In the United Kingdom the majority of forms of outdoor advertising such as the display of billboards is controlled by the UK Town and County Planning structure. At present the display of an advertisement without permission from the Planning Authority is a illegal offense liable to a fine of £2500 per offence. All of the major outdoor billboard companies in the UK have persuasion of this nature.

Obviously, a lot of advertisers view governmental control or even self-regulation as interference of their freedom of speech or a necessary evil.

In a number of countries (New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and a lot of European countries) the advertising industry controls a system of self-regulation. Advertisers, advertising agencies and the media choose a code of advertising standards that they effort to uphold. The general objective of such codes is to make sure that any advertising is ‘legal, moral, honest and truthful’. Some self-regulatory associations are funded by the sphere, but remain severing, with the intent of keeping the standards or codes.

Such cities as São Paulo have introduced an absolute ban with the UK capital also having certain legislation to control unlawful displays.