New Sign By-Law In Essex

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If you’re planning to post a sign in the Town of Essex, there are some new rules.

Although Essex already had a sign by-law, Policy Planner Jeff Watson says the new by-law is aimed at reducing the amount of unregulated signage and accommodating modern forms of advertising media the old by-law did not recognize.

“We’ve noticed a marked proliferation of non-compliant signage in our community,” says Watson. “Sometimes the signs appear on private property, but in recent years we frequently see private signs appearing on public lands and public utilities, such as street lights, road signs and utility poles. By-law 1350 attempts to set standards that balance our pride of community with the needs of our businesses and organizations.”

Some of the key provisions of the by-law are as follows:

• Most signs placed on private lands require a sign permit. Exceptions include election signs, historical interest plaques, home occupation signs, yard sale signs and special event signs that meet specific regulations.
• Posting private signs on public right-of-ways without permission from Council is prohibited. This includes temporary signs, such as business, yard sale and event signs posted on public lands, utility poles, street lights, road signs or similar structures.
• Signs placed on a public right-of-way can be removed by a By-law Enforcement Officer without notice. Non-permitted signs placed on private lands may be removed by order.

Before ordering or posting a sign, residents and businesses are encouraged to contact the Building Department at 519-776-6476 or the Planning Department at 519-776-7336, extension 1128.