FORMER CITY OF NORTH YORK SIGN BY-LAW
N O T I C E OF HEARING ON PROPOSED SIGN BY-LAW
AMENDMENT UNDER PARAGRAPH 146(E)
OF SECTION 210 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT
TAKE NOTICE that on September 14, 1999, at 10:30 a.m.,or as soon after as the matter can be dealt with, in the Council
Chamber at North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street, North York, the North York Community Council will consider a
proposed by-law amendment to the former City of North York sign by-law, By-law No. 30788. An explanation of the
purpose and effect of the proposed by-law is attached.
A copy of the report from the Director and Deputy Chief Building Official relating to the proposed by-law (Clause 2 of
North York Community Council Report No. 4 as adopted by City Council at its meeting held on May 11 and 12, 1999) and
a copy of the report from the City Solicitor with the draft by-law can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk (North
York Community Council), North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street, North York, Ontario, M2N 5V7. Additional
information can be obtained from contacting the staff person in charge, Mario Angelucci (395-7535).
Interested persons who wish to address the North York Community Council respecting the proposed by-law are requested
to notify the North York Community Council by telephoning 395-7373 before the meeting. If you require any special
assistance, please call 395-7373.
DATED at the City of Toronto the day of , 1999.
NOVINA WONG
City Clerk
EXPLANATION AS TO PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF PROPOSED BY-LAW
Former City of North York's By-law No. 30788, "A by-law to prohibit or regulate signs and other advertising devices", as
amended, regulates the erection and maintenance of signs in the former City of North York. The by-law now permits
certain "construction signs" without a permit and requires a permit for other signs related to a land development.
The proposed by-law amends the regulations for signs on land development sites as follows:
1. Construction Signs
- defines the term "construction sign"
-requires construction signs to be removed after the substantial completion of the work referred to in the sign
-limits the size of a construction sign in zones R-R, R-A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 to 1.1 sq.metres (12 sq. ft.)
2. Other Signs relating to a Land Development
- signs must be removed after the earlier of six months after the issuance of the sign permit or thirty days after the land
development is substantially complete
- permits may only be renewed once but may not be renewed if an application for a building permit has not been
submitted
-after a permit expires, applications cannot be submitted for subsequent permits if an application for a building permit for
the land development has not been submitted
-in zones R-R, R-A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 the maximum sign area is 1.86 sq.metres (20 sq. ft.) and, in the case
of a sign for contiguous lots, the maximum sign area is 7.43 sq. metres (80 sq. ft.)
3. Signs are prohibited on hoarding unless specifically permitted in a minor variance to By-law No. 30788.
As the proposed by-law amends the general sign provisions of the sign by-law of the former City of North York, no key
map is attached.
Date:August 20, 1999
To:North York Community Council
From:City Solicitor
Subject:Amendments to North York Sign By-law No. 30788 respecting Signs on Land Development Sites
Purpose:
This report provides the Draft By-law for the required public meeting on the proposed by-law amending the former City of
North York's Sign By-law No. 30788.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The enactment of the Draft By-law has no financial implications or impact for the City of Toronto. It requires no funding.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1.the North York Community Council hold a public meeting in respect of the Draft By-law in accordance with the
provisions of the Municipal Act.
Following the public meeting and in the event the North York Community Council wishes to approve the Draft By-law, it
could recommend that:
2.the Draft By-law attached to the report (August 20, 1999) of the City Solicitor be approved and that authority be
granted to introduce the necessary bill in Council to give effect to it.
Council Reference/Background/History:
City Council at its meeting held on May 11 and 12, 1999 adopted Clause 2 of North York Community Council Report No.
4 respecting "Advertising Signs - Removal from Residential Properties" and adopted the following recommendations
respecting amendments to the former City of North York's Sign By-law No. 30788:
(2)that the City Solicitor be requested to prepare amendments to the Sign By-law as it pertains to land development signs
as follows:
(i)define construction signs to avoid any confusion with Land Development signs as follows: "a Construction Sign is a
temporary sign without a foundation, which is used to advertise the work or company performing work on a property or
structure, which may only be displayed while the specific work related to that sign is in progress and has a maximum area
of 1.1 sq. metres (12 sq. ft.), in a single family residential zone." Further require the removal of construction signs once the
work the sign was advertising is substantially complete;
(ii)limit the time frame that land development signs are permitted to remain to a maximum of six months after the
issuance of a sign permit or 30 days after a construction is substantial[sic] complete;
(iii)limit the number of renewals of a permit for a Land Development sign to one, so that, the maximum length of time
any land development sign could remain is one year. Further, do not allow for the renewal or subsequent permits for a land
development sign, if an application for a building permit has not been submitted for the subject property; and
(iv)reduce the permitted sign area of land development signs in residential zones to 20 square feet for each lot, and where
two or more lots are contiguous permit an individual sign to have a sign area equal to that permitted for each lot to a
maximum of 80 square feet; and
(3)that the City Solicitor be requested to prepare amendments to the Sign By-law as it pertains to posters on construction
hoarding:
(i)specifically prohibit posters on hoarding unless approved by the Community Council in the form of a variance to the
By-law.
The Director and Deputy Chief Building Official (North District) has confirmed that the references in these
recommendations to "a single family residential zone" and to "residential zones" was intended to refer to zones R-R, R-A,
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 as set out in the North York zoning by-law.
Under clause (e) of paragraph 146 of section 210 of the Municipal Act, before the former City of North York's Sign By-law
can be amended, notice of the proposed by-law and notice of the Council meeting [here delegated to the North York
Community Council] at which the proposed by-law is to be discussed, must be published once at least fourteen (14) days
prior to the meeting indicated in the notice.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Attached is the Draft By-law which implements the recommendations in Clause 2 of North York Community Council
Report No. 4 as adopted by City Council at its meeting held May 11 and 12, 1999, as reviewed with the Director and
Deputy Chief Building Official (North District). The amendments include restrictions that apply to all signs advertising
land development matters, restrictions on the sign area of signs advertising land development matters in residential zones
R-R, R-A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7, and a prohibition on signs being erected upon or supported by construction
hoarding.
Contact Name:
Christina M. Cameron, Lawyer
Telephone (416) 392-7235
Fax (416) 392-1017
E-Mail: ccameron@toronto.ca
H.W.O. Doyle
City Solicitor
DRAFT BY-LAW No.
To amend former City of North York Sign By-law No. 30788 respecting signs on land development sites.
The Council of the City of Toronto HEREBY ENACTS as follows:
1. The former City of North York By-law No. 30788, "A By-law to prohibit or regulate signs and other advertising
devices.", as amended ("By-law No.30788"), is amended by adding the following:
1.1.13.1"Construction Sign" means a temporary sign without a foundation that is used to advertise the work or the name
of the person performing work on a property or structure.
2. By-law No. 30788 is amended by adding the following:
2.4.6Despite Section 2.4.3, a permit for a sign related to a land development shall be renewed only once and shall not
be renewed unless an application for a building permit for the land development has been submitted.
2.4.7Where a sign related to a land development has expired, a permit for a subsequent sign related to the land
development shall not be issued unless an application for a building permit for the land development has been submitted.
3. Section 2.8 of By-law No. 30788 is amended as follows:
(a) by amending Section 2.8.1 by inserting a semicolon after "signs";
(b) by amending Section 2.8.5 by deleting "and";
(c)by deleting Section 2.8.7 and substituting the following:
2.8.7Except in zones R-R, R-A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7, non-illuminated construction signs which are less
than 4.7 m2 (50.6 ft2) in sign area, provided that they are removed from the land development site immediately after the
substantial completion of the work advertised directly or indirectly, by the name of the person performing the work, on the
construction sign;
(d)by amending Sections 2.8.11 and 2.8.12, in both cases, by deleting the period substituting a semicolon;
(e)by amending Sections 2.8.13, by deleting the period and substituting "; and"; and
(f)by adding the following:
2.8.14In zones R-R, R-A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7, non-illuminated construction signs which are less than 1.1
m2 (12 ft2) in sign area, provided that they are removed from the land development site immediately after the substantial
completion of the work advertised directly or indirectly, by the name of the person performing the work, on the
construction sign.
4. Section 2.9 of By-law 30788 is amended as follows:
(a)by amending Section 2.9.15 by deleting the period and substituting "; and"; and
(b)by adding the following:
2.9.16 A sign that is erected upon or supported by hoarding used in the construction, renovation, maintenance,
restoration or repair of property, except where specifically permitted in a minor variance to this By-law.
5. By-law 30788 is amended by deleting Sections 4.6.1 and 4.6.2 and substituting the following:
4.6.1In any zone, except for zones R-R, R-A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7, ground signs, wall signs or roof signs
having an aggregated sign area not in excess of 23.3 m2 (250 .8 ft2) related to a land development shall be permitted for
each .809 hectares (2 acres) of land or portion thereof to a maximum of four signs, provided that any sign is removed
immediately after the earlier of the following dates:
(i)the date thirty days after the substantial completion of the land development; and
(ii) the date six months after the issuance of the sign permit.
4.6.2In zones R-R, R-A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7, one ground sign not exceeding 1.86 m2 (20 ft2 ) in sign area
related to a land development shall be permitted for each lot, provided the sign is removed immediately after the earlier of
the following dates:
(i)the date thirty days after the substantial completion of the land development; and
(ii) the date six months after the issuance of the sign permit.
Where two or more lots are contiguous, in lieu of individual signs, one sign having an aggregate area equal to that
permitted for each individual lot, to a maximum of 7.43 m2 (80 ft2) is permitted, provided the sign is located at least 15 m
(49.2 ft) from any adjacent occupied premises.
ENACTED AND PASSED this day of , A.D. 1999.
Mayor City Clerk
CITY CLERK
Clause embodied in Report No. 4 of the North York Community Council, as adopted by the Council of
the City of Toronto at its meeting held on May 11 and 12, 1999.
2
Advertising Signs - Removal from Residential Properties
(City Council on May 11 and 12, 1999, adopted this Clause, without amendment.)
The North York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (April 12, 1999) from the
Director and Deputy Chief Building Official:
Purpose:
The North-York Community Council on January 20, 1999 had before it a resolution regarding the removal of land
development signs placed on residential properties after the completion of construction.
This report, requested by Community Council, will review the existing Sign By-law and Building Division procedures with
respect to Land Development Signs placed on construction sites of single family dwellings and will make
recommendations for the control, removal and placement of these signs.
The report will also review the existing provision in the Sign By-law and how they control the placement of advertising
and posters on hoarding around construction sites and enforcement issues related to signs placed on private property and
the public road allowance.
It should be noted that the provisions, enforcement and inspections of signs under the Sign By-law is currently under
review. As of the date of this report there has been no decision on the services to be provided and where and how these
service will be delivered.
Recommendations:
(1)enforcement of the existing provisions of the Sign By-law:
(i)the Building Division of Urban Planning and Development Services continue to enforce the provisions of the Sign
By-law as they pertain to land development signs, construction signs and posters on construction hoarding as off premise
signs, until such time as the review of the Sign By-law across the City is complete;
(2)that the City Solicitor be requested to prepare amendments to the Sign By-law as it pertains to land development signs
as follows:
(i)define construction signs to avoid any confusion with Land Development signs as follows: "a Construction Sign is a
temporary sign without a foundation, which is used to advertise the work or company performing work on a property or
structure, which may only be displayed while the specific work related to that sign is in progress and has a maximum area
of 1.1 sq. metres (12 sq. ft.), in a single family residential zone." Further require the removal of construction signs once the
work the sign was advertising is substantially complete;
(ii)limit the time frame that land development signs are permitted to remain to a maximum of six months after the
issuance of a sign permit or 30 days after a construction is substantial complete;
(iii)limit the number of renewals of a permit for a Land Development sign to one, so that, the maximum length of time
any land development sign could remain is one year. Further, do not allow for the renewal or subsequent permits for a land
development sign, if an application for a building permit has not been submitted for the subject property; and
(iv)reduce the permitted sign area of land development signs in residential zones to 20 square feet for each lot, and where
two or more lots are contiguous permit an individual sign to have a sign area equal to that permitted for each lot to a
maximum of 80 square feet; and
(3)that the City Solicitor be requested to prepare amendments to the Sign By-law as it pertains to posters on construction
hoarding:
(i)specifically prohibit posters on hoarding unless approved by the Community Council in the form of a variance to the
By-law.
Discussion:
Current Sign By-law Regulations:
Land Development Signs:
The existing North-York Sign By-law No. 30788, as amended, contains regulations for the size, location and length of time
that Land Development Signs related to the construction of single family dwellings. The regulations are found in
Sub-Section 4.6.2 of the Sign By-law.
Land development is defined in the Sign By-law as follows:
Development of vacant land or the development, redevelopment, or construction of a building including the initial selling
or leasing information but shall not include minor interior changes to an existing building.
Following is an overview of the existing regulations for Land Development Signs in single family residential zones:
In R1 to R5 zones one land development ground sign with a maximum area of 32.3 square feet is permitted for each lot.
Where two or more lots are contiguous in lieu of individual signs the signs may be combined into one sign with a
maximum area of 107 square feet.
The maximum time the signs can remain in place is for one year after the sign permit is issued.
Construction Signs:
Section 2.8.7 of the Sign By-law permits non-illuminated construction signs with a sign area of 50.6 square feet on a "land
development" site without a permit, provided the sign is removed within 90 days of the completion of the project. The Sign
By-law does not define or regulate what constitutes a construction sign.
Although, construction signs are not defined in the Sign By-law the intent was to allow for signs to advertise the work of
contractors, taking place to a building on a specific property.
Single Family Residential Construction Sites
Land Development Signs vs. Construction Signs:
The sections of the Sign By-law dealing with Land Development signs and Construction Signs contradict one another. As
previously stated the Sign By-law permits land development signs subject to the regulations of Sub-Section 4.6.2.; the Sign
By-law also permits construction signs without defining them or requiring a permit for their placement in Sub-Section
2.8.7.
Since the Sign By-law does not define construction signs it could be argued that some land development signs are
construction signs, and their placement does not require a permit. This anomaly could be used to circumvent the
requirements in the By-law to control and regulate land development signs, and should be addressed. If construction signs
are defined, as recommended, it would clearly distinguish a construction sign from a land development sign.
Length of Time Land Development Signs are Permitted to Remain:
Land Development Signs are presently permitted to remain in place for one year after the issuance of a permit. This time
period could be increased by renewing the existing permit or by applying for a new permit. This may have a negative
impact on the surrounding area by allowing a land development sign to remain in place for a significant length of time
during a protracted approval process. In established residential areas this would not be desirable, particularly for infill
housing projects.
Advertising on Hoarding
Prohibiting Signs:
The existing Sign By-law does not contain any specific references or regulations for advertising signs or posters placed on
hoarding, however, there are provisions prohibiting off premise signs. Prohibited signs are listed in Sub-section 2.9 of the
Sign By-law.
Sentence 2.9.15 of the Sign By-law specifically prohibits off premise signs, which is defined as follows:
"Means an advertisement related to a to a business or manufacturing enterprise or other activity not conducted within the
building or upon the premises on which the sign is erected."
This section of the Sign By-law could be utilized to prohibit the placing of signs or posters on hoarding typically found
around construction sites. However, specific reference in the Sign By-law prohibiting the placing of posters on hoarding
would clarify the existing provisions of the By-law.
Enforcement Issues
Private Property:
The enforcement provisions of the Sign By-law are found in Section 2.7. This section outlines action that can be taken
when dealing with unsafe signs, illegal signs or signs erected without a permit.
Any sign which is unsafe or does not comply with the provisions of the Sign By-law, whether a permit was issued or not,
must be removed by the owner of the property upon receiving written notification from the Building Division. The notice
stipulates the nature of the contravention and specifies a time frame for compliance. These notifications are standard
"Notice of Violation" forms, which are completed and issued by the sign inspector.
The Building Division also has the authority to remove unsafe signs, illegal signs or signs erected without a permit where
the owner fails to comply with a Notice of Violation within the time specified. These signs can be removed without any
further notifications to the owner. In addition, the cost of the removal of the sign could be passed on to the owner of the
property, and this cost collected in the same manner as municipal taxes
Public Property:
Currently, signs erected illegally on City property are removed by a Works and Emergency Services staff member working
with Building Division Sign Inspectors. This placement has resulted in a more timely response to complaints regarding
illegal signs and in the removal of over 10,500 illegal signs last year.
Signs which are removed are stored within a locked enclosure in two Works yards. Sign owners are able to reclaim their
signs upon payment of a one hundred dollar fee. This fee is used to offset storage and handling costs. There are no
provisions within the Sign By-law to allow for the recovery of the cost of removing signs from City property.
Conclusion
The reduction in the size of permitted Land Development signs should reduce the negative visual impact these signs have
on the existing neighbourhood. In addition defining construction signs in the Sign By-law would prevent the provisions
regulating Land Development Signs from being circumvented.
The reduction in the time that a development sign is permitted to remain, and limiting the renewal of these permits should
also any reduce the negative impact a sign may create.
Effective enforcement of the current provisions of the Sign By-law when dealing with posters on hoarding is difficult. If
the recommended changes are made to the Sign By-law, with respect to advertising on hoarding, it will allow the Building
Division to enforce these provisions on the property owners more effectively.
Contact Name
Mario Angelucci P.Eng.
Manager Plan Review
395-7535
A recorded vote on a motion moved by Councillor Moscoe, North York Spadina, that posters on hoarding be permitted
only in non-residential areas, in residential zones but only when approved by Council as a variance to the Sign By-law, was
as follows:
FOR:Councillors Moscoe, Gardner, Chong
AGAINST:Councillors Mammoliti, Li Preti, Feldman, Berger, Flint, Shiner
ABSENT:Councillors Sgro, Augimeri, Filion, Minnan-Wong, King
Lost
