Temporary Signage Guidelines

This page provides important information on the bylaws around temporary signs, including when approval is necessary and the proper procedures for putting up temporary signage. Temporary signage is frequently erected throughout Upper Hutt, and our Roading team is often required to remove these signs due to safety concerns for road users.

Temporary signage is frequently erected throughout Upper Hutt, and our Roading team is often required to remove these signs due to safety concerns for road users.

This page provides important information on the bylaws around temporary signs, including when approval is necessary and the proper procedures for putting up temporary signage. 

By following these guidelines, you can help keep Upper Hutt safe and ensure that temporary signs don’t create hazards for drivers and pedestrians. 

What is a temporary sign?

A temporary sign is a sign displayed at a location visible from a public space, typically used to advertise short-term events or activities.  

To read the full Temporary signs Bylaw click here(PDF, 4MB)  (Downloadable PDF)  

 

Specific temporary sign requirements

  • Is related to a temporary or one-off activity 

  • Not to be displayed for a period of more than two months 

  • Be located in an approved place (Link to site FAQ)  

  • Is removed within 48 hours of the ceasing activity  

  • Not be digital, flashing or animated 

  • Have a minimum letter height of 160mm 

  • Cannot exceed an area of 3m2 visible in any one direction including the sign surround or; 

  • Be higher than 3m above ground level, or if attached to a building be higher than 4 m or height of the façade, whichever is the lesser of the two.  

  • Any sign that is located in a 50km per hour or less zone may be two sided 

  • Any sign that is located in a 50km per hour or more must be one-sided only  

If a temporary sign is in a zone which is visible from the State Highway and the speed limit is 70km per hour or more, no person shall display a sign where:  

  • Letters have a height less than 160mm 

  • Contains more than 6 words or 40 characters; and  

  • Is located to restrict the view to motorists to less than a distance of 180m  

 

Is there a list of approved sites for temporary signage?

Below is a list of approved sites for temporary signage: 

  • Site 1: Southern Berm of Fergusson Drive between Field Street and the Eastern Hutt Road roundabout.  

  • Site 2: On the berm of Somme Road in front of Heretaunga Station 

  • Site 3: On the Southern berm of Alexander Road to the east of William and Durant Drive 

  • Site 4: Western berm on Moonshine Road adjacent to the intersection with SH2, but not visible from SH2 

  • Site 5: Eastern berm of Kirton Drive, North of Moonshine Hill Road, roundabout but south of the first major bend in the road 

  • Site 6: Western berm of Whakatiki Street in front of storage one but not visible from SH2 

  • Site 7: Southern berm of Fergusson Drive between Exchange and Ebdentown Streets

  • Site 8: Western berm of Totara Park Road between the first and second berm trees from the bridge 

  • Site 9: Western berm of Norana Road between Sunstone Crescent and intersection of SH2 

  • Site 10: Harcourt Park south of the Holiday Park Sign 

 

How long can a temporary sign be put up for? 

A temporary sign cannot be displayed for more than a period of two months, unless an exemption has been given.

 

Why do you need my contact details?

To ensure that if any damage is done to your signage, or in a case where approval was not given and we have removed your signage, we can contact you.

 

What happens if I put up a sign that’s not in an approved / wrong location or does not meet the required criteria.

These signs will be removed and held at Council for 4 weeks. After that they will be destroyed.

 

If Council has removed my signage, where can I collect it?

If your contact details are on the sign, we will contact you.

All signage will be held at Upper Hutt City Council reception for 4 weeks.

If not collected, it will be destroyed.

 

Sandwich boards and teardrop signs

Any temporary sign that is a sandwich board or teardrop sign must meet the following requirements:

  • Only be displayed during the usual business hours of the business to which it relates, and must be relocated inside the premises at the close each trading day  
  •  If displayed on a footpath, there must be a clear, unobstructed footpath width of at least 0.8m at all times, 
  •  Be located on the same side of the road as the premises to which it relates and to be located in the area parallel to the premises’ frontage  

 

  
 

 

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