Have your say on York Region's Sign Bylaw

• On August 31, 2000, Regional Council enacted Bylaw No. R-1232-2000-074 (the “Bylaw”) to regulate signs on Regional roads. The bylaw was amended in 2006, 2012 and in 2015, and identified ‘signs’ as “any device for the purpose of direction, information, identification, advertisement, or business promotion

• To develop a consistent approach for signs placed along Regional roads
• To allow signage in support of businesses (including real estate and development) and community events
• To ensure placement of signs along Regional roads do not pose a safety or visibility concern for travellers, including motorists, pedestrians, transit riders, residents and businesses whose properties are located on Regional roads
• Local area municipalities, utility and telecom work can occur on Regional roads and must be appropriately managed to ensure there are no issues to safety and visibility impacts
• There are areas where signs can cause impacts and safety concerns for road maintenance and improvements being completed on Regional roads

• To ensure all permitted signs meet certain height requirements, be placed within a specific distance from a Regional road and do not pose safety or visibility threats to travellers as well as homeowners and businesses
• To allow for the appropriate safe maintenance and management of the Region’s roads, including approved work
• To define what types of signs are permitted (i.e., navigation for real estate, development and businesses)
• To ensure non-offensive messaging
• To ensure compliant signage

• York Region, Public Works Department – Roads, Traffic and Fleet
• York Region, Legal Services
• York Region, Communications
• Input from local area municipalities (2022 workshops)

• There are sightline impacts for travellers 
• Impacts to sightlines for the public
• There is an increase to injuries due to wireframes left in the boulevards
• There are risks of injury in deploying signs in higher speed areas, such as busy and congested intersections and Transit rapidways 

• There is no charge for temporary signs advertising a community/charity event
• Six months for each sign - $120
• Six-month extension - $120
• Election signs - $310/municipality (administered by LAM if they choose)
• Sign removal/recovery - $62/sign
• Fees cover administrative costs of permitting and enforcement

• Signs must be in proper repair and not exceed 1.22 metres (4 feet) high and 1.22 metres (4 feet) wide

• Signs are only permitted at intersections on Regional roads
• Signs are permitted within 40 metres (131 feet) from the edge of the pavement of the intersecting road (10 metres less than the sign bylaw to prevent the need to measure from the centre line)
• Elections only: no candidate, registered third party or registered third party advertiser shall place no more than two signs per intersection (one per corner) at permitted Regional intersections
• It is encouraged that anyone installing signs have appropriate insurance to protect themselves and cover any costs related to potential damage to utilities, infrastructure or other incidents resulting from the installation of a sign. It is the sign installer’s responsibility to obtain any necessary utility clearances from Ontario One-Call

• At any restricted intersections due to property constraints 
  • See Bylaw #2015-36; A bylaw regulating signs on Regional roads
• In a location that impairs or obstructs the visibility of motorists, cyclists or pedestrians or warning devices including railway, traffic or municipal signs
• On any centre median, traffic island or centre boulevard within a road allowance
• Within five metres (17 feet) from a fire hydrant, transit shelter or bus stop
• Within three metres (10 feet) lateral distance from the edge of the road pavement or back of curb
• Within 10 metres (33 feet) lateral distance from intersection or driveway pavement edge
• If sign placement does not comply with the bylaw, signs will be removed for public safety

• Currently, York Region Road Operations assists with the enforcement of noncompliance signage
• This would continue under the new bylaw
• Some local municipalities assist with enforcement of the Bylaw

• Ensuring temporary signs are permitted and providing information to all applicants in terms of Bylaw changes

• The sign Bylaw is for temporary signs only
• Signs can be installed and removed during the following days/times: 
  • From 7 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. on Monday on regular weekends
  • From 7 p.m. on Thursday until 6 a.m. Monday on weekends with a holiday Friday
  • From 7 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. on Tuesday on Weekends with a holiday Monday
• Permits need to be renewed every six months

• Installation and removal of signs is the responsibility of election candidates
• Election signs are permitted 24 hours per day, seven days per week only during the period commencing at 10 a.m. on the 28th day prior election day
• 72 hours following the close of the polls all signs must be removed from the Regional road intersections
• Signs placed in contrary to York Region’s Sign Bylaw will be removed by York Region and/or local municipal staff
• Signs that are removed due to non-compliance will be held until after election day

Election sign recovery

• Signs can only be recovered after the election and will be available for pick-up 72 hours after election day. To recover non-compliant signs, please contact Public Works at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75000 or via email at transportation@york.ca and indicate the district centre where the signs where placed

Election sign recycling

• Following the election, candidates are welcome to recycle coroplast (corrugated plastic) election signs at the York Region Waste Depots. Please note, only coroplast campaign signs are accepted. Plastic film signs are not recyclable but can be dropped off as garbage for a fee. All fasteners, wood or metal stakes and wires must be removed prior to drop-off. For location details, visit york.ca/wastedepots or call 1-866-665-6752. Signs will be accepted at these locations for seven days following the election date