KINGSTON, Jamaica—Municipal authorities in Kingston are preparing to implement stringent enforcement measures against non-compliant business signage after a voluntary regularization campaign yielded minimal participation. The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) announced it will transition to Phase Two of its signage compliance initiative beginning April 1, following disappointing results from its incentive-based approach.
Initiated in January 2026, the campaign initially offered businesses a 20 percent discount to encourage voluntary adherence to municipal signage regulations. Despite comprehensive outreach efforts and stakeholder engagement, only 16 percent of businesses have complied with the requirements, prompting authorities to adopt a more assertive enforcement strategy.
Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby recently convened a strategic meeting with senior officials from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Areas 4 and 5 to coordinate enforcement capabilities. The collaboration aims to ensure consistent application of signage regulations across the Corporate Area while maintaining public order during compliance operations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Michael Phipps, Head of Area 4, pledged full operational support to the municipal corporation, stating: ‘The KSAMC is a very significant stakeholder, and as such, the KSAMC has our full support in ensuring that their duties are carried out in a safe and peaceful manner.’
Mayor Swaby emphasized the transitional nature of the campaign, noting: ‘This campaign has always been about partnership and progress. We provided ample opportunity for voluntary compliance through incentives and public education. As we now move into enforcement starting April 1, our goal is to ensure fairness, order, and a level playing field for all businesses.’
During the initial phase, KSAMC engaged extensively with various stakeholders, including business operators, umbrella organizations such as the Small Business Association of Jamaica and the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), and the general public through targeted radio advertisements and awareness initiatives.
The forthcoming enforcement phase will involve intensified monitoring, systematic inspections, and corrective actions against non-compliant entities. Municipal authorities are urging remaining business operators to promptly regularize their signage before the enforcement measures take effect.