Illuminated Signs & LED Neon Signs in Sydney

In NSW, some business identification signs are exempt development under the Advertising and Signage Exempt Development Code – no approval needed if every condition is met. According to the NSW Planning Portal:

• Written landowner consent is always needed, and anything projecting over a footpath needs approval under section 138 of the Roads Act.
• Exempt limits: up to 3 business signs per single-tenant building; wall signs up to 2.5 m² (5 m² in business zones); under-awning signs up to 1.5 m² with 2.6 m clearance.
• Illuminated fascia and window signs are not exempt – they need approval.
• Heritage: wall and building identification signs are not exempt on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area.

The City of Sydney's DCP adds: no flashing, chasing or flickering lights, a maximum night luminance of 300 cd/m², and near residential land, illumination only while the premises is trading.

Sources: NSW Planning Portal – advertising and signage, Sydney DCP 2012, Section 3, as of October 2026. This is not legal advice – the local authority makes the final decision.

For a development application you need drawings or a photomontage with dimensions, position, materials and illumination. With your free design preview you get:

• your sign shown on a photo of your shopfront
• 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 should be connected by a qualified electrician. Sydney 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 – for bars, cafés and salons – indoors usually without approval
• Back-lit acrylic letters – halo light under 300 cd/m²
• Channel letters – illuminated letters for the shopfront
• Light boxes – under-awning or wall-mounted

All sign types at a glance

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

Every sign is dimmable and comes with a remote control and a 24-month warranty. Delivery is duty paid – no import charges when it arrives.

Do I need approval for an illuminated shop sign in Sydney?
Usually yes. Some business identification signs are exempt development in NSW, but illuminated fascia and window signs are not exempt, and nothing is exempt on heritage items or in heritage conservation areas.

How bright can a sign be in the City of Sydney?
The City of Sydney DCP sets a maximum night luminance of 300 cd/m² and bans flashing, chasing or flickering lights.

Do you install signs in Sydney?
Indoor LED neon signs come with fixings and a plug-in power supply, so you can hang them yourself. For outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs we recommend a local electrician or sign installer.

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