There are no permits for inflatable billboards in Malta even though these seem to be the latest billboard innovation and have been seen in public areas during the past weeks, The Malta Independent has confirmed.

An inflatable billboard situated at Birkirkara Road, St Julian’s, which advertises billboard space, has no permit or pending permit application, a spokesperson for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) confirmed. An onsite inspection was carried out and since no permit was traced, enforcement action ECF 249/13, was initiated.

The billboard was erected in the middle of a roundabout and affixed to a culvert, a telephone box and an electricity pole. It was removed two hours after the story was published on this website.

Mepa explained that as with other applications for different forms of advertisement, inflatable billboards require a planning permit.

Applications for billboards are assessed against the Policy and Design Guidance for Billboards and Signs, 2006 (a policy currently under review).  Billboards are not permitted in the open countryside or Outside Development Zones, with the exception of some sites on arterial and distributor roads. 

Applications for billboards could be considered in shopping or business districts, in urban and industrial areas and in mixed areas where residential development is interspersed with shops or commercial uses. Applications should follow the general procedure, as with any other development application. 

Issue of land ownership is addressed in Section 15 of the Application Form for Development.  In addition, a permit for a billboard on third party property or public land, does not replace the need to obtain consent of the land/building owner prior to the start of approved works.

Minimum application submission requirements include clearance from Transport Malta, site photos, site plan and block plan clearly indicating orientation of proposed billboard.
Details of the proposed billboard and details of the proposed display movement (if any) and details of the light source and type (if any), should also be provided, Mepa said..