Election Signs
An election sign is any sign, including an outside election sign that is:
- advertising or promoting a candidate in an election
- intended to influence persons to vote for or against any candidate
If you would like to report an election sign that is in conflict with the Signs Bylaw, contact 311.
As of January 1, 2018, election sign deposits are no longer required to place signs on public property, subject to the requirements of the Bylaw.
A campaign office sign is any sign that solely identifies the name of a candidate in an election, and the location of a candidate’s campaign office and contains no other message.
Campaign office signs can be displayed if they are displayed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 694, Signs or the applicable sign permit.
Directional signs (to indicate the location of a campaign office) are prohibited.
- 25 days prior to election day for municipal elections
- For the 2018 Municipal Election, election day is October 22. Signs can be displayed starting September 27
- For Federal and Provincial election, signs can be displayed from the day the writ of election is issued
72 hours after the completion of voting on election day.
Candidates and residents can recycle election signs at select City of Toronto Drop-Off Depots for a limited time. Signs cannot be disposed of in the Blue Bin.
Election signs cannot:
- be illuminated
- be attached to trees
- obstruct visibility or block sight lines for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists
- contain the City logo
Private Property
- with the consent of the owner/occupant of the property
- as sign copy on a third party sign (in accordance with the applicable permit under TMC Chapter 694)
- on campaign offices
Public Property
- on a highway or public utility pole on a highway
- on bus shelters, garbage and recycling containers, and street installation dedicated advertising space (under agreement with the City)
- on Toronto Transit Commission dedicated advertising space (under agreement with TTC)
- as sign copy on a third party sign (in accordance with the applicable permit under TMC Chapter 694)
- on vehicles or trailers
On a highway, signs can’t be displayed:
- within 1.5 metres of the curb
- within 0.6 metres of either side of a sidewalk
- within 15 metres of an intersection of a collector or arterial road
- within 3 metres of an intersection of a local road
- on a median or island
- adjacent to a voting place, City park or a facility owned or operated by the City
- without the consent of the owner/occupant of the property
