The ugly truth about advertising illegally in Johannesburg
Are illegal adverts taking over your neighbourhood? This is how to report them and what happens when advertisers break the rules.
Have you ever driven through your neighbourhood and noticed an advertising sign or billboard that seems out of place, or was erected without warning? You’re not alone.
If you drive on Winnie Mandela Drive or Witkoppen Road in Fourways, you will see a lot of these adverts.
At a construction site on Main Road, between Witkoppen and Lonehill boulevards, where the foundation for an advertising sign was being built without approval, ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy confirmed to residents that it is illegal.
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Ward 94 councillor David Foley said, on the corner of Cedar Road and Fourways Boulevard, there is an illegal advert, and the person constructing it has no approval. He said he escalated it to the executive director of development planning.
It’s essential to know how to report illegal adverts and understand the process of putting up a legal one.
Illegal adverts can:
- Distract drivers and pedestrians, causing safety hazards,
- Damage the aesthetic appeal of neighbourhoods, and
- Disregard city by-laws and regulations.
How to report an illegal advert:
- Take a clear photo of the advert, including the location and any visible contact information.
- Note the exact location of the advert, including the street name and nearest intersection.
- Contact your local ward councillor, or the City of Johannesburg’s Customer Service Centre, to report the illegal advert.
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Understanding the application process for outdoor advertising
The Outdoor Advertising Department requires that all advertising signs, including billboards, banners, and flags, obtain written approval before being erected.
To apply for outdoor advertising, you’ll need to:
- Download and complete the application form from the City of Johannesburg’s website, or collect one from the Outdoor Advertising Department.
- Submit the completed form, along with the required documents, including: A copy of the registered title deed, an artist’s impression and elevations with measurements, locality plan of the area indicating the site, a detailed site plan with measurements indicating the position of the sign, and zoning certificate with a copy of the most recent amendment scheme.
- Pay the required application fee at the cashier.
What happens when one fails to submit an application?
Failure to obtain approval for an advertising sign can result in severe consequences. If you erect a sign without permission, an enforcement officer may enter your property and halt construction immediately. Additionally, a court order may be obtained to remove the structure at your expense, and you will be held liable for legal costs. In extreme cases, non-compliance can lead to fines, or even imprisonment.
For more information on the application process and requirements, visit the website of the Outdoor Advertising Department, or contact Sonja Pretorius on 011 407 6360, or email SonjaP@joburg.org.za, as well as Henda Boshoff: 011 407 6039, email: HendaB@joburg.org.za
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