This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot 6dd01f3445e2 · verified 2026-06-08 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
TOWN OF LAKE COWICHAN
BYLAW NO. 1060-2021
Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated with 1068-2022
WHEREAS pursuant to the Community Charter, a municipality may by bylaw regulate and
impose requirements applicable to signs and advertising;
AND WHEREAS by authority of the Local Government Act and subject to the Transportation
Act and the Motor Vehicle Act a municipality may regulate the number, size, type, form,
appearance and location of any sign;
AND WHEREAS it is deemed desirable for local commercial, business, institutional and
industrial establishments to identify the nature of their business while preventing the public
display of signs which may be inappropriate as to size, design or hazards arising from
improperly constructed or sited signs;
NOW THEREFORE, the Municipal Council of the Town of Lake Cowichan, in open meeting
assembled, ENACTS as follows:
1.
TITLE
This bylaw may be cited as the Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw No. 1060-
2021
2.
DEFINITIONS
ANIMATED SIGN means any sign which exhibits changing or moving effects at a
constant intensity of illumination or has moving letters, symbols or messages and includes
rotating and revolving signs;
BILLBOARD means an exterior structure panel, board, or object designed exclusively to
support text or advertising material that is posted, fastened, painted or otherwise affixed
thereto by means permitting its ready removal or replacement, which customarily does
not directly apply to the premises or uses where it is displayed;
BUILDING INSPECTOR means the person appointed to administer the building
regulations of the Municipality;
BUSINESS FRONTAGE means the portion of a building frontage occupied by a single
tenant space having a public entrance within the building frontage. If a tenant has
frontage facing two or more highways or public areas, only the two largest frontages may
be used in calculating allowable sign area or number limitations;
CANOPY SIGN means any sign directly applied to a fixed structure projecting from any
wall of a building for the purpose of affording protection to the public from the weather;
Figure 1 Canopy Sign
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
2
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN means a sign or portion of a sign that allow for changes to
be made to the sign copy, either electronically by means of electronic switching of lamps
or illuminated tubes, or manually through the use of attachable letters, numbers or
graphics;
CLEARANCE, CURB means the distance between any sign or canopy and the elevation
of the nearest curb line vertically to coincide with the horizontal axis of the lowest part of
the sign;
Figure 2 Curb, Clearance
CLEARANCE, HEIGHT means the distance between the lowest part of any sign or
canopy and the grade below it;
Figure 3 Height, Clearance
COUNCIL means the Municipal Council of the Town of Lake Cowichan;
CORPORATE OFFICER means the municipal official appointed by Council to administer
the corporate services of the Town;
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
3
DIRECTORY SIGN means a sign listing four (4) or more businesses located on the same
parcel or at four (4) or more adjoining parcels;
Figure 4 Directory Sign
DIRECTIONAL SIGN means a sign designed to direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic, or
indicate the direction or route from the sign to a business or businesses, place or event;
FACIA SIGN means any flat sign which does not project more than 0.3 m from any wall
of any building to which it is attached, and runs for its whole length parallel to the face of
the wall of the building or structure;
Figure 5 Facia Sign
FLAG MOUNTED POLE SIGN means any sign located on either side of a single support
post, which is supported independent of a building or other structure, and permanently
fixed to the ground;
FLASHING SIGN means any directly or indirectly illuminated sign on or in which artificial
light intensity and colour is not maintained stationary and constantly maintained;
FREE-STANDING SIGN means any sign supported on a structure, which is independent
of any building;
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
4
HANGING SIGN means a sign suspended entirely underneath an awning, canopy or
other similar structure;
Figure 6 Hanging Sign
IDENTIFICATION SIGN means a sign, other than a Third Party Sign, which contains no
advertising message and is limited to the name, logo, address and number of a building,
institution or person, and to the activity carried on, or the occupation of the person in the
building or occupation;
MONUMENT SIGN means a sign that is supported by a solid base, rather than by poles,
posts, or other such supports;
Figure 7 Monument Sign
MUNICIPALITY means the Town of Lake Cowichan;
PARAPET SIGN means a sign erected on the portion of a building facia or wall that rises
above the roof level of the structure;
Figure 8 Parapet Sign
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
5
PARCEL means any lot, block or other area in which land is held or subdivided and shall
be deemed to include the area within a strata plan;
POLE SIGN means a free-standing sign with a visible support structure;
Figure 9 Pole Sign
POLITICAL SIGN means a temporary display structure bearing lettering, symbols or
pictures used to:
a)
promote or oppose the election of a candidate;
b)
approve or disapprove of a course of action advocated by a candidate;
c)
promote or oppose a political organization or its program;
d)
approve or disapprove of a course of action advocated by a political
organization;
e)
promote or oppose an issue that is the subject of a referendum or plebiscite; or
f)
promote or oppose a recall or initiative campaign;
PORTABLE SIGN means any sign not permanently anchored to the ground or to a
building, including "A" frame sandwich board or curb signs and any sign capable of being
wheeled, lifted, or otherwise moved from one location to another;
Figure 10 Portable Sign
PROJECTING SIGN means any sign which projects more than 0.3m from the face or
wall of any building or structure to which it is attached;
Figure 11 Projecting Sign
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
6
ROOF SIGN means any sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet of any building;
Figure 12 Roof Sign
SIGN means any structure or device attached or painted or represented thereon which is
used as, or which is in the nature of, an announcement, direction or advertisement of
which is used to attract the attention of the public to any object, product, place, activity,
person, institution, organization, or business and which is placed so as to be seen by the
general public;
SIGN AREA means the area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme
limits of the sign; and
TEMPORARY SIGN means a notice, structure or device which is displayed or used, or
intended to be displayed or used for fewer than sixty days.
THIRD PARTY SIGN means off-premises sign that advertises goods, products, services,
or facilities.
Figure 13 Third Party Sign -Billboard Type (not permitted)
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
7
Figure 14 Third Party Sign - Portable Sign Type
3.
APPLICATIONS AND PERMITS
3.1 No sign shall be erected, altered or relocated within the Municipality except in
conformity with the provisions of this bylaw.
3.2 Unless otherwise exempted, this bylaw applies to all owners, tenants and lessees of
a premise or parcel within the boundaries of the town.
3.3 The application for a sign permit shall be made in writing, in the form approved by
the Town, and shall be accompanied by plans and specifications showing:
a)
the proposed location of the sign in relation to the boundaries of the parcel
upon which it is to be situated;
b)
the proposed location of the sign in relation to any wall of the building;
c)
the overall height of the sign and the amount of clearance beneath it measured
from finished grade;
d)
the type of illumination and the colours to be used;
e)
the type of construction of the sign and the materials to be used; and
f)
other information as the Municipality may require.
3.4 A permit application may require submission of a plan certified by a BC Professional
Engineer or Architect that the structure of the sign and its supports and fastenings
are so designed as to be safe and secure.
3.5 The Building Official shall issue a sign permit upon compliance of all the
requirements of this bylaw.
3.6 A sign permit expires if the authorized work is not commenced within six months of
the issuance.
4.
FEES
4.1 All fees must be paid in full prior to permit being issued.
4.2 No portion of the permit fees is refundable.
5.
MAINTENANCE
5.1 The owner of any sign shall keep such sign, together with its supports, braces, guys
and anchors, in good repair as to safety and appearance.
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
8
5.2 Normal sign maintenance, including replacement of lighting or refurbishing shall not
require a sign permit as long as all other requirements of this bylaw are met.
5.3 All signs shall be maintained to ensure that they are free of hazards caused by decay
or structural damage or failure.
5.4 Failure to comply with any of the provisions in this section will result in enforcement
action with the owner responsible for all costs.
6.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
6.1 The maximum number of temporary signs in all zone districts shall be two (2) per
commercial business frontage or residential dwelling.
6.2 Maximum number of permanent signs in commercial zone districts shall be as
follows:
a)
up to two (2) signs per business frontage, from the following options:
i.
one (1) awning, canopy, roof or fascia sign;
ii.
one (1) projecting sign or hanging sign; and
iii.
one (1) window sign.
PLUS
b)
one (1) free standing sign which may be a flag mounted pole sign,
monument sign, or pole sign per frontage of any parcel.
PLUS
c)
two (2) directional signs per parcel; and
d)
one (1) identification sign per business.
6.3 The area of each sign shall conform to the regulations of this Bylaw for that
particular type of sign, provided that the total sign area on any one façade of a
building does not exceed 10% of the area or 80% of the length of the façade.
6.4 The maximum number of temporary signs in residential zone districts is two (2) per
dwelling.
6.5 The maximum number of permanent signs in residential zone districts shall be up to
one (1) sign per dwelling, from the following options:
a)
one (1) directional sign;
b)
one (1) home occupation sign, as applicable; and
c)
one (1) identification sign per dwelling.
6.6 Unless permitted or exempted under this Bylaw, or any Provincial or Federal statute,
no person, nor any owner, tenant, lessee of a premises or parcel, nor contractor
shall erect, alter or relocate a sign within the town until a valid sign permit to do so
has been issued under the Bylaw.
6.7 Any sign that is in existence at the time of adoption of this bylaw, and which was
approved by Permit at the time of previous bylaws, is deemed to be legal non-
conforming subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act so long as the
principal business so advertised continues, and no façade improvement occurs.
6.8 When a business or institutional establishment vacates a parcel, all signs and
accompanying support structures on the parcel which relate to that business or
institution shall be removed by the owner of the sign or the owner of the parcel
within 30 days from the day the parcel was vacated.
6.9 Any sign alteration that is not in compliance with the provisions of this bylaw shall
cause the entire sign to be non-compliant.
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
9
GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR SIGNS PERMITTED WITHOUT A PERMIT
7.1 Subject to the provisions of the Bylaw, the following may be erected or placed
without a permit:
a)
subject to the approval of the Council as to the design, size, location and period
of time to be posted, signs upon or over private or public property announcing
the date of an event or function of a charitable nature or signs promoting
Community health, safety or welfare campaigns;
b)
one temporary unlighted sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of the
property on which the sign is displayed shall not exceed 0.75 m2 on residential
lots and not more than 2.3 m2 in residential developments;
c)
signs erected by the Municipality for any Municipal purpose;
d)
one sign of not more than 0.56 m2 containing only the words "entrance" or
"exit" at each entrance or exit from an off street parking lot;
e)
one temporary sign of not more than 3.0 m2 in area giving the name of the
Contractors, Engineers, and Architects engaged with construction, alterations,
or demolition of a building or structure providing such sign is removed prior to
the final inspection of the structure under the Building Bylaw of the
Municipality;
f)
any sign displayed pursuant to the Highways Act, Motor Vehicle Act, or to any
other statute;
g)
any window sign of less than fifty percent (50%) of the window area;
h)
any sign displayed for the purpose only of preventing trespass provided the
area of the sign does not exceed 0.56 m2;
i)
any sign displayed attached to a dwelling house and bearing only the name and
occupation of the occupant provided that the area of the sign does not exceed
0.56 m2;
j)
one bulletin board, not exceeding 2.23 m2 in area, on any school, library,
church site, post office, or any other prominent public building;
k)
subject to the approval of Council, one sign for the purpose of indicating the
name of a subdivision; and
l)
subject to the approval of Council, any one church directional sign.
m)
political signs shall not be displayed prior to the date on which an election or
referendum is called by the election officer; shall be removed within seven (7)
days of the date of the election in respect of which they were displayed; and
shall not be erected on non-designated public property or so as to interfere
with pedestrian or traffic safety.
n)
temporary signs, except for political signs, shall be removed within sixty days of
their placement.
8.
PROHIBITED SIGNS
8.1 The following types of signs shall not be permitted:
a)
permanent window signs larger than fifty percent (50%) of the window area;
b)
animated signs;
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
10
c)
balloon signs;
d)
billboards;
e)
flashing signs;
f)
third party signs, except for approved portable signs and other Council
approved directory signs;
g)
manual changeable copy signs; and
h)
rotating signs.
9.
ELECTION AND POLITICAL SIGNS, POSTERS AND HANDBILLS (1068-2022)
9.1 It shall be unlawful for any person to post election signs, posters, or handbills
contrary to the regulations contained in this bylaw or the Guide to Election Sign
Placement which is attached as Schedule "A" will constitute Schedule "B" of the
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw No. 1060-2021.
9.2 The Corporate Officer before issuing the authorization shall require each applicant to
pay a deposit of one hundred dollars ($100.00) to ensure the removal of the signs,
posters, or handbills within four days after Election Day, which sum shall be forfeited
if the removal is not completed.
9.3 No person shall scatter or drop from any aeroplane, motor vehicle or by hand any
advertisement, poster notice, placard, or handbill.
9.4 Signs may not be illuminated, animated, use flashing or other electrical features.
10. PERMITTED SIGNS
10.1 The following signs to advertise the business or activity in lands and premises are
permitted in all Zones as designed by the Zoning Bylaw of the Municipality, subject
to any required approval of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and
subject to the following regulations.
a)
Free standing signs:
i.
one sign per parcel;
ii.
shall not be located closer than 1.5 m to any adjoining parcel;
iii.
pole signs shall not exceed a height of 2.3 m (or exceed a total sign area
of 0.15 m2 per one (1) metre of business frontage;
iv.
flag pole signs shall not exceed a height of 2.3 m or exceed a total sign
area of 0.5 m2;
v.
shall not project over any public right-of-way; and
vi.
shall have a minimum clearance of 4.3 m from grade over vehicular traffic
areas.
b)
Facia, roof and canopy signs:
i.
shall not exceed a sign area of 0.3 m2 for every lineal metre of the
occupant's building frontage or 20% of the building face, whichever is
less; and
ii.
shall have a minimum height clearance of 2.7 m and a curb clearance of
0.6 m.
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
11
c)
Projecting sign:
i.
one sign per parcel;
ii.
shall not exceed a sign area of 0.7 m2 per side for any parcel; and
iii.
shall have a height clearance of 2.7 m and curb clearance of 0.6 m.
d)
Portable signs are permitted subject to the following limitations:
i.
one sign per business frontage together with a maximum of two other
types of permitted signs;
ii.
portable signs are to be double sided and on a single pedestal support;
iii.
portable signs shall be a maximum height above the sidewalk of one
metre (1.0 m) and a maximum width of twenty-five percent (25%) of the
sidewalk at that location and shall not impede pedestrian and wheelchair
traffic or visibility for vehicles;
iv.
maximum area to be point four square metre (0.4 m2) per side;
v.
portable signs shall be located within the first twenty percent (20%) of
the sidewalk width in from the back of the curb;
vi.
where parallel parking occurs, the portable sign shall be located along the
sidewalk at least point nine metre (0.9 m) and not greater than one point
eight metres (1.8 m) from the parking stall separator line painted on the
roadway in front of the business advertising on the sign;
vii.
where bus zones are located, portable signs are prohibited; and
viii.
the business displaying a portable sign will arrange for public liability
insurance to cover the liability from any damages arising on the property
owned by the Municipality and will provide same to the Municipal Office.
e)
A portable sign permit issued under authority of this section must meet the
following terms:
i.
a business must hold a valid business license;
ii.
a business may not hold more than one portable sign permit for the
business; and
iii.
the location and form of the sign must be approved by the Town.
f)
Changeable copy sign messaging may be included on monument signs or facia
signs only, provided that only one sign per business contains changeable copy,
that the message area is limited to no more than 30% of the copy area, and
that light required to display an electronic message is emitted at a consistent
level (no flashing, scrolling or otherwise moving messages).
10.2 Notwithstanding Section 10.1 d) of this bylaw, a holder of valid business from the
Town which does not front a public street may make application to allow the display
of one portable sign on a street or on a sidewalk, or in another location approved by
the Municipality.
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
12
10.3 A portable sign shall only be displayed during the operating hours of the business or
activity to which it pertains but in no instance are signs to be displayed beyond 10
p.m. of each day.
10.4 Portable signs not complying with the requirements of this bylaw shall be
impounded.
11. PENALTIES
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this bylaw or suffers or permits any act or
thing to be done in contravention of this bylaw, or who refuses or omits or neglects to fulfil,
observe, carry out or perform any duty imposed by this bylaw, shall be liable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000.00); or if an information is
laid by means of a ticket, in accordance with the procedure set out in the Offence Act, a fine
as stipulated in Schedule "A" of this bylaw.
TRANSITION
That upon adoption of this Bylaw, Bylaw No. 945-2015" Town of Lake Cowichan Sign
Regulation," and all amendments thereto, are hereby repealed.
READ A FIRST TIME on the 27th day of July, 2021.
READ A SECOND TIME on the 27th day of July, 2021.
READ A THIRD TIME on the 27th day of July, 2021.
RECONSIDERED, FINALLY PASSED and ADOPTED by the Municipal Council of the Town
of Lake Cowichan on the 24th day of August, 2021.
Bob K. Day
Joseph A. Fernandez
Mayor
Corporate Officer
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
13
BYLAW NO. 1060-2021
Schedule "A"
(Attached to and forming part of Bylaw No. 1060-2021)
F I N E S
Description of Offence
Bylaw Section
Amount of Fine
No sign permit
3
$100
Prohibited signage
8
$100
Posting of political poster or sign without
approval
9
$100
More than 1 sandwich sign
10
$100
Unapproved form or location of sandwich
sign
10
$200
Sandwich sign displayed beyond permitted
time
10
$100
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
14
Schedule "B"
(Attached to and forming part of Bylaw No. 1060-2021,
Amended by Bylaw No. 1068-2022)
Guide to Election Sign Placement
Duration of Election and Political Sign Placement
RATION OF ELECTION AND POLITICAL SIGN PLACEMENT
General rule for local elections:
Election signs for general local elections may be erected starting on the 28th day before general
voting day and must end at the close of general voting for the election. Signs must be taken
down no later than four days after the general election. This guide as outlined below is also
applicable to federal and provincial elections.
Election Signs on Town Lands, Buildings, or Structures
ELECTION SIGNS ON CITY LANDS, BUILDINGS, OR STRUCTURES
- Election and political signs must not be placed on Town-owned property including
(but not limited to):
o on highways, roads, lanes, bridges and right of ways;
o on boulevards* and medians or roundabouts;
o in parks, on playing fields, trees, or planters;
o on waste receptacles or newspaper box; or
o on Town buildings or structures.
*As an exception, election and political signs that have a sign face of no more than 0.6
metres square in area (approximately 2 x 3 feet) may be placed on a Town-owned boulevard
immediately in front of a residential or commercial property with the consent of the property
owner.
An additional exception is Town owned property at the Cowichan Lake entry sign at the "Y'
between Youbou Road and Cowichan Valley Highway where election signs may be placed.
Election Signs on Private Property
ELECTION SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Election signs are permitted on private property, without the need for a sign permit,
between the 28th day before general voting day and must end at the close of general
voting for the election provided that the property owner consents to the placement of the
sign.
- Property owners would be within their rights to remove and/or dispose of signage that has
- been placed on their property without permission.
- Election signs on private property at intersections must not obstruct sight lines as shown
in the diagram attached to this information sheet.
Hazardous Placement of Election Signs
- Election and political signs must not be placed on public or private property in such a
- manner as to create a hazard for pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles.
- As an example, election signs:
o must not overhang Town-owned property;
o must not be placed within one metre of a fire hydrant;
o must not obstruct, simulate, or detract from a traffic control device or traffic sign;
o must not become unsightly or dilapidated if damaged; and
o must not obstruct sightlines at intersections (as shown in the attached diagram).
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
15
Schedule "B"
Guide to Election Sign Placement (Continued)
- Election signs must not obstruct the line of vision at an intersection between the height of
0.9 metres (2.95 feet) and 3.0 metres (9.84 feet), as measured from the top of any curb
fronting a parcel (or if there is no curb, as measured from the crown of the roadway) in
the area shown in the illustration below.
Election Signs Near Voting Places at the time of Voting
Under the Local Government Act, it is an election offence for an election sign to be located
within 100 metres of a voting place during voting proceedings. This includes signage on
private property.
- Contraventions of this law and other election offences carry serious penalties which could
include fines, imprisonment, and prohibitions against voting in local elections and/or
holding an elected local government office.
- Election signs found within 100 metres of a voting place on General Voting Day or on any
of the advance voting days, will be removed immediately without notice under the
authority of the Chief Election Officer and costs for such removal may be recovered from
the deposit.
Town of Lake Cowichan Sign Regulation Bylaw
Consolidated 2022-03-25
No 1060-2021
16
Schedule "B"
Guide to Election Sign Placement (Continued)
Enforcement and Penalties
- The Town Bylaw Officer and Election Office staff are available to answer your questions
about the lawful placement of election signs.
- It is the responsibility of each candidate, elector organization and any other individual
who places election signs in the community to ensure compliance with the bylaw in order
to avoid the potential inconvenience and cost of enforcement and/or sign removal.
- Where time permits and the sign is not considered a safety hazard, the candidate or
elector organization may be given the opportunity to remove the improperly placed sign.
- The Town will remove signage without prior notice if a sign is considered to be a safety
hazard; if it is located within 100 meters of a voting place at the time of voting; or if a
candidate or elector organization has not removed a sign in a timely manner after being
notified or has been non-responsive to such requests.
- The Town is not responsible for the loss or damage of election signs that are placed in
the community or removed under the bylaw.
- Election signs that are removed by the Town will be held at the Town Works Yard and
may be disposed of without further notice if not claimed within seven days. Signs may be
claimed at the yard from Monday through Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm.
- A person who places election signs in contravention to the bylaw or fails to comply with
the bylaw may be subject to a $100 penalty per day. For signs that are placed in a
manner that constitutes a hazard, a penalty of $100 may apply. Penalties may be applied
for each sign and for each day in violation of the bylaw.
- Complaints: Complaints regarding illegal sign placement should be directed to the
Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250-749-6681.