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Sign Bylaw Project |
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Background
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has embarked on an ambitious program to create a new sign by-law regulating permanent signage in the City by mid 2009. This includes fascia signs, free-standing signs and billboard regulations for Toronto, a city of 2.6million. (Portable signs, A-Frames and Mobiles, and postering have been addressed in recent comprehensive regulations).
Toronto was amalgamated 10 years ago, but with the exception of some specific amendments, the sign regulations of the former municipalities have remained in place. This Sign By-law project seeks to create regulations for the future rather than harmonize regulations from the previous by-laws.
Particular challenges in creating the new sign by-law include dealing with new technologies. This includes both digital and new production methodologies, allowing for large and flexible sign installations through the use of new vinyl and film products, potentially covering entire building facades.
The Sign By-law project will also explore ways where signage will support the City's efforts in energy conservation such as reduced electrical demand.
Finally, although on a separate path, the project will study a possible "Billboard Tax" as recommended in the Hemson Consulting report dated March 2007.
It is expected that the new Sign By-law will:
- be developed recognizing overall City Beautiful goals, identified in the recently approved Toronto Official Plan and recognized in the platform of the Mayor;
- provide energy conservation measures for signs;
- be compatible with the public street furniture initiative; and,
- incorporate a "special area" approach reflecting the unique characteristics of many of the City's districts and areas.
Sign Variance Committee
The City is seeking Toronto residents who are at least 18 years of age to serve on the new Sign variance Committee. For details on this opportunity click here. The deadline for applications is February 11, 2010.
Toronto City Council passes new City-wide Sign By-law and Third Party Sign Tax
At its meeting of November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, Toronto City Council passed a new City-wide Sign By-law and Third Party Sign Tax. The By-law and Tax will be implemented and come into force in early April 2010.
The staff report (and associated appendices including Sign District Maps) brought forward to City Council regarding additional considerations which arose from the Planning and Growth Management Committee Meeting of November 4, 2009 can be viewed here. The City Council Decision Document (Item PG33.10) can be viewed here.
Sign By-law Report to Planning and Growth Management
The reporting to the Planning and Growth Management Committee has been re-scheduled to November 4th, 2009 to allow time for the completion of the necessary internal review and consultation.
The Sign By-law Team will be presenting a single consolidated report to the Planning and Growth Committee on November 4th. This consolidated report will cover the New Sign By-law, Third-Party Sign Tax, and all other proposals that the Sign By-law Team will be putting forward.
The reports scheduled to go to the Executive Committee on Oct. 5th, the Planning and Growth Management Committee on October 7th, and the Licensing and Standards Committee on Oct. 8th will no longer be presented.
Meeting of Planning and Growth Management Committee
On June 4th, 2009, the Planning and Growth Management Committee of City Council received this staff report.
Public Consultation Meeting - January 2009
The slide show presentation made to the public through the January Consultation Sessions is available here.
Summary of Stakeholder Submissions
Through the drafting exercise of the new Sign By-law, submissions from identified stakeholders have been received. A summary of the submissions by identified stakeholders can be viewed here.
Third-Party Sign Charge
As part of the Sign By-law Project, staff have been directed to look into the possibility of a charge on third-party signs in order to raise revenue for funding enhanced enforcement, arts and culture, and other city beautification initiatives.
A Preliminary Review of the Value of Advertising Space in Toronto has been prepared for discussion here.
A preliminary list of ideas and options for the charge has been generated for discussion.
Please provide us any ideas or feedback that you may have.
Second Interim Report
A staff report will be brought forward to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. The report will respond to submissions made by the public and motions made by Committee Members from the Special Meeting of the Planning and Growth Management Committee of December 8, 2008.
A Final Report and Draft Sign By-law is expected to be brought forward to the Planning and Growth Management Committee in June, 2009.
To view Agendas, Reports and Minutes of City of Toronto Council and Committees, please visit: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/agendas.htm.
Sign Bylaw Report
A special meeting of Planning and Growth Management has been called in order to receive the Phase 1 Report of the Toronto Sign By-law Project. Members of the public and industry are invited to provide feedback and make deputations.
Meeting Details:
Monday, December 8th
9:30am to 12:00pm
Committee Room 1
Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
Our Phase One Report is available here.
The report regarding a Tax on Billboards, scheduled to be heard at the November 10, 2008 Executive Committee Meeting, has been rescheduled to be heard some time in early 2009.
E-mail Comments
E-mail comments received from the public for the Sign By-law Project have been collected and can be reviewed here.
Suggestions and Feedback
Written comments, suggestions, best practices and opportunities for change received through the Public Consultations in September, 2008 have been collated and are available for viewing.
Project Plan
Public Consultation Sessions for this study took place during the month of September.
Read more about the Project Plan.
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