Advertising consent rules apply to shopfronts in Exeter. What applies to your sign can sometimes surprise business owners. The key is to know in advance what affects your design for a new sign.
What Deemed Consent Covers
Some types of signs can be put up without a formal application for advertising consent under deemed consent. For example a flat fascia sign (such as a rectangular panel fixed to the front of a shop wall) that does not project from the wall more than 1m and is not illuminated. However, it must be on a premises in a commercial area (as opposed to a residential area), and not in a conservation area.
Conservation Areas Change the Rules
While many shops are based in Commercial Areas within the City of Exeter, there are areas within the City centre that fall within a Conservation Area. Here sign restrictions are far stricter. For example, a non-illuminated flat fascia sign would be considered for deemed consent, but an illuminated sign, a projecting sign or a sign of over 0.3m2 would require Advertisement Consent via a formal application to Exeter City Council.
When You Need a Formal Application
When an ad consent application is submitted to a local authority as a formal application the shop owner will be required to provide drawings of the proposed sign together with photographs of the existing frontage. Additionally the owner will be required to detail the proposed sign lighting if there are to be any external lighting units attached to the sign post etc. On average this application will take around 8 weeks to process. A useful reference for Sign Makers Exeter is https://exeter.nettl.com/signs.
The Consequences of Going Ahead Without Consent
Displaying unconsented signs can result in an enforcement notice requiring their removal at the shop owner’s expense. Information on what requires advertisement consent, and the relevant enforcement or appeal procedure can be found on the Planning Portal’s website.
Ask a Sign Maker Early
A shopfront sign designer can help design signs around the conditions imposed by your local authorities when displayed on your shop front and also can help with drawings if required by local planning authorities.
It’s so much easier to understand what you can and can’t do with a shopfront sign to be aware of the advertising consent rules from the outset!
