Rules And Regulations About Outdoor Advertising You Should Know

Outdoor advertising had its roots in ancient Egypt when the Egyptians used to sell their items using images etched in stone obelisks to the locals.

After some time, we started using paper and ink for sponsoring our services in society by pasting the posters all over the town’s walls. As time progressed, so did the fate of advertising.

Today we use outdoor advertising lighted signs that showcase our brand and products in a very glamorous way.

So, what precisely is outdoor advertising?

As the term suggests, it’s a type of advertisement placed outside and is called ‘out of house advertising’ for a reason.

Have you seen billboards on your way home? Or any advertisement on buses, train stations, public places, etc.? This is what exactly the outdoor ad looks like.

It is a great way to reach a big audience in a limited time. Outdoor advertising is a kind of media that can’t be turned off, unlike TV ads.

As it is decorated with unique kinds of art and lights in contemporary times, it leaves long-lasting impressions on peoples’ minds.

Humans are visual creatures and more likely to learn about things that are visually appealing. Thus, this outdoor advertising is a beneficial way that allows enterprises to be creative.

However, specific rules andf guidelines are associated with outdoor advertisements that need to be fulfilled at any cost.

These regulations range from government permission to self-regulatory rules for guiding the content of the ads.

What Are Those Rules?

According to government rules, you need to follow the following:

• For the outdoor advertisement, you must get the permission of the advertisement site owner and the local planning authority in the area you have selected for the ad.
• However, in case of ‘deemed consent,’ you are not required to ask for local authority’s permission, which includes fascia signs on a shop front, public notices, ‘To let’ signs, etc.
• In some particular circumstances, such as when the ad is spoiling the posing a safety hazard, the local authority has the power to eradicate the deemed consent.
• For billboards, the building code that regulates the hanging and maintenance of signs should have the potential for public health and safety, such as falling debris or fire.
• The zoning resolution should be focused more on how signs affect the people in a neighborhood.
• On specific places of a street where there is a problem with size, height, surface capacity, etc. government can restrict billboards in such areas.
• All these rules are also applied to an outdoor advertisement at some landmark or historical building. However, the advertisement control is stricter in these areas as compared to the rest.
• The Secretary must approve the discontinuance of a specific advertisement or use of a particular site of the State.
• Any violation against these rules is handled by the city court or Board of Standard and Appeals.

Rules Of Outdoor Advertisement From Planning Authority Control

• The planning authority exempts such ads that display inside a building within one meter of a window or outdoor opening and are visible from the outside.
• Ads displayed in the form of markers, tickets, trade-names, etc., or are exposed on a vending machine, petrol pumps, etc., are acceptable.
• Deemed consent will be granted only to a purpose-designed advertisement that is not bigger than four-sheets combined.
• Deemed consent is applicable in the case where advertisements cover the hoarding near the construction sites. However, the period is of no more than three years.
• Areas that are used for outdoor ads for ten years or more are allowed for deemed consent advertisement.
  Flags with a logo or a company name related to a specific event are permitted.
• Ads in forecourts are permitted for deemed consent but not for highways or pavement outside the premises.
• A business may carry an ad for goods and services within its premises.
• All these applications carry a charge that you need to submit, including illustrative plans and the intended advertisement’s drawings.

Regulations For Ad Content

There are two rules that you need to comply with the content of your ads:

• The content of alcohol, e-cigarettes are not permitted, while ads for fast food, sweets, and toys within 200 meters of schools are also forbidden.
• No political advertisement is allowed on bus lodgings.

There may be some additional rules about the outdoor advertisement by the landlords or your local councils. So, it’s best to ask first to avoid any last moment hassle.

Roadside Regulations For Outdoor Advertisement

For the roadside advertisement, it is advised to contact a reputable agency that takes care of all the legislation process.

For commercial advertising on the roadside, permission is needed in advance from the Local Planning Authority.

However, you can pass on an application for roadside advertisement through community departments.

Moreover, the term ‘highway’ covers all the roads, carriages, pavements, and footpaths. Hence, any advertisement that is obstructing road access, traffic lights, or road signs and is expected to be dangerous for the drivers and citizens is prohibited.

Some Side Rules Of Outdoor Advertisement

• Keep the ad and the area of placement clean and tidy.
• Keep the whole process of outdoor advertisement safe and sound to avoid accidents.
• Always ask for permission from the site owner before posting an outdoor advertisement.
• Do not obscure the view of official roads, waterways, aircraft, or rail with an ad’s massive size. Keep the size in check.
• Do not endanger public transport with huge size of the advertisement.
• Be cautious while removing the outdoor advertisement, especially billboards, to avoid danger.
• Always ask for consent from the local planning authority before removing an outdoor advertisement.

The road map to outdoor advertising is passed through all these rules and regulations that stop you from exposing harmful, offensive, or misleading content to the public. All these rules are set by the government and local authorities to be followed by all the outdoor advertisement agencies.

Now it’s your turn to make this society a safe place for everyone!