Starting tomorrow, municipal election candidates are allowed to put up and display election signs in Toronto. Elections signs may be displayed on private property, such as lawns and fences, with the consent of the property owner or occupant.
Signs may also be displayed on public property, such as boulevards or public utility poles on streets and road. However signs cannot be:
Election signs may also be displayed:
If more than one sign is displayed at a location, each sign must be at least one metre apart, unless approved by the property owner/occupant when placed on private property, or by the property owner/occupant of the adjoining property when placed on public property.
Election signs cannot be larger than 1.2 square metres in area and higher than two metres above ground level, except on campaign offices, on TTC dedicated advertising spaces, on street installation dedicated advertising spaces, on third party advertising spaces (for example billboards), when displayed indoors and on windows and balconies.
Election signs cannot be illuminated unless on advertising spaces, be attached to trees, obstruct visibility or block sightlines for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists or contain the City’s logo.
The City may remove elections signs that are in conflict with the Signs Bylaw, Article II – Election Signs. Candidates will be notified by the City and provided information on when and where any confiscated signs can be retrieved. Any signs not retrieved may be recycled, destroyed or disposed of by the City.
All election signs must be removed by October 27 (72 hours after the election). Property owners/occupants and candidates are responsible for removing and disposing of election signs. Election signs should never be placed in the Blue Bin (recycling), but can be brought to certain City Drop-Off Depots for recycling. Locations and hours of operation for Drop-Off Depots that accept election signs are available on the City’s Drop-Off Depot Locations web page.
To report election signs that are in conflict with the bylaw, people may contact 311 and submit a service request, including the name of the candidate or the third-party advertiser displaying the election sign, the address or location of the sign, description of specific landmarks if the address of the sign cannot be provided, and the reason for the complaint.
More information about election sign rules and disposal is available on the City’s Election Signs webpage.
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.