If you want to advertise on scaffolding or a facade in Switzerland, you will almost always need a permit. But which authority is responsible, and which conditions apply, is not regulated uniformly across the country. Alongside federal law, cantonal and municipal rules play a major role.

This article gives a general overview. It is not legal advice, and the rules can change. With Hyde Media you do not have to deal with it yourself anyway: we handle the permit process for scaffolding and facade advertising.

The framework: federal law

At federal level, the key texts are the Road Traffic Act (SVG) and the Road Signals Ordinance (SSV). Their focus is road safety.

  • Road Traffic Act (Art. 6 SVG): on roads open to motor vehicles or bicycles, advertising is prohibited if it could be confused with signals or markings, or could otherwise impair road safety, for example by distracting road users.
  • Road Signals Ordinance (SSV): it regulates roadside advertising in detail. Under the SSV, putting up or changing roadside advertising generally requires a permit from the authority responsible under cantonal law (Art. 99 SSV). Cantons can provide for exceptions.

Roadside advertising here means advertising within drivers' field of view. A large banner at a junction typically falls under it.

Cantons and municipalities: who is responsible?

Cantonal law determines which authority grants the permit, and the solutions differ considerably. Some examples:

  • In the canton of Lucerne, the cantonal government has delegated responsibility for advertising permits to the municipalities.
  • In the canton of St. Gallen, the cantonal police are responsible for advertising on national and cantonal roads.
  • In other cantons, municipalities or building authorities decide as part of the building permit process.

On top of that come rules on townscape and landscape protection, heritage conservation and zoning. An advertisement may therefore be unproblematic in traffic terms and still be refused, or approved only with conditions, for townscape reasons.

Example: Basel-Stadt

In Basel-Stadt, advertising is handled within the building permit process. Applications go to the Building and Hospitality Inspectorate (Bau- und Gastgewerbeinspektorat, BGI). Within the city, design is assessed by the Townscape Commission (Stadtbildkommission). In Riehen and Bettingen, the local townscape commissions take on this role.

The Townscape Commission assesses advertising applications on the basis of the canton's advertising concept (Reklamekonzept). The criteria depend on the location: historic parts of the city call for more restraint than others, and residential areas more than commercial ones.

Content conditions

A permit can also include conditions on content. An example from our own portfolio: for the scaffolding surface at Riehenring 141 in Basel, the city has granted a permit. Alcohol advertising, political advertising and pornographic content are excluded there.

So check early whether your visual fits the conditions of the chosen site. We tell you about them for every site.

What this means for your planning

Allow time

The permit process takes time, and the duration varies by authority and application. For sites that already have a permit, this step largely falls away. From booking to banner shows what a realistic timeline looks like.

Think about the design

Because road safety is a central criterion, visuals should not resemble traffic signals, for example through similar shapes or colours near traffic lights. A clear, calm design is also the better choice in terms of impact.

Use a partner

For advertisers, permits are rarely the core business. Hyde Media handles the application, coordination with the authorities, and print, installation and removal.

Sources

The information in this article is based on publicly available sources, including the federal Road Traffic Act (SVG, SR 741.01) and Road Signals Ordinance (SSV, SR 741.21), the canton of Lucerne's guidelines on advertising installations, the St. Gallen cantonal police's information on roadside advertising, and the canton of Basel-Stadt's information on the building permit process for advertising and the Townscape Commission's advertising concept. The current legal text and the practice of the responsible authority are always decisive.

FAQ

Does scaffolding advertising in Switzerland need a permit?

Almost always. Under the Road Signals Ordinance, roadside advertising generally requires a permit from the authority responsible under cantonal law. Cantonal and municipal rules come on top.

Who is responsible for advertising permits in Basel?

In Basel-Stadt, applications go to the Building and Hospitality Inspectorate. Within the city, the Townscape Commission assesses the design on the basis of the advertising concept.

Do I have to deal with the permit myself?

No. Hyde Media handles the permit process for scaffolding and facade advertising.

Is there content that is not allowed?

That depends on the permit. At Riehenring 141 in Basel, for example, alcohol advertising, political advertising and pornographic content are excluded.

Want to know what applies to your campaign? Contact us and we will find out for you.