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Election Signage

An election sign is one encouraging a person to either vote or vote for a particular candidate in an election.

Town of Cottesloe Requirements

An Application for a Sign Licence must be submitted and an Electoral Sign Licence obtained prior to erecting any signs. Completed Application for Sign Licence forms can be sent to the Town of Cottesloe by post to PO Box 606, Cottesloe, 6911 or email to town@cottesloe.wa.gov.au  

Election signage must comply with the Activities on Thoroughfares and Trading in Thoroughfares and Public Places Local Law. The approved application is subject to the sign –

  • being erected at least 30m from any intersection;
  • not exceed 1metre in height and an area of 1 square metre;
  • being free standing and not being affixed to any existing sign, post, power or light pole, or similar structure;
  • being placed so as not to obstruct or impede the reasonable use of a thoroughfare, or access to a place by any person;
  • being placed so as not to obstruct or impede the vision of a driver of a vehicle entering or leaving a thoroughfare or crossing;
  • being maintained in good condition;
  • not being erected until the election to which it relates has been officially announced;
  • being removed within 24 hours of the close of polls on voting day;
  • not being placed within 100m of any works on the thoroughfare;
  • being securely installed;
  • not being an illuminated sign;
  • not incorporating reflective or fluorescent materials; and
  • not displaying only part of a message which is to be read with other separate signs in order to obtain the whole message.

Please note, separate Building and Planning approvals are not required for Election signs. 

Western Australian Electoral Commission Requirements

Information on what must be included in electoral advertising and publications can be found on the Western Australian Electoral Commission website.

Main Roads Requirements

With regard to road reserves, Main Roads has its own requirements – refer to the Main Roads Policy - Policy and Application Guidelines for Advertising Signs Within and Beyond State Road Reserves. Please note the following requirements:

Temporary event signs (which includes election signage) shall not be located:

  • on traffic islands, including roundabouts
  • on median strips
  • on road verges with a road speed limit greater than 90 km/h
  • where they are at risk of causing an obstruction to the passage or sightlines of drivers, bicyclists or pedestrians travelling along or crossing roads or driveways
  • within 100 m of a roadworks site

Temporary event signs shall not be attached to:

  • existing signs, including other advertising signs
  • any road-related infrastructure such as traffic sign supports, overhead bridges, bus shelters, lighting/power poles, etc, or trees

If attached to any infrastructure that encroaches over the road reserve or if suspended from ropes, wires, etc from any building or other infrastructure, a written agreement must be obtained from the owner of the building or infrastructure.