The City of Edmonton regulates signs through the Zoning Bylaw. The type, size, location, and other qualities are managed through the specific zoning for a property, as well as the applicable sign schedule for that zone. Many of these regulations have not been updated in a long time, and as a result, they do not correspond with many of the new sign types and technologies on the market today. Therefore, the City has embarked on a review of the regulation pertaining to signage within the Zoning bylaw.
As part of the review process, City of Edmonton held public consultation meetings on June 1st and June 8th.
A report that summarizes what was shared with the planners can be found here: Digital Signs June Open Houses What We Heard Report (002)
Next steps
Over the summer and fall, the planning department will be updating the digital sign regulations and meeting with internal City departments to review the draft regulations. The City will be hosting further public engagement events in the winter, and taking the draft regulations to Urban Planning Committee in spring 2018.
For updates on the digital sign project visit City of Edmonton’s website: www.edmonton.ca/signregulationsreview
The biggest proposed change for our industry (as of yet) is in the Main Streets Overlay
The Main Streets Overlay is a set of Zoning Bylaw regulations that is intended to facilitate walkable commercial streets that support vibrant businesses and amenities for pedestrians.
Through public engagement and review by City departments, the Zoning Bylaw Team heard that it was very important to ensure signage on main streets is pedestrian oriented. As a result, the proposed Overlay contains regulations that would limit the overall size and number of digital and freestanding signs in Edmonton’s main street areas.
Members of the industry are invited to review the amendment report and provide feedback prior to end of day July 20, 2017. Feedback can be sent to: Madeleine Baldwin, Planner II, Sustainable Development, Development Services at madeleine.baldwin@edmonton.ca
Proposed amendments are tentatively scheduled to be presented at the September 11, 2017 City Council Public Hearing meeting.
From our industry’s perspective, there is a time and place for different types of signage. Furthermore, from the industry’s perspective, sign scale should be proportional to the frontage. Questions that are important when deciding on sign dimensions are: Is the sign intended for pedestrians only or will it be viewed from a motor vehicle? Will the sign be placed close to the road or at a fair distance?
We believe that businesses have a better chance to succeed if they are allowed to have well-placed and well-designed signage. When done properly, digital signs reduce clutter, decrease the amount of unprofessional looking signs and make unreadable signs readable. A properly set up digital sign, is no brighter than a traditional electric sign. A cost-per-exposure analysis comparing on-premise signs and television, radio and newspaper ads shows that on-premise signs are a far less expensive way for a small business to advertise its goods and services.
If you have any questions or concerns, please connect with SAC Director of Government Relations, Karin Eaton at karin@sac-ace.ca or 1.877.470.9787 x3