WATCH: Joburg cracks down on illegal outdoor ads, says compliance could lift revenue to R300m annually

By Levy Masiteng 

Johannesburg municipal officials have launched a citywide enforcement drive against illegal outdoor advertising, removing unauthorised banners, billboards and advertising trailers that the city says can obstruct roadways and create safety risks.

The compliance operation, underway this week, has focused on public-facing structures erected without the required approvals, including outward-facing signage on private property, billboards and mobile advertising trailers.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Tshwane building raids uncover converted substations rented as rooms

The city said stricter enforcement of its outdoor advertising rules helped lift revenue from lawful advertising to about R50 million in 2025, up from about R5 million in 2024, but that illegal and non-compliant advertising continued to undermine collections.