Advertising is an accepted part of business and providing information to the general public. However advertising signs can cause an obstruction or injury and can detract greatly from the appearance and amenity of an area or building. They can also be a major distraction to road users.

Sligo County Council has prepared a document setting out the current policy on the erection of advertising signage, both on public and private property, which are visible from a public place. It outlines what must be done prior to erecting any sign and what sanctions are available to the Local Authority for the erection of unauthorised signs. In this article we outline the different categories of signs that exist and the legislation that applies to them. We also examine the procedures involved to comply with the legislative requirements.

Permanent or long term signs can be defined as signs erected on poles e.g with concrete base, including large hoarding type steel or wooden signs or finger post signs, where the life expectancy of the sign exceeds one month. Examples of permanent or long term signs include:

The legislation that governs the erection of a permanent sign is the Planning & Development Acts 2000 - 2002, Planning & Development Regulations 2001 and the Roads Act, 1993.

Private land is defined as land not owned by the Local Authority, and will normally be behind the road/street boundary (hedge, fence, wall, etc.) or attached to buildings. Planning permission is required from the Planning Department of Sligo County Council to erect a permanent sign on private land (certain exemptions may apply). The normal planning process applies and fees are determined by size of signs.

These are signs that are placed on any part of a public road or street including grass verges, footpaths, hard shoulders, lay-bys, roundabout islands, public car-parks, median areas or islands, public right of ways or any location that is deemed by the Local Authority to be a public area.

It is council policy that NO SIGNS may be erected on public land without the prior consent of Sligo County Council.

A licence is required from the Planning Department of Sligo County Council prior to erecting any permanent sign on public land. Costs are set nationally and are subject to change. A licence for a finger post sign currently cost €50 on application and an annual licence fee of €25 applies. A licence for any other sign currently costs €630 on application. No annual fee applies.

Planning application forms and License application forms are available from the Planning Department of Sligo County Council and are also available on line at
www.sligococo.ie. For further information telephone (071) 9111217.

Unauthorised advertising signs/structures will be dealt with under the enforcement provisions of the Planning & Development Acts 2000 - 2002. The person, company or business responsible for erecting unauthorised signs on public property shall be issued with an on-the-spot fine of €125 and shall be requested to remove the sign within 7 days. Failure to comply with this request will result in further fines being issued. All signs erected without a licence on public roads/public places will be removed. The cost for removal of signs may be recovered by Sligo County Council.

Temporary signs can be defined as signs erected on flimsy structures and made of materials with a limited life expectancy, such as paper, corrie-board, timber or light plastic and in any event will be erected for less than one month.

Examples of temporary signs include: Small advertisement signs normally tied or nailed or pasted to existing signs or poles; Sandwich board signs or other similar signs; Signs mounted on trailers or on motorised vehicles (as they are only in one position for a short time)

The erection of temporary signage is legislated for in the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and the Roads Act, 1993

It is council policy that NO SIGNS may be erected on public land without the prior consent of Sligo County Council. Public land is defined as any part of a public road or street including grass verges, footpaths, hard shoulders, lay-bys, roundabout islands, public car-parks, median areas or islands, public right of ways or any location that is deemed by the Local Authority to be a public area.

Advertising of any commercial or profit making event is not allowed under any condition on public land. However, temporary signs promoting events such as charity, sporting and cultural events may be allowed but a temporary sign permit must be obtained from the Environment Section of Sligo County Council in advance.

Class 16, 17 and 18 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 sets out the types of events that may be promoted with a temporary sign permit.

Erection of these signs should not cause a hazard to road users or breach the Roads Act 1993. Thus, it is Council policy that prior to erecting any such sign in a public place a temporary sign permit must be obtained.

Temporary sign permits are issued by the Environment Section of Sligo County Council: You should apply four weeks in advance of your event and no fees are
required.

Signs erected without a permit, that are considered a road traffic hazard, will be removed by Sligo County Council and an on-the spot fine will be issued. The cost for removal of signs may be recovered by Sligo County Council.

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