Home / Business and Economy / Bombay HC Backs Civic Bodies on Hoarding Licence Fees
Bombay HC Backs Civic Bodies on Hoarding Licence Fees
11 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Civic bodies can regulate and levy fees for sky-signs and hoardings.
- High Court dismissed petitions challenging municipal corporations' fee decisions.
- Fees fixed are not considered excessive, arbitrary, or unreasonable.
The Bombay High Court has ruled that civic bodies possess the power to regulate and charge licence fees for sky-signs, hoardings, and billboards. This decision came while dismissing petitions that contested the municipal corporations' authority to levy such fees for granting or renewing licences.
The court emphasized that regulating urban skylines is crucial, and without such control, installations would be subject to unfettered discretion, leading to chaotic situations. The bench found no infirmity in the municipal corporations' decisions, noting that the fixed rates were not excessive or arbitrary.
The High Court highlighted that sky-signs and hoardings play a significant role in city landscapes, making decisions regarding their regulation a matter of public interest. The ruling acknowledged the transformation of these installations into complex electronic screens, necessitating modern regulatory approaches and robust safety mandates.
