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By Gisele Shaw | Tuesday, December 18, 2018 5:00 pm ·  0 Comments |
Belinda Fewings
Following an in-depth review and consultation of signs and sign usage, an updated sign by-law takes effect on January 1, 2019. The regulations reflect today’s business identification and advertising needs.
By-law 2018-153 replaces the former Sign By-law 2006-2005. The change includes an updated 2019 Rates and Fees schedule.
In effect since 2006 Sign by-law 2006-005 has undergone multiple amendments that affected the regulation of various sign types including:
“This new sign by-law reflects two years of thorough public consultation and review,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “It ensures the town’s regulations address the needs of local businesses while managing visual clutter, ensuring public health and safety, and preserving Oakville’s unique character and streetscape compatibility.”
The town evaluated all aspects of the sign by-law including format, function and standards.
Available online are easy to use tables. They make the by-law easier to navigate and understand. They are based on specific uses and land use designations aligned with the Official Plan.
A user-friendly companion document with visuals, definitions as well as interactive mapping can also be found online.
Grouped into several categories detailed sign regulations cover:
Now, businesses are provided more flexibility in advertising through Static Electronic Message Boards (SEMBs).
The current by-law only permits free standing SEMBs for public schools and government institutions and those only permit the display of time and temperature.
The new by-law permits for a wider use of electronic message signs. It includes regulations around illumination levels depending on the time of day.
Designated employment areas continue as an appropriate area for signs used to advertise goods or services not related to the premises.
According to the impact of the change, applicants requesting changes have options.
The new change options include: exceptions, appeals and amendments.
Applications for permanent signs must give notification, followed by as-built confirmation of sign installation. This allows staff to quickly check the installation process for compliance and safety.
Updated and streamlined enforcement processes includes orders and administrative fees.
A $100 fee will be charged for second and additional orders issued to the same property, when there has been no change in property ownership.
Fees achieve full cost recovery for the sign program.
In addition, Council directed staff to revise the new by-law to increase real estate open house directional signs from three to five per open house.
Community mobile signs will be further reviewed in 2019. The staff were directed to report back to the Planning and Development Council on the feasibility of adding more community mobile sign locations in each ward.
Staff will also be reviewing election sign regulations.
A review of the sign by-law and consult with the public on sign regulations began in 2016.
More information available at Oakville.ca
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