Frequently asked questions
Visual Pollution
How many hoardings in Bangalore are authorized? What is the approximate revenue generated out of them?
Are citizens authorised to stick posters in open and public spaces promoting events?
What is the policy regarding banners and buntings?
What is the policy regarding advertisement hoardings?
What are the height and size restrictions for advertisement hoardings?
What is the policy with regard to signboards erected by shops and other enterprises on road junctions and footpaths?
What is the penalty for violating the policy relating to advertisement hoardings?
Are there any restrictions with regard to the location of the hoardings?
Back to Visual Pollution
Email Webmaster
How many hoardings in Bangalore are authorized? What is the approximate revenue generated out of them?
As of 30th June 2003, there are a mere 434 authorized hoardings. The annual revenue generated from advertisement tax by the BMP is a meagre Rs.81 lakh.
Are citizens authorised to stick posters in open and public spaces promoting events?
No. According to the Karnataka Open Places (prevention of disfigurement) Act, 1981 (as amended), and notifications there under, sticking of posters on public and private property, have been prohibited.
What is the policy regarding banners and buntings?
If anyone is interested in affixing banners and buntings, they must submit an application to the Deputy Director of Advertising at the BMP and get a permit from him. The BMP charges Rs.20 per sq.mt for banners and Rs.100 per 10 mts for buntings, for a span of four days. The same parties affixing them, within the stipulated time mentioned by the BMP, must remove these. If they are not removed, then BMP will remove the same and the parties will have to pay a sum of Rs.1000 as penalty.
What is the policy regarding advertisement hoardings?
• Every person desiring to erect, exhibit, fix, retain or display any advertisement within the
private buildings, walls of private buildings, private structures or trees, poles or lamp posts
within the premises of private buildings shall apply to the Commissioner of the BMP.
• The application must be submitted in duplicate and in the given prescribed form
• A copy of the matter to be advertised should accompany the application.
• It must be submitted to the Commissioner in not less that 7 clear days before the
advertisement is to be made
• The Commissioner in turn should, within four days from the date of receipt of the notice,
intimate to the applicant, the tax due on the intended advertisement, provided on approval of
the advertisement.
• Publicity and advertising agents should affix their nameplates and reference number at the
top of every hoarding erected by them.
• Persons or agencies that undertake the display of advertisements on behalf of others should
enrol themselves as licensed advertisers to the BMP on payment of an enrolment fee of
Rs.5, 000.
What are the height and size restrictions for advertisement hoardings?
• The minimum distance from the ground level to the base of the hoarding must be 8 feet.
• The maximum height from the ground level to the top of the hoarding cannot exceed 30
feet.
• The dimensions of the hoarding cannot exceed 12' X 24'.
What is the policy with regard to signboards erected by shops and other enterprises on road junctions and footpaths?
The same procedure mentioned above is applicable. The size of the board should not exceed 1' X 3'. The applicant will have to pay a ground rent of Rs.3,000 and Advertisement Tax annually.
What is the penalty for violating the policy relating to advertisement hoardings?
The penalty for unauthorized hoardings is as under:
• If the height of the hoarding is below 30' the fine is Rs.5, 000
• If the height of the hoarding is above 30' the fine is Rs.10, 000
Are there any restrictions with regard to the location of the hoardings?
Yes. Advertisement hoardings, cinema and poster boards etc., shall as a general rule not be allowed along the promenades, or abutting public parks and recreation grounds, places of worship, public conveniences or purely residential localities and at heavy traffic points and important road junctions. The BMP has the authority to give exceptional permits.