Facts about the proposed advertising device location

To find out if you are able to have a device in your chosen location, you need to do a property enquiry to learn the property:

  • zoning
  • locality issues.

Once you have this information you can use the Local Law to find out if your proposed advertising device is prohibited. You can also use the Permitted Advertising Devices Designation and Advertising Devices Design and Assessment Rule to find out if you will need to apply for an approval for your proposed advertising sign.

Information about the property including zoning and overlays will be displayed on the left-hand side under the property address. This information is also available in PDF format by viewing the property lot or holding report.

Zoning and City Environments

Zones are used to divide the city into City environments. They play a key role in telling you what type of advertising devices you may have on your property. Once you know the zone your property is in, use the dropdown below to identify the City environment.

City centre environment

  • Principal centre zone (City Centre zone precinct)

Business centre environment

  • Principal centre zone (Regional centre zone precinct)
  • Major centre zone
  • Neighbourhood centre zone
  • District centre zone
  • Mixed use zone
  • Township zone
  • Community facilities zone*
  • Specialised centre zone

Industry environment

  • Low impact industry zone
  • Extractive industry zone
  • Industry zone
  • Special industry zone
  • Industry investigation zone
  • Special purpose zone*

Residential environment

  • Tourist accommodation zone
  • High density residential zone
  • Medium density residential zone
  • Low-medium density residential zone
  • Character residential zone
  • Low density residential zone
  • Rural residential zone
  • Emerging community zone*

Green space environment

  • Conservation zone
  • Environmental management zone
  • Open space zone
  • Sport and recreation zone
  • Rural zone

* Note: If an advertising device requires an approval and is to be installed, erected or displayed on a property in an area located in the community facilities zone, emerging community zone or special purpose zone in the City Plan, Council may, at its discretion, categorise the advertising device as if it were to be installed, erected or displayed in the city environment most closely resembling the characteristics of the existing or proposed development on that property. 


If an advertising device which requires approval and is to be installed, erected or displayed on a property in a residential or green space environment, where the use is an existing lawful use within the meaning of the Planning Act 2016 (Qld), Council may, at its discretion, categorise the advertising device as if it were to be installed, erected or displayed in the city environment most closely resembling the characteristics of development of a similar nature and scale. For further information see the Advertising Devices Design and Assessment Rule

Localities issues

Malls: if your property is in one of the pedestrian malls, that is, Queen Street Mall, Valley Mall (Brunswick Street) or Chinatown Mall, you are not eligible to apply for an express assessment application but you can apply for a full assessment.

More information

For more information and advice specific to your situation, contact Council's Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263).

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