A new shop or office in Sharjah usually means a sign above the door and some promotion. A Sharjah signboard permit and any promotional permits are separate from your trade licence. Getting them wrong can mean a rejected application or a fine. The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) publishes the rules for mainland businesses; free zones set their own.
What permits does SEDD issue?
SEDD’s home page lists Commercial Permits Services (six services) for permits tied to commercial activity, such as signage permits, promotional offers and temporary events (SEDD website, read 3 October 2026). Fees depend on the content and the duration chosen. SEDD’s FAQ says monthly and annual fees for promotional permits are calculated by the number of months selected, and that permit duration and extension depend on the permit type.
Who issues the sign: SEDD or the municipality?
Some signboards come from Sharjah City Municipality rather than SEDD. According to SEDD’s FAQ, the source depends on location. The municipality’s External Advertising Section handles signboards above the level of the shop, above buildings and on external columns. If you are unsure, ask both before you order a sign.
What documents does a signboard permit need?
SEDD lists:
- a signboard permit form;
- a trademark registration certificate issued by the Ministry of Economy;
- the signboard design;
- a copy of your valid licence.
If the sign carries another company’s logo or brand, SEDD requires a no-objection letter, a copy of the Ministry of Economy trademark certificate and a copy of the trademark licence from the brand owner. A trademark must appear with the same features as in its certificate.
What design rules does SEDD publish?
| Rule | What SEDD says |
|---|---|
| Name | Must be identical to the trade name on the licence |
| Language proportion | Trade name font size 60% Arabic and 40% English of the signboard’s total area, following the design SEDD approves |
| Height | No more than four feet; allowed if consistent with neighbouring signs in the same or nearby buildings and suited to the building |
| Coverage | Should cover the entire shop frontage |
| Prohibited content | Logos with religious symbols or country flags; anything against Islamic law and values, customs, public morals or regulation |
| Neighbours | Damaging or encroaching on nearby shops’ signs is forbidden |
| Contractor | The company making the sign must hold a Sharjah-issued licence |
| Calligraphy | The design goes to a SEDD-approved calligrapher, and the application is submitted through the e-service |
SEDD’s help section links to a list of approved calligraphers. Because the sign name must match your licence, settle your trade name first; see how to start a business in Sharjah. If you later change the name or add activities, amend the licence with SEDD and then update the sign.
Go deeper: read renting an office or shop in Sharjah. Plain-English steps, with dates.
What fines apply to signs and promotions?
SEDD’s violations page (Arabic, read 3 October 2026, undated; amounts are our translation) lists these items.
| Situation | Fine listed (AED) |
|---|---|
| No signboard | 2,000 |
| Signboard name differs from the approved trade name | 1,000 |
| Stationery that does not match the approved trade name | 2,000 |
| Misspelling on the signboard | 2,000 |
| Signboard projecting beyond the permitted line | 2,000 |
| Encroaching on a neighbouring shop’s sign | 2,000 |
| Extra sign, logo or panel without a permit | 1,000 |
| Signboard licence expired | 500 |
| Sale, discount or promotional campaign without a permit | 5,000 |
| Handing out promotional flyers without a permit | 2,000 |
Before you rely on this: The violations page does not cite the decision that set these amounts or give a date. Confirm current amounts with SEDD. See also Sharjah trade licence fine.
What do you need to run a promotion or offer?
For campaigns and promotional offers, SEDD’s FAQ lists:
- a campaign request in Arabic;
- advertising materials in Arabic;
- a copy of the establishment’s valid licence;
- approvals of other relevant parties, depending on the permit type.
In practice, do not print flyers or hang a “sale” banner until the permit is approved.
Which other advertising approvals might apply?
- Media and advertising activities. The UAE government portal lists the National Media Council among the bodies whose approval is needed for activities such as publishing, printing, advertising, video film and photography (u.ae, updated 16 July 2026).
- Individual advertiser permit. The National Media Authority offers a permit for individuals who publish advertising or media content on social media, websites or other digital platforms, paid or unpaid. It lists a digital ID, passport, personal photo and a commercial licence as requirements, and states the permit is free for the first three years and AED 1,000 after that, with a 3-working-day service time (National Media Authority, read 3 October 2026). Whether you need it depends on whether you promote third parties; confirm with the authority.
- Property marketing. Sharjah Executive Council Decision No. 37 of 2024 on the Regulation of Real Estate Development Projects in the Emirate of Sharjah, Art. 22 (as amended), requires owners, developers and licensed real estate offices to obtain written approval from the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD) before advertising the marketing or sale of property in any medium (Sharjah Official Gazette, Arabic; issued 22 October 2024, in force 1 May 2025; Art. 33 repealed the earlier 2018 developer-sales resolution). Show any permit number and date as SRERD requires on the approval you receive. Do not treat older fine amounts published under the earlier 2018 developer-sales resolution as current. If your business is a real estate agency, SEDD signage is one layer among several. How to check a Sharjah trade licence covers the property-specific points.
What is the practical sequence for a new shop?
- Confirm the trade name and licence.
- Register the trademark with the Ministry of Economy if your sign will carry a logo.
- Check the landlord’s rules on facade and signage, and check with the municipality if the sign sits above shop level; see renting an office or shop in Sharjah.
- Hire a Sharjah-licensed sign maker and an approved calligrapher.
- Submit the permit through the e-service with your documents.
- Apply for promotional permits before your opening campaign.
Frequently asked questions
Does a free zone company need a SEDD signboard permit?
SEDD licenses mainland businesses. A free zone company should check its own authority’s rules and, for premises outside the zone, the municipality’s.
Must the sign be in Arabic?
SEDD’s rule gives the trade name 60% Arabic and 40% English of the sign’s area. Follow the approved design.
Can I put my brand logo on the sign?
Yes, if it is a registered trademark shown as in the Ministry of Economy certificate. Other companies’ logos need their owners’ consent and documents.
Do online ads need a permit?
It depends on who is advertising what. The National Media Authority’s individual permit and the property-advertising rules are examples; confirm with the relevant authority.
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the relevant authority (such as SEDD, FTA or SRERD) or a licensed adviser before you act. Last checked: 5 October 2026.
Next step: compare premises before you commit.