Поставяне на билборд в София | Адвокатска кантора "KGK"

Every business relies on advertising in order to promote itself and reach its clients, but this turns out to be no easy task - especially in Sofia. Placing an advertisement in the urban environment of the capital requires a balance between marketing goals and architectural aesthetics, which can often come into conflict with each other.

What Types of Advertising Structures Are There?

The regulation in Sofia distinguishes between large advertising structures (billboards) and smaller advertising signs or company inscriptions. And the difference is not only in size - but also in how complex the procedure is.

Billboards on the ground. These are movable objects with an independent structure - sometimes even with a foundation as a base. You see them everywhere along highways and major road arteries. But not on small neighbourhood streets - they are prohibited there. In the area of Sofia's so-called "historic centre", billboards are also not allowed, with one exception - those at public transport stops. Other areas of the city also have restrictions, including regarding the billboard area.

Billboards on building walls. Here there is an important specific feature - the type of wall. It must be entirely blank (without windows), it must not face a street, and the advertisement must not occupy more than 75% of the wall. Be careful: if there is even one window, the wall is no longer considered a "party wall" and advertisements cannot be placed on it.

For smaller advertising elements, such as company signs above offices or shops, the requirements are not so strict. In some cases, a Placement Permit and an architectural design are not even required, which is the general requirement. Examples of this simplified regime are:

advertising signs with an area of up to 0.25 sq. m, located at ground-floor level and parallel to the wall;
company inscriptions on shop windows - regardless of the area.

And What Can You Actually Advertise?

In addition to the rules for the placement itself, the law also imposes restrictions on the content of the advertisement. And for certain products, these restrictions are serious.

Gambling games. Gambling advertising is heavily restricted - you have the right to place it almost nowhere. The exceptions: the window of the casino itself and a billboard, but only if it is at a distance of not less than 300 metres from schools, playgrounds and other sites visited by children.

Cigarettes and tobacco products (including vapes) can almost not be advertised at all. Only the use of their trademark is permitted, or advertising in places where access by persons under the age of 18 is prohibited.

Alcohol - especially spirits - cannot be advertised "directly", but only in a way in which the advertising content does not reach persons under the age of 18.

Specifically for the capital, the Sofia authorities have imposed a ban on advertising in the form of video clips, with flashing lights or even with sound. Only panel rotation (scroll system) is allowed, and only at intervals of not less than 8 seconds. You also cannot dazzle drivers if the advertisement is on a road artery.

Why should you be careful? Because failure to comply with these restrictions is punished severely - sometimes the sanction reaches tens of thousands of euros.

The procedure step by step

The procedure for placing an advertisement is formal, not very complicated, but it has several stages and requires good knowledge of the law.

First step - the neighbours: If the building is under condominium ownership regime, you must obtain the consent of the owners, regardless of the size of the advertising element. The decision is adopted by the General Meeting with a majority of more than 50% of the ideal shares of the common parts of the building. Do not underestimate this step - the Municipality will require the decision when you begin the actual procedure.

Проектът. A design by a qualified architect and engineer is required, including architectural, structural and often electrical parts (for illuminated advertisements). After it is prepared, the design must be approved by the Municipality. The good news - no design is prepared for advertisements for which there is a simplified regime.

Placement Permit. It is issued by the Chief Architect of Sofia Municipality (or the district architect) on the basis of the approved design. The Chief Architect grants the permit only after a decision of the Sofia Municipal Council and coordination with the district mayor. Only after the permit has been issued can you hire a team and place the advertisement. This step also does not apply under the simplified regime for small advertisements.

Cultural heritage. If the building is a cultural monument or is located in a protected area, coordination with the Ministry of Culture is mandatory (through the National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage).

Contracts: If the advertisement is not placed on your own building, you must present a lease agreement.

Commissioning. Within 7 days after installation, you must submit a request for a certificate of commissioning. It certifies the suitability of the placement and the safety of passers-by passing under the advertisement.

And one important clarification in conclusion: the permit is granted only for 5 years. After it expires - you must carry out the same procedure again.

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This article covers only advertising in the city of Sofia. If your business is established elsewhere - do not hesitate to contact KGK Law Firm!