Sign, sign 
Everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery
Breakin’ my mind
The 35th day before the 2022 Municipal Election hit and there they were, popping up like mushrooms. It was the first day that election signs, as well as campaign office signs, could legally be placed. At least if the candidate wanted to adhere to the By-law. And what candidate wouldn’t? After all, a willingness to break the rules and demonstrate you feel you’re “above the By-law” wouldn’t be a good first impression.
Where can’t election signs be placed?
They cannot be attached to a fence. On a tree, or a utility pole, or a light standard. They also can’t be erected on public lands with the exception of dedicated advertising space if permitted pursuant to the terms and conditions of any agreement between the owner or operator of the space. An example given by the ToC Bylaw department is where a business has a mobile sign on public land and has given permission to use that.
Where can they be placed?
On private property, and only with consent of the owner or tenant of the lot. One, and just one, can be placed on a campaign office.
How many is too many?
Only one sign is permitted, per candidate, per lot, unless the property has more than one lot line with frontage; then it may be one per frontage.
Regardless of where they are they cannot be placed in a way that they block sightlines or obstruct the safe operation of vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists.
What about at voting locations?
A sign cannot be placed on a vehicle that is parked at a voting location. One may not be placed on a street in front of a voting location. In fact, one may not be placed within 100 meters of the lot line of a voting location.
Just how big can they be?
The height of an election sign cannot exceed 1.0m, except that for any lot having a lot frontage of 50 m or greater, the height of an election sign cannot exceed 2.4m.
The election sign area cannot exceed 0.6 m2, except that for any lot having a lot frontage of 50m or greater, the election sign area shall not exceed 1.5m.
So, if you see signs that are too large, or a building covered with signs, or signs on a fence, or in other inappropriate locations, you can do your part to create a level “sign” playing field that’s fair to all candidates. You can report questionable signs/locations to Caledon Bylaw at 905-584-2272 X3462 or email [email protected]
Because thinking you’re “above the By-law” is not a good look for any prospective leader.
Do this, don’t do that
Can’t you read the sign?
Editor’s note: To produce this article JSC reviewed the Town of Caledon Sign By-law, sections 7.4 and 7.5 and, in addition, spoke with the Town’s By-law department.
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