Signboard License in Singapore: What You Need Before Installing Your Shop Sign

Key Takeaways

• Nearly all exterior ads and commercial signboards in Singapore need a license under BCA and URA regulations. This includes banners, billboards, digital signages, and rooftop signs. Check exemptions carefully prior to exhibition to escape sanction.

• Pre-application checks prior to design and installation. Check location rules, size limits, conservation area restrictions, and if a Professional Engineer’s endorsement is required.

• Compile clean paperwork for submission. Site measurements, drawing, artwork, materials, installation method, owner approvals, and the right file formats for the online portal.

• Go through the entire application via the Advertisement Licensing System with Singpass. Upload documents, pay fees, track status, and promptly respond to authorities’ requests.

• Plan your budget past application fees to include professional endorsements, additional approvals, maintenance, renewals, and possibly redesign. Use the fee calculators to estimate your total costs.

• Stay compliant post approval with inspections, repairs, and timely renewals. Maintain records of licenses, approvals, and maintenance to facilitate audits or enforcement checks.

A signboard license in Singapore is an official authorization from the local authorities that permits a business to have an outdoor sign at its location. Under the Building Control Act and relevant by-laws, the majority of shopfront signs, fascia signs, and projecting signs require approval before installation.

To apply, owners upload the layout, size in millimeters, location, and materials via the ALS portal, usually with photographs of the location. Regulations include dimensions, illumination, positioning, and security, and signs must display correct company names. For conserved areas, URA design guidelines exist.

LED signs have brightness caps, and signs over public paths require safe mounting and height clearances. Below, the guide details fees, required documents, timelines, common mistakes, and renewal steps to remain compliant.

Signboards Requiring a License in Singapore

Almost all outdoor and business signs in Singapore require a license or approval under BCA and URA rules. CONTROL can be triggered by both permanent and short-term displays. Unlicensed signs are subject to removal and fines. Check scope before you print or mount anything.

Advertisements

Signs requiring a license include outdoor advertisements such as banners, billboards, digital screens, light boxes, and wall wraps. These require advertisement licensing when placed on building exteriors, common areas, or visible public spaces. The policy covers mall facades, retail podiums, construction hoardings, and roadside locations.

A license is needed for signs over 10 m² supported by an advertising structure. If you exhibit an ad without a license, you are subject to a fine of up to 5,000 dollars, and the agency can take down the sign without notice.

Depending on your type of sign, your application may need to include artwork, message copy, materials, mounting method, display dates, and total length. Submit precise measurements in square meters, the site plan, and photographs of the proposed location.

Banners over 10 square meters with bars or rods, or any banner over 30 square meters, require a P.E. Certification for structural safety. Observe controls on size, display area and placement to prevent visual clutter and public nuisance. Honor street corridors, pedestrian clearances and heritage sightlines.

For instance, a 12 square meter mesh banner on scaffolding will generally require both a license and PE endorsement, while a small 4 square meter poster on a shop wall may not if all conditions are met. Additional approvals are required for advertisements on roadside structures, bus stops, MRT stations, and transport assets.

Obtain permission from the transport authority or site owner. Media on bridges, lamp posts, or rail property typically needs separate contracts and safety reviews.

Signboards

Business signboards on shopfronts, canopies, building facades and rooftops generally require a signboard license. Tenant directory signs, projecting box signs, and 3D logo letters also require a license. Where it is in a conservation area or conserved building, follow URA design controls on location, color, and illumination, and obtain BCA artwork consent.

Your application should include drawings, elevations, fixing details, load data for frames, electrical specs for illumination, and renderings for 3D/layered panels. Any new sign panel that extends beyond the parapet or roofline will be subject to more rigorous inspections.

For multi-tenant sites, verify that each tenant’s logo and size are consistent with the master signage plan. Temporary signboards tied to on-premise events may be permitted for up to two months. Fees differ by license type and ad size, so factor in both application and renewal when plotting rollouts across outlets.

Exemptions

Certain signs are exempt subject to rigorous limitations. Not every small, indoor or institutional sign requires licensing.

• Outdoor signs with an aggregate area not exceeding 5 square meters.

• Signs by religious bodies, government-aided schools, hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, nursing or welfare homes, or charity hospices.

• Hawker centers, food centers, or markets – on stalls.

• Signs in underpasses or tunnels.

• Basic internal noticeboards and small directional signs inside private premises comply with size and placement regulations.

If your sign overgrows or migrates outside, re-evaluate. Edge cases like a 5.5 m² facade decal fall out of exemption. When in doubt, check with BCA/URA.

Your Signboard License Application

For outdoor advertising signs in Singapore, the process operates via BCA’s Advertisement Licensing System (ALS). You apply online, adhere to national standards, and await sign approval before you put up a sign. Some small, low-risk signs are exempt if they satisfy stringent criteria, but most business signboards require a licence.

1. Pre-Application Checks

Walk the site and size your sign. Confirm location, width, height, projection, clearances, and whether facing roads or public paths. Compare these to BCA’s sign licence criteria, such as restrictions on luminance and placement on façades or parapets.

Find out if your site lies in a conservation area or contains a conserved building. URA can impose additional rules on location, colors, and materials. Roadside, bridge, and rail signs must comply with LTA regulations. For airports and flight paths, CAAS has a say.

Edge cases would be rooftop signs, flags, banners over public land, or signs on road structures. Determine early if a Professional Engineer is required. Structural frames, cantilever mounts, rooftop placements, and large lightboxes often need PE design and stamp.

Check both BCA and URA sites for updates, file limits, and any new safety notes before you draft.

2. Document Preparation

Develop a complete set of technical drawings including plan, elevation, and section views. Show the dimensions in millimetres, fixing points, bracket sizes and façade anchorage. Include materials such as aluminum box, steel frame, acrylic face, timber panel, and fasteners with grade.

Attach site photos from street level and oblique angles. Use them to indicate the proposed sign outline on photos. Include artwork files of brand names, fonts, colors, and lighting type such as LED, neon, or external spot.

Write a brief proposal: purpose, placement, structural concept, and install method, like chemical anchors into reinforced concrete. Fill in the declaration and obtain signatures from the owner and managing agent or sub-owner.

Save files in accepted formats: .doc, .jpg, .pdf, .txt, or .zip. Name files scrubbed so the reviewer can track every last thing.

3. Submission Process

Log in to BCA ALS using Singpass. Select the appropriate sign classification and location. Make the owner or a contractor who will answer questions the applicant.

Attach drawings, photos, artwork, PE documents if any, and signed declaration. Settle the fee via GIRO, card, or other enumerated means. Then just watch the portal. Usual BCA processing is around 7 working days if all is in order.

A time frame of 7 to 14 working days is common if clarifications are required. If URA evaluation is needed, add roughly 2 weeks. Reply quickly to queries. Clearer dimensions, night lumens, or bracket calculations.

4. Professional Endorsement

You require PE endorsement for rooftop signs, lighted advertisements with major electrical works, large spans or any sign on road structures. Send in stamped structural drawings, design checks, and when applicable, load and wind calculations.

Plan time and expenses for PE review, site visit and any detail rework. This frequently occurs in parallel with art finalization.

5. Approval and Timeline

BCA officers do the initial review within 7 working days if all is in order. Complex cases take 2 to 6 weeks. URA, LTA or CAAS clearances can prolong this. When accepted, you receive a license (soft-copy) with the display period and conditions.

Equip after consent to prevent penalties. Keep the license on file and match the built sign to the approved drawings.

Key Approval Guidelines

Signboard and advertisement approvals in Singapore fall under the Building and Construction Authority’s advertisement license categories, with Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) guidelines determining urban form. Applicants must demonstrate that designs honor streetscape, safety, sustainability, and equitable access.

They must also satisfy all signage sizing and placement regulations that safeguard public lands and protected areas.

Location Rules

• Post signs solely in designated areas on private property or permitted building fronts. Steer clear of sightlines at junctions, crossings and driveways so motorists and pedestrians are able to see. Do not obstruct fire exits, vents, or building services. Mount at heights that won’t brush trees, awnings and public fixtures.

• Near overhead road structures, bus stops, MRT stations and conserved buildings, anticipate stricter restrictions. Take for instance a wall sign next to an MRT entrance, which can limit the sign to low brightness and slim profiles in conservation districts within designated fascia bands and not projecting in excess of five-storey streets. Maintain a secure clearance from overpasses and road signage.

• Street-level installations on public land require specific approval from the land authority. Kiosks, freestanding pylons, or A-boards on sidewalks are generally prohibited without a permit. If approved, keep a generous clear route, generally 1.8 m or more, to facilitate barrier-free access.

Permitted and restricted areas overview:

Area type	Permitted examples	Restricted/Not allowed examples
Private façade (non-conserved)	Wall-mounted logo above shopfront	Large projections into public way
Conservation shophouse	Fascia band sign within heritage frame	Covering cornices or window arches
Public land	Licensed event banner on approved poles	A-boards on sidewalks without permit
Transport nodes	Wayfinding per operator’s specs	Ads blocking commuter sightlines

Design Constraints

Colours, letterforms and artwork that suit brand requirements adhere to BCA/URA visual device guidelines and local façade rhythm. Maintain type readability at a small scale and do not be cluttered.

Respect hard caps: advertisement height not above 15 m or three storeys, whichever is lower. Total façade coverage not exceeding 30 m² or 30% of the façade, excluding the first storey with a covered walkway, whichever is lower.

Banners: top edge not higher than 30 m from the ground; banner area up to 50% of façade area measured up to 30 m height; at most three banners at one time.

No glare, flashing, or visual noise. Implement dimming schedules and shielded fixtures. In mixed-use streets, luminance should be capped to avoid nuisance at night.

Combine signs with architecture. Match baselines with cornice lines. Keep projections tight to the wall and echo material cues like stone, brick, or metal trim.

Safety Standards

Secure signs against wind, rain, and impact. Vandal resistance at ground level, tamper-proof fasteners and concealed cabling.

Choose durable materials: 3D acrylic letters for low weight, powder-coated metal panels for strength, or masonry reliefs that age well. For any advertising framework greater than 10 square meters in size, or with its apex 4 meters or higher from the plane of the base, obtain extra approvals and structure certification.

Keep your check schedule clear. Check mounts, anchors, and electrical equipment, and record fixes.

The Permit To Use must encompass the entire display duration and must be renewed prior to expiry.

Design emergency takedown. Maintain access notes, shutoff points, and a contact list on file and on-site. If artwork varies, obtain authority approval prior to in-principle review and final filing.

Understanding The Costs

Costs straddle license fees, professional contributions, and less clear add-ons. Add up your expenditure by sign category, dimension, location, duration of exposure, and regulatory requirements. Multiply Singapore’s licence fee calculator base fee for your signage type and period by adding engineering, design, installation, and maintenance.

Notice exemptions and temporary-use rules, which can lower costs if your sign is eligible.

Application Fees

Application fees differ according to sign type, size in square meters, illumination, and location as stipulated by BCA. The amount you pay for a license to post ads in public spaces varies based on what kind of license is needed and how large your ad is, so determine your area before you calculate.

For example, simple wall-mounted signs under 5 square meters frequently fall into the lowest band, whereas rooftop, large billboards or lit signs incur higher rates. Play around with the official fee calculator to test scenarios, such as a 3 square meter fascia sign for 6 months versus a 9 square meter LED panel for 12 months.

Otherwise, your submission will be held in processing. We accept payment via GIRO and a yearly auto-renewal is available. If you add display time, consider renewal fees as immediate costs. A 12 month plan could be less expensive per month than two six month cycles.

Small formats can be cheap. For example, displaying up to 2 A5-sized notices per noticeboard costs $0.50 per day. Unlicensed displays carry risk: displaying an outdoor advertising sign without a licence is an offence and can result in a fine of up to $5,000. Posting signs on public property can incur an additional $1,000 fine.

There are some signs that are not included, like a single signboard or series with an aggregate area of no more than 5 m2, which can reset your budget model. Temporary signs to advertise on-premise events may be put up for 2 months, after which normal licensing applies.

If a banner is over 10 m2 and sits on a structure 4 m or higher, you have to get a temporary building permit, which adds fees and reviews.

Cost snapshot by option (illustrative):

Signage option	Display period	Est. licence fee (SGD)	Notes
3 m2 wall sign, non‑lit	6 months	120–250	Lower band
9 m2 LED fascia	12 months	800–1,600	Higher band
Two A5 notices	Per day	0.50	Per noticeboard
Rooftop sign, 12 m2	12 months	2,000 to 4,000	Premium tier

Professional Fees

Don’t forget your PE fees for endorsement, structural checks and drawings – especially for large, rooftop, projecting or illuminated signs. PE rates depend on complexity. A bracketed sign may only require a basic certification, whereas a cantilever LED or high-level frame requires load analysis.

Add contractor costs for fabrication and install. Materials such as aluminum, acrylic, and LED modules, lift or boom access, and night work affect cost. For your banner over 10 m² on a 4 m-high frame, it comes with temporary building permit administration by your PE or contractor.

Include design services and artwork or the technical consultation. Revisions and color proofs increase time and cost. Roll these professional fees into your total to avoid overruns.

Hidden Costs

Beware of resubmission fees from half-filled forms, additional sign-offs for conservation areas, or landlord mandates. Urgent processing or after-hours installs commonly incur surcharges.

Plan for maintenance: cleaning, LED replacements, repaint, and storm damage fixes. When you don’t comply, you can receive remediation orders, update fees for post-guideline modifications, or fees for late renewals.

Add in some periodic inspections, access equipment, and site safety. If you break placement regulations on public property, prepare to see enforcement and fines of $1,000, regardless of license status.

Common Application Pitfalls

Applications stall when forms aren’t filled out, when drawings aren’t specific enough or when proposals step outside of present regulations. Check official advice, make certain your layout matches the site, and keep your files neat. The stakes are real: displaying an outdoor ad sign without a license can draw a fine up to $5,000 and removal without notice.

Going over allowed banner limits is not acceptable; for example, having more than three on a façade or covering over 50% of the façade.

• Skipping required documents (declaration form, elevation plan, site plan)

• Using materials unsuited to heat, humidity, and rain

• More than three banners per façade or exceeding fifty percent facade coverage.

• Overlooking PE certification limits can occur when the area exceeds 10 square meters with bars or rods, or exceeds 30 square meters.

• Misreading mounting height restrictions, for example, 20 meters maximum at Raffles Place above walkway levels.

• Submitting wrong scale drawings or missing dimensions

• Late payment or missing proof of payment

• Letting licences lapse without renewal

• Installing before approval

Incomplete Forms

Missing fields and attachments are the number one cause of delays. Agencies want precise applicant information, specific sign specifications (square meters in size, placement height, materials), and clear drawings that correspond to the site. If you forget a declaration form, elevation plan, or site plan, the file frequently bounces.

Payment problems stall files too, so send evidence. For large or wind-loaded banners, get a Professional Engineer’s Certificate if the banner is over ten square meters with bars or rods, or over thirty square meters.

Checklist

• Applicant details: Legal entity name, UEN or equivalent, contact person, email, and phone.

• Site information: Full address, unit numbers, building name, façade orientation (north/south), and mounting height in meters.

• Sign specs: dimensions (W×H), total area (m²), materials (for example, aluminum, acrylic, weatherproof vinyl), lighting type, fixing method.

• Drawings: Scaled elevation with dimensions and mounting points, section detail of brackets and anchors, site plan showing location on the building.

• Compliance notes: Banner count on façade (maximum 3), façade coverage (50% or less), any location-specific caps (for example, 20 meters maximum mounting height at Raffles Place above walkway levels).

• Safety/engineering: PE certification if thresholds apply.

• Ownership: property owner’s signed consent.

• Payment: fee paid and proof attached. Reference number on form.

Select fabrics that can withstand Singapore’s heat, humidity, and rain. Cheap substrates warp, inks fade, mounts corrode, and you’re dealing with early failure and complaints.

Guideline Misinterpretation

Read existing BCA and URA rules prior to designing. Double check your banner counts, locations, and hanging heights. Ask for written clarifications on gray points, such as protrusion over walkways or illumination after a certain hour, to prevent redesigns.

• Check special districts. For example, the 20 meter maximum mounting height at Raffles Place is above walkway levels.

• Respect enforcement: Any regulatory breach can draw fines of up to $2,000, with continuing offences fined at $100 per day after conviction.

• Keep records: save emails and marked-up drawings that show alignment with the latest circulars.

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Summary quick reference

• Banners per façade: max 3

• Façade coverage by banner: ≤50%

• PE certification: >10 m² with bars/rods, or >30 m²

• No-license offence: up to $5,000 fine and removal

• Height cap example: 20 m at Raffles Place above walkway levels

Ignoring Renewals

Monitor open viewing windows and put calendar alerts 30 to 45 days before. Renew before it expires so your sign stays legal on day one of the new term. Artwork, location, or business – if anything changed, include updated drawings and owner permission.

Plan for renewal fees and administrative hours. Late renewals face enforcement visits, combined fines, and take-down orders that interrupt commerce. If you’ve included a second or third banner since last term, double check the “max three” rule to prevent a last-minute reject.

If the sign was upsized, reconsider the PE certification trigger and update the engineer’s letter.

Beyond The Application

Compliance extends beyond approval. Owners have to maintain signs that are secure, clean, and according to present-day rules, leaving logs prepared for inspections.

Maintenance Duty

Schedule regular checks at least once a quarter or monthly for high-traffic sites. Check for loose fixings, cracked acrylic, peeling vinyl, water ingress, rust, faulty power supply, and dim LEDs. Inspect anchors and brackets following heavy rain and wind.

For common improvements utilizing built-in free-standing units, verify adjoining tenant panels are firm as well. One failure can compromise the entire frame.

Swap out damaged, faded, or flickering panels quick to safeguard brand clarity and BCA compliance. Measure heights: signboards must not exceed 6 meters from ground level, while skysigns cannot exceed 5.0 meters from the roof or parapet.

For banners on facades, stay below 30 meters to the top edge. If using a balloon for an on-premise event, keep it at 3 meters in diameter or less.

Remember to leave a clearance around the sign. Cut back plants that obstruct sight lines, clear clutter from the base of free-standing pylons, and make certain nothing conceals pedestrian or driver visibility. This eliminates visual clutter and blockages.

Record every task. Maintain a dated log with photos, contractors used, and parts replaced. Include light output readings, structural fastener checks, and cleaning cycles.

Store invoices, inspection forms, and risk assessments. These support audits or incident reviews.

Renewal Process

Begin renewal online before expiration to avoid gaps that might prompt takedown notices. Add your existing license, approved drawings, and photos of the sign as installed.

If the sign’s size, copy, lighting type, location or owner changed, update the application. For multi-tenant projects, provide the most updated site plan for attached free-standing buildings.

Confirm you still meet aggregate advertisement limits: not more than 100 square meters per development or 50 percent of the wall surface area, whichever is lower.

Renewal fee via portal and retain receipt. Certain instances require extra paperwork, such as landlord approval or strata permission.

Get a fresh e-copy license with the extended showtime and revised terms. File it with your tune-up log and add calendar reminders 30 days and 7 days before next expiration.

Enforcement Actions

Unpermitted or non-compliant signage is subject to fines, takedown orders, and other legal actions. Typical triggers are over height caps, aggregate area limits, the 30 m banner line, or not dismantling sale or rental boards within 14 days of a completed transaction.

If you get a notice from BCA or another entity, answer within the stipulated time. Post your logs, suggest remedies, and provide evidence of activity. Quiet or late responses increase fines.

Resolve problems against deadline. Examples include reducing banner height, cutting area to fit the 100 square meters or 50 percent cap, or shifting a skysign below the 5.0 meter threshold.

Take down off-premise balloons and event ads that fall outside scope. Conduct training for staff and vendors. Include a one-page checklist on height limits, area caps, cleaning cycles, and approval storage so daily work remains compliant.

Conclusion

A defined roadmap creates an easier signboard license journey in Singapore. Find out which signs require a license. View URA and LTA regulations. Match size, height, and light rules. Price out fees, installation work, and maintenance. Establish a straightforward schedule with leeway for revisions.

To sidestep snags, employ crisp files and clean images. Name files in an obvious way. Make sure you use metric sizes on drawings. Provide site details, such as road width or adjacent stops. If you get a query, address odd parts quickly.

For next steps, sketch out a quick brief with size, location, and light type. Receive an instant quote from a BCA-registered builder. Submit early, then track once a week. Want help or a second opinion? Contact us with your draft and the site shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license for my shop sign in Singapore?

Almost all outdoor signs require a license from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Signs inside a shop typically don’t. Illuminated, projecting, rooftop, and large facade signs need approval. Please verify URA/BCA rules for your location and building type.

How do I apply for a signboard license?

Submit an application via ALS. You will need drawings, dimensions, location photos, and landlord consent. A Qualified Person may be required for structural or electrical aspects. Pay the fee and wait for BCA or URA assessment before fabrication.

What are key approval rules I should follow?

Comply with dimension restrictions, location restrictions, and safety requirements. Adhere to conservation area rules. Don’t obstruct windows, exits, or walkways. Use safe materials and ensure good mounting. Illumination should not cause glare. Abide by multilingual and content prohibitions.

How much does a signboard license cost?

Charges differ by sign category, dimensions, and location. Anticipate application, potential plan endorsement, and inspection fees. Fabrication and installation are separate. Allow for rewrites if necessary. See the current BCA fee schedule at GoBusiness Licensing.

How long does approval take?

Standard processing is 2 to 4 weeks, complete documents pending. Complicated signs, conservation, or absent information can lengthen timelines. To avoid delays, apply early and respond promptly to clarifications.

What documents should I prepare?

Get ready with scaled drawings, sign specs, mounting info, site photos, landlord/management approval, and company information. For illuminated signs, provide electrical specifications. For structural works, hire a QP for signoffs.

What are common mistakes that cause rejection?

Wrong size, lack of landlord consent, an unclear drawing, incorrect placement and glare from lighting. Disregard for conservation rules or building by-laws is common. Provide full, legible documentation and adhere to BCA and URA standards to prevent resubmissions.

We manage the entire BCA licensing application for you, including all drawings and design indication.

Please contact us for our rates on this service.