Illuminated Signs & LED Neon Signs in Christchurch

Christchurch City Council manages signs through Chapter 6.8 (Signs) of the Christchurch District Plan. According to the council:

• Resource consent: a sign needs resource consent if it does not comply with the rules in Chapter 6.8. The council's duty planner can tell you whether your sign is likely to need one (dutyplanner@ccc.govt.nz).
• Building consent: formal building approval is not required if the design is carried out or reviewed by a chartered professional engineer, or if no face of the sign is larger than 6 m² and the top of the sign is no more than 3 m above the supporting ground. Signs and their supports must comply with the Building Code either way.
• Public land: under the Public Places Bylaw, signage for commercial activities on or fixed to a public place needs the council's written permission.
• Home-based business: in a residential zone, the maximum sign area is 0.5 m².

Heritage buildings: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga keeps the New Zealand Heritage List, and the District Plan has its own heritage schedule. If your building is listed, ask the council before fixing anything to it. Many Central City premises have been rebuilt in recent years, so also check any signage conditions in your lease or building consent.

Sources: Christchurch City Council – building and planning permission for signs, Christchurch City Council – signage policies, Heritage New Zealand, as of October 2026. This is not legal advice – the local authority makes the final decision.

Council applications for signs usually need drawings or a photomontage with dimensions, position, projection and the illumination method. With your free design preview you get:

• your sign shown on a photo of your storefront
• dimensions, materials and light colour
• which elements light up and which are printed

You or your sign installer submit the application.

• Indoor LED neon signs come with fixings and a plug-in power supply – hang it up and plug it in, step by step in our installation guide.
• Outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs must be connected by a registered electrician – in New Zealand, hard-wired electrical work is generally restricted to registered electricians (see the Electrical Workers Registration Board). Christchurch has plenty of sign installers who also fit signs made by others.

Tell us where the sign will go and we will tell you what you need for installation.

• LED neon signs – window signs for bars, cafés and salons
• Back-lit acrylic letters – softly halo-lit letters for a calmer look
• Channel letters – illuminated letters for the storefront
• Projecting signs – blade signs, within District Plan and public-place rules

All sign types at a glance

1. Send your logo, sketch or text – ideally with a photo of your storefront
2. Receive your free digital design preview
3. After your approval, production takes about 2–3 weeks
4. Insured delivery to your address in Christchurch

Every sign is dimmable and comes with a remote control and a 24-month warranty. Shipping is included – nothing extra to pay when it arrives.

Do I need consent for an illuminated sign in Christchurch?
If your sign does not comply with the rules in Chapter 6.8 of the District Plan, it needs resource consent. Building consent is not required for signs up to 6 m² per face and 3 m high, or for signs designed or reviewed by a chartered professional engineer.

Can I put a sign on public land in Christchurch?
Under the Public Places Bylaw, commercial signage on or fixed to a public place needs the council's written permission.

Do you install signs in Christchurch?
Indoor LED neon signs come with fixings and a plug-in power supply, so you can hang them yourself. Outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs must be connected by a registered electrician.

Can I see the sign on my storefront before ordering?
Yes. Send us a photo of your storefront and we will show you a free design preview with your sign in place.