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New bylaws governing signs have come into effect after being approved by Auckland Transport (AT) and Auckland Council.
The latest bylaws bring Council and AT bylaws together, where previously separate bylaws had to be consulted.
The latest bylaws allow election signs for up to nine weeks prior to an election, require community event signs on private property to relate solely to the event and allow temporary sale of goods signs for things such as garage sales.
Regulatory committee chair Councillor Linda Cooper said the new bylaws were sensible and easier to understand.
She said the changes did not include alcohol signage, as Councillors Josephine Bartley and Fa’anānā Efeso Collins were currently lobbying central government on that matter.
The additional bylaws had Cr Pippa Coom concerned that compliance staff would be unable to cope with added rules.
Similar concerns were raised when stormwater bylaws and property maintenance and nuisance bylaws were approved at the April 28 Governing Body meeting.
Cooper said resourcing was an issue the compliance team was currently working on.
“You do not make bylaws in relation to how many staff you have to monitor them,” Cooper said.
Cr Chris Darby was concerned about real estate signage under the new bylaws.
“Real estate signage is allowed to be illuminated and it is allowed to be on the public verge, it is allowed to distract motorist,” Darby said.
Senior policy manager Paul Wilson said Darby’s concerns came through during public submission.
Sign illumination was unable to be addressed in the bylaws, however, and would instead need to be changed through the Auckland Unitary Plan, Wilson said.
More detail on the bylaws can be found on the Auckland Council website.
