ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — St. John’s city council unanimously approved a new bylaw on Monday concerning signs erected in the city.
While businesses were already not permitted to put commercial signs on utility poles, the new bylaw gives the city the right to remove the signs without having to give notice to the owner, and the city can charge a fee for removal of signs.
“That’s a very important thing. That’s something we hope to make some progress on,” said Coun. Sandy Hickman, who noted several people on council have wanted to see these changes for some time.
“This will certainly be a huge help in regards to addressing some of those illegal signage issues,” said Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary.
Signs are still permitted on the sleeved utility poles downtown.
The new bylaw also covers both static and changeable digital signs, whereas before only changeable signs were covered.
There is a maximum brightness level for nighttime (375 lumens), and changeable message signs must immediately transition from one image to the next and not be located within 60 metres of a residential house unless the sign remains in a static position between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The city inspector also has the ability to make any additional requirements for digital display signs that they deem appropriate.
City staff told The Telegram that some of these changes were already in practice at the city, but the new bylaw is an opportunity to codify those practices.
The new sign bylaw consolidates and updates a few bylaws the city previously had that were related to signage.
The bylaw will come into legal effect after it has been gazetted.
Juanita Mercer reports on municipal politics in St. John’s.
