A Full Guide To DBKL Signboard License Requirements

A DBKL signboard license serves as proof that sign displayed above the outside of a business’s premise complies with council guidelines, making it essential for almost every business in Kuala Lumpur.

As DBKL’s official premise signboard guide is only available in Malay and Kuala Lumpur is home to many who are more proficient in English, we thought we’d translate the document and add our own insight!

Here’s how we’ve broken it down:

• how signboard permits are part of a composite license application
• what a ‘premise signboard’ is to DBKL
• types of signboards
• supporting documents
• DBKL signboard guidelines
• license fee structure, and
• DBKL’s stance on Mandarin on signboards

If you’d prefer DBKL’s Bahasa Melayu guide anyway, here you go!

Otherwise, let’s begin.

The DBKL composite license

As a rule, DBKL requires both signboard and premise licenses to be secured together under a DBKL composite license application.

After all, businesses that need a premise signboard will also have a premise, so getting both licensed together simplifies the overall process.

A DBKL signboard license therefore relies on the business also meeting premise requirements since if those aren’t met, the overall composite license application will likely be rejected.

How DBKL defines a premise signboard

We thought to include this because DBKL actually has several categories of signboards, each with their own requirements and separate license:

• temporary displays
• outdoor advertisements
• lamp post ads (AKA eyesores)
• banners
• balloons, and of course
• premise signboards

Our guide exclusively refers to premise signboards placed directly outside a business’ premise, the most common of which is the familiar rectangle-shaped sign known as a horizontal signboard.

Here’s our favourite example – the closer yours is to this, the better.

However, even within the category of premise signboards, DBKL recognises other types, including:

• vertical signboards
• hanging signboards
• lollipop signboards, and
• large signboards

We’ll include examples of the other signboard types throughout the guide.

Required documents

Pretty standard list here, and you should have most of the documents already:

• one copy of company / business registration (Form 9 and 49 or Form D
• business and owner information
• one copy of the applicant’s identification card
• approval from Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka for signboard design and text
• one coloured visual example with the size of each word
• one copy of your DBKL business premise license (if applicable)
• coloured photographs showing the installation location
• letter of consent from the building owner (if applicable)
• copy of medical practice certificate for clinic advertisements

Readers who already have a design ready and want to handle their own DBP application can refer to our guide to Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka signboard approvals.

Premise signboard requirements

DBKL’s premise signboard requirements can be separated into four main categories:

1. Language
2. Location
3. Content
4. Miscellaneous  

Language

• visuals must prioritise Bahasa Malaysia in terms of word size, color, and position
• Bahasa Malaysia must be at top left or center of the sign, away from other languages
• the Bahasa Malaysia on the sign must be confirmed by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka

Location

• signs must follow ‘beam’ size and not cover windows, mirrors, or building façades
• freestanding signs must be placed at least five (5) feet from drains or road reserves
• hanging signs are not allowed on pedestrian walkways
• double-sided vertical signs have a maximum height of seven (7) feet and width of three (3) feet, and are only allowed on the first floor of the premises
• premises on the fourth floor and below with horizontal signs exceeding 40 feet in length and four (4) feet in width require Public Liability Insurance
• premises on the fourth floor and above with horizontal signs exceeding 40 feet in length and four (4) feet in width require Public Liability Insurance and a certified structural plan from a registered engineer

Content

• no alcohol, cigarettes, offensive imagery, or inappropriate behavior
• business operating hours cannot be displayed on the signage
• the license approval reference number must be displayed at the bottom left of the sign
• the company name and number must be displayed at the bottom right of the sign

Miscellaneous

• for clinics, applicants must submit the property owner’s approval letter, business license, and medical practice certification
• any visual changes during the license validity period must also be approved by the Licensing Department
• temporary banner structures are not allowed as permanent signage
• advertising medicine must be approved by the Ministry of Health
• the license fee must be paid within 30 days of the approval letter being issued
• license must be displayed on the premises at all times

License fees & validity

The premise signboard license fee is calculated on a month-to-month basis, with any part of a month considered as one full month and depending on the size and type of your signboard, expect the license to cost RM200 – 400 annually.

As part of a composite license, DBKL signboard licenses are typically valid for one year per issuance and can be renewed via their eLesen portal.

Yes, DBKL allows Mandarin on signboards!

DBKL issues fines for signboards that do not comply with regulations all the time and for various reasons.

However, when fines are issued due to the use of Mandarin on signboards, it often sparks accusations of discrimination against Chinese businesses, which we firmly believe is misinformed.

As DBKL has clarified, and based on our own experience dealing with them, Mandarin text is completely fine as long as a Malay translation is more prominently displayed. A quick look at the business fined below will show you their signboards did not include any Malay at all.

Before saying this confirms discrimination, the same rule applies to English, Tamil, or any other language used by businesses. In fact, this rule applies across Malaysia and all Local Councils, not just DBKL.

The only exception is for well-known brand names in other languages, which is why some established foreign brands may appear on signboards without translation.

However, if a sign includes Chinese slogans or general descriptions, it must be accompanied by a Malay translation approved by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

You can even see that DBKL follows its own rules, just look at their official signage at Petaling Street which features three different languages with Malay being the most prominent.

That’s all from us, and we wish you a smooth signboard license application process!

Let MISHU handle your DBKL license application

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