An election sign is a temporary sign announcing or supporting political candidates or issues in connection with any vote or referendum pursuant to municipal, provincial or federal legislation.

Given the City’s ever-changing physical and social environment, it is expected that these guidelines will evolve over time. It is the responsibility of those employing the use of this document, to ensure they have the most current and up-to-date version.

These guidelines will outline the requirements for the installation of election signs and has been prepared with public traffic safety concerns in mind.

Signs are not permitted within municipal right of ways or public property. Signs are only permitted on private property and on provincial right of ways as detailed in this document. Any signs that are in an illegal location will be removed. They will not be given back until after Election Day.

The Provincial government has passed legislation stating that a municipality must not pass a bylaw or resolution respecting election signs or election advertisements for provincial elections. As a result, signs may be permitted within municipal right of ways or public property for provincial elections.

Sign installation and removal

• For Federal and Provincial, on Provincial ROW:
  • Allowed starting Day of the Writ. To be removed three days after the Election.
• For Municipal, on Provincial ROW:
  • Allowed starting Nomination Day. To be removed three days after the Election.
• On Private Property:
  • Allowed once the candidate has filed their nomination papers. To be removed three days after the Election.

Disclaimer: Any person(s) placing a sign under these guidelines accepts liability an indemnifies the City as a result of the sign placement.

Fees

There are no user fees associated with the placement of any election sign provided all requirements outlined in these guidelines are adhered to.

Provincial right of ways (ROW)

For regulations on Provincial roadways, refer to Alberta Transportation. Roads within City limits governed by these regulations include:

• Highway 3 (Crowsnest Trail)
• Highway 4
• 43 St S between Highway 4 and Crowsnest Trail (Highway 3)

General requirements for signs on private property

All signs must have the permission of the property owner if placed on private property.

Sign on private property cannot be animated or equipped with flashing lights.

Permits are required for a “portable sign” (which means any sign or advertising device that can be transported from one site to another and includes licensed vehicles placed in a location for advertising purposes). Signage permanently attached to or forming part of a licensed vehicle used in the day-to-day conduct of a business where the signage advertises only that business does not constitute a portable sign.

Portable signs are not allowed on residential property. They are allowed on commercial and industrial properties.

With the exception of portable signs, there are no size limitations.

Operational requirements

All election signs must be removed three days after Election Day.

If a sign is in contravention of these guidelines, a Bylaw Officer or a person authorized by the City of Lethbridge Traffic Operations may, without notice or compensation, remove the sign.

• Confiscated signs will be held by Public Operations until after Election Day;
• Any sign impounded can be picked up after Election Day
• They will be kept for a period of 14 days after which it will be destroyed without compensation by the City to the Owner.

Safety requirements

Any type of sign that gets installed into the ground requires utility locates to be completed prior to sign installation. Many signs are forced into the ground with tools, and have sharp pointed ends that may damage infrastructure. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Code, Alberta Electrical Utility Code and Alberta Pipeline Regulation, field location of all existing utilities is mandatory prior to any ground disturbance. Existing utilities are to be located through the services of Utility Safety Partners, by calling 1-800-242-3447.

Signs shall not be placed:

• on any municipal right of way including boulevards
• on interchange ramps
• on any traffic control device or where it obstructs, detracts from or could be confused with a traffic control device
• on any physical roadway structure including bridges, guardrails, retaining walls, fences, concrete barriers, fire hydrants, sidewalks, pathways, crosswalks or street light poles, on any street or highway sign or sign post
• within 500 meters of a construction zone
• within a playground zone/area or adjacent to a school
• within two meters from the edge of pavement
• within a minimum spacing of 20 meters between the same candidate’s signs
• at or adjacent to a polling station on an Election Day or Advance Voting Day
• within a road right of way adjacent to a park
• in a park

Safety precautions

When installing/removing election signs, taking proper safety precautions to ensure your safety and safety of the public, including reducing driver distraction, are of utmost importance.

All persons working near roadways shall wear reflective vests and bright clothing.

Election signs should be installed/removed during daylight hours only; signs shall not be installed/removed during peak traffic volume times (Monday to Friday, 7–9 a.m. and 3–6 p.m.).

Vehicles used for transporting election signs must be parked in such a way that to minimize the impact to the traveling public.

Park vehicles as far as possible from the travel lanes with four-way hazard warning signals operating at all times.

For questions, please contact Lethbridge 311.