Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has initiated a comprehensive campaign to address the growing problem of unregulated signage throughout the municipality. Mayor Andrew Swaby emphasizes that while signage serves as vital communication for businesses and organizations, uncontrolled proliferation has created visual pollution, compromised public safety, and diminished the area’s distinctive character.
The three-month regularization initiative, running from January to March 2026, offers temporary concessions on outstanding fees while providing entities with a structured opportunity to comply with existing regulations. This awareness-first approach recognizes that many operators were previously unaware of legal requirements, particularly those operating within commercial complexes who mistakenly believed private property signage was exempt from regulation.
All publicly visible signage—including store signs, awnings, banners, billboards, and building-mounted displays—falls under the jurisdiction of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulation (1978) and the Kingston and St. Andrew Building Act (2018). Compliance requires formal approval from KSAMC before installation, ensuring signage doesn’t obstruct sightlines, interfere with traffic visibility, or negatively impact residential areas.
The campaign specifically addresses common misconceptions, clarifying that directory signs remain property owners’ responsibility while individual businesses must still seek approval for their signage. The municipal corporation has engaged in direct outreach with both private entities and government agencies, including communications with permanent secretaries to ensure ministries and departments comply with the same standards.
Beyond aesthetic concerns, improperly placed signage creates genuine safety hazards by distracting drivers, obstructing visibility, and creating dangerous conditions for pedestrians. The regularization effort represents KSAMC’s broader vision for a modern, orderly urban environment where commercial activity thrives without compromising public safety or visual harmony.
The corporation maintains that this concession period doesn’t constitute an amnesty nor guarantee approval for non-compliant signage. Rather, it provides a practical reset opportunity for assessment and correction before intensified enforcement actions potentially lead to removal of unlawful displays. KSAMC compliance teams are currently conducting field engagements to clarify processes and address questions while planning quarterly consultations with advertising agencies for improved future coordination.
Signage regulation remains an ongoing requirement with annual fees payable beyond the campaign period. Mayor Swaby encourages all entities with publicly visible signage to utilize this opportunity to settle outstanding obligations and contribute to shaping a safer, more visually balanced Kingston and St. Andrew.