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THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF MONO
BY-LAW NUMBER 2006 - 10
BEING A BY-LAW PROHIBITING OR REGULATING SIGNS AND ANY OTHER
ADVERTISING DEVICES WITHIN THE TOWN OF MONO
WHEREAS Section 99 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, provides Council with
the authority to pass by-laws prohibiting and regulating Signs, advertising and advertising
devices;
AND WHEREAS Council has determined that there is a need to enact a By-law prohibiting
and regulating signs, advertising and advertising devices, to preserve the rural character and
enhance the open landscape of the municipality;
AND WHEREAS Council has determined that there is a need to enact a By-law prohibiting
and regulating signs, advertising and advertising devices, to reduce roadside visual clutter to
enhance public safety while travelling roads in the community;
AND WHEREAS Council must balance the need for advertising of local businesses with
the health and safety of the travelling public and the visual attractiveness of the
municipality;
NOW THEREFORE Council enacts as follows:
Definitions
1.
In this By-law the following terms are defined as:
"Chief Building Official" means the Chief Building Official of the Town of Mono
and includes his or her designate or other duly appointed official pursuant to the
Building Code Act.
"Clerk" means the Clerk of the Town of Mono duly appointed under the Municipal
Act; and also includes the Deputy Clerk, if any, duly appointed under the Municipal
Act.
"Lot" means a parcel of land that is capable of being conveyed pursuant to Section
50(3) of the Planning Act.
"Property" means all lands in the Town and includes a lot.
"Sign" means a message board or advertising device bearing a message or
advertisement consisting of letters, numbers, symbols or characters, the various
materials upon which they are displayed, any internal and external mechanical or
electrical parts, and any stiffening bars or ornamental mouldings but shall not include
any supports or trusses upon which the Sign is supported, unless such Sign is a
Freestanding Sign, in which circumstances, the associated structure is deemed to be
part of the Sign. Sign shall include a message painted on the wall or roof of a
building. Sign shall be further defined in Schedule "A" to this By-law.
"Town" means the Corporation of the Town of Mono.
"Zone" means a designated area in the Town of Mono Zoning 78-1, as amended
from time to time or such successor zoning by-law as passed under the Planning Act.
Prohibitions
2.
No person shall erect, display, alter or relocate any Sign located upon private or
public property unless: a) a permit has been obtained in accordance with the
provisions of this By-law; or b) such type of Sign is exempt from the permit
requirements under section 12 of this By-law.
Amended by
Bylaw 2023-49,
2025-42
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3.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this By-law, no Sign shall be located on any
Town road or within any Town road allowance without the express permission of the
Town.
4.
Any Third Party Sign is prohibited.
5.
Any Sign advertising an adult entertainment establishment is prohibited, (unless such
use has been permitted under an amendment to the Town's Zoning By-law).
6.
Any scrolling digital Sign is prohibited.
7.
Any sign illumination is prohibited unless expressly permitted by this By-law.
8.
Any flashing illumination of a Sign is prohibited.
Maintenance of Existing Signs
9.
A change in the message displayed by a Sign does not require a permit, provided
such Sign has been erected in conformity with this By-law, and remains in
conformity with the provisions of this By-law.
10.
The owner, occupant or permit holder of any property upon which a Sign is situated
shall keep the Sign, together with its supporting structure in a good state of repair
and in a proper state of preservation as to safety and appearance.
11.
Any Sign that does not conform to any provision of this By-law and/or that falls into
disrepair shall be removed by the owner, occupant or permit holder. The Town may
remove the Sign at the expense of the person and/or owner of the Sign. The Town
may deny any Application to re-erect such Sign.
Signs Where No Permits Are Required
12.
No permit is required for the following Signs, provided such Sign complies with this
By-law:
a) A non-illuminated sign as set out in Schedule "B" to this By-law; or,
b) A non-illuminated sign as set out in Schedule "C" to this By-law, which is
proposed as part of a site plan approval.
Signs Where Permits Are Required
13.
The following types of Signs may be permitted provided such Sign is authorized
by a permit issued under this By-law:
A sign as set out in Schedule "C" to this By-law.
14.
Signs permitted in Schedule "C" to this By-law may be illuminated, provided that
such illumination shields from light trespass beyond the face of the sign to be
illuminated, and providing that the Town expressly permits sign illumination as part
of a Site Plan Agreement under the Planning Act.
Administration
15.
This By-law shall be administered by the Clerk.
Application Process for Sign Permits
16.
An applicant for a Sign permit shall provide to the Clerk the following documents:
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a) A duly executed application form, including providing the owner's
authorization, if the applicant is not the owner of the lot;
b) A detailed site plan;
c) Construction drawings indicating, at a minimum, the lot boundaries, adjacent
roadways, the location of the Sign in relation to other structures on the lot,
and construction specifications for the Sign, including illumination, if any.
17.
Upon application for a Sign permit the applicant shall pay an application fee in
accordance with Schedules "C" and "D" of this By-law, to the Town.
18.
Where a Site Plan Agreement has been entered into with the Town, the Town may
waive the requirements for a Sign permit, application fee for a Sign, and may waive
any provision of this By-law while permitting a Sign under the provisions of the Site
Plan Agreement.
19.
Where a building permit is required for the Sign under the Building Code Act, the
applicant shall obtain a building permit together with a Sign permit prior to erecting
the Sign. Nothing in this By-law restricts the Chief Building Official requiring
further information from the applicant to determine compliance with the Building
Code Act.
20.
Should the Sign require a building permit, the Clerk under this By-law shall issue no
Sign permit until the Chief Building Official has issued the building permit.
21.
The Clerk under this By-law shall issue no Sign permit unless the proposed Sign
complies with the provisions of this By-law. In determining such compliance, the
Clerk may circulate the application and documents received under section 16 of this
By-law for comment by the Clerk's Department, Chief Building Official; the Town's
Director of Planning; the Town's Director of Public Works; the Police Chief having
jurisdiction for the Town; the Fire Chief having jurisdiction for the Town; the
County of Dufferin Director of Public Works; the Ministry of Transportation and/or
any other public agency which may have an interest in the application. Should any
of the above officials recommend denial of the Sign permit in writing with reasons,
the Clerk shall deny the application and provide the applicant with the reasons for
the denial. If the application is denied by the Clerk, an application for variance may
be made in accordance with Paragraph 25.
Traffic Hazards
22.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this By-law, any Sign which creates a traffic
hazard is prohibited. No sign shall be erected which reduces the effectiveness of any
traffic signal on any roadway or otherwise interferes with traffic on any roadway
including obstructing the view of motorists at any intersection of roadways; or access
driveway; and/or a roadway within 6 metres of that intersection of the lot lines. Any
public highway authority including the Director of Public Works for the Town may
require the removal or relocation of any Sign and/or Sign structure or Sign
landscaping which he/she considers to constitute a traffic hazard, and may remove
the sign if the sign is deemed to be an immediate traffic hazard by the appropriate
authority.
Municipal Property
23.
No Signs shall be placed on any Town property without approval by the Town.
No Obstruction
24.
No Sign shall be attached to or placed upon a building in such a manner as to
obstruct any fire escape or to interfere in any way with the work of the Fire
Department in case of a fire. In addition, no Sign shall be erected, constructed or
installed on a lot that would preclude driveway access to the lot for firefighting
purposes or otherwise, in the opinion of the Fire Chief having jurisdiction for the
Town, impede access to the lot over firefighting routes.
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Applications for Variances to the Sign By-law
25.
Pursuant to s. 99 of the Municipal Act, 2001, Town Council may authorize a variance
to this By-law if in the opinion of Town Council the general intent and purpose of
this By-law are maintained.
26.
An application for a variance to this By-law shall be made in writing to Town
Council within 21 days after the date on which the Sign permit was denied by the
Clerk and shall be accompanied with the requisite fee set out in Schedule "D" to this
By-law, and the information set out in Paragraph 16. Town Council shall schedule a
hearing within 45 days of the receipt of the variance application and shall determine
such application, after hearing from the applicant, should the applicant so desire to
be heard, and hearing from any other persons who may have an interest in the matter,
should such persons so desire to be heard. Town Council shall issue its decision
within 45 days after the variance application has been heard.
27.
Any decision made by Town Council on an application for a variance to this By-law
is final and binding.
Enforcement
28.
Where the Owner or occupant of a lot has erected a Sign requiring a permit without
the issuance of the required Sign permit, the Town shall give notice of such violation
by sending correspondence to the last known address on record at the Town via
registered mail to the Owner or occupant of a lot requiring the Owner or occupant of
a lot to remove the Sign within 7 days of the issuance of the correspondence.
29.
Should the Sign not be removed in compliance with section 28 of this By-law, the
Town shall have the right to enter onto a lot and pull down, demolish or otherwise
remove the Sign. For the purposes of pulling down, demolishing or otherwise
removing the Sign under this By-law, an agent, employee or servant of the Town
may enter upon the lot of the Owner or occupant and shall not be liable to
compensate the Owner, occupant or any other person having an interest in the lot by
reason of anything done by or on behalf of the Town under the provisions of this By-
law.
30.
Any unauthorized Sign which is placed on any Town property or within any
municipal road allowance, or represents a traffic hazard in accordance with
Paragraph 22, shall be removed by the Town at the expense of the Owner of the
Sign, as set out in Schedule "D" to this By-law.
31.
When pulling down, demolishing or otherwise removing the Sign, the Town may
recover all the expenses incurred in respect thereof, including legal fees, by any or
all methods available by statute, including collection through the property tax
system.
32.
In addition, the Town may cause a prosecution to be brought against any person in
the Courts for violation of this By-law.
Penalties
33.
Every person who contravenes any provision of this By-law is guilty of an offence
and liable upon conviction to a penalty as authorized by the Provincial Offences Act.
34.
Upon conviction, the Court in which the conviction has been entered and any Court
of competent jurisdiction thereafter, may make an order prohibiting the continuation
or repetition of the offence by the person convicted.
Schedules Form Part of By-law
35.
Schedules "A", "B", "C" and "D" shall form part of this By-law.
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Former By-law Repealed
36.
Town By-law 91-15 is hereby repealed.
Short Title
37.
This subject By-Law shall be known and cited as the "Sign By-law".
READ A FIRST, SECOND and THIRD TIME, and passed this 28TH day of FEBRUARY,
2006.
__________________________________ _____________________________
MAYOR
CLERK
Schedule "A"
Sign Definitions
Auction
Means any Sign, which advertises a public auction, and is placed on the lot
where the auction is to be held no more than 2 weeks prior to and during the
auction event. Maximum placement time is 2 weeks prior to and during the
auction event. An auction event time must not exceed one day and only one
auction event per lot per year is allowed.
Awning
Means a covering stretched upon a frame that is affixed to the face of the
building and may be moveable, with a Sign embossed, screened or otherwise
affixed to awning. One building or unit in a shopping/centre may only display
one of the following types of Signs: Awning, Canopy, Mansard, Marquee, or
Wall.
Banner
Means a piece of fabric bearing an emblem, message or slogan for the
purpose of, advertising goods or services, identifying a business or enterprise,
or promoting a philosophy, concept or organization.
Canopy
Means a solid overhanging covering that projects from the face of the
building and is firmly attached into the wall of the building, with a Sign
embossed, screened or otherwise affixed to canopy. One building or unit in a
shopping/centre may only display one of the following types of Signs:
Awning, Canopy, Mansard, Marquee, or Wall.
Community
Event
Means a Sign to promote citizen participation in civic or charitable activities
and functions, placed for a period not exceeding 90 days, and providing the
location of such sign has been approved by the Town of Mono.
Construction
Means a temporary Sign for a project, future use of site, or contractor sign, on
a construction site for the lesser of, a period of not more than 6 months, or
within 30 days of completion of the project, or as provided for in a site plan
agreement or a subdivision agreement.
Contractor's
Roadwork
Means a temporary Sign placed for the purpose of warning traffic of a road
construction project and/or directing traffic.
Directional
Means a Sign that is to give guidance or direction to locations on a lot.
Election
Means any Sign advertising or promoting the election of a candidate for
municipal, provincial, or federal government office. An Election Sign must
be removed within 48 hours after the election.
Emergency
Means any Sign erected by emergency services, including the police, fire, or
ambulance services, or as authorized under a municipal emergency.
Flag
Means a flag or emblem of patriotic, civic, educational or religious
organizations or corporations provided that no more than three flags or
emblems are located on one lot and each flag or emblem shall not exceed 2.7
square metres.
Freestanding
Means a Sign not attached to a building but supported by a permanent
attachment to the ground.
Highway
Traffic Act
Means any sign erected by the Town, the County or the Province of Ontario
under the Highway Traffic Act.
Hoarding
Means a message posted on, or affixed to construction hoarding placed
around an active construction site, for a project, future use of site, or
contractor sign, on a construction site for the lesser of, a period of not more
than 6 months, or within 30 days of completion of the project, or as provided
for in a site plan agreement or a subdivision agreement.
Schedule "A"
- 2 -
Home Industry
Means a Sign which messages or advertising on such signage must be directly
related to the use being carried out on the lot, and which use must be
permitted under the Town's Zoning By-law.
Home
Occupation
Means a Sign which messages or advertising on such signage must be directly
related to the use being carried out on the lot, and which use must be
permitted under the Town's Zoning By-law. Such signage shall be limited in
that it shall not provide additional advertising beyond providing any of the
details of: the name of the business; and/or name of the home occupier;
and/or name of the home professional; the contact information, including
phone number, facsimile number, web site and/or email; and, the hours of
operation.
Identification
Means a Sign on the lot displaying only the name of the occupant and the
address and/or the name of the dwelling.
Mansard
Means a Sign on or attached to a mansard roof. One building or unit in a
shopping/centre may only display one of the following types of Signs:
Awning, Canopy, Mansard, Marquee, or Wall.
Marquee
Means a Sign attached to any roof-like structure or overhang constructed as a
permanent part of a building over the entrance to the building which structure
or overhang projects more than 0.3 metres from the exterior of the wall. One
building or unit in a shopping/centre may only display one of the following
types of Signs: Awning, Canopy, Mansard, Marquee, or Wall.
Neighbourhood
Identification
Means a Sign placed at the entrance to a neighbourhood identifying the name
of the neighbourhood and the civic address, and containing no other message,
as approved by the Town.
Planning Act
Means any Sign approved by the Town under an agreement between the
Town and an applicant under the provisions of the Planning Act.
Portable
Means a Sign not exceeding 4 square metres that can be moved from place to
place, and that is not attached to a building, the ground, or an immobile
structure, and shall include mobile Signs, inflatable advertising devices and
Sandwich Board Signs. Portable Signs shall only be allowed a maximum of 2
times per year for a period of 14 days each on a lot.
Real Estate
Means a single Sign to the sale, rent or lease of the lot upon which the Sign is
located, except that for a lot having more than one lot line with frontage,
more than one Real Estate Sign may be placed on the lot at any one time and
shall not exceed more than one Real Estate Sign per lot line having frontage.
A Real Estate Sign shall not be placed on a lot for more than fourteen (14)
days after the premises or lot has been sold, rented or leased.
Sandwich
Board
Means a freestanding, double-faced, inverted-vee type Sign.
Scrolling
Means a digital Sign, or readograph Sign or any other sign, which has a
message, which scrolls across the face of the sign as either a static, or a
changing message.
Seasonal
Means a Sign erected for the purpose of retailing agriculture products.
Shopping
Centre/Plaza
Means a Sign placed at a commercial or industrial lot, upon which a group of
at least 5 separate uses have been developed, and which Sign advertises or
identifies the occupants of the shopping centre or plaza.
Third Party
Means a Sign or advertising device, including a billboard Sign, which directs
attention to products, goods, services, activities or facilities which are not the
principal products, goods, services, activities or facilities provided on the lot
Schedule "A"
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upon which the Sign is located.
Trespass
Means a 'no trespass', 'no hunting', 'no fishing' or other warning Sign.
Wall
Means lettering or a display painted directly on the exterior wall of a
building. One building or unit in a shopping/centre may only display one of
the following types of Signs: Awning, Canopy, Fascia, Mansard, Marquee, or
Wall.
Schedule "B"
SIGNS FOR WHICH NO PERMIT IS
REQUIRED / NON ILLUMINATED
SIGN TYPE
MAXIMUM SIZE (For additional
specific restrictions see applicable
Definition)
ZONE(S)
PERMITTED
APPLICATION
FEE
Auction
1.5 sq m
All Zones
Nil
Community Event
1.5 sq m
All Zones
Nil
Contractor's
Roadwork
As Approved by the Town of Mono,
the County of Dufferin or the Ministry
of Transportation
All Zones
Nil
Directional
0.75 sq m
All Zones
Nil
Election
N/A
All Zones
Nil
Emergency
As Approved by the Town of Mono
All Zones
Nil
Flag
2.7 sq m each
All Zones
Nil
Highway Traffic
Act
As Prescribed by Legislation
All Zones
Nil
Home Occupation
0.56 sq m
Residential// Rural
Nil
Home Industry
0.56 sq m
Rural
Nil
Identification
0.2 sq m
All Zones
Nil
Planning Act
As Approved by the Town of Mono
All Zones
Nil
Real Estate
1 sq m
All Zones
Nil
Safety
0.4 sq m
All Zones
Nil
Seasonal
4 sq m
Rural
Nil
Trespass
0.2 sq m
All Zones
Nil
Schedule "C"
SIGNS FOR WHICH A PERMIT IS
REQUIRED / NON ILLUMINATED
SIGN TYPE
MAXIMUM SIZE (For additional
specific restrictions see applicable
Definition)
ZONE(S)
PERMITTED
APPLICATION
FEE
Awning
35% of Awning face, or 4 sq m (the
lesser size shall apply)
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$300.
Canopy
35% of Canopy face or 4 sq m (the
lesser size shall apply)
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$300.
Construction
10 sq m
All Zones
$100.
Freestanding
4 sq m
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$300
Hoarding
2 sq m
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$300.
Mansard
35% of Mansard face or 4 sq m (the
lesser size shall apply)
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$300.
Marquee
35% of Marquee face or 4 sq m (the
lesser size shall apply)
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$300.
Neighbourhood
Identification
5 sq m
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
Residential
$300.
Portable
2 faces, 4 sq m each face
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$100.
Sandwich Board
2 faces, 1.5 sq m each face
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$100.
Shopping Centre
15 sq m
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$300.
Wall
20% of wall face or 4 sq m (the lesser
size shall apply)
Commercial
Industrial
Institutional
$300.
Schedule "D"
APPEALS / ENFORCEMENT / JOINT PROCESS / ILLUMINATION
ACTIVITY
FEE
Variance Application
$500.
Enforcement, Removal of Sign from Town
Property
$300 Administration Fee, plus $50 Per hour for
labour and vehicle expense
A Sign, which is proposed within a site plan
agreement application, and which conforms to
this By-law.
Nil
Illumination of a Permitted Sign
$300