WCC, Sign permits indexes
Descriptive Data
Archives Identifier00347Date Range1920s-1985DescriptionThese cards are an index by street name and number to building permits issued re signs, hoardings, marquees, etc. This card index is the most direct entry point for research into sign permits before about 1984. The cards are essentially building permit cards; they have the same format and headings though the entries are continuous, not one card for each street address. Under the Owner heading, the name of the business is listed and the Builder is usually one of a number of signage firms, such as Claude Neon, Color Glo Plastics, etc. Earlier cards have an address column but later ones only rarely give the street number. The 'Description of work' entry can contain varying information - on size of the sign, and/or type of sign, such as 'neon', 'U.V.', 'vertical', etc., and street addresses. For the early period, up to about mid 1953, A Permits (Series 00055) and B Permits (Series 00056), the sign permits remain integrated with building permits, and the card index can be used to locate sign permits. They are also registered in the Building Registers and their indexes. From July 1953 to 1985 a different numbering system was used to control sign permits. These numbers do not appear in the general building register. The permit numbers for the signs were the reciept numbers. One number was used for multiple applications if the applicant was the same. The applications for each month (or later three months) were placed together in an envelope with the reciept number, location of work, owner, and applicant written on the outside. Applications were made on Building Permit Application forms until 25 March 1954 when an application form for signs was introduced (see permit 16574a). The date of this permit series coincides with the lifting of city lighting restrictions in 1953 (Town Clerks Report, 9 June 1953, 00001:182:6/336 Pt 2). The lighting restrictions had been introduced in 1941. The later sequence of sign permits folders were separated out from the general building permits into their own physical sequence. Sign permits issued after 1957 have not survived. Around 1953-1954 a 'signs index' book was created which duplicates the information on the cards. A note on the cover indicates: 'Unnecessary duplication - Signs index cards refer'. It was discontinued by 1960. In fact it is not a direct duplicate as there seem to be many additional entries in the index book (eg Cuba Street) It may represent applications and the card index records only signs permits issued. A number of files about signage and signs are held in City Engineer Files (Series 00009), but a separate file was not created for all signs, only if there was special correspondence. A few signage disputes that went to litigation also have legal and property files (Series 00063).Quantity (Linear Metres)0.36MediumFileSystem of ArrangementCards: Alphabetically by street name, then by permit numberCollection TypeWellington City Council
Access Information
Restriction StatusOpen
Related Agencies
Controlling or Creating AgencyWellington City CorporationRelationship Date Range1870-
WCC, Sign permits indexes. Archives Online, accessed 07/04/2026, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/1839