City teams remove unauthorised billboards, warn businesses to obtain approvals
Johannesburg authorities have stepped up enforcement against unauthorised outdoor advertising, taking down several high-profile billboards and telling companies they must follow municipal bylaws and planning requirements if they want to advertise in the city.
In a statement released on 28 July 2026, the Joburg Property Company said an enforcement team was deployed to act against what it described as illegal advertising structures and unlawful connections to municipal infrastructure. The company said the campaign formed part of routine bylaw enforcement exercises targeting unauthorised advertising across Johannesburg.
- Removed sites included an FNB billboard on the N1 and a GWM Haval H6 advertisement along Malibongwe Drive, the company said.
- The statement also referenced prior removals of adverts for brands such as Coca‑Cola, Netflix, Fanta and RocoMamas during recent crackdowns.
- Businesses were urged to consult the City of Johannesburg Development Planning Department for regulatory and compliance assistance.
“You can’t build a brand on a foundation of non‑compliance,” the Joburg Property Company said in its statement.
The company reiterated that outdoor advertising structures must comply with applicable bylaws and planning requirements. It added that regularly verifying lease agreements is important to protect investments and to contribute to a safe, well‑managed urban environment.
According to the statement, businesses are among the primary offenders when it comes to unauthorised billboards in the city. The Joburg Property Company warned that the city remains committed to enforcing municipal regulations to protect public infrastructure and maintain safety for all Johannesburg residents.
History of enforcement and municipal stance
The crackdown is not new. The City of Johannesburg has tightened its Outdoor Advertising and Billboards bylaws over the past decade and classifies illegal outdoor advertising alongside other serious offences in terms of enforcement priority, the Joburg Property Company noted.
The company encouraged advertisers to secure the necessary council approvals before erecting outdoor advertising structures and to ensure any leases and connections are authorised. It said enforcement actions include removal of structures and disconnection of unlawful links to municipal services where found.
| Advertiser | Location (as reported) |
|---|---|
| FNB | N1 highway |
| GWM (Haval H6) | Malibongwe Drive |
| Coca‑Cola | Not specified |
| Netflix | Not specified |
| Fanta | Not specified |
| RocoMamas | Not specified |
| WeBuyCars, Checkers | Not specified |
What this means for residents and advertisers
For Johannesburg motorists and residents, the enforcement drive aims to reduce visual clutter, remove potentially unsafe structures adjacent to roadways and protect municipal infrastructure from unauthorised connections. For advertisers and property owners, it signals that informal or irregular arrangements will not be tolerated and that the council will act when bylaws are breached.
Officials advised companies and landlords to:
- Confirm that any lease agreement for outdoor advertising sites is lawful and up to date.
- Seek planning and bylaw approvals from the City of Johannesburg Development Planning Department prior to installation.
- Ensure that there are no unauthorised connections to municipal services linked to advertising structures.
The Joburg Property Company’s continued enforcement follows several months of similar actions, reflecting the city’s longer‑term policy to manage outdoor advertising through clearer regulation and active compliance checks.
Residents who notice unauthorised advertising structures or suspect unlawful connections to municipal infrastructure can contact the City of Johannesburg for guidance on reporting and follow‑up. The enforcement programme is designed to be visible and recurring, the company said, as officials seek to protect both public assets and road users across Egoli.
