KSAMC collects $5 million under Signage Regularisation Campaign

The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has reported that $5 million has been collected under its Signage Regularisation Campaign.

In his address during the KSAMC’s monthly meeting on March 10, Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, noted that as of March 5, invoices totalling approximately $34.5 million had been issued under the campaign.

“Of that amount, approximately $5 million has been collected, of which $34 million represents arrears. While this represents some level of response, it also indicates that a number of entities still have outstanding obligations that need to be addressed before the campaign comes to a close,” he said.

Swaby explained that the initiative was designed to provide a fair and structured opportunity for businesses and other entities with publicly visible signage to regularise their status, settle outstanding arrears, and bring their signage into compliance before enforcement activities are intensified.

He added that, alongside ongoing sensitisation efforts, the KSAMC has assembled an enforcement team comprising the City Inspector as well as representatives from the Building and Town Planning Departments and Legal Services.

“This team will examine and coordinate the enforcement options available to the Corporation. We will be engaging the Heads of the Area Four and Area Five police and the divisional police leadership across Kingston and St Andrew to support a structured enforcement approach where necessary,” the Mayor further stated.

Noting that the campaign concludes on March 31, Swaby encouraged all operators to take the necessary steps now to regularise their standards while the concession under the initiative remains available.

Since the campaign’s launch in January, the Corporation has undertaken extensive sensitisation and outreach efforts across Kingston and St Andrew.

Additionally, Swaby noted that the KSAMC has formally written to the Permanent Secretaries of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, reminding them of their responsibility for signage management and unveiling under their administration.

“Permanent Secretaries, I remind you that all signage must be approved, outstanding fees settled within the concession period and designated officers assigned to liaise with the KSAMC. Compliance is essential to enforce planning regulations and support audit development. Permanent Secretaries are accountable for ensuring their Ministries meet these obligations,” he maintained.

The mayor also encouraged members of the public to stay informed through the KSAMC’s social media platforms, the corporation’s website, or by contacting the Compliance Unit for guidance on the regularisation process.

Pointing out that the campaign’s conclusion does not mark the end of signage regulation, Swaby emphasised: “Signage fees remain payable annually and compliance will continue to be enforced.”

“What this campaign offers is a defined window for regularisation, which closes on March 31. We therefore urge all affected entities to act now… settle their outstanding obligations and avoid enforcement actions later,” he emphasised.

The display of advertising signs is regulated by law under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulations, 1978, and the Kingston and S Andrew Building Act, 2018.

Approval and payment for signage are statutory requirements, and compliance is mandatory for all entities with publicly displayed signs.

This applies to all forms of public signage, with every entity required to adhere to the relevant regulatory framework.

- JIS News

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