Election Poster Rules & Bylaws - Liverpool

Elections and Campaign Finance England 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of England
Liverpool, England requires candidates and campaigners to follow planning, highway and private-land rules when placing election posters and banners. Posters on private property normally need the landowner's permission; posters attached to street furniture, lamp posts or highways may require advertisement consent or permission from the council as highway authority. This guide explains which local departments enforce rules, how to apply for consent, what enforcement and appeals procedures look like, and practical steps to reduce the risk of removal or penalties.

Where rules come from

Local advertising and signage fall under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations and local planning control administered by Liverpool City Council; highway furniture and safety issues are managed by the council as highway authority. For consent and advice contact the council planning service and check advertisement consent requirements before fixing posters to public structures.[1]

Always get written permission from the landowner before placing posters on private land.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is typically carried out by Liverpool City Council planning enforcement and by highway officers for anything on the public highway. Where posters lack required advertisement consent or obstruct the highway, the council can remove displays and take enforcement action under planning and highways powers.

  • Fines and financial penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Removal and remedial orders: council may remove unauthorised posters and charge the owner/organiser for costs.
  • Court action and prosecutions: possible where removal notices or obstruction offences are not remedied.
  • Continuing offences/escalation: not specified on the cited page; some actions may be treated as ongoing breaches that attract repeated enforcement steps.
  • Complaint and inspection pathway: report unauthorised posters via the council complaints/reporting pages; highways teams inspect safety risks.
The council may remove posters that create a road safety risk without prior notice.

Applications & Forms

Advertisement consent is applied for through the local planning application process. Liverpool City Council publishes guidance on advertisement consent and where to apply; fees and specific forms are handled via the council planning pages or the national Planning Portal. If no advertisement consent is required, you still must have landowner permission for private sites and highway authority consent for attachments to street furniture.[1]

If in doubt, contact Liverpool City Council planning before erecting any poster on street furniture.

Common violations

  • Fixing posters to lamp posts, traffic signs or highway furniture without highway or council consent.
  • Displaying large banners or illuminated adverts without advertisement consent.
  • Placing posters that obstruct sightlines, signs or footways causing safety hazards.

Action steps

  • Check whether your poster is on private land (get written permission) or on council/highway property (seek consent).
  • Apply for advertisement consent via Liverpool City Council planning pages if required.
  • Report unsafe or unauthorised posters to the council using the official report-it channels.
  • If you receive an enforcement notice, follow the notice instructions and use the planning appeals process if you disagree.

FAQ

Can I put election posters on private land?
Yes, with the landowner's permission; a separate planning advertisement consent may still be needed depending on size, location and visibility.
Can I attach posters to lampposts or signs on public roads?
No, not without permission from the highway authority or the council; unauthorised attachments can be removed and may lead to enforcement action.
What happens if the council removes my poster?
The council may retain removed items, recover removal costs, and pursue enforcement; specific fees or fines are not specified on the cited council page.
How do I appeal a planning enforcement or removal decision?
Follow the appeal or review route set out in the enforcement notice or planning decision; the council planning pages explain formal appeal routes.

How-To

  1. Identify whether the site is private or public and obtain written landowner permission if private.
  2. Check Liverpool City Council advertisement consent guidance and apply for consent where required.[1]
  3. If you spot unauthorised posters that are unsafe or illegal, report them to the council via the report-it page.
  4. If served with an enforcement notice, respond within the stated timescale and consider an appeal if valid grounds exist.

Key Takeaways

  • Always get landowner permission for private sites and check council consent for public highway attachments.
  • Advertisement consent is a planning matter; apply before erecting prominent posters.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Liverpool City Council - Advertisements and signage guidance

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