Outdoor Signage Permits in Tanzania: What to Confirm Before You Build

An outdoor sign is attached to a building, a plot or a structure that someone else controls, and the permission is part of the project. A sign that is installed without the approvals can be removed, and the cost of the removal is borne by the business that paid for it.

The landlord is the first approval. A lease usually requires consent for alterations, and a sign is an alteration. The consent should be in writing, and it should cover the size, the fixing, the illumination and the insurance.

The local authority is the second. An outdoor advertising or signage permit is issued by the municipality or the district, and the requirements vary by location. The application usually needs a drawing, a site plan, a photograph of the location and the fee.

The structure is the third. A large sign or a billboard may need a structural calculation and a building permit, particularly if it is freestanding or roof-mounted. The engineer's certificate is part of the file.

The electrical connection is the fourth. An illuminated sign needs a supply, a meter and a certificate. The electricity utility and the landlord may both need to approve the connection, and the work should be done by a licensed electrician.

The restrictions are the fifth. A heritage area, an airport approach, a national park or a residential zone may have additional rules. The buyer should check before the design, not after the fabrication.

The maintenance and the removal are the sixth. A permit may have a duration and a condition, and a sign that is no longer permitted has to be removed. The buyer should keep the approval and the renewal dates in the file.