Adverts and signs

You may need to apply for advertisement consent to display an advertisement bigger than 0.3 square metres (or any size if illuminated) on the front of, or outside, your property (be it a house or business premises).

Therefore, you are unlikely to need consent for a small sign with your house/building name or number on it, or even a sign saying 'Beware of the dog'.

Temporary notices up to 0.6 square metres relating to local events, such as street parties and concerts, may also be displayed for a short period. There are different rules for estate agents' boards, but, in general, these should not be bigger than 0.5 square metres. 

The planning regime for larger, professional adverts, signs for businesses and so on is complex though all outdoor advertisements must comply with five 'standard conditions'.

They must:

• be kept clean and tidy;
• be kept in a safe condition;
• have the permission of the owner of the site on which they are displayed (this includes the Highway Authority if the sign is to be placed on highway land);
• not obscure, or hinder the interpretation of, official road, rail, waterway or aircraft signs, or otherwise make hazardous the use of these types of transport;
• be removed carefully where so required by the planning authority.

Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers

This government guide aims to explain to those wanting to display an outdoor advertisement how the system of advertisement control works in England.

The booklet is arranged in separate sections and there are numerous illustrations which may show you how the system affects the type of advertisement you want to display.

View 'Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers' on Gov.uk¹

You can also always contact your local planning authority for further advice. Use our local authority search tool to find their contact details.

Find your local planning authority ^{(https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)}

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/outdoor-advertisements-and-signs-a-guide-for-advertisers