Roscommon County Council recognises the value of advertising signs. However advertising signs can be a litter problem along our roadsides. These can be very unsightly, can detract from the countryside, and can have road safety implications.

Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997(As Amended) prohibits the erection of signs on certain structures which are visible from a public place, unless the permission of the owner or occupier is given in advance and in writing or exempted under any other enactment. Structures for the purpose of this legislation include any land, door, gate, window, tree, pole or post.

To control advertising signs on public roads a Policy on Advertising Signs has been adopted and is now in force. Part of this policy requires that temporary signs on public land in respect of charity, sporting or cultural events may require a Temporary Sign Permit.

WHAT IS TEMPORARY SIGNAGE?

Temporary signs can be defined as signs erected on flimsy or mobile structures and made of materials with a limited life expectancy, such as paper, corriboard, timber or light plastic.

Examples of temporary signs include:

• Small advertisement signs (including all fixings)
• Election Posters
• Sandwich board signs or other similar signs
• Billboard type signs
• Signs mounted on trailers
• Signs mounted on motorised vehicles
• Cars for sale
• Auctioneers signs / for sale signs
• Variable Message Signs

It is County policy that NO SIGN (unless exempted development) may be erected on public land without the consent of Roscommon County Council, i.e. prior consent can be obtained only be the granting of a licence or Temporary Sign Permit. 

Erection of these signs should not breach the Roads Act 1993 and should not cause a hazard to road users. Thus, it is Council policy that prior to erecting any such sign in a public place a Temporary Sign Permit should be obtained.

WHAT ADVERTISEMENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT?

Temporary signs that may be considered for a Temporary Sign Permit on public land include Class 16, 16(a), 17 and 18 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (As Amended), outlined as follows:

• Class 16 - This includes any local event of a religious, cultural, educational, political, social, recreational or sporting character not being an event promoted or carried out for commercial purposes.
• Class 16a - This including any advertisements other than advertisements specified in Class 16 of this part of this schedule, announcing any local event promoted or carried out for commercial purposes.
• Class 17 - Advertisements relating to the visit of any travelling circus, funfair, carnival, show, musicians, players or other travelling entertainment.
• Class 18 - Advertisements relating to any demonstrations of agriculture methods or processes on the land on which the advertisement is exhibited.

HOW MUCH DOES A TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT COST?

A bond of €150 applied applies to the issuing of a Temporary Sign Permit. The bond is returnable if all temporary signs are removed on time.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY SIGNS PERMIT?

Temporary Sign Permits are issued by the Environment Department of Roscommon County Council.

Applications should be made 4 weeks in advance of your event.

1. Complete the attached application form detailing all relevant information in relation to the event and proposed signage. The completed application form along with a €150 bond must be sent to Roscommon County Council Environment Department.
2. A Temporary Sign Permit must be issued before any sign is erected.
3. A temporary sign may not be erected for more than 7 days before the event is due to take place.
4. A temporary sign will be removed no more than 5 days after the conclusion of the event.

Failure to comply with above application process and permit conditions will result in the signage being removed by Roscommon County Council staff and litter fines being issued.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I ERECT A SIGN IN BREACH OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT?

The person, company or business responsible for erecting signs that breach conditions of the permit shall be issued with an on-the-spot fine of €150 and shall be requested to remove the sign within 7 days. Forfeiture of the bond monies of €150 will also apply. Failure to comply with this request will result in further fines being issued. All signs on public roads/public places will be removed, unless a valid licence exists for the sign or a temporary sign permit has been obtained from the Roscommon County Council.

CAN I ERECT TEMPORARY COMMERCIAL SIGNAGE?

The following temporary signs on public lands must have a licence under Section 254 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 (As Amended):

• Commercial Sales Advertising
• Auctioneers Signs

Should a business or commercial entity wish to erect a temporary sign for the above purposes they should contact the Planning Department for further information.

Your fully complete Temporary Sign Permit application form can be returned by email to environment@roscommoncoco.ie or post to:

Roscommon County Council

Environment Department

Aras An Chontae

Roscommon