Advertisement Consent Fees & Permits - London
This guide explains how advertisement consent, permits and associated fees operate for London, England. It summarises the control framework, who enforces the rules, typical application steps and what to expect if signage is unauthorised. Readers will find where to apply, the official regulations that govern adverts, appeal routes and practical action steps to apply, pay or contest decisions with their local planning authority or the Planning Inspectorate.
Overview of Regulation and Who Enforces It
Advertisement control in England is governed by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007; local planning authorities in London enforce the rules and decide applications for advertisement consent[1]. Applications are submitted to the local planning authority, usually via the Planning Portal or the council's planning portal depending on the borough[2].
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement options for unauthorised or non-compliant advertisements include enforcement notices, removal orders and prosecution in the criminal courts under the advertisement regulations and broader planning enforcement powers; exact monetary fines are not consistently listed on the primary regulations page and are not specified on the cited page[1].
- Enforcement notices and removal orders may be issued by the local planning authority.
- Prosecution can follow non-compliance; court outcomes and fines depend on the magistrates' or Crown Court decisions and are not specified on the cited regulation page.
- To report unauthorised adverts contact your local planning authority via its planning enforcement or complaints page, or use the national guidance to find your council.[2]
Escalation, Appeals and Time Limits
- If consent is refused or conditions imposed you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate under the planning appeals process; see the official appeals guidance for deadlines and procedure[3].
- Time limits for serving enforcement notices and for lodging appeals are set in legislation or appeal procedures; specific statutory periods are provided on the cited official pages or in the notice itself and are not specified in a single consolidated borough-level page.
Defences and Discretion
- Defences can include that the advertisement is exempt under the regulations (e.g., certain temporary signs, postings on private land with consent) or that consent has been granted; specifics depend on the Regulations and local interpretation[1].
- Local planning authorities have discretion when imposing conditions or taking enforcement action; applicants can seek pre-application advice to reduce refusal risk.
Common Violations
- Displaying adverts without consent where consent is required.
- Breaching the terms or conditions of existing advertisement consent.
- Obstructive or unsafe placement affecting highways or sightlines.
Applications & Forms
Advertisement consent applications are made to the local planning authority; application forms and submission routes are available via the Planning Portal and each council's planning pages. The Planning Portal sets out guidance for what information to include and the typical supporting drawings and photos required[2]. Specific application fees for advertisement consent are published in fee regulations or on local authority fee schedules; if a fee figure is not shown on the cited national page it is not specified on that page.
Action Steps
- Check whether your proposed sign needs consent using the Planning Portal guidance and local authority rules.[2]
- Prepare and submit an advertisement consent application to your local planning authority, including plans, elevations and site location plan.
- Pay the required application fee via the local authority or Planning Portal where applicable; consult the council fee schedule if the national fee table does not state the amount.
- If refused, lodge an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory time limit described in the appeal guidance.[3]
FAQ
- Do I always need advertisement consent?
- Not always; some small or on-premise signs are permitted development or otherwise exempt under the Regulations and local guidance—check the Planning Portal and the Regulations for exemptions.[2][1]
- How much does an advertisement consent application cost?
- Fees vary by application type and over time; check the local authority fee schedule and the Planning Portal fee guidance. If a specific fee is not shown on the cited national regulations page it is not specified on that page.[2]
- What happens if I display a sign without consent?
- The local planning authority may issue an enforcement notice, require removal, and pursue prosecution; penalties and fines depend on court outcomes and specific circumstances and are not specified on the cited regulation page.[1]
How-To
- Confirm whether your proposed advertisement requires consent by consulting the Planning Portal guidance and the 2007 Regulations.[2][1]
- Gather plans, photos and details of materials and dimensions required by your local authority.
- Submit the application and supporting documents via the Planning Portal or your council's online planning application service, and pay the application fee according to the council's instructions.
- If refused, follow the Planning Inspectorate appeal process and meet the appeal deadlines set out in the official appeals guidance.[3]
Key Takeaways
- Advertisement consent is controlled nationally by the 2007 Regulations and enforced locally in London.
- Application fees and penalty amounts are published by authorities or regulations; if not listed on a cited page they are not specified there.
- Appeals go to the Planning Inspectorate; follow official appeal guidance and deadlines.
Help and Support / Resources
- Find your local council planning and enforcement contact - GOV.UK
- Planning Portal guidance on advertisements
- Greater London Authority planning and development
- City of London Corporation planning services