Municipality targets illegal and random advertisements across the country
Kuwait Municipality has intensified efforts to curb random and unlicensed advertisements that distort public spaces and damage the visual appearance of the country’s infrastructure.
The municipality said it is addressing two main categories of violations: unlicensed commercial advertisements and unauthorized promotional notices for social events such as weddings and graduation ceremonies.
Kuwait Municipality’s Director of Public Relations and official spokesperson Mohammed Al-Sundan said the authority does not treat such cases as simple violations, but as encroachments on state property and public facilities.
He explained that inspection teams are currently carrying out round-the-clock campaigns to monitor illegal advertisements, remove them immediately, and take legal action against offenders.
Al-Sundan said dozens of posters and banners have already been removed across various governorates as part of ongoing efforts to reduce visual pollution and prevent obstruction of public roads.
He added that the campaigns also aim to protect residents from misleading commercial practices while ensuring traffic safety and preserving the appearance of public spaces.
The municipality confirmed close coordination with the Ministry of Interior, the General Traffic Department, and the Public Authority for Civil Information to track and remove illegal advertisements placed on lampposts, sidewalks, and other public facilities.
Complaints can be submitted through the “Baladia” app, electronic messaging systems, and dedicated WhatsApp channels, with field teams responding and removing violations within 48 hours.
Al-Sundan said financial penalties for violations have been strengthened, reaching up to 5,000 dinars for unlicensed commercial advertisements and KD 500 for event-related advertisements.
He also noted that inspection teams are conducting daily monitoring of markets and commercial outlets to ensure advertising compliance and validity of licenses.
Under Law No. 33/2016, inspectors are empowered to enter sites, issue violations, and remove illegal advertisements immediately at the expense of offenders, in addition to imposing fines and withdrawing licenses where necessary,reports Al-Rai daily.
Municipal authorities emphasized that tackling the issue also requires public awareness, as responding to unverified advertisements poses both security and safety risks.
Officials said efforts are also underway to track violators through billboard numbering systems in coordination with relevant government bodies, as part of a broader strategy to eliminate “chaos traders” and restore order to public advertising.
