Using public places in Waipā

Public places are there for all Waipā residents, visitors and businesses to use and enjoy. They include all Council-managed roads, car parks, footpaths, berms, cemeteries, reserves, parks, access ways etc. We have a Public Places Bylaw that sets out rules for using these spaces to keep them safe, accessible and enjoyable for everybody.

The general principles are:

• Activities and behaviours in public spaces must be considerate of other users and not create a hazard or nuisance. This includes:
  • Using vehicles, bikes, skateboards, scooters, mobility scooters and the likes safely and considerately
  • Ensuring features and fixtures such as gardens, buildings, fences, rubbish bins, trees etc are not damaged in any way
  • Making sure other people’s access is not blocked
  • Keeping to time limits in parking areas
  • Clearing all rubbish and ensuring no hazardous materials are in the space.
• You need Council permission to place anything, or undertake any activity, in public spaces that could affect other people’s ability to use and enjoy the space, or create road safety issues. This includes activities such as:
  • planting anything outside your property boundary
  • getting a skip in the berm outside your property
  • parking in places that might block others’ access
  • putting signs up in public places
  • selling items from the roadside
  • driving cattle across public roads
  • undertaking works in the road or berm
  • chairs on the footpath for your customers to use
  • installing bollards or security rails in the public footpath outside your business.

If you aren’t sure whether something requires permission or not, please give us a call on 0800 924 723 to check.

Information on specific activities

Click on the following links to find out more about common activities that are affected by the Public Places Bylaw. For other structures and activities, please contact us on 0800 924 723.

Rules for signs in public spaces

Permanent commercial signs should only be erected inside the business’ property boundary.

• Event organisers (also visit our What’s on Waipā website)
• Real estate agents putting ‘for sale’ signs up in the roadside
• Builders and developers wanting signs outside properties they are working on

Fees and charges

Business owners using footpath space outside their premises

A general summary of the rules for using footpath space outside your business can be found via this link. This includes signs, displays of goods and putting chairs and tables outside for customers and applies to berms and verges as well as footpaths.

More specific information and application forms are also available for:

• Footpath dining
• Installing bollards or security railings in the public footpath

Farmers moving stock across a public road

Stock crossings

• general information
• application process
• If you have concerns about the way a particular stock crossing is being used or the condition of the road, please contact us on 0800 924 723.

Stock underpasses

• general information
• application process
• application form plus application note

Mobile trading

• Information on mobile trading and access to the online application form
• Information on current mobile trading locations and availability