Outdoor advertising refers to forms of advertising where the advertising medium is located in a public space.

According to the building regulations of the state of Saxony-Anhalt, a building permit is not required for advertising installations, among other things, if they require approval under road or traffic law. It is therefore necessary to check whether the advertising system is a structural installation that may be subject to restrictions under road traffic or road law. Only if these requirements are not met would approval under building regulations come into question. The aim of the respective legal requirements is different. Road traffic law is directly concerned with the protection of traffic. The road construction regulations serve the special need to protect the road in its function as a traffic route. The provisions of the state building code regulate land use issues and technical construction requirements for the facility. It is necessary that all concerns are taken into account.

The party responsible for road construction must make the road available to the public as a traffic route in a suitable condition. This also depends on the structural conditions in the neighboring area of the road. Among other things, any (intentional) distraction of flowing traffic by structures, in particular advertising, on neighboring properties has a disruptive effect. It must be checked whether the intended advertising is to be installed inside or outside a through road in the course of a district, state or federal road. Within such thoroughfares, it is again important to differentiate between development or linking areas of a thoroughfare due to different legal requirements. Structures outside the parts of the local thoroughfares along the federal, state or district roads intended for the development of the adjacent properties (development area) at a distance of up to 40 meters require the approval of the responsible road construction authority specified below.

Last but not least, it may also be important to note that an advertising installation may also fall under the regulations for special use, for which a special use permit must be issued.