CoE aims to regulate outdoor advertising signs

Outdoor advertising must be approved by the municipality first before it is displayed.

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According to the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), this is outlined by the billboards and the display of advertisements bylaws.

The city has confirmed many outdoor advertising activities take place across Ekurhuleni without the relevant approval.

Some of these have the potential to pose danger to the public, property, and the environment.

To correct the situation the city has instituted a process to assess all non-compliant outdoor advertising structures erected on council-owned properties or within road reserves under its jurisdiction to ensure compliance.

“To this end, owners of illegal outdoor advertising will be contacted to assist them to obtain municipal approval of compliance with the bylaws.

“They will also be assisted in getting a formal lease agreement with the CoE in respect of the advertising sign(s),” said city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

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“We have already acquired the services of a contractor to facilitate this process and to handle new applications”.

He encouraged owners of illegal outdoor advertising signs, approached by representatives of the appointed service provider, to cooperate so that the process can move faster and seamlessly.

“Non-compliance with the bylaws and/or policies will be punishable by the city.”

Any party who wishes to apply for a new outdoor advertising sign(s) or to regularise their existing illegal advertising sign(s) have the option to make use of the appointed service provider or to submit their application(s) on their own to the city.

“A positive outcome of their application(s) cannot be guaranteed as that will depend on the compliance with the city’s bylaws,” Dlamini said.

Anyone wishing to approach the appointed contractor, SAH Development Managers, for assistance with their application may contact Brendon Vandayar at 010 020 6775 or 082 494 5507. Alternatively, email Brendon.vandayar@sah.co.za

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The regional control officers in the city’s planning department’s outdoor advertising section are ready to assist in any matter about applications for technical compliance with the bylaws. Contact them on:

• Lethabo Shebu at 011 999 3691 or email Lethabo.Shebu@ekurhuleni.gov.za

• Susan Wilson at 011 999 0974 or Susan.Wilson@ekurhuleni.gov.za

Outdoor advertising lease-related queries in respect of advertising signage erected on a municipal property can be directed to Cheryl du Toit of the real estate department outdoor advertising section at 011 999 3683 or email Cheryl.DuToit@ekurhuleni.gov.za

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