Illuminated Signs & LED Neon Signs in Dublin

Dublin City Council is the planning authority. National exemptions apply, with limits:

• Signs on your own business premises can be exempt (Class 1): on the front of the building up to 0.3 m² per metre of frontage and never more than 5 m², fixed no higher than 4 m, letters up to 0.3 m and logos up to 0.6 m.
• Projecting signs over a public road must be at least 2 m above it and project no more than 1 m; max 1.2 m² in total and 0.4 m² per face.
• Window signs and illuminated displays on the glass: up to a quarter of the window area.
• No exemption for works that materially affect an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) or a protected structure – there you need planning permission.
• Advertisement structures over a public road need a Section 254 licence from the council unless they are covered by a planning permission.

Dublin City Council's guidance supports one main fascia sign plus, where previously permitted, one projecting sign at fascia level; high-level signage, plastic fascias and light boxes are not supported, and internally lit projecting box signs have been refused in conservation areas.

Sources: Planning and Development Regulations 2001, Dublin City Council shopfront brochure, as of October 2026. This is not legal advice – the council makes the final decision.

For a planning application or a Section 5 declaration you need drawings or a photomontage with dimensions, materials and lighting. With your free design preview you get:

• your sign shown on a photo of your shopfront
• dimensions, materials and light colour
• which elements light up and which are printed

You or your sign installer submit the application to the council.

• Indoor LED neon signs come with fixings and a plug-in power supply – hang it up and plug it in, step by step in our installation guide.
• Outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs should be connected by a qualified electrician. Dublin has plenty of sign installers who also fit signs made by others.

Tell us where the sign will go and we will tell you what you need for installation.

• LED neon signs – especially indoors and in shop windows
• Back-lit acrylic letters – subtle halo lighting for fascias
• Flat-cut letters – for ACAs and protected structures
• Projecting signs – one at fascia level where permitted

All sign types at a glance

1. Send your logo, sketch or text – ideally with a photo of your shopfront
2. Receive your free digital design preview
3. After your approval, production takes about 2–3 weeks
4. Insured delivery to your address in Dublin

Every sign is dimmable and comes with a remote control and a 24-month warranty. Delivery is duty paid – no import charges when it arrives.

Do I need planning permission for an illuminated sign in Dublin?
Small signs on your own premises can be exempt within the Class 1 limits, but not in Architectural Conservation Areas or on protected structures – and Dublin City Council does not support light boxes or high-level signs.

Do I need a licence for a projecting sign in Dublin?
An advertisement structure over a public road needs a Section 254 licence from the council unless it is covered by a planning permission.

Do you install signs in Dublin?
Indoor LED neon signs come with fixings and a plug-in power supply, so you can hang them yourself. For outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs we recommend a local electrician or sign installer.

Can I see the sign on my shopfront before ordering?
Yes. Send us a photo of your shopfront and we will show you a free design preview with your sign in place.