Regulated by law, outdoor advertising is subject to the environmental code. In order to protect the environment and living space, the environmental code ensures that advertising panels comply with a certain number of standards before granting them installation authorization.
What do you need to know about the environmental code?
Under the term environmental code, we must remember all the rules and principles relating to the protection of the environment. In France for example, this code includes 7 books subdivided into titles, chapters, sections, etc.
Through this code, fundamental principles are published for better use of natural environments. In Book V of the code, the question of protecting the living environment of individuals is addressed. In this title, our attention is focused on chapter 1 of title VIII. This part discusses the provisions relating to advertising installations.
What are the general provisions relating to advertising installations?
Intended to promote a service or product to customers, the advertising installation is subject to certain rules. Indeed, with the intention of avoiding uncontrolled urbanization and ensuring road safety, the State and the Ministry of Urban Planning have published standards.
Generally speaking, the installation of an advertising sign is subject to a prior declaration addressed to the mayor or prefect by the operator of the sign. Failure to comply with this procedure may expose the operator of the medium to administrative or criminal sanctions.
Before any explanation on the procedure to follow for the installation of an advertising medium, it is good to establish the difference between a sign and a pre-sign. Unlike the sign which refers to any inscription (shape, image) affixed to a place to indicate the activity carried out there, the pre-sign, for its part, refers to an inscription indicating the proximity of a place where an activity is carried out.
Next to the sign or pre-sign, the existence of exterior advertising screens should be noted.
What must be remembered is that depending on the characteristics of the advertising medium, installation provisions are published by the environmental code. These provisions also take into account the number of inhabitants of the installation area.
Very often, we find ourselves faced with two types of advertising media. On one side, there are luminous advertising media and on the other, non-illuminated media. The environmental code provides for specific provisions for each of these types of support.
What are the standards for installing an advertising screen?
An advertising installation can be presented in different forms. One of the things required by the environmental code from the operators of these brands is that they are in good condition and subject to a minimum of maintenance monitoring. They must also ensure that they do not hinder traffic and road safety.
For example, for the fixed exterior screen (discover models here), it is recommended to install it parallel to the wall which supports it, taking into account the height of the facade of the building on which you want to install it. Governed by the same standards as signs, the affixing of any fixed exterior screen is subject to a prior authorization request and must comply with the standards published by the environmental code.
NB: For more information, consult Title VIII of Book V of the French Environmental Code.