Election Posters, Advertising Compliance & Billboards

by GPMA · Published 31st March 2026 · Updated 27th April 2026

Samuel Maluleka (City of Johannesburg – Development Planning / Advertising Bylaw) presented to the GPMA JHB Chapter meeting on the rules, responsibilities, and enforcement challenges around:

Election posters and voter registration posters
Commercial and non-commercial posters
Static billboards and electronic billboards

(City of Johannesburg – Advertising By‑law, 2009)

1. IDENTIFY THE ADVERTISING TYPE

✅ Election or voter registration poster
✅ Non‑commercial event poster
✅ Commercial poster
✅ Real estate (“For Sale / On Show”) board
✅ Static billboard
✅ Electronic billboard

Different rules apply to each category. Identify first before acting.

2. POSTERS (INCLUDING ELECTION & VOTER REGISTRATION)

✅ PERMITTED IF ALL APPLY:

Fixed only to electricity poles
No adhesive material used
Minimum height: 2.1 m above ground
Clearance:
- 2 m from streetlight luminaires
- 20 m from traffic‑controlled intersections
Not on:
❌ Freeways, on‑ramps, off‑ramps, bridges, railings, trees, walls
Maximum size: 900 mm × 600 mm

⏱️ TIME LIMITS

Election / voter registration posters:
- Erected max. 14 days before proclamation
- Removed within 5 days after election / registration ends
Other events:
- Displayed max. 10 days
Absolute maximum:
- No poster may remain longer than 28 days

💰 FEES (FOR CITY / NOT CID COLLECTION)

Application fee per poster (unless formally waived for elections)
Removal fee charged if City removes non‑compliant posters
⚠️ Waivers apply only if Council‑approved (IEC / parties via City)

3. COMMON NON‑COMPLIANCE (REPORT / ESCALATE)

❌ Posters too low on poles
❌ Too many posters clustered on one pole
❌ Posters up too early or left up after elections
❌ Stickers presented as “approval” (⚠️ stickers ≠ approval)
❌ Posters advertising events more than:

10 days away (general), or
14 days away (elections)

4. REAL ESTATE (“FOR SALE / ON SHOW”) BOARDS

✅ ALLOWED ONLY:

On the property being marketed
On pavement / fence of that specific property
Time‑limited:
- Friday from 12:00 → Sunday late afternoon only

❌ NOT ALLOWED:

At intersections
On poles, road reserves, sidewalks away from the property
Left up after weekend period

5. BILLBOARDS & ELECTRONIC BILLBOARDS

✅ LEGAL ONLY IF ALL EXIST:

Formal approval letter signed by
Executive Director: Development Planning
If on public land:
- Lease agreement with JPC AND
- Wayleave (JRA or Gauteng Roads & Transport)
Engineering sign‑off & public liability insurance

⚠️ Acknowledgement letters, applications, leases alone ≠ approval

🚫 AUTOMATICALLY ILLEGAL IF:

On residentially zoned property
Adjacent to residential or agricultural zoned land
Erected overnight without approvals
Excessive illumination causing safety risk (even if approved)

6. WHAT CIDs SHOULD NOT DO

❌ Authorise posters or billboards
❌ Remove billboards without City instruction
❌ Enforce selectively (risk of bias allegations)
❌ Accept or act on “stickers”, letters, or claims without verification

7. WHAT CIDs SHOULD DO

✅ Monitor daily for non‑compliance
✅ Photograph & log location, date, type of infringement
✅ Escalate to City Advertising Enforcement / JMPD
✅ Coordinate removals only where formally authorised
✅ Apply rules consistently across all parties

8. ESCALATION & VERIFICATION

📧 Use City contact details shared at JHB Chapter meeting
👮 JMPD can assist with verification and enforcement
📄 Always request the formal approval letter