Here is a reminder for people wondering if they are allowed to put this item up outside their house
The government is encouraging people to fly flags, but there are some little-known rules(Image: Getty Images)
This little-known law could see Brits slapped with a fine of up to £2,500 if caught with this item on their house.
The UK Government has eased restrictions on flying flags, including the Union Jack and the national flags of England, Wales, Ireland and indeed any other country, reports The Express.
Even county flags, such as those of Yorkshire, are encouraged to be flown more frequently as part of the Government’s initiative.
The guidelines for rooftop flag displays are fairly lenient. The government permits certain flags to be flown from rooftops of any size, provided they meet specific criteria.
Government guidance says all flags must:
Flags can be flown, but there are some exceptions(Image: Getty Images)be maintained in a condition that does not impair the overall visual appearance of the sitebe kept in a safe conditionhave the permission of the owner of the site on which they are displayed (this includes the Highway Authority if the sign is to be placed on highway land)not obscure, or hinder the interpretation of official road, rail, waterway or aircraft signs, or otherwise make hazardous the use of these types of transportbe removed carefully where so required by the planning authority
The full list of flags that do not require consent are:
Any country’s national flag, civil ensign or civil air ensignThe flag of the Commonwealth, the United Nations or any other international organisation of which the United Kingdom is a memberA flag of any island, county, district, borough, burgh, parish, city, town or village within the United KingdomThe flag of the Black Country, East Anglia, Wessex, any Part of Lincolnshire, any Riding of Yorkshire or any historic county within the United KingdomThe flag of Saint David (Wales)The flag of Saint Patrick (Ireland)The flag of any administrative area within any country outside the United KingdomAny flag of His Majesty’s forcesThe Armed Forces Day flag
The government adds: “There are no restrictions on the size of flag.”
However, if you’re flying the flag from a pole protruding from any part of a building other than the roof, there are stricter rules. The Town and Country Planning Regulations 2007 set out that there are rules for a maximum size for flags flying on your house if it’s on a pole, not on the roof.
The government adds: “The flag may not exceed 2 square metres in size. No restrictions on the size of characters. Consent is required if the flagpole is in a controlled area.”
Consent is required if you live in a controlled area, too, such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Non-compliance with these regulations could lead to individuals being reported and potentially facing fines up to £2,500 for not adhering to local council directives to take down an oversized flag.
The legislation specifies: “a person displaying an advertisement in contravention of these Regulations shall be liable, on summary conviction of an offence under section 224(3) of the Act, to a fine of an amount not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale and, in the case of a continuing offence, one tenth of level 4 on the standard scale [£2,500] for each day during which the offence continues after conviction.”