Index: portal-impl/impl/src/java/org/sakaiproject/portal/charon/SkinnableCharonPortal.java
===================================================================
--- portal-impl/impl/src/java/org/sakaiproject/portal/charon/SkinnableCharonPortal.java	(revision 55475)
+++ portal-impl/impl/src/java/org/sakaiproject/portal/charon/SkinnableCharonPortal.java	(working copy)
@@ -1601,6 +1601,12 @@
 				session.setAttribute(Tool.HELPER_DONE_URL, ServerConfigurationService
 						.getPortalUrl());
 			}
+
+			// development message
+			rcontext.put("developmentMode", ServerConfigurationService.getBoolean("developmentMode", false));
+			String devModeLabel = rloader.getString("sit_dev_mode");
+			rcontext.put("devModeLabel", devModeLabel);
+			
 		}
 	}
 
Index: portal-impl/impl/src/bundle/sitenav.properties
===================================================================
--- portal-impl/impl/src/bundle/sitenav.properties	(revision 55475)
+++ portal-impl/impl/src/bundle/sitenav.properties	(working copy)
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 sit_presencetitle = Users present:
 sit_presenceiframetit = Users Present in Site
 site_newwindow = Opens in a new window
+sit_dev_mode = DEVELOPMENT MODE
 
 sit_help = Help
 sit_edit = Edit
Index: portal-render-engine-impl/pack/src/webapp/vm/defaultskin/macros.vm
===================================================================
--- portal-render-engine-impl/pack/src/webapp/vm/defaultskin/macros.vm	(revision 55475)
+++ portal-render-engine-impl/pack/src/webapp/vm/defaultskin/macros.vm	(working copy)
@@ -259,7 +259,10 @@
 		</script>
 	</form>
 #end
+#if (${developmentMode})
+	<div id="developmentModeAlert">${devModeLabel}</div>
 #end
+#end
 ##------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ##
 ##includeTabs