Advertisements and Hoardings

Use this page to find out about:

• Advertisements
• Hoardings
• Submitting an application on-line
• Submitting a paper-based application
• Unlawful advertisements

Advertisements

Advertisement consent is required to display many types of advertisements on land or buildings. Some types of signs can be displayed without consent provided they meet certain criteria relating to what is being displayed, their size, position and whether they are illuminated.

For most people, the advertisement regulations can appear quite complicated. The government has produced a booklet that explains what types of signs you can display without consent and what signs need consent. Click here to view central government's  web site to read this booklet 'outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers'. You should always check with us before you display an advert if you are in any doubt about whether consent is needed. Please click here to find out how to contact us.

When we consider an application for advertisement consent, we can only consider the impact that the proposal would have on  public safety.

Consent is always required from us for the display of advertisements on the highway or roads or on street furniture. In most cases, these types of signs are not acceptable because they distract motorists and cause visual clutter. The display of A-boards on the highway is generally resisted because they often cause an obstruction to pedestrians and because most look unsightly.

Hoardings

Hoardings are sometimes referred to as 'bill-boards' and tend to be large timber boards that are used solely for the display of advertisements. The majority of signage displayed on hoardings requires advertisement consent.

Hoardings are often sited adjacent to busy roads or railway lines. Sometimes hoardings are displayed around construction sites. The advertisement regulations allow some signage to be displayed on this type of hoarding for a temporary period, without consent.

Click here to find out how to contact us for further advice about the display of advertisements on hoardings.

If you would like to display a hoarding on the public highway, for example to form a barrier between a construction site and the public highway, you will need our consent as we are the highway authority. Click here to contact our highway development and maintenance team for more information.

Submitting an application on-line

Use this link to find out how to apply on-line.

Submitting a paper-based application

Use this link to find out how to apply on paper.

Unlawful Advertisements

Anyone who displays an advertisement without consent is guilty of an offence and could face prosecution. We also have powers to either remove of obliterate an unlawful sign. If you would like to report a sign that you believe is unlawful, please contact our planning enforcement team (tel. 01782 232140 or e-mail planning.apps@stoke.gov.uk) so that we can investigate the matter.

Useful Links

Click here to find out about flyposting in Stoke-on-Trent.