Temporary Event Signage Consent - Manchester

Signs and Advertising England 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of England

In Manchester, England, temporary event signage must comply with local planning and highway rules before display. Organisers should check council guidance for advertisements, public highway licences and event permits early in event planning to avoid enforcement, removal or fines. This article explains which Manchester City Council teams enforce signage rules, how to apply for consent or licences, common violations and step-by-step actions to secure lawful temporary signage for parades, festivals, markets and other short-term events.

Who regulates temporary event signage

Temporary signs on private property are normally controlled as advertisements under planning rules; signs on or over the public highway, or banners attached to street furniture, are managed via highways licences and event permits. For Manchester City Council guidance on advertisements and signs see Advertisements and signs[1]. For running events, roadworks and temporary traffic management consult the council events and road management guidance Holding a special event[2].

Always check council guidance before producing or installing banners.

When you need consent or a licence

  • Signs visible from a public highway may require advertisement consent or a highways licence.
  • Temporary banners across streets or on street furniture generally need a street works or events licence.
  • Private land signs can still need planning permission if they are advertisements under planning legislation.

Permits, approvals and timing

Apply well in advance. Event-facing permissions often require separate applications for planning/advertisements and highway/event licences. Processing times vary by application type and event complexity; specific deadlines are not uniformly published on the cited council pages and are not specified on the cited page[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement responsibility rests primarily with Manchester City Council planning enforcement for unauthorised advertisements and the highways/events team for signage on the public highway. For enforcement contact details see the council planning enforcement page Planning enforcement[3].

Where the council publishes specific sanctions, they appear on the linked enforcement or events pages; if a sum or regime is not shown there, the amount or escalation is not specified on the cited page.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: the council may issue removal notices or require retrospective consent; specific progressive fine ranges for first/repeat/continuing offences are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, discontinuance notices, seizure of illegally sited signs and prosecution through the courts are potential actions.
  • Enforcer: Manchester City Council Planning Enforcement and Highways/Events teams; complaints submitted via the council enforcement contact page linked above.
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: report unauthorised signs via the planning enforcement contact link or the events/highways enquiry routes on the council site.
  • Appeal/review: appeals against planning or advertisement decisions are typically to the Planning Inspectorate; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited council pages.
Failure to obtain required consent can lead to removal or legal action by the council.

Applications & Forms

  • Advertisement consent: submit via Manchester City Council planning application processes; details and links on the council advertisements page.[1]
  • Highways/events licences: apply through the council events or highways permitting process; see the special events guidance.[2]
  • Fees: specific application fees and fee schedules are listed per application type on the relevant council pages or via the planning portal; if a fee is not published on a specific council page it is not specified on the cited page.

Common violations

  • Installing banners over a public road without a highways licence.
  • Displaying illuminated or large adverts visible from the highway without advertisement consent.
  • Failing to remove temporary event signage within the required period after an event.
Document permissions before manufacture to reduce risk and cost.

Action steps

  • Check Manchester City Council advertisements guidance and identify whether your sign is an advertisement.[1]
  • Apply for advertisement consent or planning permission if required.
  • Apply for highways or events licences for signs on public highways using the special events guidance.[2]
  • Keep records of approvals, site plans and consent letters.
  • If the council issues an enforcement notice, follow the notice instructions and use the planning enforcement contact for queries.[3]

FAQ

Do I need permission for a temporary banner across a Manchester street?
Yes, banners across the public highway generally require a highways or events licence from Manchester City Council; consult the special events guidance for application steps.[2]
What if I put up a sign and get an enforcement notice?
Follow the enforcement notice instructions and contact Manchester City Council Planning Enforcement for advice; appeal routes depend on the notice type and are detailed in planning legislation and on appeal body guidance.
Are there standard fees for temporary signage applications?
Fees depend on application type (advertisement consent, planning or highways licence) and are listed on the relevant council application pages; if a fee is not shown on a specific page it is not specified on the cited page.

How-To

  1. Confirm whether the sign is classed as an advertisement under council guidance and whether it affects the public highway.
  2. Gather site drawings, dates, materials and dimensions for the proposed sign.
  3. Submit advertisement consent or planning application if on private land and visible from the highway.
  4. Apply for highways or events licences for signs on the public highway using the council special events process.
  5. Receive written consent or licence, keep a copy on site during the event and ensure timely removal.
  6. If you receive an enforcement notice, respond within the stated timeframe and use the planning enforcement contact to request reviews or lodge appeals as applicable.

Key Takeaways

  • Early checks with Manchester City Council prevent enforcement and extra costs.
  • Different permissions may be needed for private land and the public highway.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Manchester City Council - Advertisements and signs
  2. [2] Manchester City Council - Holding a special event
  3. [3] Manchester City Council - Planning enforcement

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