Abu Dhabi City Municipality has issued a fresh warning to people against putting up unlicensed adverts and signboards on building facades, bus shelters, light poles and street roundabouts, distorting the appearance of the city.

The warning followed the 84 offences by people and businesses that were caught violating municipal laws, during a crackdown last week.

The unlicensed posters and signboards were taken down from the streets and buildings, and its owners were fined. Officials said signboards have been clustering streets and roundabouts especially in the outskirts of the city which prompted the Abu Dhabi City Municipality to lead fresh clean-up campaigns.

“People should be aware of illegal signs because they pose a threat to traffic safety and spoil the appearance of public areas,” said a municipal official.

Municipality officials said since last year, they have been reminding businesses about the regulations governing the use of public facilities and streets, and the need for official approval before erecting signage.

Municipal customer service centres issue permits for the installation of billboards that adhere to regulations and meet road safety standards, said authorities.

In February this year, Abu Dhabi Municipality reported that fines totaling Dh56,000 were issued to people for posting illegal advertisements around Abu Dhabi.

Officials from Abu Dhabi Municipality, the Department of Economic Development and Abu Dhabi Centre for Waste Management caught 56 people posting adverts in Al Shamkha, Al Shawamekh, Baniyas and Al Wathba. Authorities also issued warnings to 83 people while carrying out an awareness campaign during the same period.

People caught putting up unlicensed advertisements and signboards face a Dh1,000 fine that must be paid within 30 days.