This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot d30aeffb7104 · verified 2026-08-23 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
CITY OF SURREY
BY-LAW NO. 13656
SURREY SIGN BY-LAW, 1999
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
As amended by By-law No. 13823, 09/13/99; 14580, 12/03/01; 14635, 02/18/02; 14655, 03/25/02; 14934, 03/24/03;
15057, 06/16/03; 15025, 06/23/03; 15178, 12/01/03; 15216, 06/07/04; 15467, 07/26/04, 15474, 07/28/04, 15666,
05/18/05; 15937, 02/13/06; 16209, 01/15/07; 16530, 01/14/08; 16857, 01/19/09; 17080, 12/14/09; 17323, 01/10/11;
17567, 02/06/12; 17843, 12/17/12; 17984, 07/29/13; 18136, 01/13/14; 18303, 10/20/14; 18358, 01/12/15; 18590,
12/14/15; 18982, 12/19/16; 19428, 12/18/17; 19554, 04/23/18; 19718, 12/19/2018; 19834, 06/10/2019; 20459,
11/08/2021; 20711, 08/08/2022; 22059, 06/29/2026
THIS IS A CONSOLIDATED BY-LAW PREPARED BY THE CITY OF SURREY FOR CONVENIENCE
ONLY. THE CITY DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
CONSOLIDATION IS CURRENT. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSON USING THIS
CONSOLIDATION TO ENSURE THAT IT ACCURATELY REFLECTS CURRENT BY-LAW
PROVISIONS.
WHEREAS pursuant to Section 8(4) of the Community Charter, S.B.C. 2003, c. 26, the Council
may, by By-law regulate the erection and placing of signs within the City of Surrey;
AND WHEREAS it is deemed desirable to repeal Part 6 - Signs of the Surrey Zoning By-law,
1993, No. 12000 as amended;
NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Surrey, in open meeting assembled, ENACT AS
FOLLOWS:
INTENT OF BY-LAW
(a)
To protect the public from the potential hazards associated with signs that conflict
with signs and lights erected for the direction of vehicular and pedestrian traffic;
(b)
To protect the public from the dangers of signs of inferior construction and from
the public nuisance or hazard arising from improperly sited signs;
(c)
To enable businesses to identify their businesses and services and to indicate, to
the extent permitted by this By-law, the types of goods and services manufactured
or sold on the premises or off the premises;
- 2 -
(d)
To protect the City from the negative effects of signs which may be inappropriate
as to appearance, size, height, design and location; and
(e)
To simplify the administration of the Sign By-law.
CONTENTS
Part 1
Introductory Provisions
1.
Title
2.
Purpose
3.
Authority
4.
Definitions
5.
Application
6.
General Provisions
7.
Exemption
8.
Removal of Temporary Signs
9.
Variance
10.
Prohibited Signs
11.
Validity
Part 2
General Provisions - Sign Permits
12.
Permits
13.
Fees
14.
Inspection
15.
Violation and Enforcement
16.
Penalties
Part 3
Signs in Agricultural Zones
17.
Application
18.
Permit Not Required
19.
Permit Required
20.
Specific Regulations
Part 4
Signs in Residential Zones
21.
Application
22.
Permit Not Required - Deleted
23.
Permit Required
24.
Specific Regulations
- 3 -
Part 5
Signs in Commercial/Industrial Zones
25.
Application
26.
Permit Not Required - Deleted
27.
Permit Required
28.
Specific Regulations
Part 6
Signs in Gasoline Station Zones
29.
Application
30
Permit Not Required - Deleted
31.
Permit Required
32.
Specific Regulations
Part 7
Signs in Institutional Zones
33.
Application
34.
Permit Not Required - Deleted
35.
Permit Required
36.
Specific Regulations
Part 8
Special Sign Areas
37.
Application
38.
Free-standing Sign Restrictions
Part 9
Special Signs
39.
Application
40
Signs Permitted
Part 10
Commencement
41.
Commencement
- 4 -
PART 1
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
TITLE
1.
This By-law may be cited for all purposes as the "Surrey Sign By-law, 1999, No. 13656."
PURPOSE
2.
The purpose of this By-law is to replace the sign regulations currently contained in Surrey
Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000, as amended.
AUTHORITY
3.
(1)
Except as provided otherwise by this By-law, the General Manager, Planning &
Development is authorized to implement the sign regulations contained herein.
(2)
The General Manager, Planning & Development or his or her designate is
authorized to receive applications for sign permits, approve with or without
conditions, or reject such applications, to collect fees and to issue permits in
accordance with Sections 12 and 13 of this By-law.
DEFINITIONS
4.
(1)
In this By-law:
Advertising Sign means a sign which advertises or identifies a business, profession,
or event conducted upon the lot on which the sign is located, or which advertises
or identifies goods, products, services or other things produced, displayed, offered
for sale or otherwise obtainable upon the lot.
Agriculture Zone is a zone intended to control and accommodate general and
intensive agriculture on land outside or within the Agricultural Land Reserve
(ALR) and to protect the agricultural land from intrusion of uses not compatible
with farm practices.
Awning/Canopy means a weather protection other than roof eaves, and is
composed of rigid or non-rigid material.
Awning/Canopy Sign means a sign painted on, attached to, or constructed on the
surface of an awning/canopy.
Banner Sign means a sign of light weight, vinyl, canvas, flexible fabric or material
mounted to a pole, structure or building.
Billboard Sign means a free-standing sign or fascia sign with a sign area exceeding 17
square meters [183 sq. ft.] and which contains third party advertising only.
- 5 -
Block Watch Sign means a sign advertising the "Block Watch" program of property
surveillance by the community.
Changeable Copy Sign means a sign in or on which the information that is
displayed can be changed manually or automatically using detachable letters,
characters, numbers, pictorial panels or graphics.
Channel Letters means three-dimensional letters or symbols a minimum of 3
inches in depth.
Clearance means the vertical distance between the lowest point of the sign and the
grade "or between the lowest point of an awning/canopy and the grade, whichever
distance is greater.
Community Activity Sign means a sign advertising that a community activity or
event such as a fair, rodeo or fund drive, is about to be, is being, or has been
carried on.
Copy means the letters, characters, numbers or graphics which make up the
messages on a sign, but does not include the background.
Copy Area means the area, measured in square metres, within a square, rectangle,
triangle or circle, or a combination of these figures, which encloses all the copy.
Development Sign means a sign advertising a new land development project,
excluding a City-mandated development proposal sign, and which may contain the
name, nature and particulars of the development project, the names of the
developer, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and logo identifying the
development.
Directional Sign means a sign indicating the name and direction to a business,
place, event or other establishment which is located on the lot or on the premises
to which it pertains.
Drive-through Menu Board Sign means a sign which displays information about the
food items and beverages sold on the premises or lot and their prices, is located at
the entrance to or on the side of and facing a drive-through aisle, and is not a
continuously or intermittently revolving sign or flashing sign.
Electronic message Board Sign means a sign in or on which the information that is
displayed can be changed automatically by means of the electronic switching of
lamps or illuminated tubes, and includes digital sign, HDTV or video wall sign,
LED sign, and any other type of electronic media sign.
Establishment Date means the date that the following are established under the
applicable law:
- 6 -
(a)
the general voting day, or
(b)
where there is no general voting day, the deadline for voters to return their
ballots to Elections Canada or Elections BC, as the case may be.
Fascia Sign means a sign displayed on a building face on a plane generally parallel
to and projecting no more than 0.5 m [1.6 ft.] from the building face and includes
an upper-level fascia sign.
Flag means a piece of light weight and flexible fabric or other material, natural or
synthetic, of distinctive design, shape or colour that is hung from or attached to a
mast, vertical pole, string, line, rope, wire or similar material.
Flashing Sign means a sign containing an intermittent or flashing light source but
does not include an electronic message board sign.
Free-standing Sign means a sign which is attached to the ground and is
independent of any building or structure located on the same lot.
Frontage means the length of the common boundary shared by the front lot line of
that lot and a highway adjacent to the lot excluding a lane. On a corner lot, the
frontage shall be the shorter of the highway boundaries, regardless of the direction
the buildings on the lot face.
Front Lot Line means the lot line common to a lot and an abutting highway
excluding a lane.
General voting day means "polling day" under the Canada Elections Act, S.C.
2000, c. 9 and the Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30, or "general voting day" under
the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c. 1, School Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 412 or
Election Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 106, or the day when a referendum is held pursuant
to s. 1(2) of the Referendum Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 400, whichever is applicable.
Grade means the elevation of the finished ground surface directly below the sign or
an awning/canopy as determined by the General Manager, Planning &
Development.
Height of a sign means the vertical distance from grade to the highest part of the
sign.
Highway means a street, road, lane, bridge, viaduct and any other way open to
public use, but does not include a private right-of-way on private property.
Home Occupation Sign means a fascia sign or a free-standing sign indicating that a
home occupation is carried out in the building.
Identification Sign means a fascia sign or a free-standing sign, which contains the
name and/or address of the building or project.
- 7 -
Inflatable Sign means an inflated three-dimensional device, which incorporates a
sign and is anchored or affixed to, or is suspended from a building, lot, vehicle or
an air borne object.
Lane means a highway abutting the rear or side boundary of a lot and which is
intended primarily to provide vehicular access to the rear or side yard of the lot.
Landscape Logo Sign means a sign using flowers and plants as materials for
composition of a logo.
Logo means a symbolic representation, not including any words, names or
numbers unless part of registered trademark, which is used exclusively to simplify
advertising of a product, business, service, or activity, and which contains no
additional identification, information or message.
Lot means land designated as a separate and distinct parcel on a legally recorded
subdivision plan or description filed in the records of the Land Title Office.
Lot line means any line which forms the boundary of a lot.
Mural means any piece of artwork, including a painting, fresco, frieze, photograph,
picture, image, illustration or graphic presentation, applied directly or by an
electronic or digital means on and partially or fully covering a wall, ceiling or other
permanent or non-permanent surface.
Political Sign means a sign erected to promote the voting at, support or opposition
of an issue in a municipal, provincial or federal election, referendum, plebiscite,
initiative petition, or recall petition; or the election, support or disapproval of a
particular candidate or political organization; or the voting for, support or
opposition of a municipal, provincial or federal issue.
Portable Sign means a sign which is self-supporting, easily moved, and not
permanently attached to the ground, a building, a structure, or a vehicle.
Premises means a site, building or structure or portion thereof or the land
occupied by an establishment. When a tenant or occupant is not the sole occupier
of a building or structure, premises is deemed to extend to the centre lines of walls,
partitions, floor levels and ceiling levels dividing the space occupied by such
tenant or occupant from any other occupier of the same building.
Premises Frontage means the linear horizontal dimension of the side of a premises
which contains the main entrance to the premises, except that, for the purposes of
calculating the maximum allowable sign area for fascia signs located above the
first storey (ground floor) of a premises, premises frontage means the linear
horizontal dimension of the shortest side of the premises regardless of whether or
not that side of the premises contains the main entrance.
- 8 -
Prohibitory Sign means a sign erected by Federal, Provincial, Regional or Municipal
Government prohibiting certain uses or activities on premises by virtue of powers
granted by law to the relevant authority.
Projecting Sign means a sign which is attached to the wall of a building face and
projects from the wall by more than 0.5 m [1.6 ft.].
Public Transit Shelter means a structure intended to shelter public transit patrons
and situated on land which adjoins a public transit stop in ordinary use by public
transit including buses, light rail or rapid transit operated by a public transit
authority.
Pump Island means a base upon which fuel dispensing equipment is mounted.
Pump Island Canopy means the structure at a gasoline station that provides
weather protection over the fuel dispensing equipment.
Real Estate Sign means a sign which contains information indicating that a
building or premises on which the sign is located is for sale, lease or rent.
Roof Line means the horizontal line made by the intersection of the wall of the
building with the roof of the building. In the case of a building with a pitched
roof, the roof line shall be at the level of the eaves.
Roof Sign means a sign erected upon or above the roof line of a building, including
any sign which is attached to a parapet or is upon or above a parapet, or a sign
affixed to a building and extending above the roof line of the building, but shall not
include a projecting sign.
Sandwich-board Sign means a portable sign with a maximum area of 1.2 square
meters [12 sq. ft.] and a maximum height of 1.2 meters [4 ft.], with advertising
information on one or both faces.
Setback means the horizontal distance from lot line to the outermost extent of the
sign or base of the sign, whichever distance is the shortest.
Sign means any visual communication device, including its structure, used to
attract attention for advertising, identification, or information purposes.
Sign Area means the total area within the outer edge of the borders of a sign,
counting all faces, and where the sign has no frame, border or background, the
sign area means the area contained within the shortest perimeter surrounding the
copy.
Sign Owner means the person or his or her authorized agent in lawful control of a
sign.
- 9 -
Special Sign Area means the lands identified in the maps attached to this By-law as
Schedules 1.A, 1.B, 1.C, 1.D, 1.E, 1.F, 1.G, 1.H. 1.I, 1.J and 1.K.
Temporary Off-Site Real Estate Development/Construction Sign means a
development sign erected on a lot, other than the lot on which the real estate
development project to which the sign refers is located, to market or advertise the
real estate development project.
Temporary On-Site Real Estate Development/Construction Sign means a
development sign erected to market a real estate development project and which is
located on the lot on which the real estate development project is located.
Temporary Sign means a sign permitted for a specified period of time.
Third Party Advertising means the content of a sign which directs attention to
products sold or services provided on premises other than the premises or lot upon
which the sign is located.
Under-Awning/Canopy Sign means a sign which is suspended from an awning and
is situated entirely under the awning/canopy.
Upper-Level Fascia Sign means, for a building with multiple storeys, a fascia sign
that is located above the first storey and for a building with a single storey, means
a fascia sign any part of which is located at an elevation of 4 meters or more above
the ground floor of the building.
Vehicle Sign means any sign or signs painted on or attached to a vehicle and having
an area in excess of 0.4 sq. m [4 sq. ft.] for any single sign or where there is more
than one painted/attached sign on the vehicle, a cumulative area in excess of
1.0 sq. m [11 sq. ft.].
Window Sign means a sign painted on or attached to or installed inside a window
for viewing from outside the premises.
Other Definitions
(2)
For words not defined in this By-law, the definitions contained in Surrey Zoning
By-law, 1993, No. 12000, and the Highway and Traffic By-law, 1997, No. 13007 as
amended from time to time, shall apply.
Contradicting Definitions
(3)
Where the same words are defined in more than one by-law, the definition in this
By-law shall apply for purposes of administering this By-law.
APPLICATION
5.
(1)
This By-law regulates all signs:
- 10 -
(a)
on private properties;
(b)
on public lands; and
(c)
on or within a highway, subject to Section 5(2).
(2)
No sign shall be permitted on or within a highway, except the following signs:
(a)
a sign that is licensed by General Manager, Engineering Department
including third party advertising signs on public transit shelters and
courtesy bus shelters approved by the General Manager, Engineering
Department; and
(b)
a sign listed under Section 7.
(3)
Signs located within the right-of-way of a Provincial highway shall meet the
requirements of the Province of British Columbia's ministry responsible for
Provincial highways.
(4)
No owner of a lot or premises shall erect, allow or cause to be erected any sign on
the lot unless the sign fully complies with the provisions of this By-law.
(5)
No owner of a lot or premises shall erect, allow or cause to be erected a mural
unless such mural has received approval from Council or from any Committee
appointed by Council to approve such mural.
(6)
No advertising signs shall be tacked, posted or otherwise affixed to the surface of
any structure, tree, pole, hydrant, bridge, fence owned by the City or utility
companies.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
6.
(1)
The design of every sign shall be aesthetically pleasing and shall not detract from
the architectural integrity of any building or structure to which it is attached, or
beside which it is located. The arrangement and grouping of signs on a building
shall be integrated with the architecture of the said building and, notwithstanding
the setback or location regulations of signs in this By-law, their setback and/or
location may be regulated by a development permit issued by Council. Structural
supports , bracing and ties for signs shall be kept to a minimum number,
consistent with structural adequacy and as much as possible shall be concealed
within the body of the sign itself.
(1.1)
An L-shaped or angularly connected sign visible from two different highways shall
be considered as two signs.
(1.2)
A free-standing sign shall be located on the same lot as the lot where the business
or service to which the sign pertains is located, except otherwise permitted by this
By-law.
- 11 -
(1.3)
A fascia sign shall not extend beyond the end of the building face nor above the
roof line of the building face to which it is attached.
(2)
All signs together with their supporting structures and any electrical equipment
shall be kept fully operable, in good repair and maintained in a safe and clean
condition.
(3)
No sign shall be erected, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, relocated or attached to,
suspended from, or supported on any structure or the lands on a lot unless the sign
fully complies with the provisions of "Surrey Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 17850", as
amended, and this By-law.
(4)
No sign shall be erected or lighted in such a manner as to interfere with the
visibility or safe operation of a traffic control device or to interfere with motorist
visibility at an access to or egress from a highway or so as to be unsafe to the public
in the vicinity of such sign.
(5)
No sign shall be erected within 150 metres [500 ft.] of any boundary of the right-of-
way of Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 99 except as permitted by Section 6(7) and
directional signs as permitted by Section 7.
(6)
Deleted.
(7)
Notwithstanding Section 6(5):
(a)
when a lot fronts or abuts another highway located with 150 metres [500 ft.]
of Highway No. 1 or Highway No. 99, free-standing signs may be permitted
along the highway, provided that the sign is located at a minimum of 60
metres [200 ft.] distance measured perpendicular from the right-of-way of
Highway No. 1 or Highway No. 99, as applicable, and further provided that
the sign also complies with all other applicable provisions of this By-law;
and
(b)
fascia signs may be permitted on a building located on a lot adjacent to or
abutting Highway No. 1 or Highway No. 99, provided that the sign is
installed on a building wall or facade that is not oriented to Highway No. 1
or Highway No. 99, as applicable, and further provided that the sign also
complies with all other applicable provisions of this By-law.
(8)
Notwithstanding the setback requirements for free-standing signs pursuant to
other Parts of this By-law, when a free-standing sign is located on a lot adjacent to
Highway No. 10 or Highway No. 15, the setback of the free-standing sign shall be a
minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.] from the lot line located along Highway No. 10 or
Highway No. 15, as applicable, provided that this setback shall be subject to
approval of the Province of British Columbia's ministry responsible for Provincial
highways, which may require a setback greater than 2 m [6.5 ft.].
- 12 -
(9)
Signs projecting over a pedestrian area shall have a clearance to the underside of
the projection of at least 2.4 m [8.0 ft.] above grade or sidewalk while signs
projecting over an area frequented by vehicular traffic shall have a clearance to the
underside of the projection of at least 5 m [16 ft.] above grade. No sign shall
project over the travelled portion of a highway.
(10)
The illumination for any sign shall not create a direct glare upon any surrounding
lot or premises that is residential or permits residential alone or in combination
with a non-residential use.
(11)
Third party advertising signs are allowed in Commercial and Industrial Zones only,
and shall be limited to 30% of the allowable copy area of a sign permitted under
the applicable provisions this By-law, provided that this Section 6(11) shall not
apply to signs on public transit shelters and courtesy bus shelters and to temporary
off-site real estate development /construction signs permitted under the applicable
provisions of this By-law.
(12)
All dimensions and other measurements in this By-law are expressed in the
Standard International Units (Metric) System. Equivalents in the Imperial System
(ft., in, sq. ft. etc.) shown in square brackets are included for convenience only and
do not form part of this By-law. In the event of conflict or contradiction between
two sets of measurements, the Metric measurements shall prevail over Imperial
measurements.
(13)
Unless otherwise provided for by this By-law, the maximum sign area of any sign
shall not exceed 3 sq. m [32 sq. ft].
(14)
The combined sign area of all fascia signs, awning/canopy signs, under-
awning/canopy signs parallel to the building, projecting signs, window signs, and
pump island canopy signs on one lot in a Commercial, Industrial Zone or Gas
Station Zone shall not exceed 1 sq. m. per linear metre [3 sq. ft. per linear foot] of
premises frontage.
EXEMPTION
7.
Neither a sign permit nor is an inspection required for the signs listed in this Section.
Notwithstanding this provision, the sign owner and, where applicable, the owner of the lot
or premises upon which the sign is located shall ensure that the sign is in compliance with
all applicable provisions of this By-law.
(1)
Sign required by law including prohibitory signs;
(2)
Public notice authorized by Federal, Provincial, Regional or Municipal
Government or the School Board;
(3)
Deleted.
- 13 -
(4)
Signs noted below, provided that the signs shall be removed within 30 (thirty) days
after the condition requiring the posting of the sign no longer exists:
(a)
Sign depicting danger, hazard or other safety conditions erected by an
individual authorized by a public agency in the performance of his or her
duty; and
(b)
"Beware of Dog," "No. Trespassing," "No discharge of Firearms" and
"No Dumping" signs and signs warning the public of the existence of
danger, provided that these signs are permitted only in Agricultural,
Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Zones, and further
provided that each of these signs shall not exceed 0.2 sq. m [2 sq. ft.] in sign
area and all such signs shall comply with all other applicable provisions of
this By-law.
(5)
Memorial plaque, historical tablet and similar marker provided it does not exceed
0.4 sq. m [4 sq. ft.] in sign area and the height of sign does not exceed 0.45 m
[1.5 ft.];
(6)
Block Watch sign or Block Parent sign;
(7)
Deleted.
(8)
Deleted.
(9)
One on-site real estate sign per lot frontage or premises frontage advertising the
lease, sale or rental of the lot or premises upon which the sign is located provided
that:
(a)
in Residential Zones the sign area does not exceed a maximum of 0.75 sq.
m [8 sq. ft.] and the height of the sign does not exceed a maximum of 1.2 m
[4 ft.];
(b)
in Commercial and Industrial Zones the sign area does not exceed a
maximum of 1.7 sq. m [18 sq. ft.] and the height of a sign shall not exceed a
maximum of 1.8 m. [6 ft.];
(c)
the sign is located at a minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.] setback from each adjacent
highway or greater as may be required to ensure the sign does not restrict
sightlines, provided that when the sign is located along Highway No. 1,
Highway No. 10, Highway No. 15 or Highway No. 99, it shall comply with
the provisions of Section 6, as applicable; and
(d)
the sign is removed within 30 (thirty) days after the lease, sale or rental of
the lot or premises is completed.
- 14 -
(9.1)
One temporary on-site real estate development/construction sign, either as a
free-standing sign or fascia sign, on a Residential, Commercial, Industrial and
Institutional lot along each lot line adjacent to a highway, except a lane, provided
that the sign shall not exceed a maximum of 14 sq. m [150 sq. ft.] in sign area and
the height of the sign shall not exceed a maximum of 4.5 m [15 ft.], and it shall be
located at a minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.] setback from each adjacent highway;
(10)
Deleted.
(11)
Sponsorship signs (for the purpose of acknowledging sponsors but not for
advertising sponsor's products) erected by the City Parks, Recreation & Culture
Department and/or community organizations provided the sign area does not
exceed 3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.];
(12)
Window sign up to a maximum of three window signs per premises provided that
the sign area of each window shall not exceed the larger of a maximum of 0.3 sq.
m. (3 sq. ft.) or 25% of the area of the window.
(13)
Banner sign installed by a non-profit or community organizations for a special
event, provided:
(a)
the banner is used exclusively for:
(i) promotion of a special event
(ii) street beautification purposes in the City Centre and Town Centres;
(b)
the sign area of the banner sign does not exceed 2.3 sq. m [24 sq. ft.]; and
(c)
the banner sign is removed within 30 (thirty) days of the event.
(14)
Temporary sign advertising a special event for a community cause or charitable
fund raising campaign not exceeding an area of 2.3 sq. m [24 sq. ft.];
(15)
Temporary sign advertising an opening date of a place of business or a change of
proprietorship provided:
(a)
the sign area does not exceed 2.3 sq. m [24 sq. ft.]; and
(b)
the sign is removed within 30 (thirty) days of the date when it was
installed;
(16)
On-site Directional Signs, intended to facilitate the movement of pedestrians and
vehicles within the lot or premises upon which the directional sign is located,
provided that the sign area does not exceed 0.4 sq. m. [4 sq. ft.] for a single faced
sign and 0.74 sq. m. [8 sq. ft.] for a double faced sign and the height of the sign
does not exceed 1.2 m [4 ft.];
(17)
Deleted.
- 15 -
(18)
Real Estate open house directional sign for the duration of open house hours;
(19)
Vehicle Sign except when the vehicle is stationary and visible from a highway for a
period in excess of 6 hours;
(20)
Sign located in the interior of a building, provided the sign is not visible from the
exterior of the building;
(21)
A maximum of one sign, including a political sign, located on a single family
residential lot, except any sign regulated by Part 4 of this By-law, provided that the
sign does not exceed a total of 0.2 sq. m. [2 sq. ft.] in sign area and if the sign is a
free-standing sign, it shall be placed at a minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.] setback and the
height of the sign, including its support structure, shall not exceed a total of 1 m [3
ft.]; and
(22)
Informational signs on a gasoline service station lot that do not contain any
advertising, provided that the sign area of each sign does not exceed 0.55 sq. m
[6 sq. ft.] and the sign is mounted on a permanent or fixed base or attached to a
building wall or another permanent structure.
7.1
Political Signs
(1)
Neither a sign permit nor an inspection is required for a political sign located on
private property during the periods set out in section 7.1(4), provided that:
(a)
the sign owner obtains consent from the private property owner(s) to erect
a political sign on the their property;
(b)
the sign area does not exceed 3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.]; and
(c)
the sign does not restrict sightlines of vehicle drivers, bicycle riders and
pedestrians in the vicinity of the sign.
(2)
Notwithstanding Section 7.1(1), the sign owner and the owner of the lot or premises
upon which the sign is located shall ensure that the sign is in compliance with all
applicable provisions of this By-law.
(3)
No political signs shall be erected or placed on any public property except as
otherwise permitted in this By-law.
(4)
The exemption provided for in section 7.1(1) only applies during the following
periods:
(a)
in relation to federal or provincial elections and by-elections, from the
time the writ of election is issued until 14 (fourteen) days after the
general voting day;
- 16 -
(b)
in relation to local government and school elections and by-elections, from
the first day of the nomination period until 14 (fourteen) days after the
general voting day;
(c)
in relation to federal or provincial referenda or plebiscites, from the
establishment date until 14 (fourteen) days after the general voting day, or
where there is no general voting day, until 14 (fourteen) days after the
deadline for voters to return their ballots to Elections Canada or Elections
BC, as the case may be;
(d)
in relation to local government assent voting, referenda or plebiscites, from
the day that the text of the question is approved by Council or a regional
board by bylaw or resolution, as the case may be, until 14 (fourteen) days
after the general voting day; and
(e)
in relation to provincial recall or initiative petitions, from the day that an
application for recall or initiative petition is approved in principle by the
Chief Electoral Officer of BC, until 14 (fourteen) days after the petition is
submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer of BC.
REMOVAL OF TEMPORARY SIGNS
8.
Real estate signs, community activity signs and similar temporary signs which are
displayed on any lot shall be removed by the owner of the lot within 14 (fourteen) days of
the termination of the event identified in the sign or the completion of the sale of the real
estate unless otherwise specified in this By-law.
VARIANCE
9.
Variances to this By-law shall be subject to the following:
(1)
Variances to the provisions of this By-law may be granted by Council through a
Development Variance Permit in accordance with "Surrey Development
Application Procedure By-law, 1997, No. 13196 as amended; and
(2)
Notwithstanding Section 9(1), where a development permit application has been
submitted to Council that includes a comprehensive sign design package and the
sign design package contains signs that require variances of the applicable
provisions of this By-law, Council may grant these variances through approval of a
Development Permit in accordance with "Surrey Development Application
Procedure By-law, 1997, No. 13196", as amended.
- 17 -
PROHIBITED SIGNS
10.
The following signs are prohibited:
(1)
Flashing sign, except in special sign areas;
(2)
Roof sign;
(3)
Portable sign, excluding sandwich-board signs;
(4)
Revolving sign;
(5)
Billboard sign;
(6)
Inflatable Sign;
(7)
Flag, as a sign;
(8)
Mural, as a sign;
(9)
Streamer flags, except for religious and institutional event purposes provided that
the streamer flags are removed within 30 (thirty) days after the event has
concluded;
(10)
Painted window signs;
(11)
Window sign above the first storey (ground floor);
(12)
Fascia sign above the first storey (ground floor), except as permitted by this By-
law;
(13)
Electronic message board sign;
(14)
Snap-on signs attached to or supported on any structures including light poles;
and
(15)
Any sign that contains business contact information including but not limited to
phone numbers, website addresses, and email addresses.
VALIDITY
11.
Should any section, clause or provision of this By-law be declared invalid by a competent
court, such decision shall not affect the validity of the By-law as a whole or any part
thereof other than the section, clause or provision so declared.
- 18 -
PART 2
GENERAL PROVISIONS - SIGN PERMITS
PERMITS
12.
(1)
Every sign owner, lot owner and owner of the premises or business to which the
sign pertains shall obtain a sign permit in accordance with the provisions of this
By-law before erecting or permitting a new sign to be erected on a lot, or before
making or permitting any changes to an existing sign, including relocation of the
sign, except as permitted in this By-law.
(2)
Every application for a sign permit shall be made using the City of Surrey standard
Sign Application Form and shall include the following information:
(a)
Scaled drawings of the lot and improvements thereon;
(b)
Details of any existing signs on the lot;
(c)
Scaled drawings showing location, type, size, weight, construction, colour,
finishing material and estimated costs of all proposed signs, or proposed
changes to existing signs and supporting structures;
(d)
Names and addresses of the sign owner, lot owner, owner of the premises or
business to which the sign pertains and their signatures, and names and
addresses of the manufacturer of the sign and the contractor for the
construction of the sign;
(e)
A letter of authorization from the lot owner if the applicant is not the lot
owner; and
(f)
Any other information that is relevant to the issuance of the sign permit.
(3)
No sign permit shall be issued by the City until:
(a)
An application complete with all information has been received by the City;
(b)
The proposed sign and its associated construction works conform to this
and other applicable By-laws of the City; and
(c)
The prescribed fee, insurance coverage bond and damage deposit, if
required under the provisions of this By-law, have been received by the
City.
(4)
Where the site conditions, size or complexity of the proposed sign so warrant or
where the General Manager, Planning & Development has concern for the
structural integrity of the sign, he or she may require that all designs, drawings
- 19 -
and specifications be prepared and sealed by, and the construction carried out
under, the supervision of a Professional Engineer registered to practice in the
Province of British Columbia.
FEES
13.
(1)
Permit fees and damage deposits for sign permits shall be assessed in accordance
with the following schedule:
(a)
Each applicant for a sign permit shall submit a non-refundable processing
fee in accordance to Surrey Fee-Setting By-law, 2001, No. 14577 plus
applicable taxes. If the sign is approved, this fee will be credited towards
the appropriate permit fee as set out below.
(b)
The permit fee in accordance to "Surrey Fee-Setting By-law, 2001,
No. 14577" will be assessed for all new signs based on total sign area. For
multi-faced signs and for L-shaped or angularly connected signs considered
as two signs pursuant to this Bylaw, the total sign area shall be the
aggregate of sign area on all faces.
(c)
If an applicant proposes to relocate or alter an existing sign (excluding a
temporary on-site real estate development/construction sign or temporary
off-site real estate development/construction sign) on the same lot without
enlarging it, a relocation or alteration fee in accordance to Surrey Fee-
Setting By-law, 2001, No. 14577 will be charged.
(d)
Enlargement, rebuilding, relocation and extension of an existing sign (in
height, sign area or both) amounts to an erection of a new sign and
requires a sign permit.
(e)
Temporary on-site real estate development/construction signs and
temporary off-site real estate development/construction signs shall be
assessed the permit fee stipulated in Section 13(1)(b) above and a removal
deposit of $500.00 shall be paid. This deposit is refundable if the applicant
removes the sign within the stipulated period. If the applicant fails to
remove the sign to the satisfaction of the City, the removal deposit shall be
forfeited and the City may use the money to offset the cost incurred by the
City to remove the sign.
- 20 -
(2)
Third party liability insurance coverage shall be provided by the applicant in
accordance with the following:
When a sign or any part thereof is suspended or projects over a highway right-of-
way, a public place or over a sidewalk or walkway where public access is allowed,
the sign owner shall deposit with the City and maintain in full force and effect
throughout the life of the sign a policy of insurance in which the City is named as
an insured party for a sum of at least $5,000,000 ($5 million) to indemnify the City
against all loss, cost, damage or expense incurred by the City arising from the
construction, erection, maintenance and existence of the sign.
(3)
No permit fee is payable for signs listed in Section 7 of this By-law.
INSPECTION
14.
(1)
Notwithstanding Section 14(5), where a sign is designed and certified by a
Professional Engineer, the sign owner shall cause the construction of the sign to be
inspected by a Professional Engineer registered in the Province of British Columbia
and shall submit a certificate from the Engineer confirming the structural
soundness of the sign in a form satisfactory to the City.
(2)
Deleted.
(3)
All signs requiring an electrical connection shall be approved, constructed and
installed in accordance with Surrey Electrical Safety By-law, 2004, No. 15596" and
"Surrey Electrical Connection Regulation By-law, 1976, No. 4726", as applicable, and as
may be amended from time to time.
(4)
Immediately upon completion of the electrical installation of any sign that requires
electricity and for which a sign permit has been issued, the person to whom the
permit has been granted shall notify the Building Division of the Planning &
Development Department that the installation of the sign has been completed in
accordance with the applicable provisions of "Surrey Electrical Safety By-law, 2004,
No. 15596" and "Surrey Electrical Connection Regulation By-law, 1976, No. 4726",
as may be amended from time to time, and that person shall request that the City
carry out an inspection of the electrical installation.
(5)
No inspections are required for signs listed in Section 7 except as required
pursuant to Section 14(1). Notwithstanding this provision, it shall be the
responsibility of the sign owner and the lot owner to ensure that any sign listed in
Section 7, if installed on the lot, and all electrical connections to the sign, are in
compliance with all applicable by-laws including "Surrey Electrical Safety By-law,
2004, No. 15596" and "Surrey Electrical Connection Regulation By-law, 1976, No.
4726", as may be amended from time to time.
- 21 -
VIOLATION AND ENFORCEMENT
15.
(1)
The General Manager, Planning & Development, the General Manager,
Engineering, a City By-law Enforcement Officer and their respective designates are
authorized to enter upon any lot, building or premises at all reasonable times in
order to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this By-law.
(2)
It is unlawful for any person to prevent or obstruct, or seek or attempt to prevent
or obstruct, the entry of any person as authorized by Section 15(1).
PENALTIES
16.
(1)
Every person who violates any of the provisions of the By-law or who suffers or
permits any act or thing to be done in contravention of this By-law or who neglects
to do or refrains from doing any act or thing which violates any of the provisions of
this By-law commits an offense and shall be liable to a penalty of not less than
$100.00 and not more than $2,000.00 for each offense.
(2)
Where an offense against this By-law is of a continuing nature, each day that a
violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
PART 3
SIGNS IN AGRICULTURAL ZONES
APPLICATION
17.
The regulations in this Part apply to all signs located on all agricultural lots.
PERMIT NOT REQUIRED
18.
In addition to any sign as listed in Section 7, one temporary sign per lot may be erected
without a sign permit or inspection, during the growing season for the purpose of
advertising the sale of farm produce or nursery stock grown on the premises, subject to the
sign meeting the following conditions:
(1)
the sign shall not exceed 3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.] in sign area;
(2)
the height of the sign shall be in compliance with Section 20;
(3)
the sign shall be in compliance with all other applicable provisions of this By-law;
and
(4)
the sign shall be removed within 30 days of the end of the growing season of the
advertised farm produce or nursery stock.
- 22 -
PERMIT REQUIRED
19.
The following signs may be erected provided a sign permit is obtained:
(1)
Farm without Farm-Based Winery:
(a)
One identification sign per lot not exceeding 3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.] in sign area
either as a free-standing sign or as a fascia sign;
(b)
One sign advertising the sale of farm produce or nursery stock not grown
on or off the premises provided the sign does not exceed 3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.]
in sign area;
(c)
One Home Occupation Sign per lot for each residential unit, provided that
the height of the sign does not exceed a maximum of 1.2 m [4 ft.] and the
sign area does not exceed:
i.
0.55 sq. m. [6 sq. ft.] for a single faced sign; and
ii.
0.75 sq. m. [8 sq. ft.] for a double faced sign.
(2)
Farm with Farm-Based Winery:
(a)
One free-standing advertising sign not exceeding 14 sq. m [150 sq. ft.] in sign
area for each lot line adjacent to a highway except a lane;
(b)
One fascia sign not exceeding 14 sq. m [150 sq. ft.] in sign area; and
(c)
One Home Occupation Sign per lot for each residential unit, provided that
the height of the sign does not exceed a maximum of 1.2 m [4 ft.] and the
sign area does not exceed:
i.
0.55 sq. m. [6 sq. ft.] for a single faced sign; and
ii.
0.93 sq. m. [10 sq. ft.] for a double faced sign.
SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
20.
The height of a free-standing sign shall not exceed 4.5 m [15 ft.] and the setback of the sign
shall be a minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.], provided that when the sign is located along Highway
No. 1, Highway No. 10, Highway No. 15 or Highway No. 99, the setback shall be subject to
the provisions of Section 6, as applicable.
- 23 -
PART 4
SIGNS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES
APPLICATION
21.
The regulations in this Part apply to all signs located on all residential lots.
PERMIT NOT REQUIRED
22.
Deleted.
PERMIT REQUIRED
23.
The following signs may be erected provided a sign permit is obtained:
(1)
One identification sign, either as a free-standing sign or as a fascia sign, per
residential subdivision or multiple residential development, provided that the sign
area does not exceed 2.3 sq. m [24 sq. ft.].
(2)
Deleted.
(3)
One Home Occupation sign per single family residential lot or per residential unit
in a multiple residential development, provided that the sign is non-illuminated,
the height of the sign does not exceed a maximum of 1.2 m [4 ft.] and the sign area
does not exceed:
(a)
0.55 sq. m. [6 sq. ft.] for a single faced sign; and
(b)
0.93 sq. m. [10 sq. ft.] for a double faced sign.
(4)
Deleted.
(5)
Temporary off-site real estate development/construction signs not exceeding
3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.] in sign area and 4.5 m [15 ft.] in height on lots abutting road
intersections subject to the following conditions:
(a)
the sign shall be located within a 1.6 km [1 mile] radius of the lot to which
the sign pertains;
(b)
the maximum number of such signs permitted per development is 4 (four);
(c)
only 1 (one) sign per development may be located at a road intersection
corner, provided that the total number of the signs shall not exceed 4
(four) at a 4-way road intersection;
- 24 -
(d)
the applicant shall submit with his or her sign permit application a letter of
disclaimer, signed by the owner of the lot on which the sign is to be
located, which authorizes the City to enter the subject lot and remove the
sign any time after the temporary sign permit has expired;
(e)
a refundable bond of $500.00 shall be posted by applicant for each such
sign;
(f)
a fee in accordance to Surrey Fee-Setting By-law, 2001, No. 14577 plus
applicable taxes per year shall be paid by the sign permit applicant with a
renewal fee in accordance to Surrey Fee-Setting By-law, 2001, No. 14577 plus
applicable taxes for each additional 6 month period beyond the first year;
(g)
a sign not removed by the expiry date may be removed by the City in which
case the bond will be forfeited to the City;
(h)
Deleted.
(i)
the setback of the sign shall be subject to Section 23(5)(j) or Section 24, as
applicable;
(j)
when the sign is located at the corner of a road intersection, the sign shall
be placed at a minimum of 4.5 m [15 ft.] setback from the corner except
that when the road intersection is at Highway No. 1, Highway No. 99,
Highway No. 10 or Highway No. 15, the setback shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 6, as applicable;
(k)
the sign does not restrict sightlines of vehicle drivers, bicycle riders and
pedestrians in the vicinity of the sign;
(l)
if the back of the sign faces a residential zone the portion of the sign facing
that zone must be painted in a neutral colour.
SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
24.
Except as otherwise specified, the height of a free-standing sign shall not exceed 1.8
m [6 ft.] and the setback of the sign, including the setback of a temporary off-site
real estate development/construction sign, shall be a minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.],
provided that when the sign is located along Highway No. 1, Highway No. 10,
Highway No. 15 or Highway No. 99, the setback shall be subject to the provisions
of Sections 6, as applicable.
PART 5
SIGNS IN COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL ZONES
- 25 -
APPLICATION
25.
The regulations in this Part apply to the following types of signs:
(a)
Signs on commercial lots except to signs on a lot that is zoned to permit a
gasoline service station or to the gasoline service station component where
it is permitted in a mixed use development;
(b)
Signs on business park, light impact industrial, high impact industrial and
agro-industrial lots; and
(c)
Signs pertaining to the commercial components on a lot where a mixed use
multiple residential commercial development is permitted, provided that
the signs permitted by this Part shall only be located on those portions of
the lot and building that contain the commercial component.
PERMIT NOT REQUIRED
26.
Deleted.
PERMIT REQUIRED
27.
The following signs may be erected provided a sign permit is obtained:
(1)
Free-standing signs subject to the following conditions:
(a)
the design and location of free-standing signs shall be architecturally
co-ordinated into the overall building design of the buildings on the same
lot and landscaping and shall present a unified appearance, and the signs
shall be mounted on a permanent base;
(b)
a free-standing sign shall not be permitted within any yard that abuts a
highway if the business to which the sign pertains is located in a building
whose setback adjacent to that highway is 5 m [16 ft.] or smaller than 5 m
[16 ft.];
(c)
only one free-standing sign, including an identification sign, shall be
permitted for each lot line that is adjacent to a highway, except a lane,
unless the length of that lot line exceeds 50 m [150 ft.] in which case one
additional free-standing sign for each additional 50 m [150 ft.] length of the
lot line may be permitted, provided that the minimum distance between
free-standing signs on the same lot shall not be less than 50 m [150 ft.];
(d)
the free-standing sign shall be located at a minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.] setback
from any lot line, provided when the sign is located on a lot within a special
sign area, the applicable provisions of Part 8 of this By-law shall apply to
- 26 -
the location of the sign, and further provided that when the sign is located
on Highway No. 1, Highway No. 99, Highway No. 10 or Highway No. 15, the
location of the sign shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6, as
applicable;
(e)
the sign area shall not exceed 14 sq. m [150 sq. ft.] for single faced signs and
28 sq. m [300 sq. ft.] for double faced signs, except that the sign area of a
free-standing sign located in a special sign area shall comply with Part 8 of
this By-law;
(f)
copy area shall not exceed 50% of sign area; and
(g)
Deleted.
(h)
Except in special sign areas where the height of free-standing signs is
regulated by Part 8 of this By-law, the maximum height of a free-standing
sign in this Part is permitted to be 4.5 m [15 ft.], provided it may be
increased to a maximum of 6 m [20 ft.] if the sign is located within a yard
adjacent to a highway listed below:
Highway:
Between the following highways:
a.
108 Avenue........................
- 140 Street and 150 Street
b.
96 Avenue...........................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and 152 Street; and
between 184 Street and 196 Street
c.
88 Avenue..........................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and 152 Street
d.
80 Avenue...........................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and King George
Boulevard
e.
72 Avenue..........................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and Hall Road
f.
64 Avenue..........................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and 192 Street
g.
120 Street (Scott Road)........
- Highway No. 10 and King George
Boulevard
h.
128 Street..........................
- 76 Avenue and 96 Avenue
i.
132 Street..........................
- 80 Avenue and 88 Avenue
j.
152 Street.........................
- 28 Avenue and 72 Avenue
- 27 -
k.
176 Street..........................
- 64 Avenue and 68 Avenue
l.
King George Boulevard.......
- on the north side, up to 112 Avenue
between 124 Street and 128 Street;
between 76 Avenue and 88 Avenue; and
between 8 Avenue and 64 Avenue
m.
Highway No. 10................
- King George Boulevard and 192 Street
n.
Highway No. 10/
Langley By-pass................
- 192 Street and 196 Street
o.
Fraser Highway..................
- 140 Street and 196 Street
(1.1)
Identification sign, as a free-standing sign and/or fascia sign.
(1.2)
A maximum of two drive-through menu board signs per drive-through aisle are
permitted.
(2)
Fascia signs that adhere to the following conditions:
(a)
when the fascia sign is located on a lot adjacent to Highway No. 1 or
Highway No. 99, the fascia sign shall comply with the provisions of Section
6 of this By-law;
(b)
a maximum of two fascia signs are permitted for each premises provided
that both of the fascia signs shall not be located on the same façade of the
premises, except where a premises has a floor area of 3,000 square metres
[32,290 sq. ft.] or greater, one additional fascia sign may be permitted for
each additional 1,000 square metres [10,760 sq. ft.] of floor area to a
maximum of six fascia signs per premises, which may all be located on the
same façade; and
(c)
up to one additional fascia sign permitted on any façade provided that it is
an identification sign.
(d)
if the fascia sign is an upper-level fascia sign, it must adhere to the
following:
i.
a maximum of one upper-level fascia sign per lot frontage to identify
the name and/or address of the building to which it is attached,
provided that no more than one such upper-level fascia sign shall be
permitted on any one façade;
ii.
a maximum of one upper-level fascia sign per lot frontage pertaining
to the tenant that occupies the largest percentage of the total floor
area above the first floor of the building, provided no more than
- 28 -
one such upper-level fascia sign shall be permitted on any one
façade of the building;
iii.
all upper-level fascia signs shall be located on the top floor of the
building; and
iv.
all upper-level fascia signs must be comprised of individual channel
letters;
(e)
the copy area of the fascia sign shall not exceed 50% of sign area; and
(f)
the fascia sign shall not project more than 0.5 m [1.6 ft.] in front of the
building face to which it is attached.
(3)
Awning/Canopy signs subject to the following conditions:
(a)
only one sign is permitted for each premises;
(b)
The awning/canopy is projected from the face of the exterior wall by a
minimum of 1.2 m [4 ft.] and maximum of 1.8 m [6 ft.], and has a clearance
of a minimum of 2.4 m [8 ft.] and maximum of 3 m [10 ft.];
(c)
the copy area of the sign shall not exceed 50% of sign area;
(d)
the sign shall not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the awning/canopy
to which it is affixed;
(e)
where the awning/canopy has more than one face, the sign may continue
around the perimeter of the awning/canopy and shall be considered as one
sign; and
(f)
the sign shall be located only on the exterior of an awning/canopy and the
sign shall not project more than 8 cm [3 in] from the awning/canopy or
within 0.6 m [2 ft.] of a curb line of a highway or, where there is no curb, of
the edge of the pavement of the highway.
(4)
Under-awning/canopy signs and Projecting signs subject to the following
conditions:
(a)
only one under-awning/canopy sign or projecting sign per lot for each lot
line adjacent to a highway, except a lane or, in the case of multi-tenant
buildings, one under-awning/canopy sign or projecting sign per premises,
subject to the following conditions:
i.
under-awning/canopy signs shall be subject to the following:
a.
the awning/canopy shall project from the face of the exterior
wall by a minimum of 1.2 m [4 ft.] and maximum of 1.8 m [6
ft.] and its underside, including its support structure, shall
- 29 -
have a clearance of a minimum of 2.4 m [8 ft.], subject to
having regard for clause "i.b" of Section 27(4)(a), and
maximum of 3 m [10 ft.];
b.
the clearance of the sign shall not be less than 2.4 m [8 ft.];
c.
the sign shall not project beyond any edge of the
awning/canopy;
d.
the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the sign shall not
exceed 0.3 m [1 ft.] and 1.5 metres [5 ft.], respectively, unless
the sign is located parallel to the wall which the awning/
canopy is attached, in which case the vertical and horizontal
dimensions may not exceed 0.6 metres [2 ft] and 3.0 metres
[9.8 ft], respectively, provided that it is not located on the
same façade as a fascia sign;
e.
the clearance between the top of the sign and the underside
of the awning/canopy to which it is affixed shall not exceed
0.3m [1 ft..]; and
ii.
a projecting sign shall be subject to the following:
a.
a projecting sign shall be attached to the premises to which it
pertains;
b.
the sign area shall not exceed 3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.];
c.
the clearance of the sign shall not be less than 2.4 m [8.0 ft.],
and if the sign is installed under an awning/canopy, the
awning/canopy shall be in compliance with the applicable
provisions of clause "i" of Section 27(4)(a);
d.
the copy area of the sign shall not exceed 50% of the sign
area;
e.
the sign and its supporting structure shall not project closer
than 0.6 m [2 ft.] to the curb line of a highway or, where
there is no curb, of the edge of the highway;
f.
the sign and its supporting structure shall not extend above
the roof line of the building to which it is attached; and
g.
the distance between the sign and the exterior wall of the
building to which it is attached, shall not exceed 0.3 m [1 ft.].
(5)
Sandwich-board signs provided that:
- 30 -
(a)
only one sign is permitted for each business;
(a.1)
the sign shall be located on the same lot as the business to which the sign
pertains;
(b)
the sign shall be displayed only during the operating hours of the business
to which it pertains;
(c)
the sign area shall not exceed 1.2 sq. m [13 sq. ft.];
(d)
the height of the sign shall not exceed 1.2 m [4 ft.];
(e)
the sign shall not cause a nuisance or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular
movement, as determined by the City Engineer or his or her designate; and
(f)
the sign shall be kept clean and in good repair.
(6)
Temporary off-site real estate development/construction signs not exceeding
3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.] in sign area and 4.5 m [15 ft.] in height at road intersections
subject to the following conditions:
(a)
the sign shall be located within a 1.6 km [1 mile] radius of the lot on which
the development is located and to which the sign pertains;
(b)
the maximum number of signs permitted per development shall not exceed
4 (four);
(c)
the total number of signs permitted at a 4-way road intersection shall not
exceed 4 (four).
(d)
only (1) one sign per development may be located at any road intersection
corner;
(e)
the applicant shall submit with his or her sign permit application a letter of
authorization, signed by the owner of the lot on which the sign is to be
located, which authorizes the City to enter the subject lot and remove the
sign within 30 (thirty) days after the temporary sign permit has expired;
(f)
a refundable of $500.00 shall be posted by applicant for each sign location;
(g)
a fee in accordance to Surrey Fee-Setting By-law, 2001, No. 14577 plus
applicable taxes per year shall be paid by the sign permit applicant with a
renewal fee in accordance to Surrey Fee-Setting By-law, 2001, No. 14577 plus
applicable taxes for each additional 6 (six) month period beyond the first
year;
(h)
a sign not removed by the expiry date may be removed by the City in which
case the bond will be forfeited to the City;
- 31 -
(i)
Deleted.
(j)
the sign shall be placed at a minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.] setback from the lot
line except it shall be placed at a minimum of 4.5 m [15 ft.] setback from the
intersecting point of the boundaries of the intersecting highways, provided
that when the sign is located on Highway No. 1, Highway No. 10, Highway
No. 15 or Highway No. 99, the setback shall be subject to the provisions of
Section 6, as applicable;
(k)
Deleted.
(l)
the sign shall not restrict sightlines of vehicle drivers, bicycle riders and
pedestrians in the vicinity of the sign to ensure safe functioning of the
intersection; and
(m)
if the back of the sign faces a lot in a residential zone the back of the sign
facing that zone must be painted in a neutral colour.
(7)
Pole-supported sign, provided the sign is:
(a)
not a snap-on sign;
(b)
not supported on or attached to a light pole;
(c)
for the purpose of advertising an automobile dealership business located on
a lot within a comprehensively designed auto mall development or within
an auto mall type of setting, and further provided that both the sign and
the automobile dealership are located on the same lot; and
(d)
the sign is in compliance with the applicable regulations for free-standing
signs in accordance with Section 27(1).
SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
28.
Sharing of a free-standing sign by a number of businesses located on the same lot is
permitted, provided that if a new business sign is to be added to an existing free-standing
sign, the business owner and lot owner, in accordance with the provisions of this By-law,
shall obtain a sign permit prior to the installation of the additional business sign on the
existing free-standing sign.
- 32 -
PART 6
SIGNS IN GASOLINE STATION ZONES
APPLICATION
29.
The regulations in this Part apply to all signs located on gasoline service station lots.
PERMIT NOT REQUIRED
30.
Deleted.
PERMIT REQUIRED
31.
The following signs may be erected provided a sign permit is obtained:
(1)
Free-standing signs subject to the following conditions:
(a)
only one (1) free-standing sign is permitted per lot line adjacent to a
highway except a lane;;
(b)
Deleted.
(c)
the sign shall be located at a minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.] setback, provided
that when the sign is located on a lot within a special sign area, the
applicable provisions of Part 8 of this By-law shall apply to the location of
the sign, and further provided that when the sign is located on Highway
No. 1, Highway No. 99, Highway No. 10 or Highway No. 15, the location of
the sign shall be subject to the applicable provisions of Section 6;
(d)
the design and location of free-standing signs shall be architecturally
co-ordinated into the overall building design and landscaping on the same
lot and shall be mounted on a permanent base;
(e)
changeable copy signs shall be mounted on a permanent base;
(f)
Deleted.
(g)
Except in special sign areas where sign area is regulated by Part 8 of this
By-law, the allowable sign areas for free-standing signs in this Part are
permitted as follows:
i. a maximum of 9.3 sq. m [100 sq. ft.] sign area for any single face of a sign
and 18.6 sq. m [200 sq. ft.] sign area in total for all faces of the sign when
it is located within the yard adjacent to a highway listed below:
- 33 -
Highway:
Between the following highways:
a.
108 Avenue.......................
- 140 Street and 150 Street
b.
96 Avenue.......................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and 152 Street; and
between 184 Street and 196 Street
c.
88 Avenue.......................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and 152 Street
d.
80 Avenue........................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and King George
Boulevard
e.
72 Avenue........................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and Hall Road
f.
64 Avenue........................
- 120 Street (Scott Road) and 192 Street
g.
120 Street (Scott Road)........
- Highway No. 10 and King George
Boulevard
h.
128 Street..........................
- 76 Avenue and 96 Avenue
i.
132 Street........................
- 80 Avenue and 88 Avenue
j.
152 Street.........................
- 28 Avenue and 72 Avenue
k.
176 Street........................
- 64 Avenue and 68 Avenue
l.
King George Boulevard........
- On the north side, up to 112 Avenue
between 124 Street and 128 Street;
between 76 Avenue and 88 Avenue; and
between 8 Avenue and 64 Avenue
m.
Highway No. 10.................
- King George Boulevard and 192 Street
n.
Highway No. 10 /Langley
By-pass.............................
- 192 Street and 196 Street
o.
Fraser Highway..................
- 140 Street and 196 Street
ii.
when the sign is not located within the yard adjacent to a highway
listed in clause "i." of Section 31(1)(g), the sign area shall not exceed
a maximum of 5.6 sq. m [60 sq. ft.] for any single face of a sign and
11.2 sq. m [120 sq. ft.] in total for all faces of a sign;
(h)
copy area shall not exceed 50% of sign area; and
(i)
The height of a sign shall be a maximum of 4.5 m [15 ft.] except when the
sign is located:
- 34 -
within a special sign area, the height of the sign shall be in compliance with
Part 8 of this By-law;
within a yard adjacent to a highway listed in clause "i." of Section 31(1)(g) of
this Section, the height of the sign may be increased to a maximum of 6 m
[20 ft.]; and
when it is located within a yard adjacent to a residential lot, the height of
the sign shall be a maximum of 3.6 m [12 ft.].
(2)
Fascia signs provided that:
(a)
a maximum of two fascia signs are permitted in addition to pump island
canopy signs;
(b)
the sign area shall not exceed 3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.]; and
(c)
the copy area shall not exceed 50% of the sign area.
(3)
Pump island canopy signs provided that:
(a)
only one pump island canopy sign in respect of each premises frontage or
separate entrance of any premises is permitted;
(b)
no pump island canopy sign shall be permitted unless 80 percent of the
length of the pump island canopy projects 1.2 m [4.0 ft.] or more from the
building;
(c)
the sign may be located on any face of a canopy but not on the canopy roof
and shall not project more than 0.4 m [1.3 ft.] from the face of the canopy
or within 0.6 m [2.0 ft.] of any curb line or edge of pavement along any
road used by vehicles;
(d)
the copy area shall not exceed 50% of the sign area;
(e)
the clearance shall not be less than 2.75 m [9.0 ft.];and
(f)
the vertical dimension of the sign shall not exceed 1 m [3 ft.].
(4)
Sandwich-board signs provided that:
(a)
only one sandwich-board sign is permitted for each business;
(a.1)
the sign shall be located on the same lot as the business to which the sign
pertains;
(b)
the sign shall be displayed only during the operating hours of the business
to which it pertains;
- 35 -
(c)
the sign area shall not exceed 1.2 sq. m [13 sq. ft.];
(d)
the height of the sign shall not exceed 1.2 m [4 ft.];
(e)
the sign shall not cause a nuisance or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular
movement to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Engineering; and
(f)
the sign shall be kept clean and in good repair.
SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
32.
No sign shall be illuminated other than by an indirect light source which shall be shielded
so that no direct illumination from the light source is visible from a highway.
PART 7
SIGNS IN INSTITUTIONAL ZONES
APPLICATION
33.
The regulations in this Part apply to all signs on lots in institutional zones.
PERMIT NOT REQUIRED
34.
Deleted.
PERMIT REQUIRED
35.
The following signs may be erected provided a sign permit is obtained:
(1)
Free-standing signs provided that:
(a)
the sign shall be placed at a minimum of 2 m [6.5 ft.] setback, and further
provided that when the sign is located along Highway No. 1, Highway No.
99, Highway No. 10 or Highway No. 15, the setback shall be subject to the
applicable provisions of Section 6;
(b)
only one sign is permitted for each lot line adjacent to a highway except a
lane;
(c)
Deleted.
(d)
the sign area shall not exceed 4.5 sq. m [50 sq. ft.];
- 36 -
(e)
the copy area shall not exceed 50% of the sign area; and
(f)
the height of the sign shall not exceed 4.5 m [15.0 ft], except when the sign
is located in a special sign area the height of the sign shall be in compliance
with Part 8 of this By-law.
(2)
Fascia signs that adhere to the following conditions:
(a)
when the fascia sign is located on a lot adjacent to Highway No. 1 or
Highway No. 99, the fascia sign shall comply with the provisions of Section
6 of this By-law;
(b)
only one fascia sign is permitted for each lot line adjacent to a highway
except a lane;
(c)
the sign area shall not exceed 3 sq. m [32 sq. ft.];
(d)
the copy area shall not exceed 50% of the sign area;
(e)
the sign shall not extend above the roof line of the building face to which it
is attached; and
(f)
if the fascia sign is an upper-level fascia sign, it must adhere to the
following:
i.
a maximum of one upper-level fascia sign per lot frontage to identify
the name and/or address of the building to which the sign is
attached, provided no more than one such upper-level fascia sign
shall be permitted on any one façade;
ii.
a maximum of one upper-level fascia sign per lot frontage pertaining
to the tenant that occupies the largest percentage of the total floor
area above the first floor of the building, provided no more than
one such upper-level fascia sign shall be permitted on any one
façade of the building;
iii.
all upper-level fascia signs shall be located on the top floor of the
building; and
iv.
all upper-level fascia signs must be comprised of individual channel
letters."
SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
36.
No sign shall be illuminated other than by an indirect light source which shall be shielded
so that no direct illumination from the light source is visible from a highway.
- 37 -
PART 8
SPECIAL SIGN AREAS
APPLICATION
37.
This Part applies to free-standing signs in special sign areas. Where the provisions of this
Part are inconsistent with any other provision of this By-law, the provisions of this Part
shall apply.
FREE-STANDING SIGN RESTRICTIONS
38.
Free-standing signs on lots located within each of the special sign areas, as listed below,
are subject to the following restrictions:
(1)
as illustrated on the maps in the Schedules attached to this By-law, as follows:
1.A
City Centre;
1.B
104 Avenue;
1.C
Guildford Town Centre;
1.D
Fleetwood Commercial Node;
1.E
Fleetwood Town Centre;
1.F
Cloverdale Town Centre;
1.G
East Clayton;
1.H
Campbell Heights;
1.I
Highway #99 Corridor;
1.J
Semiahmoo Town Centre;
1.K
Newton Town Centre; and
(2)
the width of the sign shall not exceed two-thirds (2/3) of the height of the sign.
PART 9
SPECIAL SIGNS
APPLICATION
39.
The signs under this Part are permitted for municipal purposes on City-owned lots only:
SIGNS PERMITTED
- 38 -
40.
(1)
Landscape logo Signs provided that:
(a)
Deleted.
(b)
Deleted.
(c)
the sign shall be located such that it does not interfere with the operation
of any adjacent highway;
(d)
a minimum of 50% of the sign must be composed of flowers;
(e)
the sign shall be professionally designed by a landscape architect to
enhance the aesthetics of the general area and to complement the
surrounding areas;
(f)
the sign shall be managed and maintained throughout the year;
(g)
the sign area shall not exceed 111 sq. m [1,200 sq. ft.]; and
(h)
the copy area shall not exceed 50% of the sign area.
PART 10
COMMENCEMENT
COMMENCEMENT
41.
This By-law shall come into force on the date of final adoption hereof.
PASSED FIRST AND SECOND READINGS on the 22nd day of February, 1999.
PUBLIC HEARING HELD thereon on the 15th day of March, 1999.
PASSED THIRD READING on the 15th day of March, 1999.
RECONSIDERED AND FINALLY ADOPTED, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, and sealed with the
Corporate Seal on the 22nd day of March, 1999.
MAYOR
CLERK
- 39 -
Schedule 1
Deleted
- 2 -
- 3 -
- 4 -
- 5 -
- 6 -
- 7 -
- 8 -
- 9 -
- 10 -
- 11 -
- 12 -