License / Permit / Service Description

• Professional MBPJ Advertisement License Application and Signboard Compliance Coordination Services for companies, retail businesses, restaurants, offices, commercial buildings, industrial premises and advertising operators in Petaling Jaya. We assist with new advertisement licence applications, premises signboard applications, additional advertisements, design amendments, advertisement renewals, temporary advertisements and outdoor advertising enquiries. MBPJ provides online application services for new external and temporary advertisement licences, including banners and buntings, as well as applications for additional advertisements. Our services include business and premises information review, advertisement classification, signboard dimension verification, visual compliance assessment, DBP language verification coordination, supporting document preparation and application follow-up.

Related Departments / Regulatory Bodies ​

• Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ)
• MBPJ Licensing Department
• MBPJ Trade and Advertisement Licensing Unit
• MBPJ eLesen System
• MBPJ Building Control Department, where applicable
• MBPJ Engineering Department, where applicable
• MBPJ Planning and Development Department, where applicable
• MBPJ Enforcement Department
• MBPJ One Stop Centre (OSC), where applicable
• Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)
• Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)
• Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA), where applicable
• Public Works Department (JKR), where applicable
• Relevant road or land authority
• Building owner or landlord
• Building management, Joint Management Body (JMB) or Management Corporation (MC)
• Registered architects or professional engineers, where technical certification is required
• Advertising installation contractors
• Other relevant technical and regulatory authorities
  

License Name ( Bahasa Malayu )

• Permohonan Lesen Iklan MBPJ
  

Application Scenarios & Business Necessity

• A company intends to install a new business signboard.
• A retail shop requires an advertisement licence for its storefront.
• A restaurant plans to install an illuminated signboard.
• A café operator needs to display its business name on the building facade.
• A company wants to replace an existing signboard.
• A business has changed its registered trading name.
• A shop owner intends to change the signboard logo.
• A company wishes to modify the advertisement wording.
• A business needs DBP language verification for its signboard.
• A tenant requires approval from the building owner before installing signage.
• A shopping mall tenant needs to coordinate signage requirements with management.
• A business wants to install an additional side signboard.
• A showroom operator requires a large commercial signboard.
• An office operator wishes to install a building identification sign.
• A company plans to install 3D lettering.
• A business intends to install a projecting signboard.
• A company wants to install a digital or LED advertisement.
• An advertising operator proposes a large outdoor billboard.
• A business intends to display temporary promotional banners.
• A company needs a permit for bunting advertisements.
• A retailer wants to advertise a seasonal sales promotion.
• An event organiser requires temporary advertisement approval.
• A company wants to renew its existing advertisement licence.
• A business needs to check whether its signboard dimensions comply with MBPJ requirements.
• A shop owner requires clarification about the mandatory Malay business activity description.
• A company needs to ensure the correct SSM details appear on its advertisement visual.
• A business has received an instruction to amend its signboard design.
• A company has received an MBPJ notice regarding an unlicensed advertisement.
• A business needs to coordinate advertisement approval with a new business licence.
• A company intends to apply for additional advertising displays at the same premises.
• A business requires assistance preparing a colour signboard illustration.
• A signboard contractor needs clarification about the approved installation location.
• A company requires technical approval enquiries for a structurally supported signboard.
• A business wants to verify whether a previously approved visual can be reused.
• A client requires assistance following up on an eLesen advertisement application.

Important Rules & Compliance Standards

• Advertisement displays within MBPJ's jurisdiction must comply with the applicable advertisement licensing requirements.
• MBPJ provides separate guidance for premises signboards, external advertisements and temporary advertisements.
• Relevant composite premises and advertisement licence applications must be submitted online through eLesen. 
• Municipal Council of Petaling Jaya
• Applicants must provide accurate business and premises information.
• The signboard must correspond to the business activity and the premises concerned.
• Signboard visuals must be submitted in the format required by MBPJ.
• MBPJ's published visual guidelines require coloured signboard illustrations with dimensions; its general guidance refers to A4-sized illustrations and measurements in square metres. 
• Municipal Council of Petaling Jaya
• The proposed business activity must be stated in Bahasa Melayu.
• MBPJ's October 2024 composite licence guide requires the Bahasa Melayu wording to be given priority, with the relevant Malay lettering 30% larger than wording in other languages.
• Malay wording must use appropriate spelling and grammar.
• Registered company names, business names or trademarks containing non-Malay words may be treated differently from ordinary descriptive wording, subject to the applicable rules.
• The advertisement illustration must undergo DBP language verification where required.
• The October 2024 MBPJ guide identifies the DBP online language verification channel as dbpsahbahasa.my.
• DBP verification does not constitute MBPJ advertisement licence approval.
• The MBPJ composite guide requires the company name and SSM registration number to be shown at the lower right of the signboard illustration.
• The guide also specifies an MBPJ licence account and approval-year marking at the lower left.
• The actual licence account details must be updated following issuance of the relevant licence.
• Hand-drawn or black-and-white advertisement illustrations are not accepted under the October 2024 composite guide.
• Advertisements containing inappropriate or offensive content are prohibited under applicable MBPJ requirements.
• The October 2024 composite guide expressly disallows alcohol advertisements and indecent advertisements in the relevant premises signboard application context. 
• Municipal Council of Petaling Jaya
• Signboard dimensions must be accurately declared.
• The approved advertisement location must correspond to the actual installation location.
• Signboards must not obstruct public roads, pedestrian access, fire exits or essential building facilities.
• Building owner or management consent must be obtained where required.
• Additional structural or building approvals may be necessary for large or specialised advertisements.
• Signboard structures must be safe and properly installed.
• Electrical and illuminated advertisements must comply with applicable safety requirements.
• Temporary advertisements must comply with the approved locations and display periods.
• Banners and buntings must not be installed in prohibited areas.
• Any additional advertisement must be declared and approved according to the relevant procedure.
• Changes to approved wording, dimensions, design or installation location may require a fresh application or amendment.
• Licence holders must comply with the approved validity period and renewal requirements.
• Official fees and deposits must be paid according to the applicable category.
• Submission of an application does not automatically authorise installation or display.
• Approval remains subject to MBPJ and other relevant technical authorities.
  

Compound & Legal Penalties

• Displaying an advertisement without the required MBPJ licence or permit may result in enforcement action under applicable advertisement by-laws.
• Installing a signboard before obtaining the necessary approval may expose the applicant to enforcement action.
• Displaying an advertisement at an unauthorised location may constitute a licensing violation.
• Failure to comply with approved signboard dimensions may breach the licence conditions.
• Unauthorised changes to the approved advertisement design may require rectification and could result in enforcement action.
• Displaying advertisements that breach applicable language requirements may result in rejection, rectification notices or other action.
• Failure to comply with applicable DBP language verification requirements may delay or prevent approval.
• Installing banners or buntings in prohibited areas may result in removal or other enforcement action.
• Displaying temporary advertisements beyond their permitted period may constitute a violation.
• Unauthorised advertising structures may be subject to building or structural enforcement measures.
• Unsafe or poorly maintained signboards may result in directions for repair, removal or other lawful action.
• Advertisements obstructing public access, road visibility or emergency routes may attract enforcement action.
• Providing false information or forged documents may result in application rejection and potential legal consequences.
• Failure to comply with lawful MBPJ notices may result in further enforcement action.
• MBPJ may exercise lawful powers to remove unauthorised advertisement materials where applicable.
• Depending on the relevant law, penalties may include compounds, prosecution, fines or removal-related costs.
• The actual compound or fine depends on the specific offence and applicable legal provisions.
• No single universal MBPJ Advertisement License compound rate applies to all violations.
• Payment of a compound does not automatically legalise an unapproved advertisement.
• Obtaining DBP verification does not remove the need for the applicable MBPJ licence.
• Submission of a licence application does not automatically suspend existing enforcement proceedings.
• This service does not include payment of compounds, fines, removal costs, signboard rectification or legal representation unless separately agreed.

Frequently Asked Question