Explore September’s By-law of the Month
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Learn everything you
need to know about Vaughan’s Sign By-law
By-laws are put in place to ensure a safe and orderly community
for all who live, work and play in Vaughan. Each month, the City of Vaughan
explores a different by-law and what it means for you. This month, let’s take a
look at the Sign By-law.
Here are the basics
The Sign
By-law, as amended, outlines rules around the use of signs so that community
appearance and the safety of residents are not impacted. Signs put up in
Vaughan must comply with the Sign By-law, and require a City-issued permit in
some cases.
Find out more about the guidelines for some commonly seen signs
around Vaughan.
Election signs advertise a registered candidate in a federal, provincial or
municipal election. Election signs:
- must be placed on private property with the property owner’s permission.
- cannot be put up more than six weeks before Voting Day on municipal roads and 28 days before Voting Day on regional roads. Voting Day for the 2022 Municipal Election is Monday, Oct. 24.
- cannot exceed 1.49 square metres (including any border or frame).
- must be placed one metre from all street lines, a minimum of 1.5 metres from any common lot boundary with an adjacent lot, and not be located within a daylighting triangle – the outside corner of a property at an intersection.
- must be removed within 72 hours following the election.
Before erecting signs, candidates need to
register their campaign, complete an application (PDF), pay a fee and obtain approval from Vaughan’s By-law and
Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services department. Signs that are not in
compliance will be removed.
Lawn signs can be used by renovators, fence installers, pavers, landscapers
and pool installers that are licensed in the city
of Vaughan, and by trades licensed or otherwise
certified by provincial legislation. Lawn signs:
- may only be displayed with property owner’s permission.
- may not exceed 0.6 square metres.
- can display the business’ municipal licence number.
- must be removed within five business days after the work has been completed.
Real estate signs are temporary signs that advertise a building, property or premises as for
sale, lease or rent. Only one sign per lot is allowed. Real estate signs:
- must be removed within 14 days after an offer is accepted to purchase, lease or rent the premises.
- must list the address of the property being advertised.
Mobile signs are portable signs that are designed to have its content changed. A
permit is required to display a mobile sign in Vaughan. Since the COVID-19 emergency declaration in March 2020, the City
has introduced several initiatives to support businesses and individuals, while
continuing to also ensure the health, safety and well-being of the
public; this includes increasing the opportunities for local
businesses to advertise using mobile and portable signs. Until Dec. 31,
2022, the following parameters are in place with respect to mobile sign
applications:
- Up to two mobile signs will be permitted on eligible property as long as there is a minimum distance of 30 metres (approximately 100 feet) between the signs, provided the property does not directly abut a residentially zoned property.
- No limit will be placed on the number of permits that may be obtained by any one business.
- No black-out period will be imposed between permits, with permits continuing to be for 21 days, and each permit requiring a separate application and fee.
- To expedite the issuance process, zoning clearances and site drawings are not required.
- The City’s Director and Chief Licensing Officer, By-law & Compliance, Licensing & Permit Services is authorized to refuse mobile sign permit applications.
When
a sign is installed without a permit on property owned by/under the
jurisdiction of the City, the sign could be removed without notice. When a sign
is installed without a permit on private property, the City may issue a letter
stating the sign must be removed. If the sign is not removed, the City may
remove it at the sign owner’s expense.
Any person violating the Sign By-law may
be fined up to $20,000 for each offence. Any corporation violating the Sign
By-law may be fined up to $50,000 for each offence.