BBMP notifies new Bye-Law: Outdoor advertisements now allowed on roads wider than 18 meters

Bengaluru

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has officially notified the BBMP Advertisement Bye-Laws, 2024, making it mandatory that outdoor advertisements—other than self-signage—are permitted only on roads that are wider than 18 meters. 

This threshold marks a clear boundary for advertisers and puts an end to the unregulated display of hoardings, banners, and digital ads on Bengaluru’s narrow and residential streets. The new rules are applicable throughout the Greater Bengaluru area under the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, and aim to bring transparency, order, and accountability to the city’s advertisement landscape, said a senior BBMP official. 

The regulations further specify maximum permissible advertisement area per 200 meters of road length, with stricter horizontal limits and minimum spacing requirements between hoardings. On wider roads, especially those over 60 meters, up to 1,200 square feet of paid advertisement per 200 meters is allowed, provided the total horizontal length per side does not exceed 40 feet. The Chief Commissioner may designate certain high-density commercial zones as “Business Roads,” where these limits apply every 100 meters instead, allowing for slightly higher ad density in select zones. All permissions are subject to public auctions or tenders via the Karnataka government’s e-procurement portal, with bidding open only to BBMP-licensed or registered advertisers.

A significant component of the bye-laws is the licensing system. Only those registered with BBMP are eligible to participate in the advertisement rights auctions. Winning bidders must pay an interest-free security deposit equivalent to five months’ advertisement fees, of which 10% is to be paid immediately upon declaration of the successful bid. These licenses will govern advertisement rights over specific road stretches, circles, or zones, and violations will attract severe penalties, including blacklisting and license cancellation.

The bye-laws provide exhaustive definitions and regulations covering all advertisement formats, including billboards, LED displays, LCD panels, building wraps, mobile displays, banners, and posters. Digital advertisements must adhere to illumination rules and display images with a minimum interval of 10 seconds. Diesel generators for lighting are prohibited due to pollution concerns. QR codes, license numbers, and agency names are to be displayed on every advertisement for verification.

There are strong restrictions on location and content. No advertisements are allowed within 50 meters of religious sites, or within heritage zones, water bodies, national parks, and ecologically sensitive areas. BBMP has also introduced a “negative list” of ad content, banning promotions involving nudity, alcohol, tobacco, caste or racial bias, drugs, violence, or anything that undermines public morality. Wall paintings, advertisements on trees or animals, and projections over footpaths are explicitly prohibited.

Violations of these bye-laws carry heavy penalties. Unauthorized ads will be charged at double the standard rate. Properties without BBMP Khata hosting such ads will be penalised further and face immediate removal without notice. Advertisers defaulting on payments will face 18% annual interest, recovery through property seizure, and potential criminal prosecution under relevant laws. In cases of persistent violation, the advertiser’s license will be suspended or cancelled, and they may be barred from future participation.

The BBMP also plans to transition to a fully online single-window advertisement licensing and approval system. A newly constituted Advertisement Regulatory Committee—comprising top officials from the Urban Development Department, BBMP, Bengaluru Police, BESCOM, and industry representatives—will handle appeals, monitor enforcement, and ensure compliance.

With these reforms, BBMP seeks to curb visual clutter, improve civic aesthetics, prevent tax leakage, and ensure the orderly growth of Bengaluru’s booming advertisement sector.

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