size;
- c. specified construction signs, as long as specific requirements are met, including that the sign must not be animated, electronic, internally illuminated or floodlit;
- d. real estate signs not exceeding 10 square metres, which now includes animated signs; and
- e. a flag sign at an Alpine resort that gives direction or information about wayfinding, events, safety and snow sport or mountain bike use, provided it is displayed at the direction of Alpine Resorts Victoria. A sign may include a business logo, and it must only be displayed temporarily.
A permit for a promotion sign under Category 2 (Office and Industrial) is also exempt from planning permit requirements so long as it promotes matters occurring on the land/building on which the sign is sited.
The Minister, in assessing and approving Amendment VC294, stated that the amendment aims to reduce time and costs typically associated with the display of signs, particularly where they are known to have a low amenity impact, and to increase the capacity of responsible authorities to assess other permit applications.
It also responds to the Commissioner for Better Regulation’s recommendation in the ‘Turning Best Practice into Common Practice’ report published on 9 November 2021 to reduce planning permit requirements.
If you would like to learn more about the impacts of Amendment VC294 please do not hesitate to contact a member from our Planning and Environment team who would be happy to provide you with further guidance or advice.
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