It might sound strange but, YES, every business need planning permission in order to display signage. Sometimes called as a advertisement consent the law requires specific planning permission to ensure everyone is safe and there are no hazards in any way.

Signage will help your business to be seen easily but as signs require planning permission so lets find out what else do you need. Planning permission for external signage requires more effort in terms of meeting all conditions. In fact, different local authorities have different allowances making it hard to know where to start.

Planning permission is required for all sort of shops, installation and redevelopment projects. In recent years planning rules have seen their fair amount of changes, mostly relaxing of measures, however, this isn’t a rule and the best advice is to check in every individual case of signage.

Also there is a list of signs, based on their location, are usually excluded from planning permission control such signs on enclosed land, advertisements on vehicles which are most of time moving and those inside a site but can be seen in the shop window.

Lets see in more details how planning permission for shop signage works.

Local authority

The local planning authority, district or city council, will evaluate each case by considering the location first and the type of signage. After that its local planning office or website is the place to call with any questions or concerns.

For a detailed information about signs excluded from planning control keep reading.

Those signs are: advertisements used by public bodies to give information or directions about services, advertising signs of a business, shop or trade. If the advertisement is on enclosed land such as bus station or railway forecourt. If your planned signage falls into one of these categories you are unlikely to have any issues with planning permission.

Planning regulations – Things to consider

Planning regulations depend on location, so it’s always worthy checking with your local authority when planning your businesses signage. Local planning authorities such as district or county councils are often responsible for managing planning regulations.

Consider the following rules:

A list of regulations before carrying out development if there is no planning permission in place. UK government have summarised the following rules:

• Works to protected trees
• Advertisment consent
• Listed building consent
• Hazardous substances consent
• Environmental permits
• Building regulations

Requirements

There are a few standard conditions,which shouldn’t be too difficult to stick to. Regardless of the size, design or location, signage should be:

-Clean and tidy signage.

-Keep it in safe condition

-Should have permission of the owner of the site.

-Signage should not obscure people, placed nearby traffic or placed on highway land.

– Be carefully removed if its need.

These five conditions are easy to be achieved through our services at Hardy Signs. We make sure we comply with the rules by using high quality materials and preciseness to get a clean and tidy signage. Also we make sure the installation is easy and secure for weather changer and other external factors. We provide everything a signage needs.

Location

Planning rules can vary depending on shop location. It might happen that shop signs can hide other signs such as rail waterway or aircraft signs, other public signs, rail and official road signs. If in any case the shop sign will hide the interpretation the these signs or make it hazardous the use of them, local planning authority will carefully remove the business signage.

How high can a sign be without planning permission?

Tell me the time you got permission to design a sign? If your signage falls not in one of the above categories you might require planning permission on a sign larger than 0.3m in dimensions.

What happens if you install signs without planning permission?

All chances are to be asked for removing the sign or facing legal actions and fines. Thats the reason why it is mandatory to ask for planning permission before installing the signage. This will give the correct permissions to put in place, and will avoid any unnecessary costs should you not be able to go ahead with your preferred sign.

Which signs need planning permission?

• Virtually all posters
• Illuminated signs
• fascia signs and projecting signs
• Most advertisements on gable ends

Conclusion

Advertising is one of the most complex areas of planning law. Whats more, policies and rules are different from one local planning authority to another. In some cases more restrictions are involved than normally apply, and other special rules from National Parks, Conservation areas etc.

This is only a summary of possible issues and should not be considered an official guide. The only way to confirm which rules you should follow for the business signs the guidance can be found through the local authority if the signage falls under planning permission signs.

As you can see, there is a pattern to follow in order to get signage done. Our team, at Hardy Signs is there to support you and give the best choice for your shop signs. We will make sure you will have a smooth process and high quality finish on your signage. Depending on your brand you will have the full support to find the most attractive colour and suitable materials.

Don’t forget to comply with the 5 standard conditions from planning authority and if you are planning your signs don’t hesitate to contact us now or for future projects.