Factory & facility permits
Signboard Permit and Report Criteria — Outdoor Advertisement Display Permit Targets and 10-Day Processing
To put up outdoor advertisements such as signboards and banners in urban areas and similar places, you obtain a permit from or file a report with the mayor, county head or district head depending on the type and size. A wall signboard requires a permit if one side is 10m or longer, and a report if its area is 5㎡ or more or it is placed on the 4th floor or higher; rooftop signboards, pole signboards 4m or higher, and neon or LED signboards with exposed light sources require a permit. The result is notified within 10 days for a permit and 5 days for a report, or 20 days if deliberation is required.
Procedure
1. Check whether the area requires a permit or report
Target areas include urban areas, cultural heritage protection zones, conservation mountain areas, natural parks, areas visible within 1km from the boundaries of roads, railways and rivers, district unit plan zones and tourist sites. Most dense shopping streets are urban areas, so first check whether a permit or report is required.
2. Distinguish between permit and report
A wall signboard requires a permit if one side is 10m or longer, and a report if its area is 5㎡ or more or it is displayed on the 4th floor or higher. A projecting signboard requires a permit if it is 5m or higher and one face is 1㎡ or more (excluding signs of medical institutions, pharmacies and barber or beauty shops), and a pole signboard requires a permit if 4m or higher and a report if under 4m. Rooftop signboards, neon or LED signboards with exposed light sources and digital advertisements with changing images require a permit, while banners, standing signboards, posters and leaflets require a report.
3. Prepare the application documents
For a permit, attach color photos of the surroundings of the installation site, a color design of the advertisement, and a description and design drawings of its shape, size, materials and structure. If installing on someone else's building or land, submit the owner's or manager's consent, and where set by ordinance, deliberation documents and structural safety confirmation documents. For a report, attach the consent and applicable documents to the report form.
4. Processing and issuance of the permit
The result is notified within 10 days for a permit or change permit and within 5 days for a report or change report. If deliberation by the outdoor advertisement deliberation committee is required, it is within 20 days. If no notice or extension is given within the period, the permit or report is deemed accepted on the following day.
5. Extension of the display period
Within 30 days before or after the end of the display period stated on the permit or report certificate, obtain an extension permit or file a report. If the previous display period was 1 year or more, additionally submit a color photo of the advertisement and the consent (except for advertising one's own business).
Required documents
- Application for outdoor advertisement display permit or report form
- Color photos of the surroundings of the installation site and a color design of the advertisement (permit)
- Description and design drawings of the shape, size, materials and structure (permit)
- Consent of the building or land owner or manager (when installing on someone else's building or land)
- Outdoor advertisement deliberation committee documents (where set by ordinance)
- Structural safety confirmation documents (where set by ordinance)
Fees
Typically several tens of thousands to several hundred thousand won in the industry · We will advise after consultation depending on the number of signboards, whether a permit or report is needed and whether deliberation applies. Government fees are separate.
Legal basis and review date
- Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and Promotion of Outdoor Advertisement Industry, Article 3
- Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and Promotion of Outdoor Advertisement Industry, Article 4
- Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and Promotion of Outdoor Advertisement Industry, Article 5
- Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and Promotion of Outdoor Advertisement Industry, Article 6
- Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and Promotion of Outdoor Advertisement Industry, Article 7
- Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and Promotion of Outdoor Advertisement Industry, Article 10
Check these first
- For buildings above a certain size, the permit or report must follow the signboard display plan submitted by the owner or manager, so check with the building manager first.
- If the signboard is made before checking, it may not meet the size criteria and need to be remade, so order it after confirming the permit or report criteria.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to report when putting up a shop signboard?
Does an LED signboard need a permit?
Do banners require a report?
How many days does a signboard permit take?
Do I have to remove the signboard when the display period ends?
Does an administrative agent handle signboard permits and reports?
Contact us
Hwang Yunsang Administrative Office in Songdo, Incheon prepares and submits administrative documents and explains the procedure. If your situation is similar, send us a message.
📍 2697, 26F POSCO Tower-Songdo, 165 Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea · 📞 010-3374-2687 · 🌐 hwangadmin.com
This guide is general information based on public sources. Requirements, documents and deadlines differ by case and by the competent agency, so please confirm them before you proceed.