Election signs

Regulations for posting election signs

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

Related Documents

Permitting requirements

A-frame and regular post signs

Each candidate or position referring to a referendum, plebiscite or other vote pursuant to municipal, provincial or federal legislation is required to obtain one (1) development permit which will cover all a-frame and regular post signs posted on public and private property, regardless of the quantity. A completed development permit application including name of candidate and $250 fee must be submitted to Planning and Development Services.

Non-permanent changeable copy signs (previously referred to as a portable sign)

An additional development permit is required for each non-permanent changeable copy sign. The applicable fees and the specific regulations for non-permanent changeable copy signs apply. Non-permanent changeable copy signs are not permitted on parks, public road rights-of-way or residential property. Please contact Planning and Development Services for more information.

Signs on public road rights-of-way

Diagram showing allowable locations on public property

Signs are allowed on public road rights-of-way provided they meet the following criteria:

  • Types and sizes of signs are limited to:
    • A-frame signs with a maximum area of 0.55 m² (6 ft.²) and 0.9 m (3 ft.) in height.
    • Regular post signs that are a maximum area of 1.1 m² (12 ft.²) and 1.2 m (4 ft.) in height.
  • Signs can be located on a side boulevard, but must not be located on a public roadway, median (center of the road), roundabout/traffic circle, cul-de-sac or concrete island.
  • Signs must be self supporting and constructed of paper, cardboard, or other similar light material that will collapse on impact.
  • Within Sherwood Park, signs can only be posted on the following arterial road rights-of-way:
    • Baseline Road
    • Sherwood Drive
    • Clover Bar Road
    • Broadmoor Boulevard
    • Wye Road
    • Lakeland Drive
    • Granada Boulevard
    • Brentwood Boulevard
  • Signs must comply with Alberta Infrastucture and Transportation legislation for placement of signs along highways within Alberta.

Signs on private property

Diagram showing allowable locations on private property

  • A maximum sign area of 1.5m2 (16 ft.2) and 2m (6.5 ft.) in height in Sherwood Park and hamlet areas (on private property other than within parks, service and residential districts). 
  • A maximum sign area of 5.0m2 (54 ft.2) and 3.0m (10 ft.) in height in areas other than Sherwood Park and hamlet areas (on private property other than within parks, service and residential districts).
  • On all residential property (including Sherwood Park, hamlets and all rural), signs are limited to:
    • A-frame signs with a maximum area of 0.55 m² (6 ft.²) and 0.9 m (3 ft.) in height
    • Regular post signs that are a maximum area of 1.1 m² (12 ft.²) and 1.2 m (4 ft.) in height.
  • A sign may be placed on private property only with the consent of the registered owner(s) of the site or their agent.
  • The number of required parking or loading spaces (as outlined in the Land Use Bylaw) for a site cannot be reduced by the placement of an Election Sign.

Regulations that apply to all election signs

Timing of sign placement and removal

Signs must:

  • Not be posted or placed any earlier than 30 days prior to the date of a municipal or provincial election and 36 days prior to a federal election.
  • Be removed within 48 hours of the closing of the polling stations within the Urban Service Area of Sherwood Park.
  • Be removed within 72 hours of the closing of the polling stations outside the Urban Service Area of Sherwood Park.

Separation distances

Signs must maintain the minimum setback or separation distances of:

  • 1.0m (3.3 ft) back from an existing or future curb line
  • 3.0m (10 ft) from any site access
  • 10m (33 ft) from an intersection
  • 1.0m (3.3 ft) from a vehicle lane in a road
  • 0.3m (1.0 ft) from the inside edge of any sidewalk
  • 15m (49 ft) from another election sign of the same candidate or the same position on a referendum or plebiscite
  • 30m (98 ft) from an approved non-permanent changeable copy sign (portable sign)
  • 23m (75 ft) from an approved permanent sign
  • 5m (16.4 ft) for regular post and a-frame signs from all other signs
  • And cannot be located within a corner visibility triangle

Additional regulations:

Signs must:

  • Be self-supporting and cannot be located on a curb, sidewalk, post, traffic control device, public utility pole, hydrant, median, bridge, fence, transit shelter, tree, or any other surface located on public property that may be deemed inappropriate by a Development Officer
  • Not be posted on or within any municipal-owned or occupied facility or on or within any site upon which a municipal–owned facility is located
  • Not be placed on any parks or service districts
  • Can be placed on a side boulevard but not on a median or within a roundabout/traffic circle area
  • Be constructed and maintained in a condition that is neat and clean and not unsightly or dangerous. The materials must be sufficiently durable to maintain the sign appearance and position for the period of display
  • Have a legible message, and if the message is interfered with, the sign owner must ensure that the message is corrected
  • Not interfere with or be confused with a traffic control device
  • Not interfere with the safety and orderly movement of pedestrians or vehicles, or restrict the sight-lines for pedestrians and drivers
  • Not emit sound, use video features or be illuminated
  • Comply with any other applicable legislation, bylaws or regulations

Printable Reference Table for Election Signs

The above information is a summary of the regulations; for a full interpretation, please refer to Section 10 (Sign Regulations) of the Land Use Bylaw.

Further information
780-464-8080

Last updated: Monday, September 20, 2010
Page ID: 2893

County Hall: 2001 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada T8A 3W7