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Sign Bylaw and Third Party Sign Tax |
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The new City-wide Sign Bylaw and the Third-Party Sign Tax is effective April 6, 2010. The new sign bylaw reduces the number of sign bylaws that had been in existence in Toronto since before amalgamation, from six to one. The new bylaw also contains one common, updated set of definitions and regulations for the entire city.
The new bylaw and related initiatives provide a means to advance city beautification, enhance the public realm, and assist in achieving the City's environmental goals. The bylaw also creates a more accessible and transparent review and enforcement process for permanent signs.
Highlights of the new bylaw:
- The new bylaw contains regulations which protect residential and natural areas that are near illuminated signs, by restricting the maximum level of illumination of a sign, prohibiting signs from spilling light onto adjacent properties and requiring illuminated signs be shut off between the hours of 11p.m. and 7a.m.
- It contains a five-year renewal requirement for all third-party signs.
- It prohibits the construction of new roof signs.
- The approval of variances for first-party signs has been delegated to staff, and for third-party signs, the authority has been delegated to a new Sign Variance Committee.
For all variance applications, nearby residents and businesses will be notified.
- All business owners should familiarize themselves with the new bylaw, and third-party sign owners also need to be aware of the new tax they are responsible for.
All owners of third-party signs in the city were required to provide a complete inventory of their signs to the Chief Building Official by March 31, 2010. The owners of third-party signs will receive their first tax bill by July 1, 2010 and payments are due September 1, 2010.
Where a permit for a third-party sign is to be issued after April 6, 2010 the TPST amount for that sign is payable upon the issuance of the sign permit.
When the new sign bylaw comes into effect on April 6, a new Sign Bylaw Unit in Toronto Building will be formed. Customers should be aware of the following service changes throughout the transition period:
- Applications for permits and preliminary project reviews (PPRs) for first-party signs will continue to be taken in, reviewed and inspected through one of the four district offices.
- Applications for permits and preliminary project reviews (PPRs) for third-party signs will be taken in and reviewed through the Toronto East York District office located at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, 1st Floor, West Tower.
- All third-party sign permits issued after April 6, 2010 will be issued through the Toronto East York District office located at Toronto City Hall and inspected through the district offices.
- Applications for sign variances and sign bylaw amendments will be taken in and processed through the Toronto East York District offices at Toronto City Hall.
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