Municipal Regulations regarding Outdoor Signage

Regulation regarding the use of Outdoor Signage is under the jurisdiction of each Municipal Area but the references below refer to the City of Tshwane and the City of Johannesburg specifically.

Bylaws for the regulation of Outdoor Advertising in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality was promulgated in February of 2006 that supercedes all previous regulation.

Outdoor Advertising in Tshwane is a sub-section of the Streetscape Management Section in the City Planning Division.

Although regulations may differ in detail, I believe that the aim of regulation throughout South Africa is:"to ensure that outdoor advertising is environmentally sensitive and socially responsible and that signage is displayed on structures that are safe, aesthetically pleasing and suited to the area in which they are put up."Although the use of Outdoor Signage is regulated it is generally understood to be accepted by Municipalities as a legitimate medium of advertising. I do not believe that it is necessary to apply for permission to erect a sign if you only want to put a sign plaque at your front door to identify yourself as a professional person, for instance. The same applies for a street name and number unless it becomes questionable due to it's size. These are however my personal views and it remains advisable to contact the relevant authorities.

The following documents were extracted from the official web sites referenced below and if these do not serve your purpose, you may find other documents on the official web sites (links provided below) that will be relevant to your circumstances. Alternatively you can call the numbers provided below.

Some documents regarding Outdoor advertising

1. Outdoor advertising bylaws of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (pdf 510 Kbytes)
2. Outdoor advertising bylaws of the City of Johannesburg (pdf 158 Kbytes)
3. Application Guidelines for Outdoor Advertising on private property - Tshwane (pdf 23 Kbytes)
4. Requirements for a sign at a home-undertaking - Tshwane (pdf 93 KBytes)
5. Application form for the approval of a permanent sign on private property - Tshwane (pdf 35 Kbytes)
6. Fines relating to the contravention of the Outdoor Advertising Bylaws - Tshwane (pdf 57 Kbytes)
   (Extracted from the complete Fine Schedule: link)
7. Requirements regarding Event Posters - Tshwane (pdf 113 Kbytes)
8. Application Guidelines for Outdoor Advertising Signage - Johannesburg (pdf 51 Kbytes)
9. Application form for the approval of a permanent sign on private property - Johannesburg (pdf 38 Kbytes)

Relevant information can be obtained from the following web sites:

• Index to Outdoor Advertising information -Tshwane
  
• List of promulgated by-laws (including that for Outdoor Advertising) - Tshwane
  
• Requirements for the display of Events Posters- Tshwane
• City Bylaws - Johannesburg
• Development Planning Outdoor Advertising - Johannesburg
• A South African Manual for Outdoor Advertising Control
  (A comprehensive research project with examples and definitions)

Contact numbers for Tshwane Offices regarding Outdoor Signage and Posters:

• Outdoor advertising enquiries - Tshwane Phone: 012 358 7651 Fax:012 358 8026
• Permanent advertising applications - Tshwane Phone: 012 358 8035 or 012 358 7651 or 012 358 7604
• Street lamp-pole events posters - Tshwane Phone: 012 341 4401 Fax: 012 341 4484
• Street lamp-pole promotional posters - Tshwane Phone: 012 341 4401 Fax: 012 341 4484