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Sign Bylaw No. 1769, 2016
Page 1
THE CITY OF ARMSTRONG
BYLAW No. 1769, 2016
SIGN BYLAW
A Bylaw to Regulate Signs in the City of Armstrong
WHEREAS the Community Charter empowers a Council, by bylaw, to regulate the placing,
alteration, maintenance, demolition and removal of signs;
AND WHEREAS it is deemed desirable to regulate such signs in the City of Armstrong;
NOW THEREFORE Council of the City of Armstrong in open meeting assembled hereby enacts as
follows:
1. Citation
1.1. This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the "City of Armstrong Sign Bylaw No. 1769,
2016".
2. Application
2.1. This Bylaw is applicable to the placement, alteration, maintenance, demolition or removal of
signs on all private property and road rights-of-way within the City of Armstrong.
2.2. This Bylaw does not apply to:
a) Signs located inside a building and not visible or intended to be visible from any road.
b) Building addresses containing number and street only.
c) Name and/or address plates for private residences.
d) Street name and traffic control signs.
3. Interpretation
3.1. The following definitions shall apply throughout this Bylaw:
ANIMATED SIGN means a sign that employs sound or physical movement or change of
lighting to depict action, whether by flashing, oscillating, pulsating or traveling illumination.
CITY means the City of Armstrong.
CITY SIGN means a sign owned and placed by the City or authorized to be placed on the
City's behalf.
COPY means the text, illustrations and symbols on a sign surface.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN means a sign that communicates only directional information
regarding pedestrian or vehicular movement on a parcel on which the sign is located and
does not contain any advertising.
Sign Bylaw No. 1769, 2016
Page 2
FREE STANDING SIGN means a sign that is supported by a foundation that is not a
building, streetlight, utility pole, traffic sign pole, bench or fence.
GARAGE SALE SIGN means a temporary freestanding sign pertaining to the sale of used
merchandise at a residence.
HOME OCCUPATION SIGN means a sign that advertises a home occupation as defined
in the City of Armstrong Zoning Bylaw.
ILLUMINATED SIGN means a sign that emanates or reflects artificial light.
OFF PREMISE SIGN means a permanent sign that advertises or directs attention to a
product, service, place, activity, person, institution or business not sited on the same parcel.
POLITICAL SIGN means a sign that pertains only to the voters of the City for an election or
referendum of the City, School Board, Provincial Government or Federal Government.
PORTABLE SIGN means a sign that is not permanently attached to the ground, building or
structure and includes banners, pennants, flags, portable signs, vehicles, search lights,
balloons, inflatable figures and other similar devices, but does not include a sandwich board
sign.
PROJECT SIGN means a temporary sign erected on a development, subdivision or
construction site that names and describes the project and provides marketing information
relating to the project.
PROJECTING SIGN means a sign attached to a vertical wall of a building or other structure
that projects therefrom with a sign face forming an angle greater than thirty (30) degrees
with the plane of the wall or structure, and includes a canopy sign.
REAL ESTATE SIGN means a sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of real estate,
located on the premises being advertised, for the period that the property is being marketed.
REAL ESTATE OPEN HOUSE SIGN means a temporary freestanding sign pertaining to a
real estate viewing opportunity, open to the public, for a limited time period.
ROOF SIGN means a sign erected upon or above the roof of a building or structure.
SANDWICH BOARD SIGN means a temporary, non-illuminated sign consisting of two flat
surfaces joined at one end and resting on the ground.
SEASONAL SIGN means a sign or decoration temporarily installed for the celebration of a
religious, civic or other holiday and which does not contain any advertising.
SIGN means a structure, device or visual display intended to advertise, communicate
information or attract attention of the public for any purpose.
SIGN AREA means the total area within the outer edge of the frame or border of a sign but
where the sign has no frame or border, means the area contained within the shortest line
surrounding the copy. In the case of a multi-faceted sign, each side shall be counted in
computing the sign area.
SIGN HEIGHT means the vertical distance from the average ground elevation at the base
of the sign to the highest point on a sign.
Sign Bylaw No. 1769, 2016
Page 3
SIGN STRUCTURE means the foundation, supports and framework of a sign or display.
SIGN PERMIT means a permit issued by the City under the provisions of this Bylaw.
VEHICLE SIGN means a sign which is erected on or attached to a vehicle where the
principal purpose of the vehicle is to serve as a sign or a sign structure.
WALL AREA means the area of all external, vertical wall surfaces, fascia and trim bands
making up any single face of a building facing a public road.
WALL SIGN means a sign that is painted on or incorporated into a building's wall, fascia or
trim band surface.
ZONE means the zoning designation established by the City of Armstrong Zoning Bylaw.
4. General Provisions
4.1. General Compliance
a) No sign shall be placed, displayed, altered or moved within the City unless such sign
is in conformity with the provisions of this Bylaw, or where a sign is considered to be
a structure, the City of Armstrong Building Bylaw.
b) No sign shall be placed, displayed or installed on or over public property, including
road rights of way, boulevards, fencing or utility poles unless in accordance with a
permit issued under the provisions of this Bylaw.
4.2. Sign Maintenance
All signs shall be structurally sound and free from all hazards caused or resulting from decay
or the failure of structural parts, fixtures, lighting or appurtenances. All signs shall be
maintained in readable and clean condition and the site of the sign shall be maintained free
of weeds, debris and rubbish.
4.3. Abandoned Signs
Any sign located on a parcel that becomes vacant or where the use has been discontinued
for a period of six (6) months or more, and any sign which pertains to a time, event or
purpose which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned, and shall be
removed by the owner of the parcel within thirty (30) days of written notification by the City.
4.4. Permitted Signs
a) The following signs shall be permitted on any parcel of land in all zones, without the
requirement for a Sign Permit, provided that all other provisions of this Bylaw are met:
directional signs
garage sale signs
City signs
political signs
real estate signs
real estate open house signs
seasonal signs
sandwich board signs on private property
Sign Bylaw No. 1769, 2016
Page 4
b) The following signs shall be permitted with a Sign Permit issued in accordance with
Section 5 Sign Permits, subject to the provisions of Section 6 Sign Specifications:
Portable signs
Project signs
Sandwich boards on public property
4.5. Prohibited Signs
The following signs are expressly prohibited on any building, parcel of land, or road right of
way:
Balcony signs
Off premise signs
Roof signs
Vehicle signs
4.6. Enforcement & Violations
a) The Bylaw Enforcement Officers and Building Inspectors of the City may enter at all
reasonable times upon any property, building or structure for the purpose of
ascertaining whether the requirements and regulations of this Bylaw are being
observed.
b) Any obstruction in the administration and enforcement of this Bylaw shall constitute
an offense.
c) Any person who commits an offense against this Bylaw may be issued Municipal
Ticketing Information with fines pursuant to the provisions of the City of Armstrong
Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw.
d) Any person who violates the conditions of a Sign Permit may receive an order by a
Bylaw Enforcement Officer or Building Inspector of the City to stop, repair, alter or
remove any work or sign that contravenes the conditions of the Permit pursuant to
the provisions of this Bylaw or the City of Armstrong Building Bylaw.
4.7. Severability
If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or phrase of this Bylaw is for any
reason held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect
the validity of the remaining portions of this Bylaw.
5. Sign Permits
5.1. Permit Requirements
a) A sign considered to be a structure, as determined by the Building Inspector, will
require an approved Building Permit prior to installation.
b) Where a sign is not a structure, and not previously exempted from a Sign Permit in
sub section 4.4.a), prior to installation or placement of the sign, a Sign Permit must
be approved by the Chief Administrative Officer of the City or designate.
Sign Bylaw No. 1769, 2016
Page 5
c) Notwithstanding a permit being issued to a third party, the owner and occupier of the
lot where a sign is located are jointly and severally responsible to complete all work
in accordance with the permit and public safety and to maintain the sign in a safe
condition free from defects.
5.2. Form of Permit
a) An application for a Sign Permit shall be made in the form provided by the City, and
shall be subject to an application fee as outlined in the City of Armstrong Fees and
Charges Bylaw.
6. Sign Specifications
6.1. Specifications Common to all Zones
a) Signs shall be constructed of materials suitable to the purpose and life of the sign,
and all wiring and conduits shall be located within building walls, located underground
or otherwise concealed from view.
b) Where illuminated, the light from any sign shall not create a direct glare upon adjacent
property or any adjoining street or lane.
c) Setbacks - The setback of free standing signs from a lot corner adjacent to an
intersection shall be not less than 6 meters. The setback of free standing signs from
all other property lines shall be not less than 1 meter. In addition to the provisions of
this Bylaw, political signs for elections and referenda are subject to location
restrictions regulated by the Local Government Act and other Provincial and Federal
Government legislation.
d) Where permitted, the following signs are subject to the requirements set out below:
a. Animated Signs - may be incorporated into a freestanding sign or wall sign
provided that the change in message is limited to one change per minute and
no form of movement in the way of scrolling, flashing, fading, change or
illumination or chasing borders is incorporated into the sign or message.
b. Directional Signs - shall not have a sign area greater than 0.4 m2.
c. Garage Sale signs - shall pertain to garage sales being held within the City,
have a sign area no greater than 1.0 m2, unless specified elsewhere in this
Bylaw, and must be placed no sooner than 24 hours prior to the sale and be
removed no later than 24 hours after the sale. In all cases, the maximum
duration for the placement of garage sale signs is 72 hours.
d. Home Occupation Signs -shall not have a sign area greater than 0.28 m2.
e. Portable Signs - shall not have a sign area greater than 3.0 m2 and the
placement of a portable sign on a parcel of land shall not exceed a duration
of 90 days in a calendar year.
f.
Project Signs - shall not have a sign area greater than 9.0 m2, must be
located on the same parcel as the development, and may not be erected prior
to third reading of a Zoning Bylaw amendment, submission of a Development
Permit, or the issuance of Preliminary Layout Review of a subdivision. The
Sign Bylaw No. 1769, 2016
Page 6
display of such project signs will be limited to a period of three years after the
approval of a Zoning Bylaw amendment, Development Permit or subdivision
approval. Project signs shall be removed after one year of inactivity of a
development.
g. Real estate signs - shall not have a sign area greater than 1.0 m2, unless
specified elsewhere in this Bylaw.
h. Real estate open house signs - shall pertain to properties within the City,
have a sign area no greater than 1.0 m2, and must be placed no sooner than
4 hours prior to the open house and be removed no later than 4 hours after
the open house. In all cases, the maximum duration for the placement of real
estate open house signs is 24 hours.
i.
Sandwich Board signs - shall not have a sign area greater than 0.75 m2 for
each surface, and where located on public property, and where on a sidewalk,
are subject to the conditions of an approved Sidewalk Use Permit as outlined
in the City of Armstrong Traffic and Parking Regulation Bylaw.
6.2. Specifications in Agricultural, Rural and Residential Zones
a) Number of Signs - A maximum of one (1) each of home occupation, real estate,
garage sale or political signs is permitted on each parcel.
b) Illumination - no backlighting or animation of signs is permitted within an agricultural
or residential zone.
c) Portable Signs - no portable signs are permitted within an agricultural or residential
zone.
6.3. Specifications in All Other Zones
a) Number of Signs:
a. Free standing signs - A maximum of one (1) is permitted on each parcel
except that parcels with a lot frontage exceeding 100 meters are permitted
one (1) additional free standing sign;
b. Wall signs - A maximum of one (1) Wall Sign per each building frontage.
c. Projecting signs - A maximum of one (1) per building or one (1) canopy sign
per entrance.
d. Project signs - A maximum of one (1) per parcel.
e. Sandwich board signs - A maximum of one (1) per business located on the
subject parcel.
f.
Portable signs - A maximum of one per parcel.
b) Illumination - Internal and external illumination of signs is permitted provided that the
light source does not cause glare to adjacent properties or persons travelling on
adjacent roads, or in any way obstructs or interferes with the function of a traffic signal
or sign.
Sign Bylaw No. 1769, 2016
Page 7
c) Sign Area - The sign area shall not exceed:
Commercial, Industrial, Public and Institutional Zones
Freestanding Signs
12.0 m2 for lots less than 1000 m2 in area;
15.0 m2 for lots greater than 1000 m2 and less than 4000
m2 in area;
18.0 m2 for lots greater than 4000 m2 in area.
Wall Signs
1.0 m2 per 1.0 m of lineal building wall to which the sign is
affixed, along the street frontage of the building, to a
maximum of 14.0 m2.
Projecting Signs
2.8 m2
Real Estate
3.0 m2
d) Copy Area - The maximum copy area shall be not greater than forty-five percent
(45%) of the sign area.
e) Height - The sign height shall not exceed:
a. 6.0 meters for free standing signs in commercial and industrial zones;
b. 2.0 meters for free standing signs in public, institutional and all other zones,
where permitted;
c. 1.3 meters for sandwich board signs
f) Clearance - Freestanding signs or projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance
of 2.75 m from the finished grade of any sidewalk or ground surface immediately
below and not less than 4.5 m from the finished grade of any driveway, lane or parking
space immediately below the sign.
g) Landscaping - Free standing signs or at grade signs shall be placed in and
coordinated with the landscaped areas of the parcel.
READ A FIRST TIME this 29th day of March, 2016.
READ A SECOND TIME this 29th day of March, 2016.
READ A THIRD TIME this 29th day of March, 2016.
ADOPTED this 27th day of June, 2016.
Signature on File
Signature on File
________________________________
_________________________
Corporate Officer
Mayor