Election signage and activities

Polling station

All candidates are entitled to a fair opportunity to conduct their election campaign within Yarra Ranges.
However, these rights must be balanced against the need for Council to ensure that election signs do not unduly compromise public amenity or safety and comply with local laws.

The following conditions apply to the placing of electoral signage in accordance with:

 

These guidelines apply to all Council, State and Federal election periods but have been updated significantly for the Victorian State Election on 28 November 2026.

Candidate Signs on Private Property - (Permits not required, conditions below)

Candidate Signs on Private Property

An election sign displayed on a private property is allowed without a planning permit under the following conditions:

  • You have consent from the owner/occupier of the land
  • There is only one sign displayed on a property
  • The display area of the sign is no bigger than 5 square metres
  • Is not animated or internally lit
  • Includes information about one candidate only
  • Signs must not be displayed for more than 3 months in total
    • For the 2026 Victorian State Election, Council's preference is for signs not to be displayed before Friday 28 August 2026
  • All signs must be removed by14 days after the election date (Saturday 12 December 2026)
  • A nature strip between private property and a roadside is NOT private land (permits required)
  • Any sign not in accordance with the above requires a planning permit under Clause 52.05 of the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme. The planning application process will likely require public notification and an application timeframe of 2-4 months for assessment
  • The cost to lodge a planning application for signage is $1,302.80
  • Any breach of these requirements will be the responsibility of both the candidate and the owner of the land, under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.  Any breach will require the non-compliant signage to be removed within 24 hours and may result in a fine being issued to both the candidate and landowner

 

Signs permitted ONLY on the day of election

A permit is not required to any authorised sign which is placed out on the day of the election for the sole purpose of advertising the location of a voting centre.

For all other information on day of election signage, please visit Victorian Electoral Commission website.

Advertising boards placed on vehicles and trailers

In transit

  • Is allowed if the sign does not unreasonably restrict the use of the road, or endanger the safety of members of the public

Pamphlet or flyer distribution

  • A permit does not apply to placing electoral material in resident’s letterboxes

Door knocking

  • A permit does not apply if visiting residents and business premises 

Candidate Signs on Public Land - PERMITS REQUIRED

Candidate Signs on Public Land - PERMITS REQUIRED

An Electoral Signage permit is required to place candidate and electoral signage on roadsides or public land.
Applications for some locations may be refused due to safety concerns of Yarra Ranges Council.

Applications for electoral signage permits will open soon

Before applying for an electoral signage permit, please consider the following conditions and requirements:

  • A candidate or electoral sign may not exceed 1.8m x 1.4m
  • An application fee $217 will be charged for each sign
  • A photograph of each proposed location is required as part of the application process
  • Public liability insurance is required for any activity on Council land whereby Council is covered with principal’s indemnity for a minimum of $10million (proof will be required to be attached through the application process)

Location considerations:

  •  Signs may only be located at least 9m from the edge of a rural or high-speed road
  •  Signs may only be located at least 3m from the edge of an urban or local road
  • Signs must not create obstructions for motorists, including obstructions to existing traffic signs
  • Signs must be installed on posts that adequately support the sign and are collapsible if hit by an errant vehicle
  • Signs will not be permitted within roundabouts or at the intersections of roundabouts
  • Signs within school and pedestrian crossing zones will not be supported for safety reasons

A list of previously approved sites will soon be published.

Other election activities that may require a Yarra Ranges Council permit

Promotional Stalls & A-Frames

  • A permit is required for an A-Frame sign, merchandise or furniture on any road or in any public place
  • Council will only approve such permits on a footpath outside a premise
  • A-Frame signs must not exceed 1.2m high or 0.75m wide
  • Signage, equipment and furniture must be positioned so that it complies with the Disability and Discrimination Act 1992, Councils Footpath Trading Policy, Roadside and Public Place Trading Policy and associated guidelines.
  • Fees will vary depending on the permit application type
  • Public liability insurance is required for any activity on Council land whereby Council is covered with principal's indemnity for a minimum of $10 million (proof will be required to be attached through the application process)

View the Footpath Trading Policies

Voting Centre Signs that are outside 100 metres of a Voting Centre 

Please visit Council's Footpath Trading Permit webpage to apply for an A-Frame sign permit.  

This permit requirement does not apply to any authorised sign which is placed out on the day of the election for the sole purpose of advertising the location of a voting centre.

Voting Centre Signs within 100 metres of a Centre

Please visit the Victorian Electoral Commission website if placing a sign within 100m of a voting centre.

Other election activities allowed without a permit

Advertising boards placed on vehicles and trailers while in transit 

  • Is allowed if the sign does not unreasonably restrict the use of the road, or endanger the safety of members of the public 

Pamphlet or flyer distribution 

  • A permit does not apply to placing electoral material in resident’s letterboxes 

Door knocking 

  • A permit does not apply if visiting residents and business premises  

Signs permitted ONLY on the day of election 

A permit is not required to any authorised sign which is placed out on the day of the election for the sole purpose of advertising the location of a voting centre. 

For all other information on day of election signage, please visit Victorian Electoral Commission website.

Election activities NOT allowed (penalties may apply)

Bill Posting

  • No signs can be affixed to any fixed structure without the consent from the owner, occupier, or manager of the structure. Fixed structures can include: light posts, traffic posts, bus stops etc
  • Placing loose flyers under car windscreen wipers – these are considered littering and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act 2017

Signs placed on Council structures

  • Approval will NOT be given to place signs on a Council fixture, assets, trees, or anything under the management of Council

Advertising Signs placed on vehicles and/or trailers on Council controlled land

  • Advertising on a vehicle and/or trailer in a park, garden, reserve, nature strip or road-related area is not permitted

Election signs on arterial roads and freeways

Signs placed on Vic Roads land and/or assets

All Electoral signage that is placed within the road reserve of an arterial road or freeway requires the prior written consent from the Head of Transport for Victoria.

Non-compliance with regulations

Both the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme and the Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law provide for penalties for any breaches detected by Authorised Officers.

Impounding signs/furniture

Authorised Officers can impound any sign displayed in a public place without a permit or not complying with the conditions of a permit.

Retrieving Impounded signs/furniture

Cost of retrieval of a confiscated sign or furniture is $63.50 per sign, payment and collection can be arranged at Lilydale Civic Centre – 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale 3140. Please contact customer service on 1300 368 333 to discuss your requirements.

Reporting electoral activities

How do I report signs on Council land and/or Council assets?

Please contact Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 368 333 or report an issue online

Where do I report signs on Arterial Road and Freeways?

For concerns with signage placement on Arterial roads and road reserve land contact the Department of Transport enquiry line on 13 11 70 or report a road issue to Vic Roads online

Complaints about elections?

The VEC has a robust customer feedback and complaints process for receiving and responding to all feedback and complaints. Feedback and complaints must be made in writing directly to the Election Manager or to the VEC’s Customer Feedback and Complaints team either in writing or via the online submission tool available on the VEC website.

  • Visit vec.vic.gov.au online
  • Email complaints@vec.vic.gov.au
  • Post to Customer Feedback and Complaints Team, Victorian Electoral Commission, Level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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