Flagpoles for businesses in Belgium
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the Dutch original. Where the two versions differ, the Dutch text is the original.
At businesses in Belgium, flagpoles often serve two purposes: making the company visible with logo flags, and showing the national, regional or a foreign flag during visits or on holidays. This brings in different rules from a pole in a private garden: advertising, permits and the safety of employees.
Logo flags and advertising
A flag with a company logo is a form of advertising. In Flanders, advertising installations fall under the Advertising Regulation of 12 May 2023 (Publiciteitsverordening), a regional planning regulation. The explanatory notes to the regulation state that advertising messages on flagpoles do not move within the meaning of the regulation, so flagpoles do not fall into the category of moving advertising. The regulation also distinguishes between advertising connected to the business on site and advertising that is not.
In Brussels, chapter VIII of the decree of 13 November 2008 contains rules on signs and advertising that are exempt from a planning permit. In Wallonia, the CoDT regulates advertising installations and signs. In all three regions, municipal regulations can add further rules. The municipality can give an answer in a specific case.
Permits for the poles
A row of poles at a business building falls under the planning rules of the region. The exemptions for homes, such as those for small garden structures in Flanders or for decorative installations up to 3 metres in Brussels, do not automatically apply to business premises. The Flemish exemption decree has a separate chapter for works at buildings other than homes. More on this is in the guide on flagpole installation.
The official flags and protocol
Businesses are not required to fly flags on the flag days of the royal decree of 5 July 1974. Many businesses do fly the Belgian flag on 21 July or during an official visit. The order of precedence in the Flemish circular VR 2015/37 is then a common guide: the Belgian flag in the place of honour, followed by the Flemish, European, provincial and municipal flags. A company flag is not an official flag. More on this is in the guide on flag protocol.
During the visit of a foreign delegation or at an international company, a foreign flag often flies as well. According to the circular, the flag of a foreign state goes second, after the Belgian flag. More on this is in the guide on foreign flags in Belgium.
According to the circular, all flags on Flemish public buildings have the same size when more than one is flown. At businesses this is a common choice, so that logo flags and official flags do not look uneven.
Well-being at work
Employees who hoist or replace flags or maintain poles fall under the code on well-being at work:
- For work at height, title 5 of book IV applies, covering work equipment for temporary work at height. According to the FPS Employment, a ladder may only be used as a workstation for short-duration work with light loads.
- For flag lighting and other electrical installations in the workplace, the AREI applies.
Poles with a tilting base or an internal halyard allow much of the work to be done on the ground. More on this is in the guides on flagpole safety and flag lighting.
Replacing flags
Logo flags that fly permanently wear out in wind and sun. Circular VR 2015/37 mentions clean flags replaced in good time as part of the quality standards for public buildings, and the same principle applies to a company's image. A faded or frayed logo flag stands out. More on costs is in the guides on the price of a flag and the price of a flagpole.
Frequently asked questions
Which rules apply to logo flags in Flanders?
In Flanders, advertising installations fall under the Advertising Regulation of 12 May 2023, a regional planning regulation. Its explanatory notes state that advertising messages on flagpoles do not count as moving advertising. The municipality can say how the regulation applies to a specific pole.
In what order do the Belgian flag and a company flag fly?
There is no rule for businesses. The Flemish circular VR 2015/37 gives the order of precedence for public buildings: the Belgian flag first, then the Flemish, European, provincial and municipal flags. A company flag is not an official flag. Many businesses fly it after the official flags.
Which rules apply to employees who hoist a flag or maintain the pole?
For work at height, title 5 of book IV of the code on well-being at work applies. According to the FPS Employment, a ladder may only be used as a workstation for short-duration work with light loads. For electrical installations in the workplace, the AREI applies.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Dutch:
- Publiciteitsverordening van 12 mei 2023 – Codex Vlaanderen
- Besluit van de Brusselse Hoofdstedelijke Regering van 13 november 2008 over de handelingen en werken vrijgesteld van stedenbouwkundige vergunning – Justel (FPS Justice)
- Omzendbrief VR 2015/37 over de bevlagging van de openbare gebouwen – Flemish Government
- Tijdelijke werkzaamheden op hoogten – FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue
- Elektrische installaties en AREI – FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue
- Koninklijk besluit van 5 juli 1974 betreffende de bevlagging van de openbare gebouwen – Justel (FPS Justice)
Related guides
- Flagpole installationInstalling a flagpole in Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels: exemptions by region, protected heritage, KLIP and KLIM-CICC plan requests and the foundation.
- Flag protocolThe order of precedence of flags in Belgium: Belgian, Flemish, European, provincial and municipal flags, the position of the poles and the order of anthems.
- Foreign flagsForeign flags and the European flag in Belgium: their place next to the Belgian flag, state visits and flags of individuals and businesses.
- Flagpole safetySafety around a flagpole in Belgium: wind, storms, lightning, high-voltage lines, underground cables and working at height under the code on well-being at work.