Kuwait Municipality enforces strict billboard lighting rules as inspectors monitor brightness along busy highways nationwide/Representative Image
Kuwait Municipality has confirmed it is moving to strictly enforce Interior Ministry regulations governing billboard lighting, with a renewed focus on safety along highways and in public areas. The move targets electronic advertisements that exceed permitted brightness levels or fail to meet regulatory standards. Director General of Kuwait Municipality, Eng. Manal Al-Asfour said the Ministry of Interior has laid down clear technical requirements for lighting power and brightness used in electronic advertising. As per the regulations, brightness levels must remain within a defined limit of 0.3 candles per foot in relation to surrounding ambient light, a standard aimed at reducing glare and visual distraction. Al-Asfour said adherence to this requirement will be mandatory for companies and institutions seeking to take part in upcoming advertising tenders across all six governorates, as well as along major highways. As part of the tender process, applicants will be asked to present lighting intensity measurement devices during preliminary meetings to demonstrate compliance before approvals are granted. She explained that the wider advertising framework is designed to prevent harm to the public and minimise disruption to nearby residents. Rooftop advertisements must not pose safety risks or cause disturbances, while facade advertisements are required to be self-illuminated, securely installed, and restricted to the dimensions of the building they are attached to. In industrial, craft, and investment residential areas, ground-floor shop projections are permitted only if they do not block neighbouring views and leave a minimum two-metre pedestrian walkway. Billboards are limited to companies approved by the municipality and must meet additional conditions. These include avoiding lighting that could dazzle drivers, refraining from illegal or misleading content, and ensuring billboard designs do not resemble traffic signs, which could confuse motorists. Al-Asfour added that the Ministry of Health is involved in licensing the content of electronic advertisements. Advertisements issued by ministries, government bodies, and public benefit associations are restricted to educational messages only. Kuwait Municipality said the measures form part of broader efforts to enforce advertising laws while maintaining public safety and order.