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Advertisement consent

To display many types of outdoor advertisements or signage, advertisement consent is required from the council. The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements (Scotland) Regulations 1984 set out what needs the council’s permission and what does not. In general, most forms of illuminated signs and advertisements will require advertisement consent. Non-illuminated signs on shopfronts generally don’t require advertisement consent, subject to a list of standard conditions as set out in the Regulations. If you are in doubt, check with us.

The council does not regulate the content of an advertisement. Consideration can only be given to amenity and public safety.

Amenity relates to aesthetic factors, such as siting, scale and design, or the impact on the historic environment.

Public safety relates to factors such as the potential of advertising signs to distract or dazzle traffic and impact on road safety. Signs with moving parts or animated displays, such as LED billboards, must also be considered for their effects on public safety.

Concerns about the content of an advert, whether existing or proposed, should be raised with the Advertising Standards Authority.

Application fees

The processing fee for submitting an application for advertisement consent is set out in the Fees Regulations. A single application can include multiple advertisements for the same premises or site, for example new illuminated fascia signs and projecting signs on a shopfront.

Apply for advertising consent

Applications should be submitted online using eDevelopment Scotland:

Apply for consent form

Applications are listed on the council’s eplanning portal. Unlike planning applications, applications for advertisement consent are not subject to neighbour notification and there are no statutory rights to submit comments.

Search consents form

Council policy

The council has a non-statutory Control of Advertisements Policy which sets out its expectations and standards for a wide range of advertising types. Copies can be made available upon request by emailing eplanning@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.