As of September 2024, the official Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) guide on premise signboard licenses is only available in Bahasa Melayu.
If you’re comfortable reading Malay documents, go head and read their guide directly.
However, as Petaling Jaya is home to many overseas entrepreneurs, we thought we’d translate the guide into English!
Why do such a nice thing?
Because we’re nice people (who want you to engage us to apply for said license 😀)
Here’s how we’ll break it down:
- The most important thing you need to know
- Required documents and attachments
- Technical signboard requirements, and
- License fees
Let’s begin.
You need to have an MBPJ premise license
If this is your first time dealing with MBPJ license applications, MBPJ premise signboard licenses cannot be applied for separately without a premise license.
This means you have two options:
- Submit your signboard license application together with one for a premise license (known as a DBKL composite license application).
- You already have an existing premise with a valid license.
Required documents and attachments
As applications for signboard and premise license must be made together, we’ve put together a list of required documents and attachments for both.
Documents
- Copy of MyKad / copy of passport
- Copy of important pages of rental agreement / sale and purchase agreement
- Business/company registration certificate from SSM
- Information about the business owner/director from SSM
Attachments
- Signboard illustration
- Images of where the signboard will be placed
- A map of the premise location
- Floor plan sketch with measurements
- Coloured photos showing activities inside the premises
- Coloured photos showing exterior of the premises along with neighboring premises
Note: Visuals must receive Malay language validation from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
Technical signboard requirements
Remember how we said we’re super nice?
For your convenience, we’ve sorted MBPJ’s signboard requirements into three categories:
- Language
- Location
- Content
Language
- The premises activities must be clearly stated in legible colours in the national language.
- Bahasa Malaysia must be used either alone or alongside other languages.
- The Malay text must be 30% larger than other languages, prioritised in placement, and used with correct grammar.
- As mentioned above, the advertisement illustration must receive spelling verification from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
Note: Registered firms, companies, associations, or trademarks containing non-Malay words are exempt from translation into the national language.
On premise locations / measurements
- Company name and SSM number must be displayed in the bottom right corner.
- MBPJ/Account Number/Year of Approval must be written at the bottom left corner.
- Premise signboards can only be placed on walls and beams.
- No flashing lights on signboards.
- Windows cannot be covered at all.
- Protrusions beyond the shop lot boundaries are allowed up to:
- 600 mm with a height of at least 2.75 meters from the ground.
- 1200 mm with a height of at least 5.00 meters from the ground.
- Approval for structural permits must be obtained from the MBPJ Building Control Department if the advertisement structure extends to the building roof.
Content
- Hand sketches or black-and-white prints are not accepted.
- Controversial, offensive, or alcohol-related advertisements are prohibited.
License fees
MBPJ recognises two types of premise signboards:
- Conventional rectangular signboards
- Logos without frames
Here are the fees for both types.
Conventional rectangular signboards
These are the standard signboards used by most shops, and the illuminated versus non-illuminated refers to whether the signboard has any LED fixtures that make it light up at night.
| Type | Size | Annual Fee |
| Non-illuminated | a) Does not exceed eight square meters | RM 100.00 |
| b) Additional per square meter or part thereof | RM 10.00 | |
| Illuminated | a) Does not exceed eight square meters | RM 150.00 |
| b) Additional per square meter or part thereof | RM 15.00 |
Logos placed rectangular signboards
Think of logos and letters displayed on walls, fences, or roofs without a frame, like the Starbucks logo.
| Type | Size | Annual Fee |
| Non-illuminated | c) Does not exceed eight square meters | RM 200.00 |
| d) Additional per square meter or part thereof | RM 20.00 | |
| Illuminated Advertisement | c) Does not exceed eight square meters | RM 150.00 |
| d) Additional per square meter or part thereof | RM 15.00 |
All the best with your application, and if you need assistance, we’re always here!