Can a BIC Help with Retrospective Approval for Signage?

Installing business signage without proper council approval can lead to stress, fines and even removal orders.

This is especially common for small businesses in NSW who often don't realise a development application (DA) or planning exemption is required for signs.

If you're already facing council enforcement or want to make things right, you might be wondering, can a Building Information Certificate (BIC) help?

At Town Planning Sydney, we help business owners, developers and commercial landlords navigate NSW planning regulations with clarity.

We’re often called in when signage has already been installed and a quick, strategic solution is needed.

Below is what every business owner in NSW needs to know

1. What is a BIC and How Does It Work for Signage?

A Building Information Certificate (BIC) is a formal document issued by your local council.

It confirms that a structure including signage, is unlikely to face enforcement action for at least 7 years.

However, a BIC does not legalise the signage or approve it for future changes.

It simply protects what exists right now from being targeted by council for demolition or removal.

This is important if the sign has already been installed without council approval and you’re worried about penalties.

In NSW planning, a BIC can only be issued if the signage is structurally sound and doesn’t pose a risk to public safety.

If the sign breaches major planning rules, like being oversized or located in a heritage zone, the BIC may be refused.

Our planning consultants assess this risk before you apply.

2. Can You Get a BIC Instead of a DA Approval?

No, a BIC is not a substitute for a development application.

DA approval is still required for most commercial signage unless the sign qualifies as exempt development under NSW planning laws.

In many cases, the safest approach is to lodge both a BIC for protection and a DA for retrospective approval.

Our planning advice is always tailored to the circumstances, especially when enforcement is already underway.

For example, a cafe in inner-west Sydney installed a large illuminated sign without checking the local planning controls.

Council issued a show-cause notice.

We stepped in, lodged a BIC to pause enforcement, then followed up with a detailed DA showing why the signage met design and safety requirements.

The council accepted the DA and no fines were issued.

3. When a BIC Makes Sense and When It Doesn’t

A BIC is a smart option if the signage is already built and you need urgent protection from council enforcement.

It can help buy time while your DA or CDC is being processed.

It’s also useful if you're buying or leasing a property and want assurance about existing signage.

However, a BIC won't help if:

• The sign is non-compliant and causes visual clutter or traffic hazard

• The structure is unsafe or poorly constructed

• You plan to change or upgrade the sign

  
  

In those cases, applying for a DA or modifying your signage is the better path.

Town Planning Sydney always checks the relevant planning instruments and speaks to council before recommending next steps.

4. How a Planning Consultant Can Help

Signage issues can quickly become legal and costlyA qualified planning consultant will help you understand the relevant controls, like SEPP 64 and the local LEP or DCP.

They'll guide you through whether you need a BIC, a DA, or bothOur team works with architects, building surveyors and council to streamline the entire process.

Whether you run a shopfront in Parramatta, a takeaway in Newcastle or a clinic in the Sutherland Shire, our NSW planning experts provide targeted, experience-led solutions to resolve signage issues fast.

We don’t just tick boxes, we handle the strategy, design and documentation for strong council approval outcomes