Election signs are signs for candidates running for office or signs in support of positions in a referendum or plebiscite. Signs must follow all applicable legislation, bylaws and regulations. These include Strathcona County's Land Use Bylaw and Provincial regulations, among other legislation. 

An approved development permit is required for each candidate within an election or by-election or for signs for the same position on a referendum or plebiscite. Learn how to apply for permits.

Timing requirements

 All election signs including post signs, a-frame signs and portable signs, whether placed on public or private lands, must not be posted before the allowable times. 

• Municipal or provincial elections or for the voting of a referendum or plebiscite: no more than thirty (30) days in advance of election day
• Federal election signs: no more than thirty-six (36) days prior to a federal election.

Once polling stations close, signs must be removed:

• Within 48 hours - for signs located within the Urban Service Area of Sherwood Park
• Within 72 hours - for signs located within the Rural Service Area

Types of signs

There are three types of signs used during elections: post signs, a-frame signs and portable signs.

All signs must be:

• Self-supporting
• Able to collapse upon impact
• Constructed of lightweight materials (e.g., paper, cardboard or similar)
• Must be kept in good repair and not interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic
• Have a legible message — if the message is interfered with, the sign owner must ensure that the message is corrected
• Shall not emit sound, incorporate video features or be illuminated
• No attachments such as:
  • Balloons, flags, pennants, streamers, ribbons, spinners or similar decorative elements

Placement

All signs must comply with Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation legislation for placement of signs along highways within Alberta. Specific regulations apply to signs on public property versus private property.  

Placement on Strathcona County road right-of-way (public property)

Signs must maintain the minimum setback or separation distances of:

• 1 m (3.3 ft) back from an existing or future curb line
• 3 m (10 ft) from any road access
• 0.3 m (1 ft) from the inside edge of any sidewalk
• 15 m (49 ft) from another election sign of the same candidate or the same position on a referendum or plebiscite
• 30 m (98 ft) from an approved portable sign
• 23 m (75 ft) from an approved permanent sign
• 5 m (16 ft) separation from all other signs

Prohibited locations:

• Within an intersection corner visibility triangle
• On or over curbs, sidewalks, posts, traffic control devices, public utility poles, hydrants, boulevards, medians, roundabouts/traffic circles, bridges, fences, trees or any other similar surfaces
• Across any road or public thoroughfare
• Not permitted on or within:
  • Any municipally owned or occupied facility
  • Any site containing a municipal facility
  • Any polling station site

Within Sherwood Park, signs can only be posted along:

• Baseline Road
• Sherwood Drive
• Clover Bar Road
• Broadmoor Boulevard
• Wye Road
• Lakeland Drive
• Granada Boulevard
• Brentwood Boulevard

Diagram showing allowable locations on public property (174.5 KB)

Size regulations for election signs on Strathcona County road right-of-way

Placement on private property

The registered owner(s) of the site or their agent must consent to the sign placement.

Election signs placed within private property that is zoned to a Residential, Commercial, Industrial or Agricultural zone (according to the Land Use Bylaw) must comply with the following regulations.

Placement of signs on private property must maintain the minimum setback or separation distances of:

• 1 m (3.3 ft) back from a property line
• 1 m (3.3 ft) back from an existing or future curb line
• 3 m (10 ft) from any road access
• 5 m (16 ft) separation from all other signs
• 15 m (49 ft) from another election sign of the same candidate or the same position on a referendum or plebiscite
• 30 m (98 ft) from an approved portable sign
• 23 m (75 ft) from an approved permanent sign

Prohibited locations:

• On or over any curb, sidewalk, post, hydrant, boulevard, fence, tree, balcony or any other surface that may be deemed inappropriate by the development authority.
• Not permitted on or within:
  • Any municipally owned or occupied facility
  • Any site containing a municipal facility
  • Any polling station site

Diagram: proper placement of election signs on private property (124.8 KB)

Size regulations for election signs on Strathcona County private property

Permits

The type of sign where it is located will influence which permit is required. 

How to apply for a permit for election signs:

1. Complete an election sign development permit application form.
   Election sign development permit application (177.0 KB)
    
2. Include payment for $275 to cover the cost of each application.
    
3. Submit the permit application forms along with payment in one of these ways:
   • Electronically: planninganddevelopment@strathcona.ca 
   • In-person: drop off at Planning and Development Services in County Hall
   • By mail:
     Strathcona County Planning and Development Services
     2001 Sherwood Drive
     Sherwood Park, AB
     T8A 3W7 

Related information

For detailed information on sign requirements, please check these documents:

• Simplified version of the election sign regulations:
• Election sign reference table (255.3 KB)

• Full interpretation of the election sign regulations:
  Part 5: Sign Regulations of the Land Use Bylaw.

Considering the environment 

Elections can generate a large amount of waste during the campaign trail. Please check this brochure for tips on considering the environment when making decisions about your campaign: 
Sustainable campaign tips (622.2 KB)

Questions and concerns

For all election sign questions or concerns, please contact Planning and Development Services.