HomeMy WebLinkAboutBy-law 6999/09 - Sign by-law
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PICKERING
BY-LAW NO. 6999/09
A by-law to regulate signs
in the City of Pickering.
WHEREAS pursuant to paragraph 7 of subsection 11(3) of the Municipal Act, 2001 a
lower-tier municipality may pass by-laws respecting signs;
AND .WHEREAS signs are necessary to advertise or identify. services, businesses,
locations and provide other information;
AND WHEREAS, if not effectively regulated, signs may create a nuisance, affect public
safety and detract from the character of the community.
NOW THEREFORE BE 1T RESOLVED THAT the Council of The Corporation of the
City of Pickering enacts as follows:
PART I - INTERPRETATION
Objectives
1. This by-law shall be applied and interpreted in a manner consistent with the
following objectives:
• Reasonable means should be available to the public to erect signs on
property in order to identify facilities, businesses and services located
thereon.
• Signs should not create any d)straction or safety hazard for pedestrians or.
motorists, or create any other danger to the public.
• Signs should not create any adverse impacts on adjacent public or private
property.
• Signs should not detrimentally alter the physical appearance and architecture
of any building.
• Signs should not create unnecessary visual clutter due to their size, number
or location.
• Temporary signs should be strictly regulated in order to limit the visual impact
on the built environment and the consumption of resources.
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Definitions
2. In this by-law,
"area", as it relates to a sign, means the area of the sign facing in one direction;
"applicant" means an owner, or any person authorized by an owner, who applies
for a permit, licence or variance;
"banner" means a temporary sign of lightweight fabric, plastic or similar material;
"billboard" means a sign that is fastened, posted, painted or projected in such a
manner as to permit its periodic replacement and that advertises goods, products
or services that are not available at the location of the sign or that directs a
person to a location different from where the sign is located;
"boulevard" means all parts of a highway except the roadway, shoulder and
sidewalk;
"Chief Building Official" means the City's Chief Building Official or a designate;
"City" means The Corporation of the City of Pickering or the geographical area of
Pickering, as the context requires;
"City Clerk" means the Clerk of the City or a designate;
"erect" includes display, attach, affix, post, alter, construct, place, locate, install,
relocate and maintain, and cause or permit to be displayed, attached, affixed,
posted, altered, constructed, placed, located, installed, relocated and maintained;
"first storey" has the same meaning as in the building code;
"height", as it relates to a sign, means the vertical distance from the ground to the
highest point of the sign;
"heritage conservation district" means a heritage conservation district designated
under the Ontario Heritage Act;
"heritage property means property that has been designated under the Ontario
Heritage Act to be of cultural heritage value or interest or a property on the City's
registry of properties that the City believes to be of cultural heritage value or
interest;
"highway" has the same meaning as in subsection 1(1) of the Highway Traffic Act
and includes unopened and unassumed road allowances;
"inflatable sign" means a temporary sign filled by air or other gas that is either
designed to be airborne or tethered to the ground, a vehicle, a roof or any other
structure and includes balloons;
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"licence" means a sign licence required by this by-law;
"low density residential zoning" means zoning for a single detached dwelling,
semi-detached dwelling, duplex, triplex, fourplex, townhouse, mobile home, or
any other residential facility housing 6 or fewer residents;
"official sign" means any sign erected by, or under the direction of, a government
agency and includes signs designating hospitals, schools, libraries, community
centres; arenas or other public government uses and signs required under the
Planning Act by the municipality to inform the public of proposed changes on the
property;
"owner" means the person identified in the most recent tax roll as the owner of a
property or a lessee, tenant, mortgagee in possession or any other person who
has care and control of a property;
"permit" means a sign permit required by this by-law;
"person" includes a corporation and the heirs, executors, administrators or other
legal representatives of a person to whom the context can apply according to
law;
"portable sign" means any temporary sign readily moveable from place to place
including signs commonly referred to as a-frame, t-frame, sandwich boards,
signs fixed to a trailer and any type of device used or capable of being used for
advertising purposes;
"private property" does not include the side of a fence located on a property
boundary which faces public property;
"property" means a parcel of land, with or without a building or structure, that is a
legal lot of record;
"Region" means The Regional Municipality of Durham;
"setback" means the distance between a property line and the closest portion of
a sign;
"sign" means any device, notice or visual medium including its structure and
other component parts that is used, or is capable of being used, to attract
attention to a specific subject matter for identification or advertising purposes;
"Special Sign District" means a Special Sign District identified in Schedule "B";
"variance" means a variance required by this by-law; and
"zone" means a land use zone prescribed in the City's zoning by-laws.
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References to Legislation
3. In this by-law, reference to any Act, regulation or by-law is reference to that Act,
regulation or by-law as it is amended or re-enacted from time to time.
Word Usage
4. This by-law shall be read with all changes in gender or number as the context
may require:
5: A grammatical variation of a word or expression defined has a corresponding
meaning.
Schedules
6. Schedule "A" (Fees), Schedules "B1" through °139" (Special Sign Districts), and
Schedule "C" (Billboard District) are attached to and form part of this by-law.
7. Unless otherwise specified, references in this by-law to Parts, sections and
Schedules are to Parts, sections and Schedules in this by-law.
Conflicts -
8. If a provision of this by-law conflicts with a provision of any applicable Act,
regulation or by-law, the provision that establishes the higher or more restrictive
standard to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public shall
prevail.
9. Where an industrial building contains commercial uses that are permitted in an
industrial category of the City's zoning by-laws, the sign requirements for a
commercial zone shall apply.
Measurements
10. All dimensions in this by-law are in millimetres (mm), centimetres (cm), metres
(m), hectares (ha) or square metres (m) and all. plans, specifications, documents
and other information' submitted with any application under this by-law shall use
such dimensions.
Severability
11. Each section of this by-law is an independent section, and the holding of any
section or part of any section of this by-law to be void or ineffective for any
reason shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other section or parts of
sections of this by-law.
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PART II - PERMITS
Definitions
12. In this Part,
"development sign" means a temporary sign that advertises a proposed
development, but does not include a construction information sign (section 55), a
development sales office sign (section 57), or a development sales sign (section
58);
"frontage" means the length of the property line of any one lot parallel to and
along each legally accessible public highway;
"ground sign" means a sign located on a structural base in or on the ground, but
not part of a building, and includes a pylon sign;
"high density residential zoning" means zoning for a residential building other
than low density residential zoning; and
"wall sign" means a sign attached to a building wall and includes a canopy sign
and a sign that projects from a wall.
Required Permits
13. No person shall erect any ground sign, wall sign, development sign or a billboard
without a permit.
14. Notwithstanding section 13, any ground sign, wall sign or development sign
lawfully erected prior to the passing of this by-law shall not require a permit
provided such sign has continuously remained in its location and has not been
substantially altered.
15. Notwithstanding section 13, any billboard lawfully erected prior to the passing of
this by-law shall not require a permit provided such billboard has continuously
remained in its location, has not been substantially altered and the owner of the
billboard has obtained a licence.
Permit Applications
16. A permit application shall be made by the owner of the property on which the
sign is to be erected or an authorized representative of the owner.
17. The Chief Building Official shall be responsible for administration of all permits.
18. All permit applications shall be filed with the Chief Building Official using the
City's prescribed form.
19. Every permit application shall,
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 6
(a) identify and describe in detail the proposed sign and all other signs
existing on the property at the time of the application;
(b) describe the property on which the proposed sign is to be erected by legal
description and municipal address or by other equivalent description that
will readily identify the property;
(c) state the name, address, telephone numbers and facsimile numbers of the
applicant and any persons designing or erecting the sign;
(d) be accompanied by plans, specifications, documents and other
information describing the construction, dimensions, materials and specific
location 'of the proposed sign in sufficient detail to permit the Chief
Building Official to determine whether the sign will comply with this by-law,
the building code, an approved site plan, heritage conservation district
guidelines, or any other applicable law;
(e) be accompanied by the applicable fee(s) set out in Schedule "A";
(f) include, where the applicant is not the owner of the property, an
authorization for making the application from the owner; and
(g) be signed by the applicant who shall certify the accuracy and truth of the
contents of the application.
20. If required by the Chief Building. Official, all plans and specifications covering the
erection of a sign and supporting framework that are submitted as part of a
permit application shall be certified by a Professional Engineer as to the
structural adequacy of the sign.
Special Sign Districts
21. In addition to the requirements of sections 19 and 20, every permit application for
a sign in a Special Sign District shall be accompanied by scale drawings clearly
showing,
(a) the proposed sign materials, letter fonts and colours;
(b) the proposed means of any sign illumination; and
(c) in the case of a wall sign, an accurate building elevation drawing showing
the size of the sign and a cross-section of the sign showing the proposed
method of affixing the sign to the building.
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Heritage Properties
22. (1) A permit for a sign in a heritage conservation district shall not be issued
unless the sign conforms.to the. applicable heritage conservation district
guidelines adopted by the City:
(2) A permit for a sign-on heritage property shall not be issued unless the
applicant has met all additional requirements under the Ontario Heritage
Act.
Ground Signs
23. (1) Ground signs shall comply with the following restrictions:
Zone Max Height; Max Area Max Number Min..Setback
Low Density Residential - Prohibited Prohibited Prohibited Prohibited
Open Space System - Natural Areas
High Density Residential 2 m 4 m2 . 1 3 m
Institutional
Commercial or, industrial, (less than 4 m 10 m2 1 per street 3 m
30 m frontage) frontage
Commercial or industrial (30 m 6 m 18 mz 1 per street 3 m
frontage or more) frontage
All Other Zones 3 m 6 mz 1 per street 3 m
frontage
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), no ground sign exceeding 1.5 m2 in area
or 1.5 m in height shall be erected in a Special Sign District.
(3) Every ground sign shall contain the municipal address number in
numerals that are a minimum height of 15 cm.
(4) Every ground sign shall be located on the property to which the sign
relates.
(5) Subject to subsection (6), a maximum of 1 ground sign shall be permitted
for each street frontage on any one property.
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 8
(6) A second ground sign shall be permitted on a property in a commercial or
industrial zone where the property fronts onto 1 street only, the street
frontage is not less than 200 m, and the ground signs are not located
within 100 m of each other.
Wall Signs
24. (1) Wall signs shall comply with the following restrictions:
Zone Max Area Max Number
High Density Residential 4 m2 2
Institutional
All Other Zones 15% of building face area 1 per owner/tenant per
frontage
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), no wall sign exceeding 1.5 m2 in area
shall be erected in a Special Sign District.
(3) Except as permitted by section 54 (address signs) and section 68 (home
based business signs),' no wall sign shall be erected in a low density
residential zone.
(4) A wall sign shall be located on the building face used to calculate the
maximum sign area.
(5) In a commercial or industrial building containing multiple tenancies, the
applicable building face area for a wall sign respecting an individual
tenancy shall be measured only to the limits of the tenancy demising walls
adjacent to the wall on which the sign is located.
(6) No wall sign shall be erected on a high density residential building other
than a sign displaying the building identification, corporate logo or similar
content.
(7) No wall sign shall be erected on any building that contains more than 1
storey above grade other than the first storey, the second storey, and
highest story of such building.
(8) No wall sign shall be erected on the second storey other than a projecting
sign where the sign face is perpendicular to the building face.
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(9) A wall sign erected on the highest storey of a building that is more than 2.
storeys above grade shall only contain the building identification,
corporate logo or similar content and shall not exceed 6 m in area.
(10) A maximum of 1 wall sign may be erected on each wall face of the highest
storey of a building that is more than 2 storeys above grade.
Development Signs
25. (1) Development signs shall not be permitted in areas zoned "Open Space
System - Natural Areas". In all other zones, development signs not
exceeding 6.0 m in height and with a setback of at least 3 m shall be
permitted.
(2) A maximum of 1 development sign having an area not exceeding 20 m2
may be erected on each street frontage on any single development site.
(3) A maximum of 2 additional development signs having an area not
exceeding 10 m2 may be erected on any vacant property outside of the
development site.
(4) No more than 3 development signs shall be erected in relation to any
single development project.
(5) A development sign shall be removed no later than 30 days after the
completion of sales related to. the development, or 24 months, after the
date the permit is issued, whichever occurs earlier.
Billboards
26. (1) No billboard shall exceed an area of 20 m2.
(2) No billboard shall exceed a height of 10 m.
(3) No billboard shall be erected on a roof.
(4) No billboard shall be located within 250 m of any other billboard.
(5) Billboards shall not be permitted in any location other than within the
Billboard District shown in Schedule "C
Permit Issuance
27. The Chief Building Official may approve or refuse any permit application, and
may impose any conditions upon an approval as he or she determines to be
appropriate.
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28. The Chief Building Official shall refuse to issue a permit if the proposed sign does
not comply with this by-law, the building code, an approved site plan, heritage
conservation district guidelines, or any other applicable law.
Revocation of Permit
29. The Chief Building Official may revoke a permit under any of the following
circumstances:
(a) the permit has been issued in error;
(b) the sign for which the permit was issued is erected in contravention of any
provision in Part V; the building code, an approved site plan, heritage
conservation district guidelines, or any other applicable law;
(c) the permit has been issued as the result.of false, mistaken, incorrect, or
misleading statements, information or undertakings on the application or
on any submitted documents that formed the basis of the issuance;
(d) the business or other subject matter to which the sign relates ceases to
exist;
(e) the permit holder requests that the permit be revoked; or
(f) 6 months have elapsed following the date of permit issuance and the sign
authorized by the permit has not been erected.
PART III - LICENCES
Required'Licences
30. No person shall erect any portable sign, banner, inflatable sign, sidewalk sign or
billboard without a licence. -
Licence Applications
3.1. A licence application shall be made by an owner of the property on which the
sign is to be erected or an authorized representative of the owner.
32. The City Clerk shall be responsible for administration of all licences.
33. All licence applications shall be filed with the City Clerk using the City's
prescribed form.
34. A separate licence application is required for every sign.
35. Every licence application shall be accompanied by details of the size and location
of the proposed sign and the applicable fee(s) set out in Schedule "A".
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.36. Where alicence application.is for a portable sign for an individual business in a
building containing multiple tenants, the application must include written
permission from the owner or the owner's authorized representative consenting
to the placement of the portable sign.
General Licence Requirements
37. All licences shall expire on the date indicated on the licence
38. A maximum of 1 licence may be issued concerning any individual business or
service in any calendar year.
39. A maximum of 1 licence may be issued for a single property at any one time,
irrespective of the number of business tenancies located on the property.
40. No licence shall be issued on any heritage property.
Portable Signs
41. (1) Portable signs shall comply with the following restrictions:
zone Max Height Max Area Max Number Min. Setback
Residential Prohibited Prohibited" Prohibited Prohibited
Special Sign Districts
Open Space System - Natural Areas
Other Zones 2 m 4 mz 1 3 m
(2) Every portable sign shall be located on the property to which the sign
relates.
(3) In the case of corner lots, no portable sign shall be located less than 15 m
from the inside curb at the point of intersection of the 2 streets.
(4) Portable signs may be illuminated but shall not incorporate electronic
message displays, any moving parts, flashing lights or fluorescent
materials.
(5) Lettering used on a portable sign shall not be greater than 0.2 m in height.
(6) No portable sign shall be capable of being connected to a power supply
without written Electrical Safety Authority approval.
(7) A licence for a portable sign shall be valid for a period of not more than 30
days, after which the sign shall be immediately removed.
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(8) Notwithstanding section 38, a maximum of 4 licenses for portable signs
may be issued concerning an individual business or service in any
calendar year provided at least 30 days have elapsed since the expiry of
the last portable sign license and the sign has been removed.
Banner and Inflatable Sign Restrictions
42. (1) Banners and inflatable signs shall comply with the following restrictions:
Zone Max Height Max Area Max Number Min. Setback
Residential Prohibited Prohibited Prohibited Prohibited
Special Sign Districts
Open Space System.- Natural Areas
All Other Zones 6.0 m 10 mZ 1 3 m
(2) Every banner or inflatable. sign shall be located on the property to which
the sign relates.
(3) A banner or inflatable sign shall be securely affixed to the exterior wall or
roof of a building, or to the ground.
(4) A licence for a banner or inflatable sign shall be valid for a period of not
more than 14 days, after which the sign shall be immediately removed.
Sidewalk Signs
43. (1) In this section, "sidewalk sign" means a freestanding temporary sign not
affixed to the ground advertising a business and installed immediately in
front of the business on private property or on the sidewalk.
(2) Sidewalk signs shall not exceed a height of 1.0 m or a width of 0.6 m.
(3) Sidewalk signs shall not be permitted in any location other than within a
Special Sign District.
(4) A sidewalk sign shall be installed immediately in front of the business to
which it pertains, and shall only be erected during the hours of operation
of the business.
(5) A sidewalk sign may be located on a public sidewalk provided a minimum
of 1.5 m of unobstructed sidewalk space is maintained.
(6) A maximum of 1 licence for a sidewalk sign may be issued to an owner.
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(7) A licence for a sidewalk sign shall be valid for a period of 1 year.
Billboards
44. (1) No licence shall be issued for a new billboard unless a permit has been
issued for such billboard.
(2) A licence for a billboard shall be valid for a period of 1 year.
Licence Issuance
45. The City"Clerk may approve or refuse any licence application, and may impose
any conditions upon an approval as he or she determines to be appropriate.
46. The City Clerk shall refuse- to issue a licence if the proposed sign does not
comply with this by-law, the building code, an approved site plan, heritage
conservation district guidelines, or any other applicable law..
Revocation of Licence
47: The City Clerk may revoke a licence under any of the following circumstances:
(a) the licence has been issued in error;
(b) the sign for which the licence was issued is erected in contravention of
any provision in Part V, the building code, an approved site plan, heritage
conservation district guidelines, or any other applicable law;
(c) the licence has been issued as the result of false,- mistaken, incorrect, or
misleading statements, information, or undertakings on the application or
on any submitted documents that formed the basis of the issuance;
(d) the business or other subject matter to which the sign relates ceases to
exist; or
(e) the licence holder requests that the licence be revoked.
PART IV - SIGNS EXEMPT FROM PERMITS AND LICENCES
Permitted Signs
48. Signs described in this Part shall be permitted without a permit or licence
provided all restrictions in this by-law applicable to the signs have been complied
with.
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Community Event Signs
49. (1) In this section, "community event sign" means a temporary' sign - that
advertises a public event organized for a non-profit, civic, cultural,
religious or recreational purpose.
(2) No person shall erect a community. event sign closer than 100 m to
another community event sign advertising the same community event.
(3) No person shall erect a community event sign more than 14 days prior to
the event.
(4) No person shall erect a community, event sign at any location other than
entirely on private property or.on a boulevard.
(5) No person shall permit a community event sign to remain erected after the
day of the event.
(6) No person shall erect a community event sign that is more than 1.5 m2 in
area.
Filming Location Signs
50. (1) No person shall erect a, filming location sign unless the person has
received a filming permit from the City.
(2) No person shall erect a filming location sign that is more than 1.0 m2 in
area.
(3) No person shall.erect a filming location sign other than at a location that is
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approved in a filming permit.
(4) No person shall erect a filming location sign at any location other than
entirely on private property or on a boulevard:
(5) No person shall erect a filming location sign other than. while the film is in
production.
Garage Sale Signs
51. (1) No person shall erect a garage sale sign that is more than 1.0 m2 in area.
(2) No person shall erect a garage sale sign at any location other than entirely
on private property or on a boulevard:
(3) No person shall erect a garage sale sign more than 3 days prior to the'day
of the sale.
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(4) No person shall permit a garage sale sign to remain erected after the day
of the sale.
Open House Signs
52. (1) No person shall erect a sign that advertises the location of an open house
that is more than 1.0 m2 in area.
(2) No person shall erect an open house sign at any location other than
entirely on private property or on a boulevard.
(3) No person shall erect a sign that advertises the location of an open house
at a time other than while the house is open for public inspection.
Real Estate Signs
53. (1) In this section, "real estate sign" means a temporary non-illuminated sign
erected to advertise that land, a building or portion of a building is offered
for sale or rent.
(2) No person shall erect a real estate sign that is more than 1.0 m2 in area in
a residential or open space zone, or more than 2.5 m2 in area in any other
zone.
(3) No person shall erect a real estate sign at any location other than entirely
on private property.
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(4) No person shall erect more than 1 real estate sign on any single property.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), 2 real estate signs may be erected on
separate street frontages if the property is at least 0.5 ha in size.
Address Signs
54. (1) In this section, "address sign" means a sign that depicts the personal or
building identification and street address of the, property on which the sign
is located.
.(2) No person shall erect an address sign in a low density residential zone
that is more than 0.2 m2 in area.
(3) No person shall erect an address sign in any area that is zoned for uses
other than low density residential that is more than 0.4 m2 in area.
(4) No person shall erect an address sign at any location other than entirely
on private property.
(5) No person shall erect an address sign that contains promotional or
advertising content.
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(6) This section shall not apply to any address sign lawfully erected prior to
the passing of. this by-law provided such sign has continuously remained
in its location and has not been substantially altered.
Construction Information Signs
55. (1) In this section, "construction information sign" means a sign advertising
construction and may include the name of the project, the architect,
engineer, and other firms associated with the project.
(2) No person shall erect a construction information sign unless the person
has either entered into a site plan agreement with the City or the City has
issued a building permit or a topsoil and fill permit for the construction.
(3) No person shall erect a construction information sign except on a
temporary fence or other physical barrier around the construction site to
which the sign pertains or on private property at the construction site
location.
(4) No person shall erect a construction information sign that is more than 6 m
in height or 10 m2 in area.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), no person shall erect a construction
information sign that is more than 3 m in height or 4 m2 in area in a low
density residential area.
(6) No person shall erect a construction information sign more than 30 days
prior to construction commencing.
(7) No person shall permit a construction information sign to remain erected
30 days after the construction has been completed or discontinued.
Model Home Signs
56. (1) No person shall erect a model home sign that is more than 2.0 m2 in area.
(2) No person shall erect a model home sign at any location other than on a
lot containing the model home.
Development Sales Office Signs
57. (1) In this section, "development sales office sign" means a sign erected on a
temporary sales office where new homes and other developments are
marketed to the public.
(2) No person shall erect a development sales office sign except on or
immediately surrounding a temporary sales office.
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(3) No person shall erect a development sales office sign except where it has
been shown on permit application documents and authorized by the City
through issuance of a building permit.
Development Sales Signs
58. (1) In this section, "development sales sign" means a sign directing people to
a temporary sales office where new homes and other residential
developments are marketed to the public.
(2) No person shall erect a development sales sign that is more than 1.5 m2 in
area.
(3) No person shall erect a development sales sign at any location other than
entirely on private property or on a boulevard..
(4) No person shall erect a development sales sign within 500 metres of any
other development sales sign being used to direct attention to the same
temporary sales office.
(5) No person shall permit a development sales sign to remain erected in its
original location, or within 500 metres of its original location, for a total of
more than 72 hours (excluding statutory holidays) during any consecutive
7-day period.
Directional Signs
59. (1) In this section, "directional sign" means a sign that is intended solely for
public information, safety or convenience in directing persons or traffic.
(2) No person shall erect a directional sign that is more than 1.5 m2 in area.
(3) No person shall erect a directional sign at any location other than entirely
on private property.
(4) No person shall erect a directional sign unless the sign has no promotional
or advertising content.
(5) This section shall not apply to any directional sign lawfully erected prior to
the passing of this by-law provided such sign has continuously remained
in its location and has not been substantially altered.
Directory Signs
60. (1) In this section, "directory sign" means a sign for a building containing
multiple occupancies.
(2) No person shall erect a directory sign that is more than 1 m2 in area.
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(3) No person shall "erect a directory sign at any location 'other than entirely on
private property.
(4) No person shall erect more than 1 directory sign at each access point from
a highway to the building.
(5) This section shall not apply to any directory sign "lawfully erected prior to
the passing of this by-law provided such sign has continuously remained
in its location and has not been substantially altered.
Menu Boards
.61. (1) In this section, "menu board means.a sign erected as part of a drive-
through facility and used to display and order products and services
available at the drive-through business.
(2) No person shall erect a menu board that is more than 4 m2 in area.
(3) No person shall erect a menu board at any location other than entirely on
private property.
(4) No person shall erect more than 1 menu board on any single property.
(5) This section shall not apply to any menu board lawfully erected prior to the
passing of this by-law provided such menu board has continuously
remained in its location and has not been, substantially altered.
Farm Signs
62. (1) In this section, "farm sign" means a sign advertising the sale of farm
produce grown or produced on the property where the sign is located.
(2) No person shall erect a farm sign that is.more than 1.5 m2 in area.
(3) No person shall erect, a farm sign at any location other than entirely on
private property.
(4) No person shall erect more than 1 farm sign on a single property.
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 19
Election Signs
63. (1) In this section, „election sign„ means a sign promoting the election of a
candidate in a federal, provincial or municipal election, including an
election to a local board or commission, a sign that is intended to influence
individuals to vote for or against any candidate or any question or by-law
submitted to electors under section 8 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996,
but does not include a wall sign associated with a candidate's
headquarters.
(2) No person shall erect an election sign that is more than 1.5 m2 in area.
(3) No person shall erect an election sign at any location other than entirely
on private property or on a Regional road in accordance with the Region's
sign by-law.
(4) No person shall erect a sign for a federal or provincial election prior to the
day the writ of election is issued.
(5) No person shall erect a sign for a municipal election until 25 days in
advance of the last polling day for the election.
(6) No person shall permit an election sign to remain erected more than 3
days after the last polling day for the election.
Flags
64. (1) No person shall erect a flag other than a flag bearing the crest,-emblem or
insignia of any corporation, federal, provincial and municipal government
agency, or religious, charitable, fraternal, cultural or community
organization.
(2) No person shall erect a flag that is more than 2.0 m2 in area.
(3) No person shall erect a flag at any location other than entirely on private
property.
(4) No person shall erect more than 3 flags on a single property.
Interior Signs
65. (1) In this section, "interior sign" means a sign in the interior of a building that
is intended to be seen outside of the building and includes a window sign.
(2) No person shall erect an interior sign unless it is erected in a window on
the first storey of a building zoned for office, commercial or industrial uses.
(3) No. person shall erect an interior sign that exceeds 20% of the total
window area on the first storey of the building.
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 20
Home Improvement Signs
66. (1) In this section, "home improvement sign" means a sign advertising or
promoting landscaping, home repairs or home renovations.
(2) No person shall erect a home improvement sign that is more than 1.0 m2
in area.
(3) No person shall erect a home improvement sign at any location other than
entirely on private property where the home improvement is being
undertaken.
(4) No person shall erect a home improvement sign more than 2 days prior to
the commencement of the home improvement project.
(5) No person shall permit a home improvement sign to remain erected for a
total of more than 90 days.
No Trespassing Signs
67. (1) No person shall erect a "No Trespassing" sign that is more than 0.3 m2 in
area.
(2) No person shall erect a "No Trespassing" sign at any location other than
entirely on private property.
Home Based Business Signs
68. (1) No person shall erect a home based business sign unless a home based
business licence has been issued by the City.
(2) No person shall-erect a home based business sign that is more than 0.2
m2 in area.
(3) No person shall erect a home based business sign in any location other
than entirely on private property in a low density residential zone.
(4) No person shall erect a home based business sign unless no other sign is
erected on the property.
(5) No person shall erect a home based business sign that is internally
illuminated.
Postern
69. (1) In this section,
"fixture" means any structure that the City permits to be located within a
boulevard including a utility box, newspaper vending box, bench, transit
Sign By-law No. 6999109 Page 21
shelter, telephone box, telephone booth, transformer box or vault,
telephone pole, hydro pole, streetlight, stoplight pole, recycling waste
module, mailbox, tree and street sign; and
"poster" means a printed notice conveying information intended to be
displayed for a temporary period of time and includes a bill, handbill,
leaflet and placard.
(2) No person shall erect a poster on a fixture.
{3) No person shall erect a poster on a motor vehicle.
Gas Station Canopies
70. (1) No person shall erect a sign under a gas station canopy that is more than
1.0 m2 in area.
(2) No person shall erect a sign on a gas station canopy that contains
anything other than corporate identification of the owner or operator of the
gas station.
PART V - GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
Restrictions Applicable to All Signs
71. No person shall erect any sign,
(a) that does not comply with any provision of this by-law;
(b) that does not comply with any condition of a permit, licence or variance;
(c) that advertises a use not permitted by the zoning by-law applicable to the
property on which the sign is located;
(d) without a permit if a permit is required;
(e) without a licence if a licence is required;
(f) on or over, or partly on or over, public property or any part of a highway
without the City's approval unless the sign is expressly permitted by this
by-law to be erected on a sidewalk or a boulevard;
(g) on or over, or partly on or over a driveway;
I
(h) within 3 m of a driveway at the streetline;
(i) within 15 m .of a traffic light;
k
. - I
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 22
(j) on a walkway or other means of egress on private, property unless there is
a minimum of 1.5 mof unobstructed footpath space between the sign and
the nearest structure;
(k) that projects less than 2.4 m above the walking surface of a pedestrian
walkway;
(1) that pertains to a past event or purpose that no longer applies;
(m)` that is structurally faulty, has broken, displaced or missing parts, is
crookedly displayed, contains lettering that is no longer fully legible, or is
otherwise not maintained properly;
(n) on a roof or projecting in whole or in part above the roof, eaves or parapet
of a building;
(o) in a location that obstructs the view of any pedestrian or motorist so as to
cause an unsafe condition;
(p) that interferes with, or obstructs the view of, an authorized traffic sign,
traffic signal or official sign;
(q) located within a visibility triangle formed by the intersection of the street
line and a driveway line, or the projections thereof and a straight line
connecting 6 m from their point of intersection; .
(r) that obstructs, or is located in, a required parking space;
(s) that has more than 2 sign faces; or
(t) that is obscene or in bad taste.
72. No person shall erect, paint, mark or inscribe any sign containing any
promotional or advertising content,
(a) on pavement;
i
(b) on the exterior wall of a building except as permitted by the City's Anti-
Graffiti By-law;
(c) on a utility pole, tree, stone or other natural object; or
(d) on a vehicle or on a -trailer that is parked or located for the primary
purpose of sign display.
r.
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 23
Electronic Message Displays
73. No person shall erect any sign with electronic message displays,
(a) in a Special Sign District;
(b) in an area zoned for residential uses; or
(c) within 200 metres of an area zoned, for residential uses if the display is
readily visible from an area zoned for residential uses.
Boulevards
74. Where signs are permitted by this by-law to be erected on a boulevard, no such
sign shall be erected closer than 1.0 m from the curb of the road or, where there
is no curb, closer than within 2.0 m of the travelled portion of the highway.
Vacant Properties
75. No person shall erect any sign, other than a development sign, community event
sign, filming location sign, real estate sign, farm sign, election sign or "No
Trespassing" sign on vacant property.
Special Sign Districts
76. (1) No development sign, portable sign, banner, inflatable sign or an internally
illuminated sign other than an open/closed sign no more than 0.2 m2 in
area shall be erected in a Special Sign District.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to community event signs.
PART VI -VARIANCES
Definition
77. In this Part, "Director" means the City's Director of Planning & Development or a
designate.
Variance Applications
.78. An application for a variance from one or more of the requirements in this by-law
shall be made by an owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected or
an authorized representative of the owner.
79. A variance shall not be required in relation to the structure or other component
parts of any sign if such structure or component parts have been specifically
identified and described in approved site, plan documents.
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 24
80. A variance application shall be filed with the Director using the City's prescribed
form.
81. Every variance application shall include all of the information required to be
submitted in relation to a permit application under section 19 and section 21 (if
applicable) and shall also include written reasons why the provisions of this by-
law cannot be complied with.
82. Prior to making a determination on any variance application, the application
details shall be brought to the attention of the City's Site Plan Advisory
Committee.
83. The Director shall notify the applicant prior to the meeting of the City's Site Plan
Advisory Committee to provide the applicant an opportunity to appear before the
Committee to make representations respecting the application.
84. When commenting on a variance, the City's Site Plan Committee shall be acting
under the authority given to it under this by-law and not under the Planning Act.
85. If the applicant does not attend the City's Site Plan Advisory Committee meeting
at the appointed time, the Committee may proceed in the absence of the
applicant and the applicant shall not be entitled to any further notice dealing with
the application.
86. In considering a variance application, the Director shall have regard for,
(a) the provisions of any applicable site plan agreement;
(b) special circumstances or conditions applying to the property, building or
use referred to in the application;
(c) whether strict application of the provisions of this by-law in the context of
the special circumstances applying to the property, building or use, would
result in practical difficulties or unnecessary and unusual hardship for the
applicant that are inconsistent with the objectives of this by-law;
(d) whether such special circumstances or conditions are pre-existing and not
created by the owner or applicant;
(e) whether the proposed sign will detrimentally alter the character of the
area; and
(f) whether the general intent and purpose of this by-law is maintained.
87. The Director may approve or refuse any variance application, and may impose
any conditions upon an approval as he or she determines to be appropriate.
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 25
PART VII - EXEMPTIONS
88. This by-law shall apply to all existing and proposed signs in the City other than,
(a) official signs;
(b) signs on private property that are less than 02 m2 in area provided they
do not contain any promotional or advertising content; and
(c) shelter advertising or any advertising on street furniture and fixtures
approved by the City or the Region.
89. This by-law does not apply to any changes to a sign face if,
(a) the sign has been previously approved;
(b) there is no change in sign area, shape, construction or design; and
(c) the sign is not located within a Special Sign District.
PART VIII - ENFORCEMENT
Definition
90. In this Part, "officer" means a municipal law enforcement officer appointed by the
City to enforce municipal by-laws.
Inspections
91: An officer may, at any reasonable time, enter upon any property for the purpose
of carrying. out an inspection to determine whether or not the provisions of this
by-law have been complied with.
92. No person shall prevent, hinder or interfere or attempt to prevent, hinder or
interfere with an inspection undertaken by an officer.
Order to Comply
93. (1). Where an officer is satisfied that there has been a contravention of any
provision of this by-law, the officer may issue an order requiring the owner
of the property on which the contravention has occurred or the "person who
erected the sign to do work to correct the contravention, including removal
of the sign.
(2) An order shall set out,
(a) reasonable particulars of the contravention;
(b) the location of the property;
Sign By-l,aw No. 6999/09 Page 26
(c) the general nature of the work required to be done to correct the
contravention; and
(d) the date by which the work must be done.
(3) An order may be served by,
(a) personally delivering it to the owner;
(b) sending it by registered mail to the owner at the address of the
owner shown on the last revised assessment roll for the property or
the last known address of the owner; or
(c) sending it by registered mail to the owner at the last known address
of the owner.
(4) If the address of an owner is unknown or the City is unable to effect
service on an owner in accordance with subsection (3), a placard setting
out the terms of the order may be placed in a conspicuous place on or
near the owner's property.
(5) Service of an order under this section shall be deemed to have been
effected on the date that it is delivered personally, 3 ,days after it was
mailed, or the date that it is posted on the property, as the case may be.
94. No person shall fail to comply with, an order issued under this by-law.
Remedial Action
95. (1) Where an order has been issued respecting any sign and compliance has
not been achieved by the date. specified in the order, the City may cause
the work set out in the order to be done.
(2) The City may recover all costs of doing any work undertaken pursuant to
subsection (1), together with an administration charge equal to 25% of
such costs, from the owner by adding the costs to the tax roll and
collecting them in the same manner as property taxes.
Removal of Signs
96. (1) Where a sign is erected on, over, partly on, or partly over, property owned
by or under the jurisdiction of the City, such sign may be removed
immediately by the City without notice or compensation.
(2) A sign removed by the City shall be stored for a period of not more than
30 days, during which time they may be redeemed by the person who
erected the sign upon payment of the applicable fee set out in Schedule
„A„
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 27
(3) Signs not redeemed by the person who erected the sign within 30 days of
removal by the City shall be disposed of by the City without notice or .
compensation.
Liens
97. All costs incurred by the City for the removal, care and storage of a sign that was
erected in contravention of this by-law are a ;lien upon the sign that may be
enforced by the City under the Repair and Storage Liens Act.
Offences and Penalties
98. Every person who contravenes any provision of this by-law is guilty of an offence .
and_upon conviction is liable to a fine pursuant to the provisions of the Provincial
Offences -Act.
99. No person shall make a false or intentionally misleading recital of fact, statement
or representation in any application or other document required by this by-law.
PART IX - GENERAL`
Other Applicable Laws
100. The applicant shall be responsible for obtaining the approval from any other
government authority having jurisdiction over the installation of a proposed sign.
Short Title
101. This by-law may be referred to as the "Sign By-law".
Repeal
i
102. By-law No. 2439/87, as amended, is repealed.
Effective Date
103. This by-law comes into effect on the date of its passing.
By-law read a first, second and third time and finally passed this 16th day of November,
2009.
David Ryan, or
Thomas E.-,Melt' uk
(Acting) City Clerk
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 28
SCHEDULE "A"
FEES
SIGN TYPE FEE
Ground Sign $250
Wall Sign $150
Development Sign $250
Billboard Permit $250
Portable Sign License $50
Banner and Inflatable Sign $50
Sidewalk Sign $100
Billboard Annual License $500
Additional fee for any sign installed prior to permit issuance $250
Additional fee for any sign installed prior to licence issuance $50
Redemption Fee - Election Signs $25
Redemption Fee - all signs less than 2 m2 $25
Redemption Fee all other signs $50
Sign Variance - Ground Sign, Wall Sign or Development Sign $500 .
Sign Variance -Alf Other Signs $100.
Fees are per sign and are not refundable.
Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 29
SCHEDULE "B" - SPECIAL SIGN DISTRICTS
Schedule "B1" Liverpool Road Waterfront District
Schedule "132 Whitevale District
Schedule "BY Greenwood District
Schedule "134" Cherrywood District
Schedule "BY Green River District
Schedule "B6" Claremont District
Schedule "137 Brougham District
Schedule "138" Kinsale District
Schedule "139" Balsam District
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Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 30
SCHEDULE B1
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Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 31
SCHEDULE B2
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SCHEDULE 133.
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Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 33
SCHEDULE B4
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SCHEDULE B5
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SCHEDULE 136
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Sign By71aw No. 6999/09 Page 36
SCHEDULE B7
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Sign By-law No. 6999/09 Page 37
SCHEDULE B8
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SCHEDULE BQ
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