Advertising sign fees

Payment of fees is required when you lodge your application to Brisbane City Council.

Application and licence fees

Express assessment application

The fee for an express assessment is calculated as:  application fee + licence fee (per sign) = total fee.

Full assessment application

The fee for a full assessment is calculated as: application fee + assessment fee (per sign) + licence fee (per sign) = total fee.

 If the sign is a generally inappropriate sign, an additional fee applies.

Small business fee reduction

If you run a small business, you may be eligible for a small business fee reduction.

Advertising sign fees table including categories, description, application, assessment fees and small business fee reduction.

Component	Sign	Fee	Small business fee reduction
Application fee		$76.15	50%
Assessment fee	Each level 1 sign or temporary sign	$175.35	100%
	Each level 2 sign	$524.90	100%
Generally inappropriate sign	Each level 1 sign additional to assessment fee	$146.70	100%
	Each level 2 sign additional to assessment fee	$452.15	100%
Licence fee - annual	Each level 1 sign	$76.10	50% for new applications 10% for renewals
	Each level 2 sign	$151.10	50% for new applications 10% for renewals
Licence fee - temporary	Each sign per month or part thereof	$23.20	50%

 Note: level 2 fees apply when the advertisement is exhibited on a heritage place, even if the advertisement is permitted in the applicable city environment.

Other advertising sign fees  

Advertising sign fees table including categories, description, application, assessment fees and small business fee reduction. 

Application type	Description	Fee	Small business fee reduction
Resubmission application Original application deemed to be inadequate or incomplete	Each required submission	$151.10	10%
Transfer of licence	Each application	$76.10	50%
Confiscated signs Fee for recovery of sign	Each sign	$216.15	No discount
Prelodgement advice / report - in office	Each	$394.50*	No discount
Prelodgement advice / report - onsite	Each	$663.50 *	No discount
Review of sign application decision under Section 13B of the Advertisements Local Law 2013	Each	$292.65	No discount

* GST included.

Fee exemptions - charitable organisations

Organisations listed in Appendix A of the Brisbane City Council Schedule of Fees and Charges and not-for-profit educational, child care and sporting organisations (statutory declaration required) are exempt from all fees, provided the sign does not contain any third party advertising.

Advertisements placed or held on a Council footway to advocate for a particular cause or issue, not involving the promotion of a particular product, company or organisation, are exempt from fees.

Note: an application must still be lodged with Council where required under the Advertisements Subordinate Local Law 2005. 

Multiple signs

Approval for multiple signs for a single permit holder may be sought on a single application form. 

Large developments

Approval for multiple signs on a large development such as a new residential estate or shopping centre should be sought on a single application as an advertising package. The application is required to contain all proposed signs irrespective of the type of classification, however a permit fee is only payable for licensable signs.

Heritage places

An application must be made for any sign on a heritage place, even if that sign is permitted in the applicable city environment. A Level 2 application fee and permit fee will apply, except where the application is from a qualifying charitable organisation which is exempt from fees.

Proposals for new signage at registered state heritage sites require approval from the Department of Heritage. An exemption certificate from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) will need to be submitted with the application.