In a landmark move to regulate and streamline outdoor advertising in Bengaluru, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has officially notified the Advertisement Bylaws-2024 under the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act. These new rules, announced on July 17, replace the outdated regulations from 2006 and 2018 and are aimed at reducing visual clutter, protecting heritage zones, and enhancing revenue transparency.

🚧 Why the New Bylaws Matter

Bengaluru’s skyline has long been overwhelmed by oversized hoardings, illegal displays, and unregulated flex banners. The new bylaws introduce:

• Strict size and density restrictions
• Zoning-based ad permissions
• Protection for heritage and residential zones
• Penalties for violations
• Sustainability and eco-friendly ad mandates

📏 Limits on Ad Space

BBMP has imposed caps on advertisement space based on road widths:

• 18–24m: 800 sq. ft. max per 200m
• 24–30m: 1,000 sq. ft.
• 30–60m: 1,100 sq. ft.
• Over 60m: 1,200 sq. ft.

Maximum horizontal length per side is 40 ft. Circle areas are capped at 3,000 sq. ft. per 1 lakh sq. ft., with a 120 ft. max horizontal length.

✅ Permitted Formats

• Billboards/hoardings (only on roads 18m wide or more)
• Digital screens (LED/LCD) with minimum 10-second static transitions
• Eco-friendly building wraps, posters, and cloth banners
• 10% of digital screen time reserved for public service content
• No diesel generators; eco-compliance is mandatory

🚫 Ad-Free Zones

BBMP has declared several no-ad zones, including:

• Within 50–100m of temples, lakes, and heritage sites
• On trees, footpaths, flyovers, lakesides
• B-register buildings and buildings without BBMP Khata
• Specific stretches like Kumara Krupa Road, Rai Bhavan Road, Cubbon Park, and Lalbagh

💰 Fee Structure (Per Sq. Ft. Monthly)

• Up to 12m: ₹25
• 12–18m: ₹35
• 18–24m: ₹50
• 24–30m: ₹60
• 30–60m: ₹75
• Over 60m: ₹100
  (Premium/heritage zones: 50% higher charges)

📋 Allotment & Auction Process

• Ad rights auctioned via the Karnataka e-Procurement Portal
• Only licensed advertisers (with ₹5 lakh license) allowed to bid
• Bidders must pay a five-month deposit
• Metro stations, BMTC properties to be auctioned separately

⚖️ Penalties & Enforcement

• Illegal ads face twice the auction penalty rate
• 18% interest on delayed payments
• BBMP empowered to seize property, blacklist offenders, and initiate criminal action
• Six-month grace period for legacy ads to comply

🚐 Mobile & Self-Ads

• Vehicle ads need BBMP approval
• BMTC/Metro vehicles require BBMP-NOC
• Business self-ads on same premises allowed if compliant with size rules

Impact & Industry Insight:
These regulations signal a major step forward in formalizing the OOH ecosystem in Bengaluru. While compliance may pose short-term challenges for advertisers, long-term gains include improved aesthetics, increased accountability, and sustainable practices.

Arnon Media will continue to monitor how the BBMP enforces these norms and how it reshapes the future of outdoor advertising in India’s Silicon Valley.

Source: Times of India | Compiled by Arnon Media – The OOH & Signage News Portal