SIGNAGE PLANNING REPORT — THE SUBJECT SITE

Property at a Glance

The property is a lot in Hobart's Central Business Zone core, fronting the subject site's frontage (a pedestrian priority street) and subject to heritage archaeology overlay. Signage is not categorised into a Use Class (SPP 6.2.6) and is assessed under the Signs Code with independent acceptable solutions and performance criteria for size, type, illumination, location, and heritage impact.

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Planning Controls Applying

Central Business Zone (SPP 16.0)

• No Permit Required: Business and Professional Services; Food Services; General Retail and Hire; Natural and Cultural Values Management; Passive Recreation; Residential (if home-based business); Utilities (if minor).
• Permitted: Bulky Goods Sales; Community Meeting and Entertainment; Educational and Occasional Care; Emergency Services; Hotel Industry; Research and Development; Residential (if above ground floor, excluding access); Sports and Recreation (if above ground floor); Tourist Operation; Visitor Accommodation (if above ground floor, not camping/caravan).
• Discretionary: Custodial Facility (remand centre only); Equipment and Machinery Sales and Hire; Hospital Services; Manufacturing and Processing (alterations/extensions only); Residential (if not listed above); Resource Processing (food/beverage); Service Industry (alterations/extensions); Sports and Recreation (if not listed above); Storage (excluding fuel depots); Transport Depot and Distribution (public transport); Utilities (if not minor); Vehicle Fuel Sales and Service; Vehicle Parking; Visitor Accommodation (excludes camping/caravan); all others.
• Prohibited: All uses not listed.

Hobart Central Business Zone Specific Area Plan (HOB-S4.0)

The SAP overlays additional height restrictions, active frontage requirements, and solar penetration protections on the CBZ. Key controls:

• Height: Further restrictions within Central Business Core Area and Heights Overlay (figure HOB-S4.1 defines precinct-specific maxima).
• Active Frontage Overlay: Ground-floor frontages must maintain retail, hospitality, or service uses with visual transparency and pedestrian engagement.
• Solar Penetration Priority Streets: the subject site's frontage is designated; development must preserve sunlight penetration to street level during critical winter hours.

Parking and Sustainable Transport Code (C2.0)

• A2: No new vehicle access unless an existing access is removed.
• P2: New accesses must not adversely impact pedestrian safety/amenity or traffic safety, and must be compatible with the streetscape.

Local Historic Heritage Code (C6.0)

Signs Code (SPP C1.0) — Primary Control for Signage

• Sign: A sign is any structure, device or artwork displaying text, symbols or images for identification, advertising, or wayfinding.
• Sign Types (Table C1.3): Business identification sign, advertising sign, real estate sign, directional sign, pylon/pole sign, window decal/poster, illuminated sign, building wrap, mural, etc.

The full Signs Code clauses (C1.3–C1.8) set:

• Acceptable Solutions for sign area, height, projection, setback, illumination type (steady vs flashing — flashing typically Prohibited).
• Performance Criteria for design, materials, colours, visibility, heritage impact, driver distraction risk.

• Third-party (advertising) signs: Discretionary or Permitted depending on size and location.
• Illuminated signs: Discretionary if above AS thresholds; external lumens and hours of operation are key criteria.
• Building wrap / mural: Discretionary if covering >10% of façade or visible from public space.

Development Capacity — Signage

However, for context:

• Residential is Permitted if located above ground floor level (16.2, provided it is not home-based business or multi-dwelling), so upper-level residential conversion is possible.
• Business and Professional Services, General Retail and Hire, Food Services, Hotel Industry are Permitted ground-floor uses.

1. Building fascia sign (wall-mounted): - Permitted: ≤3 m² per sign, non-illuminated, ≤2 signs per premises. - Discretionary: Larger areas, illuminated, projecting >200 mm, multiple signs (>2).

2. Pylon / pole sign (freestanding): - Discretionary in CBZ; height and visual impact assessed on merit. - Pedestrian Priority Street constraint: No new vehicle access required; must maintain visual transparency of street frontage.

3. Window decal / interior poster: - No Permit Required if interior-facing, ≤50% of window area, not third-party advertising.

4. Awning sign / fascia band: - Permitted if ≤2m² per fascia band, height ≥2m above ground, not projecting >200 mm.

5. Third-party / advertising sign: - Discretionary: Requires merit assessment; site visibility, heritage context, and driver distraction risk are key considerations.

Assessment Pathway — Signage

#### Most Common Scenario: Business Identification Sign (Wall Fascia, Non-Illuminated, ≤3 m²)

• Under SPP 6.7.1, a permit must be granted if:

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#### Second Scenario: Illuminated Sign or Larger Area (>3 m²)

• The sign relies on a Performance Criterion to demonstrate compliance with an applicable standard (e.g. illumination brightness, hours of operation, heritage impact mitigation);
• The sign is otherwise Discretionary under the Signs Code or another provision.

• The purpose of the zone (16.1);
• Any relevant local area objectives (HOB-S4.0);
• The purpose of any applicable code (C1.0 Signs Code, C2.0 Parking, C6.0 Heritage);
• Any site-specific qualification (Pedestrian Priority Street, Archaeological Potential).

• Heritage Tasmania (if sign involves ground disturbance ≥0.3 m or >20 m² area, per C6.4.1(f) exemption boundary).
• City of Hobart Development Services (pre-application advice on design consistency with SAP active frontage and heritage character).

• Heritage / Archaeological Advice: If excavation required or sign material/placement may affect archaeological deposits (e.g. deep pole footing in heritage precinct). A brief statement from a suitably qualified archaeologist confirming no material impact is typically sufficient.

#### Third Scenario: Third-Party / Advertising Sign (Unrelated to On-Site Use)

• Sign area and visibility from public space.
• Compliance with heritage and scenic protections (if applicable).
• Visual amenity and streetscape impact.
• Driver distraction risk (if near intersection or driveway).

• Sign installation ≤0.3m depth and ≤20m² area is exempt from Heritage Code (C6.4.1(f)).
• Larger excavation requires archaeological impact assessment (C6.8.1 P1).

Recommended Pathway for Owner / Applicant

1. If proposing a small (≤3 m²), non-illuminated business identification sign: - Pathway: Permitted. - Action: Prepare site plan and elevation drawing; lodge application; decision expected within 21 days. - No public notification; no specialist reports required.

2. If proposing an illuminated sign or sign >3 m²: - Pathway: Discretionary. - Action: - Conduct pre-application consultation with City of Hobart Development Services (recommended 2–4 weeks lead time). - Prepare detailed design, heritage statement, illumination schedule. - Lodge application; anticipate 42-day decision period + 14-day public notification. - Engage City of Hobart or Heritage Tasmania if deep excavation required.

3. If proposing third-party advertising sign: - Pathway: Discretionary. - Action: As above, plus prepare visual amenity analysis and driver distraction risk assessment.

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Planning Controls: Summary Table

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Recommended Next Steps

Immediate (Week 1–2)

1. Determine sign type and specifications: - Area (m²), dimensions (height × width), material, colour, illumination (yes/no, type, lumens, hours). - Location on site (wall fascia, pylon, window, awning). - Whether sign is business identity or third-party advertising.

2. Pre-application discussion with City of Hobart Development Services: - Contact: City of Hobart Planning & Heritage Services (tbc — confirm current contact). - Purpose: Confirm whether sign meets Permitted or Discretionary category; identify any local design preferences for CBZ active frontage and Heritage context. - Typical cost: $0–$500 (informal verbal feedback); $500–$1,500 if formal written advice requested. - Outcome: Letter confirming assessment pathway, required documentation, estimated decision timeframe.

Short Term (Week 2–4)

3. If Permitted (small, non-illuminated fascia sign): - Prepare: - Site plan (scale 1:100 or 1:200), showing lot boundary, building footprint, sign location, setback from street. - Elevation drawing (scale 1:50), showing sign height above ground, dimensions, materials, colours, font style. - Photograph of existing façade (dated, showing condition and context). - Lodge application (online via Council portal or in person). - Expected decision: 14–21 days.

4. If Discretionary (illuminated, large, or third-party): - Prepare additional documentation: - Heritage Statement: 1–2 page letter from applicant or heritage consultant confirming sign installation does not adversely impact archaeological potential (per C6.8.1 P1). If excavation depth <0.3m, simply confirm compliance with C6.4.1(f) exemption; if deeper, engage a qualified archaeologist for brief assessment (estimated $800–$2,000). - Illumination Schedule (if applicable): Lumens, colour temperature, on/off hours (e.g. 6 am–11 pm weekdays, 7 am–10 pm weekends), baffles or direction control to prevent light spill to residential zones. - Streetscape Impact Assessment: Photograph showing sign in situ context; brief explanation of how design respects Pedestrian Priority Street character and Active Frontage Overlay (visual transparency, material/colour consistency with adjacent buildings). - Engage City of Hobart for pre-lodgement feedback (2–3 weeks). - Lodge application. - Expected decision: 42 days + 14-day public notification period = up to 10 weeks in worst case.

Medium Term (Week 4–8)

5. Heritage / Archaeological Referral (if required): - If sign footing excavation ≥0.3m or >20m² surface area, contact Heritage Tasmania or a suitably qualified archaeologist. - Brief: Assess whether excavation will disturb archaeological deposits within the Place/Precinct of Archaeological Potential. - Typical outcome: Letter confirming no material archaeological impact; minor conditions (e.g. archaeologist on-site during excavation >0.5m depth) if deemed necessary. - Cost: $800–$3,000 depending on site complexity.

6. Council Lodgement & Public Notification (if Discretionary): - Submit application + documentation to City of Hobart Development Services. - Council advertises application (typically 14-day period). - Objections received and considered. - Council decision (may include conditions, e.g. sign removed if business ceases, annual maintenance certificate).

Key Clauses to Read in Full

• SPP C1.0 — Signs Code (full text):

• SPP 16.0 — Central Business Zone:

• HOB-S4.0 — Hobart Central Business Zone Specific Area Plan:

• SPP C6.0 — Local Historic Heritage Code (Sections C6.2–C6.4):

• SPP C2.0 — Parking & Sustainable Transport Code (C2.6.3):

• LUPAA s.57 & s.58:

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Conclusion

• Small, non-illuminated fascia signs (≤3 m²) are Permitted — quick, low-cost approval pathway (14–21 days).
• Illuminated or larger signs are Discretionary — require merit assessment, heritage statement, and public notification (8–10 weeks typical).
• Third-party advertising signs are Discretionary — as above, plus visual amenity and driver distraction analysis.

Sources & legislation

Every claim in this report is grounded in the following authoritative documents. Click any link to open the in-force version directly.

• LUPA Act 1993 &mdash; Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (Tasmania) — Primary statute. Establishes the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, planning permits, and the No Permit Required / Permitted / Discretionary / Prohibited categories.
• State Planning Provisions &mdash; Tasmanian Planning Scheme — State Planning Provisions (SPP) — State-wide planning controls. Zones, codes and general provisions that apply across all transitioned councils.
• Tasmanian Planning Policies &mdash; Tasmanian Planning Policies 2023 — State-level policy framework. Provides the strategic direction the SPP and LPS must align with.
• iPlan Tasmania &mdash; iPlan Tasmania — Statutory Planning Maps — Authoritative source for the in-force TPS / TIPS map layers, zone boundaries and code overlay extents.
• Parking & Sustainable Transport Code &mdash; Tasmanian Planning Scheme — Parking and Sustainable Transport Code (C2.0) — Code C2.0 of the SPP. Applies almost universally — sets minimum parking, bicycle parking and end-of-trip standards.
• Building Act 2016 &mdash; Building Act 2016 (Tasmania) — Building approvals and the National Construction Code (NCC) — runs in parallel to the planning permit pathway.
• TASCAT &mdash; Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal — Resource Management and Planning Appeal Stream — Appeal jurisdiction for planning permit refusals, conditions, and third-party appeals against discretionary applications.