People don't usually talk about the rules for billboards ads until something goes wrong. I've seen brands make great ads and get the best spots, but then they had to wait weeks because they didn't have a permit. Most marketers don't think that the rules for outdoor media will be stricter and more localized in 2026. Yes, you can put up good billboard advertising Indonesia, but only if you know how the law really works in real life.

How Billboard Regulations Work in Indonesia (2026 Overview)

The government in Indonesia controls outdoor media at the national, provincial, and city levels. This means that the rules in Jakarta might not be the same as those in Surabaya or Bali. Most of the time, you will have to deal with:

• Local government permits, which you can usually get from the planning department of your city
• Signing up for the Pajak Reklame tax on ads
• Getting permission to put things on the side of the road or on the highway
• Makes sure that buildings are safe and follow the rules

The main point is easy to understand: the government wants to make sure that billboards are safe, pay the right amount of taxes, and follow the rules for city planning. But in real life, it can feel like the process is difficult.

Key Permits You’ll Need Before Installation

1. Izin Reklame (Advertising Permit)

This is the most important thing you must do by law. Your billboard ads is still illegal without the owner's permission, even if they let you use the space. The permit usually has:

• The size and shape of the sign
• How long it will be up
• The exact place to put it
• Type (digital, static, banner billboard, or LED)

In our experience, this is where most campaign timelines fail. Every city has a different processing time, and if you don't send in all the papers, your application will be reset.

2. Local Tax Registration

Every billboard advertising Indonesia that is outside has to pay a regional advertising tax. Prices are different in different cities and depend on how easy it is to see the ad. For example, a billboard on a busy highway will usually cost more in taxes than one in the suburbs.

Brands sometimes forget about this when they make their budgets, which means they have to deal with costs that go up unexpectedly during the campaign.

3. Structural and Safety Compliance

Authorities want to make sure that billboards are safe and don't block traffic. This includes engineering checks, which are especially important for big installations.

People often look at how well the billboard can handle wind, how bright the light is, and how high it is when it's up before they buy it.

Location Matters More Than You Think

There are some places on the road where billboards ads aren't allowed. You can't go to some places because of:

• Close to government-owned buildings
• Places to keep culture and history alive
• How to stay safe on the highway
• Guidelines for where to put signs for businesses

For instance, putting billboard ads near bridges or intersections might need more space because they could distract drivers. We've seen campaigns get forced down because the structure was too close to road signs.

Digital vs Static Billboard Rules

Digital billboards are becoming more popular quickly, but they are also getting more attention. Authorities care more about how bright things are, how fast animations move, and how often creative people change. Static formats, like putting up banner billboard, usually have fewer technical restrictions, but they still need permits and have to pay taxes.

You should be ready to fill out more forms and wait longer for approval if your campaign has LED displays.

Common Mistakes Brands Make

Even marketing teams that have been around for a while have to follow the rules. I've seen these mistakes happen more than once:

• Thinking that all cities have the same national laws
• Not figuring out how much local tax you'll have to pay in your budget
• Putting up creative things before the final permit is given
• Picking places that look nice but you can't go to
• Not renewing permits for long-term placements

These aren't major errors, but they might push back launches or cost you a lot of money to print again.

Real Scenario: A Delayed Highway Billboard

A store brand once wanted to put up billboards on highways all over the country. The creatives were finished, the media slots were set up, and the installation began.

After two weeks, some units had to be removed. Why? Local governments in one province said they didn't have the papers they needed to give the structure the go-ahead. The highway billboard started again, but only after more inspections and new permits were given out.

The lesson made it clear that regulatory alignment should happen before production, not after.

How to Stay Compliant Without Slowing Campaigns

Making a list ahead of time is the best way to do it. From what I've seen, teams that plan their media and get their permits at the same time don't usually have to deal with last-minute surprises.

This is what a simple workflow looks like:

1. Check that each place can be zoned
2. Get permission to put ads up in every city
3. Figure out how much you owe in local advertising tax
4. Get permission for the safety of the building
5. Don't put it in until you have full permission

It sounds like a long process, but if you miss even one step, things can get behind.

How to Measure Results and Compliance Success

Following the law means more than just not getting fined. It has a direct effect on how well the campaign does. To see if your billboards ads in Indonesia are working, do this:

• The time it takes to get permission and the time it takes to start the campaign
• How many placements were rejected or changed
• How close the taxes are to the first estimates of the budget
• How long the display stays on without going out
• The number of people who see traffic in approved high-visibility areas

When everything is in order, campaigns usually go well and get a lot of attention without any surprise takedowns. A lot of people don't realize how important it is to be consistent.

Why Pick Firstboard

It can be hard to keep up with all the rules in different cities, especially for brands that run campaigns in more than one city. Firstboard steps in here to make what is usually a complicated process easier. The workflow is easier to follow and more centralized, so media owners, local governments, and tax offices don't have to work together separately.

From what we've seen in real campaigns, checking locations early on saves the most time. The team checks to see if the area is zoned for the event and if permits are possible before making any reservations. That alone stops expensive changes at the last minute.

This is how the process usually goes more smoothly:

• Checking billboard locations against local rules before they go up
• Taking care of permit paperwork in different cities
• Making sure that advertising taxes are the same in every area
• Making sure that the structure and safety are up to code before installation
• Keeping an eye on active placements to avoid surprise removals

The outcome is not just quicker approvals. There are fewer surprises during the campaign period. And to be honest, that's what most marketing teams care about once budgets and launch dates are set. We make sure your placements are legally secure first, then optimized for reach.

A Lot of People Ask These Questions

Are the rules for sign ads different in different places?
Yes, each city's government makes the rules, so each city has its own rules. A pass that works in one place might not work in another. If labels want to run ads in more than one city, they should make separate plans and files for each city.

How long does it take to get a good sign?
It can take a long time to get approval, depending on the city and how full the papers are. It usually takes between two and six weeks. Digital versions may take longer because they need more technical checks. It's very important to apply early so that the work doesn't get put off.

Are the rules for highway billboard different from those for signs in the city?
Yes, most of the time. There are strict rules about where signs can go on freeways because people are worried about safety on the road. Before saying it's safe, officials usually check how stable the building is, how far away it is from traffic signs, and how easy it is to see.

What will happen if you put up a banner billboard without getting the right permissions?
The police can take down things that aren't allowed, and the people who put them up could even get a ticket. Sometimes, advertisers have to pay their taxes right away. It costs money and can also make it take longer to make plans and work to promote the brand.