City Government

Campaign Signs

The Traffic Bylaw regulates the placement of signs on roadways, light standards, and other areas that have vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

Placing a sign illegally on City of Edmonton property is a bylaw offence that may result in a fine of $250.

For placement of free-standing signs and enforcement, please review the conditions listed in these guidelines.

Note: Free-standing election signs can only be placed on road right-of-ways during the official campaign period.

Private Property

You may place signs on private property only with the consent of the property owner. Any property not owned by the City of Edmonton, including federal and provincial property, is referred to here as private property.

Schools

The Catholic and Public School Districts have policies prohibiting signs and the distribution of campaign literature. Certain exceptions may apply:

during all-candidate forums,
at times when part of the building is rented in order to hold a political meeting, and
if materials are deemed appropriate for student educational programs.

Contact your school district for clarification of these restrictions.

City Property

The City of Edmonton's Community Standards Branch has been stepping up on enforcement of illegally placed signs on City property in order to maintain community standards and ensure public safety.

With public attention focused on signs, it is more important than ever to follow City bylaws carefully. Failure to meet regulations will result in a $250 fine.

Campaign signs are allowed on some City property; however, under City bylaw, signs are prohibited in the following locations:

on City-owned buildings,
on a roadway, centre median, traffic circle or traffic island less than 6 metres wide,
on a traffic control device, ie: stop signs, directional arrows etc., or where they obscure, detract from or could be confused with a traffic control device,
in a park (Section 10 and 15, Parkland Bylaw 2202),
on City-owned trees, fences or any other street furniture,
in any Transit Centre or LRT Station,
on City space in residential areas,
within 30 metres of a signalized intersection, 15 metres of all other intersections, and within 3 metres of a curb.

In all cases, signs are not permitted if they interfere with the safe and orderly movement of pedestrians or vehicles, or within sightlines required under any City bylaw.

Sections 10 and 15, Parkland Bylaw (2202)
Sections 64 and 65, Traffic Bylaw (5590)

Confiscated Signs, Fines, and Retrieval

These guidelines ensure that campaign signs are regulated in order to make sure that sightlines are maintained at intersections. Provisions have been made for the removal of election signs following the election to ensure they do not contribute to litter along our highways. Signs must be removed within 3 days after election day. Any sign violating the guidelines will be removed by City of Edmonton Community Standards Branch.

The City can take the following steps to address signs that violate the guidelines:

A Community Standards Peace Officer (CSPO) or Municipal Enforcement Officer (MEO) attends the location to determine if a violation exists.
The officer contacts the appropriate campaign office and gives 1 day to relocate any signs in violation of the guidelines.
The officer re-inspects the sign location after 1 day has passed, and removes any remaining illegal signs to the sign impound lot. They may issue a fine of $250 per sign.

Removed signs may be reclaimed from the City's sign impound yard. Photo ID is required. All signs not claimed within 3 days of election day will be destroyed. Please note that signs may be destroyed sooner than 3 days at the discretion of the City.

Sections 64 and 65, Traffic Bylaw (5590)

Recycling Election Signs

Candidates and residents with plastic or cardboard election signs are encouraged to recycle them at the:

Edmonton Waste Management Centre, 13111 Meridian Street
Ambleside Eco Station, 14710 Ellerslie Road SW
Recycling Depots (signs must be disassembled and put in the co-mingled material bins)

For further information on the placement of free standing election signs, please call 311 or Traffic Control Section at 780-496-3095.

For more information:

Election & Census Services

16304 - 114 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5M 3R8

Telephone	780-496-8008
Fax	780-498-7058
Email	elections@edmonton.ca
Website	(http://edmonton.ca/election)