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FAQ – Advertising Structure

 

  1. What is an advertising structure?

     

    Any structure or apparatus, whether mechanical, electrical, electronic or in any form, intended only for the display of advertisement is an advertising structure.

     

  2. Which display of advertisement is not considered to be an advertising structure?

     

    The following structures are not considered as advertising structures:

      1. Advertisement on a road vehicle which is not mainly used for advertising purposes.
      2. A structure within 100 feet of a building or site, otherwise than on or over a road, which –
        • merely discloses the name or nature of the business carried out on the site; or
        • merely discloses the name of the owner or manager of the business.
      3. An advertising structure inside a building relating solely to goods and services supplied in connection with the business carried on in that building;
      4. An advertisement at the entrance of the premises, otherwise than on or over a road, which relates solely to a recreation, entertainment, meeting or sale which is available or is being held on the land.

     

  3. What should a person wishing to set up an advertising structure do?

     

    Before erecting or display of the structure, he should, depending on the place where the structure is to be set up, seek the written permission of the Road Development Authority or Local Authority as applicable.

     

  4. When should the permission of the Road Development Authority be sought?

     

    When the advertising structure is visible from the following motorways and main roads:-

    1. Motorways:
      • M1 - Port Louis and Plaisance Dual Coverage
      • M2 - Port Louis-Pamplemousses Dual Coverage
    2. Main roads:
      • A1 to A13
      • B1 to B119

     

  5. Which Local Authority should be contacted for a permission to erect an Advertising Structure?

     

    For an advertising structure visible from an urban or a rural road or any other place other than motorways and main roads, the permission should be sought from the Municipal Council or District Council within the boundary of which falls the place where the advertising structure is to be set up.

     

  6. What should the owner of the advertising structure do after having obtained permission from the Road Development Authority or relevant Local Authority?

     

    He should, not later than 14 days from the date the permission is granted, call at the MRA to register the advertising structure. He should also, within one month of date the permission is granted, effect payment of the applicable advertising structure fee.

     

  7. What fees are payable?

     

    The fee is based on the size of the advertising structure and is as follows:

    Size Fee (Rs.)
    Not exceeding 12m2 30,000
    Exceeding 12m2 but not exceeding 24m2 40,000

    Exceeding 24m2 but not exceeding 33m2

    		 50,000
    Exceeding 33m2 but not exceeding 36m2 60,000
    Exceeding 36m2 70,000

     

  8. When should the fee be paid?

     

    The fee is payable every year by 31 January at latest and a vignette would be issued by MRA in respect of each structure.

     

  9. What penalty is applicable when the fee is paid late?

     

    Where the owner fails to pay the fee on the last day on which it is payable, he shall be liable to pay a penalty of 5% of the fee and interest at the rate of 1% per month or part of the month on any amount of the fee unpaid up to date of payment.

     

  10. What should be done with the vignette?

     

    After effecting payment of the fee, the MRA will deliver to the owner a vignette. The vignette should be affixed on the bottom right hand side on the advertising structure within 5 working days from the date of issue.

     

  11. What should an owner do if he wants to bring alterations to an advertising structure?

     

    He should notify the Road Development Authority or Local Authority which had granted the permission and the MRA of his intention to bring alterations to the advertising structure.

     

  12. What would happen to the fee when the structure is altered?

     

    The fee shall be adjusted to reflect the fee payable based on the size.

     
  13. What should an owner do if he intends to remove an advertising structure?

     

    He should, at least 15 days before the date of the removal, give written notice to the Road Development Authority or the Local Authority, as the case may be, and to the Director-General of MRA. He should also, after removal of the structure give notice to the aforesaid authorities that the structure has been removed.

     

  14. What happens where a person fails to comply with the above obligations?

     

    The Advertising Regulations Act provides that any owner who fails to -

    • affix the vignette;
    • register his advertising structure; or
    • give written notice to the Road Development Authority or relevant Local Authority as the case may be and the Director-General of MRA of any alteration or removal of an advertising structure

    shall commit an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding Rs. 50,000.