Advertising Board Structure Placement

Last Update on 07/12/2023

Placement of Advertising Board Structure

General Information

In order to erect an advertising board structure in the Republic of Cyprus, one needs to obtain authorization for the erection of such a structure from the local Municipal or Community Council, within the boundaries of which the activity will take place.

According to ‘The Road Safety Law (L. 174/1986)’, the term “advertising board structure” relates to any form of billboard or structure, firmly placed on the ground or trailed or self-propelled, on which any type of advertisement, advert or information is incorporated, affixed, shown, positioned or adjusted.

There are no specific eligibility criteria. In case that the pursuit of the specific activity relates to the compliance with requirements provisioned by different legislation of the Republic of Cyprus, the local Municipal or Community Council assesses the fulfillment of those requirements.

The application (Municipality and Community) for the erection of an advertising structure can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or by contacting directly the local Municipal or Community Council, depending on the location where the activity will take place. The application form may vary according to the local Community Council.

  1. The application form (in two copies) should be accompanied by the following documents:

    • Copy of title of deeds of the plot in which the advertising board will be erected along with the application form signed by the owner of the property or a copy of written agreement between the owner of the property and the advertising company along with a copy of title of deeds of the plot and the application form signed by the advertising company;
    • Two copies of topographic plan of the plot, with indication as to where the advertising board will be erected;
    • Two copies of architectural plans signed by the architect:
      (a) plan of the plot on which is indicated:

          • the spot where the advertising board will be placed;
          • the boundaries of the plot and the public roads adjoined to it; and
          • the minimum distances of the advertising board from the boundaries which have to be in accordance with Articles 18D, 18E and 18F of the Road Safety Law N.174/1986 (as applicable).

      (b) top view of the advertising board with dimensions;
      (c) front view of the advertising board with dimensions (height, width, height from the ground/building).

    • If the proposed advertising board will be placed on a building, then the architectural views of the building along with the advertising board must be attached also;
    • Copy of construction plans and calculations signed by the Civil Engineer;
    • Copy of form of supervision signed by the Architect or the Civil Engineer and the applicant;
    • Written confirmation of the Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK) that the person who prepared the plans/calculations is licensed to practice under the Technical Chamber Law.

    On site inspections are carried out, by authorized inspectors of the Municipal/Community Council on the location where the advertising board will be erected.

Indicatively, for the erection of an advertising board structure, in a Municipality, of up to 2 square meters the fees are approximately €68 per year for an illuminated advertisement and €51 per year for a non-illuminated one. For a sign bigger than 10 square meters, the fees are set by the Municipal Council, with a maximum of €3.417 per year.

In parallel, indicatively, for the erection of a private advertisement board in a Community:

  • Of up to 2m2 , for illuminated advertisements, the fee is approximately €34 per year and around €8.5 for every additional m2 bigger than 2m2;
  • Of up to 2m2 , for non illuminated advertisements, the fee is approximately €25.5 per year and around €8.5 for every additional m2 bigger than 2m2;
  • For boards with surface that can be used for both illuminated and not illuminated advertisements, the fee is approximately €85 per year.

The applicant is informed regarding the authorization decision within four months from the date that the application form and supporting documents were duly submitted. Upon approval, the applicant needs to pay the authorization fees, as determined by the local Municipal or Community Council, according to the type of advertising board. The payment method is also determined by the local Municipal or Community Council.

The authorization is valid for one year from the date of issue and is renewed by following the same procedure as described above.

Administrative Action Against a Competent Authority’s Decision

Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative court against a decision, act or omission of any competent authority or body.

Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.

The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action

After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.

Appeal Information

An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such decision was given.

At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated for. However, such revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.

The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.

Persons authorized to erect an advertising board structure within a Municipality or a Community, are obliged to comply with the provisions of the Display of Advertisements (Control) Law (Chapter 50), the relevant Municipal Regulations, the Community Council’s Regulations and the Road Safety Law 174/1986, as periodically amended.

Indicatively, the Road Safety Law specifies the minimum distance an advertising board structure should be erected from the highway, a street of high speed, a round-about or any other public street (inside or outside a resident area), as well as the minimum distance that the advertisements should be from each other.

Moreover, authorized persons are obliged to comply with the terms and conditions of the authorization set by the Municipal or Community Council. Such conditions may relate to the size, type and place on the advertising board.

Authorized inspectors of the local Municipal or Community Council may, at any time, inspect the advertising board structure, for which the authorization has been issued, in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of the relevant Laws and Regulations, as well as with the terms and conditions of the authorization.