Liverpool Signs Petitions and Public Questions By-law

Signs and Advertising England 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of England

In Liverpool, England, residents and groups may raise petitions or public questions about signs, advertisements and street furniture through the city council processes. This guide explains how to submit a petition or public question relating to signs, who enforces sign and advertisement rules, what penalties or orders may apply, and the practical steps to apply, appeal or report non-compliant signage in Liverpool.

Overview: Petitions and Public Questions on Signs

Petitions and public questions allow members of the public to place concerns about signage, advertising hoardings or illegal flyers before councillors and officers. Petitions typically require a defined number of signatures and follow the council’s petitions procedure; public questions are submitted under the council meeting rules and may be asked at the appropriate public forum or committee.

To start, check the council’s petition and public questions guidance and the planning/advertisements reporting pages for any specific forms or contact addresses on the official Liverpool City Council website. Petitions & public questions guidance[1] and Planning enforcement and report illegal adverts[2].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for unlawful signs and advertisements in Liverpool is carried out by the Planning Enforcement team within Liverpool City Council or the council department named on the advertising enforcement page. The council may require removal of unauthorised adverts, serve enforcement notices, and pursue legal action where necessary. Specific penalty amounts are not always listed on the council pages; where amounts or scales are not shown they are identified below as not specified on the cited page.

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page for fixed penalty amounts; formal prosecution or court-ordered fines may apply depending on the offence and statutory powers cited by the council.[2]
  • Escalation: the council may issue a warning, serve an enforcement notice, and progress to prosecution or further legal action for repeat or continuing offences; specific timeframes and graduated fines are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, enforcement notices, discontinuance notices, seizure of equipment, or injunctions through the courts may be used.
  • Enforcer and contacts: Planning Enforcement, Liverpool City Council handles advertising and sign complaints; report a problem via the council planning enforcement/report page or the petitions/public questions pages for procedural matters.[2]
  • Appeals and review: appeals against planning enforcement notices or formal orders are governed by statutory appeal routes or by requesting a review as set out by the council or national planning procedure—time limits and exact appeal steps are not specified on the cited page.
If a sign poses an immediate safety risk, contact the council and emergency services promptly.

Applications & Forms

Petitions and public questions generally require following the council’s published submission process. The council provides guidance and any required online forms on its petitions and public questions page; planning enforcement reports use the planning enforcement report form or online reporting tool on the planning pages. If a named form number or fee is not listed on the council pages, the page will be cited as not specifying it.[1][2]

  • Petition submission: follow the petition guidance and upload or submit signatures as instructed on the petitions page.[1]
  • Public question: submit your question by the stated deadline before the meeting, using the procedure on the public questions guidance page.[1]
  • Report illegal signage: use the planning enforcement report tool to provide photos, location and details for council investigation.[2]

Practical Steps

  • Check deadlines: confirm petition signature thresholds and public question submission deadlines on the council page before collecting signatures or submitting a question.[1]
  • Gather evidence: photograph the sign, record location, note date/time, and collect any witness details.
  • Submit formally: use the petition form or public question form on the council site and attach evidence where required.[1]
  • Report enforcement issues: report illegal or dangerous signs via the planning enforcement reporting page and keep the reference number.
  • Appeal process: if served with an enforcement notice check the notice for appeal instructions and deadlines and seek the council’s guidance on review or appeal routes.
Keep copies of all submissions and evidence; councils record reference numbers for complaints and petitions.

FAQ

Can anyone submit a petition about a sign?
Yes, residents and organisations may submit petitions under the council’s petitions procedure; check the council guidance for signature thresholds and submission rules.[1]
How do I report an illegal or dangerous sign?
Report it to Liverpool City Council’s planning enforcement/reporting page with photos and location details so the enforcement team can investigate.[2]
Is there a fee to submit a petition or public question?
The council pages for petitions and public questions do not list a fee; specific fees or charges are not specified on the cited pages.[1]

How-To

  1. Identify whether you need a petition or a public question and read the council guidance for required signature counts and deadlines.[1]
  2. Collect evidence about the sign: photos, exact location, and any safety concerns or planning breaches.
  3. Complete and submit the petition form or public question form on the council’s web page and upload evidence as instructed.[1]
  4. If the issue is an enforcement matter, report it via the planning enforcement report tool and keep the reference for follow-up.[2]
  5. If you receive an enforcement notice, follow the notice instructions and submit any appeal within the time limits stated on the notice or seek council advice.

Key Takeaways

  • Use official council petition and public question guidance before collecting signatures or submitting questions.[1]
  • Gather clear evidence and report illegal signs via the planning enforcement page for timely investigation.[2]

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Liverpool City Council - Public questions and petitions guidance
  2. [2] Liverpool City Council - Planning enforcement and reporting illegal adverts

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