Advertisements
Advertisement consent
Consent to display a sign or advert, such as an illuminated fascia, a projecting sign, a totem or a hoarding, when it doesn't have deemed consent.
- Decision period
- 8 weeks from the date the council receives the application (Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 16), or a longer period you agree in writing. Consent normally lasts 5 years.
- Documents
- 4 always needed, 1 depending on the proposal
- Checks
- 24 · last checked 14 November 2026
You may not need to apply
You may not need consent. Many adverts have 'deemed consent' within limits (Schedule 3 to the 2007 Regulations): for example a non-illuminated sign on your business premises about the business there, with characters no higher than 0.75 m and no higher than 4.6 m above ground (or below the first-floor windows) (Class 5); and some illuminated signs on business premises outside conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads (Class 4B). Some adverts need no consent at all, such as most signs inside a building (Schedule 1). Councils can restrict deemed consent, and a listed building may still need listed building consent.
This is a hint, not a promise. Conservation areas, listed buildings, Article 4 directions and earlier conditions can remove permitted development rights. For certainty, apply for a lawful development certificate or ask the council.
Work this type is for
In the words applicants use. ValidFirst suggests this type when someone describes work like this.
- shop sign
- fascia sign
- illuminated sign
- projecting sign
- hanging sign
- totem sign
- digital advertising screen
- billboard
- hoarding
- banner
- signage
- pub sign
- estate agent board
The documents, and what each must show
Documents that are always needed come first. Each point is what the check looks for, with the article or guidance it rests on. The council’s local validation list can add to these.
Location plan
Always neededA scaled plan that shows where the site is and where the advert will go.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- Drawn to a stated scale (typically 1:1250 or 1:2500).Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 9(3)(b)(i)
- Shows the direction of north.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 9(3)(b)(ii)
- Identifies the site by reference to at least two named roads.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 9(3)(b)(iii)
- Identifies the proposed position of the advert.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 9(3)(b)(iv)
- The site is edged in red.Council practice; PPG Making an application para. 024 (by analogy)
Required by PPG Advertisements, para. 017 (ID 18b-017-20140306)
Advert drawings
Always neededDrawings of each advert showing its size, materials, colours and lettering, and how it is illuminated.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- Drawn to a stated scale (normally 1:10, 1:20 or 1:50).Council local validation lists
- Width, height and depth (and projection from the wall) are dimensioned.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 14(4)(a)
- The height of the letters and symbols is given.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 Sch. 3 Pt 1 Class 5(4)
- Materials, colours and finishes are stated.Council local validation lists
- The method of illumination is shown (internal, external, halo) with the luminance in cd/m², or the drawing says it isn't illuminated.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 14(4)(a)
- For illuminated signs: it's clear whether the light is static or moving/changing (digital screens: the image change frequency).Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 Sch. 3 Class 4B(9)
Required by Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 14(4)(a)
Elevation showing the advert on the building
Always neededAn elevation of the building (or the site, for a freestanding sign) with the advert drawn in position, with its height above ground.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- The advert is drawn in its position on the building or site.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 9(3)(b)(iv)
- The height of the bottom and top of the advert above ground is dimensioned.Council local validation lists
- Neighbouring shopfronts or features are shown where they affect the appearance.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 3
Required by Council local validation lists; PPG Advertisements para. 017
Application form
Always neededThe advertisement consent form. On the Planning Portal, save or download the PDF of your draft application and upload it here.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- It's the application for advertisement consent.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 9(2)
- It confirms whether the owner and everyone with an interest in the site have given permission.PPG Advertisements, para. 018 (ID 18b-018-20140306)
- The advert's type, size, height above ground and illumination are given.Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 9(2)
Required by Control of Advertisements Regulations 2007 reg. 9(2)
Photographs or photomontage
RecommendedRecent photos of the building or site, ideally with the advert shown in place. Not required, but helpful.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- Shows the building or site and its surroundings.PPG Advertisements, para. 017 (ID 18b-017-20140306)
- Shows the advert in place.PPG Advertisements, para. 017 (ID 18b-017-20140306)
Required by PPG Advertisements, para. 017 (ID 18b-017-20140306)