In accordance with the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended, any sign that is erected on lands without the permission of the landowner is considered litter, and will be subject to enforcement action by Westmeath County Council.
It is the policy of Westmeath County Council not to permit any temporary signage on public areas, such as along roadways, roundabouts and footpaths. This would typically include, but not limited to, advertising, promotional or directional signage for businesses, and any signs relating to the sale or rental of property or land.
Any such signage found in public areas shall be removed and each individual sign shall be subject to a €150 litter fine, in accordance with the Litter Pollution Act 1997.
Temporary signs can generally be defined as signs constructed of lightweight materials with a limited life expectancy, such as paper, corri-board, timber or light plastic.
Examples of temporary signs include:
Should a business or commercial entity wish to erect a permanent sign to advertise or provide direction to a business, such signage would require planning permission, and a person/company should contact the planning department for further information.
It is the policy of Westmeath County Council not to allow for temporary signs to be the erected on areas of public land, unless prior consent has been granted by Westmeath County Council.
Public land can be defined as any part of a public road or street including grass verges, footpaths, hard shoulders, lay-bys, roundabout islands, public car-parks, public right of ways or any location that is deemed by the Local Authority to be a public area.
Organisations or persons involved in one-off community or charitable events, may apply to Westmeath County Council for permission to erect advertising signage promoting the event. The types of events referred to equate to those events specified in Part 2, Class 16 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001. The temporary signage permit is a means of informing organisers of the restrictions relating to temporary advertising signage. It is also a means of attempting to put order on the placing of advertising around the county. There is no charge for the application or permission to erect temporary signage.
Temporary Signage Application Form
Any temporary sign to be erected on public property, which does not have permission as outlined above, shall be considered litter in accordance with Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended, and may be subject to a €150 litter fine and removal of the sign by council staff.
Repeat offences may result in the council initiating legal proceedings against a person or company for continuing to erect signage in public areas.
