Who is liable if a signboard falls?
Under section 25H of the Building Control Act, the person responsible for an exterior feature commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, it is not kept securely fixed; the maximum penalty is S$20,000, 12 months' imprisonment, or both. If the feature has fallen and was damaged or in disrepair for reasons other than accident or natural causes, failure is presumed. Defences exist for defects caused by others and for good-faith reliance on a named contractor or managing agent.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Signboards, Advertising Structures and Temporary Structures in Singapore: Licences, PE Endorsement and Safety. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Outdoor signs in Singapore are licensed by BCA under the Building Control (Outdoor Advertising) Regulations, amended from 2 November 2026. A Permit To Use, applied for by a Professional Engineer, is needed before licensing when a sign over 10 m² sits on an advertising structure, or the structure exceeds 10 m² or reaches 4 m high. Owners must keep signs securely fixed.
More questions on this topic
- Do I need a licence for my shop signboard?
- When does a signboard need a Professional Engineer?
- What changed for signs on 2 November 2026?
- Is a signboard an 'exterior feature' under the Building Control Act?
- Does an exhibition booth need PE endorsement?
- Do event tents and stages need a Permit To Use?
- How long can a temporary building stay up?