Signs

This section provides definitions for terms used within the Land Use Bylaw.

a b c d e f l m n p r s t v w

a

A-Board Sign means an A-shaped sign with no external supporting structure that is set upon, but not attached to, the ground.

Attention-Getting Device means any pennant, flag, valance, propeller, spinner, streamer, searchlight, mascot, message, ornamentation, audible component, or sign not otherwise defined under this section that is displayed in any manner for the purpose of drawing attention to a development, business, or fundraising activity. Lights or other ornamentations associated with the holiday season, if displayed between Nov. 15 and Jan. 15 of the following year, shall not be considered attention-getting devices.

Awning Sign means a sign incorporated upon or within an awning.

b

Balloon Sign means an air-inflated sign.

Banner Sign means a sign constructed from a non-rigid fabric, in a banner style, which is attached to a pole or other structure

Billboard means a sign displaying only third-party advertising.

c

Canopy Sign means a sign incorporated upon or within a canopy.

Changeable Copy means that portion of a sign upon which copy (excluding time, date, temperature, and fuel pricing displays) may be changed manually through the utilization of attachable copy, or changed automatically through the electronic switching of lamp banks or illuminated tubes.

Comprehensive Sign Plan means a master plan for signage on a site for the purpose of creating a consistent overall theme and design concept, and may include several sign types.

Construction Site Identification Sign means a sign erected on a development site for the purpose of advertising or providing information related to the referenced construction project, and may include information on the contractor, building material supplier, and financial institution involved.

Copy means the text or graphics that comprise the message on a sign face.

d

Developer Marketing Fence Sign means a sign designed to provide continuous visual screening of a lot or site for the purpose of promoting current or future on-site development, and may incorporate construction, marketing, directional, and real estate content.

Developer Marketing Sign means a sign promoting vacant lots, show homes, or new developments, and may include the project name, developer information, logograms, conceptual plans, or lifestyle images, but excludes construction, directional, and real estate sign information.

Development Directional Sign means a sign for the purpose of guiding or directing pedestrian or vehicular traffic to new subdivisions, new development areas or show homes, and may include the development name, developer information, logograms, and directional arrows.

Digital Display means a device intended to display copy using electronic screens, projection, television, computer video monitors, liquid crystal displays (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED) displays, or any other similar electronic, computer-generated, or digital technology.

Directional Sign means a sign directing pedestrian or vehicular traffic, including ingress, egress and parking signs and may include text-only copy, logograms and directional arrows.

e

Election Sign means a sign connected with the holding of a federal, provincial, or municipal government, or school board election.

Electronic Message Sign means a sign or part of a sign upon which programmable or electronic switching of changeable, text-only copy is displayed.

Entry Feature Sign means a self-supported sign which incorporates design and building materials that accentuate the architectural theme of the on-site buildings. Entry feature signs are limited to development name and address identification only.

f

Fascia Sign means a sign that is attached, etched, or painted on a building. A wall mural shall not be considered a fascia sign.

First-Party Advertising means the advertising of a business, commodity, service, or entertainment product that is conducted, sold, or offered on the site upon which the sign is located.

Flashing Sign means a sign that contains an intermittent or flashing light source. An electronic message sign shall not be considered a flashing sign.

Foot-Candle means a unit of measure of the intensity of light falling on a surface.

Freestanding Sign means a sign anchored into the ground and not attached to a building.

l

Lawn Sign means a sign erected or placed for the purpose of identifying an opinion or position on a topic, cause, or political issue, but does not advertise a home-based business or business, and excludes an election sign.

m

Mascot means a person, figure, or automaton – dressed in costume – displaying or holding signage for the purpose of attracting attention to a business or fundraising activity.

Multiple-Tenant Advertising means when a sign advertises two or more on-site businesses.

Municipal Sign means a sign erected or placed by, or on behalf of, the City.

n

Neighbourhood Identification Sign means a sign that displays the name of a City neighbourhood.

p

Pedestrian-Oriented Signage means a sign that is designed, scaled, and located in such a way that the primary purpose of the sign is to provide information to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Portable Sign means a sign with changeable copy, designed to be readily relocated.

Projecting Sign means a sign that is attached to, supported by, and extends outward from a building. Neither a canopy sign nor an awning sign shall be considered a projecting sign.

Promotional Advertising Sign means a sign displayed for the purpose of advertising temporary events or activities, including grand openings, sales, and new or discounted products.

r

Real Estate Sign means a sign for the purpose of advertising real estate property for sale, lease, or rent.

Roof Sign means a sign attached to the roof of a building or the parapet of a building.

s

Self-Supported means supported by one or more columns, uprights, or braces in or upon the ground that are not attached to, and do not form part of, a building.

Sign means an accessory device or structure erected or placed for the purpose of providing directions or information, and includes copy. This does not include a wall mural.

Sign Area means the areas of a sign that are available for copy (excluding the main support structure). The sign area of a multiple-faced sign is the area of the largest face.

Sign Height means the vertical distance measured at right angles, from the lowest point of finished grade at the sign base, to the highest point of the sign or sign structure.

t

Temporary Sign means a sign that is not permanently installed and is placed for a limited period of time.

Third-Party Advertising means the advertising of a business, commodity, service, or entertainment product that is conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than on the site upon which the sign is located.

Traffic Control Device means any sign, signal, marking, or device placed, marked or erected by the City for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.

v

Vehicle Sign means a sign placed on, placed within, or attached to the exterior of a vehicle, which advertises or promotes:

1. The business for which the vehicle is being used; or
2. The sale of that vehicle, in the form of a “for-sale” sign, provided that the vehicle is parked entirely on a private residential property, or entirely on the property of an approved automotive or recreation vehicle sales establishment.

w

Walkway Decal means a sign adhered to a travel surface that is designated for pedestrian use.

Wall-mounted means attached to the wall of a building.

Window Sign means a sign placed on or inside a window that faces outward, and is intended to be seen from the outside.