Guide to Applying for Advertising License Signage (BCA ALS) in 2025
What is BCA ALS
BCA ALS is an online portal to go through consultation and application for the license of a new advertising signage, as long as it is placed outdoor and which contains any brand name or information that promotes any goods, services, or messages.
BCA regulates the display and guidelines; ALS is the system portal to submit information and documents for the application.
Who needs to submit BCA ALS
Under Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Advertisement Licensing System (ALS), this guideline calls for certain advertising signage intended for business, informational or advertising purposes have to go through submission and approval prior to putting up the signage.
BCA regulates the display of outdoor signage, such as an lighted or non-lighted advertisement or directional sign, sign billboard, balloon signs or banners. This is to prevent proliferation of unsightly signs which may seem inappropriate in any aspects.
Why do you need to submit BCA ALS
You will need to apply for a licence if you display an outdoor advertising sign. The term “outdoors” refers to:
- Any roofed space that is not fully enclosed on all sides; and
- Facilitates the flow of general pedestrian traffic or is accessible to the public.
However, these signs are exempted from obtaining a license prior to display:
- Single signage or series of related signs with a total area of not more than 5 m2 (Length x Height in meters)
- Signage by religious body, government-aided school, hospitals, clinics, nursing or welfare home or hospice, run by charities, within a hawker centre or food market, or in any underpass such as tunnel or MRT station.
So how do you submit BCA ALS?
Before you apply to BCA for your sign license, do make sure that
- Your proposed advertising signage complies with the relevant sign license guidelines and requirements.
- You have the necessary documents acknowledged and filled with adequate details for their approval.
– Technical drawings (Dimensions, materials, etc.)
– Installation method planning
– 2D / 3D Superimpose designs
– Location and height of signage
– Professional Engineer’s endorsement of structure (if applicable)
Accepted file formats to BCA include .doc, .jpg, .pdf, .txt and .zip.
We will talk about the respective steps on how to apply for the license:
Step 1 - Log in to the Advertisement Licensing System (ALS) with your Singpass
Singpass is a trusted digital personal authentication system that every Singapore resident has to access various services online. Log in to ALS Account (https://eservices.bca.gov.sg/advertisementlicence) using your Singpass, under corporate or individual user.
Step 2 - Submit your proposal for consultation
With your documents required for application, submit under “Consultation”. Create new consultation, and fill in all the relevant information needed.
Documents to be submitted include:
- Consent Letter by Landlord / Building Management / Building Owner / HDB and Town Council
- Declaration Form by applicant to indicate if signage qualified for a one-time 5m2 sign exemption (Form: https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs-corp-regulatory/outdoor-advertising/declaration_form.pdf?sfvrsn=a8dc7e7f_2)
- Relevant government land managing agencies, for display of sign on government lands such as from Land Transport Authority (LTA) or Singapore Land Authority (SLA) (if applicable)
Detailed drawings and images include:
- 3D Superimpose Visuals of the proposal sign with position
- Front elevation plan of the display location with dimensions of signage
- Side section view on the installation method and materials used (Depth, Materials, Dimensions etc.)
- Site plan showing the exact location of where the signage is intended to be placed (on building facade, in front of building, facing road etc.) and its position with other buildings, roads, or landmarks best showing from Google maps.
Step 3 - Wait for BCA’s response
Your application will be subjected to BCA’s approval as they access the application of your documents and drawings. During this time which generally takes 7 to 14 working days, they may have further comments based on your information and you would need to provide more relevant details. It takes an additional 2 weeks if the proposal is to be evaluated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
You will notified most likely through your email on the submission. The email will also state if there should be permit required (Step 4). If BCA has no doubts or concerns, your signage will be approved and you may proceed to the next step.
Step 4 - Apply for a Permit To Use (PTU) (if applicable)
A Permit To Use (PTU) is required prior to the sign license being approved, if your signage falls under any of these categories:
- Advertising signage with an area exceeding 10m2 (Length x Height in meters)
- Advertising structure with an area exceeding 10m2 (Length x Height in meters) or where the uppermost part of the frame/panel/hoarding/structure is 4m and above from the horizontal plan on which the structure stands.
The PTU has to be applied through a Professional Engineer (PE) through the CORENET e-Submission System. We have an in-house PE, and our service includes this PTU submission procedure.
Step 5 - Making payment for application fee
Payment must be made during Formal application before BCA can grant the applicant the licence. During this time, changes are strictly not allowed during formal application. Upon receiving an approval, the applicant must make payment for the license fee. The soft copy licence will be sent by email to the signage applicant after payment verification.
Step 6 - Ready for signage to be put up
Upon BCA’s approval and the license granted for the signage to be put up, only then can we proceed to fabricate and install.
Reasons why we prefer to endorse, submit on behalf, and install as an entire package and procedure for clients:
- To be consistent with the drawings and mounting methods; making sure that what we proposed to BCA will be exactly what we install as the final product.
- To install based on the specifications and fixing methods while keeping standards to the safety regulations, making sure there are no shortcuts or alterations to the proposed and approved signage.
- We have an in-house Professional Engineer we work with to endorse on the signage structures, ensuring from start till end of the safety and standards.
- The licensee or signage owner does not need to stress or be confused over the steps to take, fearing of missing any steps, making wrong submission or providing lack of information, while letting us handle everything properly and accurately.
ALS Submission Checklist
The details required for an ALS submission are:
- Business name
- Registered address
- Signage address
- Signage dimensions
- Signage mock up
- Signage location (displayed on map)
- Signage installation method
- Professional Engineer (PE) Endorsement (specific requirements, i.e. size, location, installation method)
- Endorsement from Landlord on all pages of drawings (signature & stamp from Director)
- Endorsement from Company/Tenant on all pages of drawings (signature & stamp from Director)
- Any other relevant information and approvals from relevant authorities
All of which are mentioned above can be done and closely followed up by our company should you decide to engage us to submit BCA ALS on your behalf.
Upon expiration of your BCA license, we are able to assist in resubmitting the application to BCA for renewal.
As we have all signage information and records from the initial submission, the renewal process will be more efficient and seamless. This ensures compliance continuity and minimizes administrative hassle on your end.
Yes, you may engage another contractor or vendor to renew the signage license.
However, the new contractor will need to resubmit the application with all relevant signage records, drawings, and supporting documents. This process typically takes more time and may be charged at a different rate, as they will not have access to the original submission files.
Summary
In conclusion, advertisement signage do not work like in most countries in the world where any design or message can be put up at every corner of the streets. In Singapore, we abide to the rules and regulations of the Government and Authorities; your proposed advertising sign has to comply with the relevant sign licence guidelines and requirements.
Do you need more details on applying license for your outdoor signage, or not sure if your signage requires to? Our professional team will guide you through every step as we liaise with the BCA Officers, and you do not have to complete any of the process by yourself.
Contact us for more in-depth understanding and as we assist you from step 1 to completion of proposal and submission of BCA ALS, detailed drawing and with PE Endorsement, fabrication of signage and installation.
