The Ruler of Dubai has issued a decree aimed at tackling messy and untidy public advertisements.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday passed regulations ensuring anyone advertising a company or service must obtain a permit. The permit will outline how large the advert can be as well as where and how long it can be displayed.
The decree aims to "preserve the visual appearance and beauty of the city and ensure advertisements harmonise with the design of buildings," a statement from Dubai Media Office said.
Adverts cannot be placed on historic buildings, places of worship, graveyards, traffic lights and signs, government buildings, trees, residential buildings and any other restricted areas — unless otherwise authorised in the permit.
Authorities responsible for issuing permits include Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, Department of Economic Development, the authority managing a private development zone, the authority managing a free zone, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Maritime City Authority — depending on where the advert will be placed.
The municipality will draw up a set of guidelines that must be adhered to by advertisers. Once the permit expires, advertisers must remove their advertisement and "restore the location to its original state."
Those who do not adhere to the specifications outlined in their permit face fines and penalties — the extent of which these were not disclosed on Tuesday.
