Flagpoles for businesses in Norway: company flags, signs and liability
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the Norwegian original. Where the two versions differ, the Norwegian text is the original.
Flagpoles are common at businesses in Norway: outside hotels, car dealers, office buildings, shops and industrial companies. A business can fly the Norwegian flag, other countries’ flags and company flags. Flag legislation applies to the state and the municipalities, but other rules can matter when the flagpole stands at a business: the rules for signs and advertising, working environment rules and the responsibility for the pole standing safely.
Which flags
| Flag | Rules |
|---|---|
| The Norwegian flag (rectangular) | No rules for private businesses |
| The swallow-tailed flag | The state’s flag under section 2 of the Flag Act and section 3 of the flag regulation |
| Other countries’ flags | No rules for private businesses |
| Company and advertising flags | Can be a sign or advertising installation under the Planning and Building Act |
According to Lovdata, the Flag Act and the flag regulation contain no rules for private parties. The swallow-tailed flag is the state’s flag, and section 3 of the flag regulation says that the state flag is not used at exhibitions, agricultural shows and festivities not organised by the state.
Company flags and advertising
Under section 30-3 of the Planning and Building Act, it is a requirement that signs and advertising installations are not unsightly or disturbing in themselves, in relation to their surroundings or for traffic. Signs and advertising generally need a permit under section 20-1. Section 4-1 of the building application regulation exempts, among other things, signs and advertising installations up to 3 m² mounted flat on a wall. Whether an advertising flag or a flag installation with company flags counts as an advertising installation is for the municipality to assess. Municipal plans often have their own provisions on signs and advertising.
Flag installations
Many businesses have several poles at the entrance. Sarpsborg municipality writes that several flagpoles in one place, possibly combined with a structure or foundation, can require a permit after a specific assessment, while a single flagpole in principle does not. Permits and municipal plans are covered in the guide to flagpole installation.
Order and flag days
Many businesses follow public practice and give the Norwegian flag the place of honour ahead of company flags and other countries’ flags. Many also raise the Norwegian flag on the official flag days and fly flags at half-mast in national mourning. The order is covered in the guide to flag protocol, and other countries’ flags in the guide to foreign flags in Norway.
Working at height
When employees change the flag, halyard or pulley, working environment rules apply. Chapter 17 of the regulation on the performance of work has rules on working at height, including risk assessment in section 17-1 and the use of ladders and scaffolding. Poles with an internal halyard and tilting poles mean most things can be done from the ground. Many businesses have a service agreement with the supplier.
Safety and liability
A flagpole at an entrance or a car park stands where many people pass. Ice and snow falling from the pole, a loose finial or a leaning pole can be a risk. Regular inspection is therefore part of running the building. More in the guide to flagpole safety.
Lighting
Lit flagpoles are common at businesses. The flag regulation says that the flag is lowered at sunset, but it applies to state bodies. Many businesses leave the pennant or company flag up at night and lower the Norwegian flag in the evening. More in the guide to flag lighting.
Frequently asked questions
Can a business in Norway fly a company flag?
Yes. According to Lovdata, the Flag Act and the flag regulation contain no rules for private parties, and that includes businesses. Company flags, advertising flags and other countries’ flags are not regulated in flag legislation.
Does an advertising flag in Norway need a permit?
Under section 20-1 of the Planning and Building Act, signs and advertising installations generally need a permit, with exemptions in section 4-1 of the building application regulation for, among other things, signs up to 3 m² mounted flat on a wall. Whether an advertising flag or a flag installation counts as an advertising installation is for the municipality to assess.
Can a business use the swallow-tailed flag?
No. Under section 2 of the Flag Act and section 3 of the flag regulation, the swallow-tailed flag is the state’s flag. The regulation also says that the state flag is not used at exhibitions, agricultural shows and festivities not organised by the state. Businesses use the rectangular flag.
Which rules apply when employees work on the flagpole?
Chapter 17 of the regulation on the performance of work, on working at height, applies when employees work at height, including risk assessment under section 17-1. Tilting poles mean much of the work can be done from the ground.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Norwegian:
- Lov om planlegging og byggesaksbehandling (plan- og bygningsloven), § 30-3 Skilt- og reklameinnretninger – Lovdata
- Forskrift om byggesak (byggesaksforskriften), § 4-1 første ledd bokstav f nr. 4 – Lovdata
- Flaggstang og flagganlegg – Sarpsborg kommune
- Forskrift angående bruk av statsflagget og handelsflagget [flaggforskriften], § 3 – Lovdata
- Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid, kapittel 17 Arbeid i høyden – Lovdata
- Flagget og loven – Lovdata
Related guides
- Foreign flagsOther countries’ flags in Norway: what private individuals can fly, the rules for municipal buildings from 1933 and 2021 and the Sámi flag.
- Flag lightingFlags after sunset in Norway: what the flag regulation says about lowering, the pennant at night, lighting the flagpole and who can install lights.
- Flag protocolFlag protocol in Norway: the Norwegian flag’s place of honour, the Sámi flag, other countries’ flags and the usual order when several flags fly together.
- Flagpole safetyFlagpole safety in Norway: wind load and Eurocodes, snow and ice, foundations, neighbour relations, working at height for employers and power lines.