People with ideas about signage in the city are encouraged to attend a public information session being held at city hall on March 29 at 6 p.m.
“The city’s internal Bylaw Review Advisory Committee (BRAC) has found several areas in which the bylaw is in need of an update or areas that the bylaw could be expanded to include other types of signage,” the city says.
Some of the changes are around real-estate signs and sandwich boards.
They include that real estate signs be removed within 30 days after a lease, sale or rental has transpired. That real estate signs be placed safely on properties and not pose a hazard, that they only be present on active listings, that they be kept in an active state of repair and that open-house signs be removed once the open house has taken place.
When it comes to sandwich boards, the city is hoping to come up with a definition because at present there isn’t one.
Aside from wanting to define one as a freestanding sign, intended for temporary use during business hours, and non illuminated, the city would like to restrict them to one per business and require that business owners have a permit with an insurance policy.
Other areas up for discussion include making the bylaw easier to interpret, reviewing current fees to include a sign permit fee, increasing liability insurance, adding provisions to allow offsite signs for commercial and industrial parks, authorizing the bylaw to include the bylaw officers, and authorizing fines by way of fine schedule.
The public is also encouraged to send an e-mail or write a letter to mayor and council on the proposed changes.