Do I need planning permission for my digital signage?

Digital signage is an incredible way to pull customers into your business. It gives you the flexibility to display multiple messages, brand offers or even videos and countdowns. There are few better ways to capture people’s attention.

But before you go ahead and install digital signage, take a moment. In certain cases, you need to jump through several hoops before setting anything up.

Navigate the planning rules and get it right the first time, so you don’t run into any headaches later on. As a trusted digital signmaker, PB Signs is here to guide you through that process.

Is planning permission relevant for digital signage?

Often, ‘planning permission’ in the usual sense isn’t the hurdle you’ll encounter. Instead, digital signs fall under the advertisement consent regime. The system that controls signs in England (and many parts of the UK) is the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007.

Under these rules, you don’t usually need full planning permission just for a digital sign, unless you’re also altering the building or structure, of course. The display itself is regulated as an advertisement, and the law treats the sign’s effect on amenity and public safety as its key factors.

With that said, you may need planning permission if your sign is integral to a larger alteration (for example, structural changes, building works, renovations or extensions). If your proposal involves more than just mounting a screen (say, adding support columns or changing a façade), you might need standard planning permission. And, of course, you’ll still need to abide by the advertising rules, too.

More about digital signage regulations for your business

Digital signs fall under the laws governing external advertisements. Your local authority is usually the regulating body, in charge of enforcing the law. Its job is to ensure that all adverts comply with the regulations, that they’re safe, and that they meet certain standards regarding content and appearance.

Also, the more your digital signage does, the more likely it is to stray into the stricter regulation categories, those displays requiring ‘express consent’.

You mightnot need express consent for internal screens, or screens behind glass that aren’t clearly visible from public spaces. But once the display becomes visible outside or it projects light (or anything else used to draw someone in) you step into regulated territory. At this point, it’s time to be careful. Consult your local planning office and, to ensure a cost- and time-effective process, consider working with a trusted local digital signage designer, like PB Signs.

Oh, and one extra note. If your display sits within a conservation area, on a listed building or in some kind of heritage zone, you’ll almost certainly be subject to even stricter advertisement control.

How to assess whether you need consent

You should treat each digital signage project as unique. Ask these questions:

• Location – where is your digital signage going to be mounted?
• Visibility – will passersby see the sign from a public highway?
• Illumination – will it be bright and easy to see?
• Building status – is the site within a conservation area, or is the building listed?
• Size and frequency – what is the display area? How often does the image change?
• Consent – do your plans meet the national and regional regulations?

As mentioned above, if your sign ticks boxes for visibility and illumination alone, you likely need advertisement consent. Also, if the sign is mounted above a certain height or projects beyond the building line, you may face further constraints.

The long and short of it is, don’t guess. We can advise you on this process as early as possible to make sure you get it right the first time.

How advertisement consent works

In general, here’s how the process works for obtaining advertisement consent, whether for digital signs or print.

When you apply, you submit the usual application to your Local Planning Authority, along with plans, site context, and as much technical information as possible (for example, the type of digital signage, what it will display, etc).

The LPA considers only amenity (visual impact, compatibility with surroundings) and public safety (glare, distraction, obstruction, sturdiness). It won’t assess advertising content (unless that content is illegal or conflicts with other laws).

Some adverts don’t require any consent by default, and others have ‘deemed consent’, which means that as long as you meet all the conditions and limitations in the relevant class in Schedule 1 or Schedule 3, you don’t need to go through an application process.

‘Express consent’, which is likely needed for most digital signage, requires a formal application process. The LPA usually makes a decision within eight weeks.

If your application is approved, consent usually lasts for fiveyears, unless otherwise specified. After that, provided certain conditions continue to be met, the sign may automatically fall into the deemed consent category under Class 14, unless a discontinuance notice is issued by the LPA.

If your application is refused, or the decision is delayed, you can always appeal. Remember that failure to obtain consent when required (as it probably is in this case) is a criminal offence. The local authority can order your sign’s removal and even prosecute.

How PB Signs helps you get it done

Here at PB Signs, we’ve worked with hundreds of businesses like yours. Our expertise and years of experience mean we know the advertisement regulations inside out. As professional digital signmakers, we can help you design your marketing materials and let you know if your current display ideas comply with the law or if you need to make a few tweaks. Whether you’re looking for a digital kiosk display, an outdoor fixed LED display or a good old LED neon sign, we’ve got you covered.

You know how effective digital signage can be as a marketing or brand-enhancing opportunity. Now let’s use it to boost your business. PB Signs is here to support you through the process, ensuring a smooth run from planning to installation. Get in touch today to book your free consultation and get your digital signage project started.