Definitions

1   In this bylaw:

"agricultural local product sign" means a sign that advertises agricultural products for sale that are produced by a farm operation operating on the lot where the sign is located;

"agricultural market sign" means a sign that advertises a business or activity where agricultural products are the primary commodity for sale;

"awning" means a fixed or retractable structure, projecting from a building face, consisting of fabric, sheet metal, or other flexible material on a frame;

"awning sign" means a sign applied, attached or painted to the surface of an awning that does not project from the surface of the awning;

Figure 1-1: Example of awning sign.

"balloon sign" means a sign or other advertising device inflated by air;

Figure 1-2: Example of balloon sign.

"banner sign" means a sign made of nylon, canvas, vinyl or similar flexible material that is not adhered to a rigid backing;

Figure 1-3: Example of banner sign.

"building" means any structure constructed, used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy;

"building face" means all individual wall areas of a building that face the same direction;

"building frontage zone" means a space within the front or exterior side setback of a building that does not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular movement;

"building furnishing zone" means the area in front of a building between the street and pedestrian movement zone that may be used for street furniture, including trees, landscaping, transit stops, or street lights;

"building official" has the same meaning as in the Building Bylaw;

"bylaw enforcement officer" has the same meaning as in the Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw;

"canopy" means a rigid and roofed structure projecting from a building face that is attached to and entirely supported by the building;

"canopy sign" means a sign that is applied, attached or constructed on a canopy;

"changeable copy" means copy that can be changed using detachable letters, characters, numbers or graphics;

"clearance" means the vertical distance between the lowest point of a sign and grade;

"community activity sign" means a temporary sign that advertises a public event, including a cultural, institutional or recreational event, farmers' market or charitable campaign;

"construction project sign" means a temporary sign displayed on a construction or development site that advertises the construction or development project taking place, and may identify the major participants in the project;

Figure 1-4: Example of construction project sign.

"contractor identification sign" means a temporary sign displayed on a construction or development site that identifies a contractor involved in the construction or development project, including architects, builders, developers, engineers or financiers;

"copy" means the letters, characters, symbols, numbers, or graphics that make up the message on a sign;

"copy area" means the smallest area, measured in square metres, that encompasses all of the copy on a sign;

Figure 1-5: Example of copy area.

"directional sign" means a sign indicating the name and direction to a business, place, service or event;

"drive through menu board sign" means a sign that displays information about the food items and beverages sold at a drive through restaurant and may contain electronic copy;

"electronic copy" means copy that is generated, displayed or changed using electronic screens, computer video monitors, liquid crystal displays (LCD), light emitting diode (LED) displays or any other electronic, computer generated or digital technology;

Figure 1-6: Example of electronic copy.

"electronic message board sign" means a sign that contains electronic copy but does not include a drive through menu board sign;

"facade sign" means a sign that is applied, attached, inscribed or mounted to a building face that is on a plane parallel to the building face;

Figure 1-7: Example of facade sign.

"face" means one side of a sign where copy may be placed;

"freestanding sign" means a sign that is self-supporting, separate and independent from a building and permanently anchored to the ground;

"frontage" means the length of a building, lot or premises that abuts or faces a highway, excluding a lane;

"furnishing zone" means the area between a road and the pedestrian movement zone, where street furniture including benches, bicycle racks, garbage containers and trees may be located;

"grade" means the average elevation of the finished ground surface directly below a sign;

"handheld advertising sign" means a sign supported or manipulated by a person that advertises an event, business or promotion of a commercial nature;

"height" means the vertical distance from grade to the uppermost point of a sign;

"highway" means public road allowance, including a lane, but does not include a private right-of-way on private property;

"home occupation sign" means a sign advertising a permitted home occupation - level 2, home occupation - level 3 or home occupation - level 4 in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw;

"identification sign" means a sign that indicates only the name, address and number of a building, organization or person or a business, service or activity conducted in the building;

"illuminated" means the intentional lighting of a sign by artificial lighting, located on, external to or internal to the sign;

"lot" means land designated as a separate and distinct parcel on a legally recorded subdivision plan or description filed in the land title office;

"marquee" means a canopy-like structure erected over the entry to a theatre, cinema or similar use, primarily for the purpose of displaying a sign with event details;

"marquee sign" means a sign mounted on a marquee;

Figure 1-8: Example of marquee sign.

"monument sign" means a freestanding sign

(a) attached to a permanent foundation or mounted on a solid base greater in length and width than the sign, and

(b) that is not dependent on any pole, post or similar support;

Figure 1-9: Example of monument sign.

"mural sign" means a sign created on the exterior of a building as part of a painted mural, intended to advertise a business, project, activity or service;

Figure 1-10: Example of mural sign.

"owner" includes the owner or tenant who occupies a lot or premises where a sign is located, the person named as the permit holder on a permit and the owner, manufacturer or installer of a sign;

"pedestrian movement zone" means the area of highway intended for pedestrian movement, including a sidewalk, where pedestrians travel and access destinations along the highway;

"permit" means an authorization issued on a prescribed form by a building official to erect, place, display, alter or move a sign;

"portable sign" means a sign not permanently attached to a building, structure or the ground that can be readily moved from place to place, but does not include a sandwich board sign;

"poster sign" means a sign made of paper or paper-like materials;

"premises" means a lot, building or portion thereof that is occupied by a single owner or tenant;

"projecting sign" means a sign that is attached to, projects from and entirely supported by a building face;

Figure 1-11: Example of projecting sign.

"promotional sign" means a temporary sign that promotes the buying or selling of products and services or announces the opening of a new business;

"provincial electrical permit" means an authorization from the Province of British Columbia to carry out electrical work;

"real estate directional sign" means a temporary sign indicating that the premises on which the sign is located is for sale, lease or rent;

"real estate sign" means a temporary sign indicating that the premises on which the sign is located is for sale, lease, or rent;

"roof" means the top enclosure of a building;

"roof-mounted sign" means a sign mounted on the roof of a building;

Figure 1-12: Example of roof-mounted sign.

"roofline" means the line where the wall of a building intersects with the roof of the building;

"sandwich board sign" means a temporary sign that

(a) consisting of two flat panels attached or hinged at one end,

(b) is self-supporting, and

(c) is not affixed to the ground, a building or vehicle;

Figure 1-13: Example of sandwich board sign.

"service station canopy" means a permanent structure intended to provide lighting and shelter to the pump islands of service station;

"service station canopy sign" means a sign attached, applied or mounted to the side of a service station canopy;

Figure 1-14: Example of service station canopy sign.

"sign" means any visual medium used to

(a) attract attention or convey information of any kind by way of words, numbers, pictures or graphics,

(b) provide direction, information, identification or advertisement, or

(c) promote a product, business, activity, service or idea;

"sign area" means

(a) the total surface area, measured in square metres, within the outer edge of the frame or border of a sign, or

(b) where the sign has no frame, border or background, the total area within the shortest perimeter surrounding the copy;

Figure 1-15: Example of sign area.

"stake sign" means a sign secured to the ground using one or more stakes;

Figure 1-16: Example of stake sign.

"stop work order" means a notice that directs the cessation or correction of work performed on a sign;

"suspended sign" means a sign that is suspended from and located entirely under an awning, canopy or similar structure;

Figure 1-17: Example of suspended sign.

"temporary sign" means a sign that is not permanently attached to a structure or building and is erected for a specified period of time;

"third party advertising" means copy that advertises or directs attention to anything other than an activity, business, product or service that is conducted, produced or offered on the lot where the sign is located;

Figure 1-18: Example of third party advertising.

"traffic control device" has the same meaning as in the Motor Vehicle Act;

"vehicle-mounted sign" means a sign attached, applied, mounted or placed on a vehicle or trailer where the principal purpose of the vehicle or trailer is to serve as a sign or sign support structure;

Figure 1-19: Example of vehicle-mounted sign.

"window sign" means a sign that is applied, attached or displayed in or on a window but does not include a window display of products available on the premises;

Figure 1-20: Example of window sign.

Interpretation bylaw

2   The Interpretation Bylaw applies to this bylaw.

Purpose

3   The purposes of this bylaw include

(a) supporting local commercial activity through the identification of businesses and way finding,

(b) ensuring new signs re aligned with the Official Community Plan,

(c) encouraging signs that incorporate high standards of design and minimize light pollution,

(d) regulating signs to ensure and maintain public safety, and

(e) preventing sign proliferation and visual clutter to ensure the effectiveness of signs and enhance the public realm.

Figures

4   In this bylaw, figures, images and editorial notes

(a) are not part of this bylaw, and

(b) must be considered to have been added editorially for reference only.

Application

5   This bylaw applies to all signs within the City, except the following:

(a) notices issued by the government of Canada, government of British Columbia, a court, the City, or Abbotsford school district;

(b) traffic control devices under the Motor Vehicle Act;

(c) signs erected by the City for municipal purposes;

(d) signs erected by the government of British Columbia for highway purposes;

(e) election signs under the Election Sign Bylaw;

(f) signs required by law or City bylaw;

(g) the flag of Canada, flag of British Columbia and flags and emblems of civic or non-profit societies, educational, or religious organizations;

(h) signs attached, applied or mounted to a vehicle if

(i) the vehicle is routinely operated, and

(ii) the sign does not primarily serve as a sign or sign support structure;

(i) signs in the window of a premises that indicate whether the premises is open for business, provided that the sign does not exceed a sign area of 0.2 m²;

(j) signs that indicate the price of gasoline at a service station, provided that the sign is part of a permitted freestanding sign and does not exceed a sign area of 0.6 m²;

(k) signs authorized by the City on property owned or leased by the City, including for third party advertising, on benches or in parks;

(l) signs related to a special event and issued a special event permit issued in accordance with the Outdoor Special Event, Filming and Activities Bylaw, and

(i) erected no more than 24 hours before the event, and

(ii) removed no later than 24 hours after the event;

(m) signs depicting danger, hazard, or other safety conditions erected by an individual authorized by a public agency in the performance of a public duty.

Compliance

6   A sign must not be erected, placed, displayed, altered or moved unless it complies with the provisions of this bylaw and all other applicable bylaws.

Prohibited signs

7   (1) Signs that are not specifically permitted by this bylaw or another City enactment are prohibited.

(2) Without restricting the generality of subsection (1), the following sign types are prohibited:

(a) balloon signs;

(b) handheld advertising signs;

(c) poster signs;

(d) roof-mounted signs;

(e) vehicle-mounted signs.

Non-conforming signs

8   (1) Subject to this section, if, at the time this bylaw is adopted, a sign to which this bylaw applies is lawfully used and does not conform to this bylaw, the sign may continue as a non-conforming sign and may be maintained and copy altered only to the extent that the repair or alteration would, when completed, involve no further contravention of this bylaw than that existing at the time the repair or alteration was started.

(2) Signs referred to in subsection (1) must not be reconstructed or moved except in accordance with this bylaw.

General prohibitions

9   Except as otherwise provided in this bylaw, a sign must not

(a) be mounted to a utility pole, fence or tree,

(b) obstruct or interfere with the visibility

(i) of a traffic control device, or

(ii) from one highway to another highway,

(c) obstruct or interfere with the entrance, exit, fire escape, natural lighting, air intake or ventilation of a building,

(d) emit sound or noise,

(e) obstruct or interfere with the flow of pedestrian or vehicle traffic,

(f) swing, move or rotate, or

(g) display flashing, blinking or intermittent lights or illumination.

Signs incorporating multiple sign types

10   In the case of a sign that incorporates more than one sign type, the requirements and obligations in this bylaw for each sign type apply to the portion of the sign to which they pertain.

Third party advertising

11   Except as otherwise provided in this bylaw, a sign must not contain third party advertising.

Illuminated signs

12   (1) Except as otherwise provided in this bylaw, a sign may be illuminated.

(2) Illuminated signs referred to in subsection (1) must

(a) not be illuminated from below, and

(b) if the sign is externally illuminated, be equipped with a shield directing the light downward.

Changeable copy

13   Except as otherwise provided in this bylaw, a sign may contain changeable copy provided that

(a) the copy area of the changeable copy is not greater than 75% of the sign area, and

(b) each instance of copy change is conducted manually, not automatically.

Electronic copy

14   Except as otherwise provided in this bylaw, a sign must not contain electronic copy.

Signs not requiring a permit

15   Except as otherwise provided in this bylaw, signs listed in this Part

(a) do not require a permit, and

(b) are permitted in all sign districts.

Compliance with other requirements

16   Signs that do not require a permit must comply with all other applicable requirements under this or any City enactment.

Address, commemorative or public information signs

17   A permit is not required for

(a) a sign listing only the building number, address or street name of a premises,

(b) a commemorative plaque or cornerstone, or

(c) a sign providing information or a warning related to safety, security, parking restrictions or public access and that has a sign area not greater than 0.2 m² per face.

Agricultural local product signs

18   A permit is not required for an agricultural local product sign that

(a) is located outside the City's urban development boundary,

(b) has a combined sign area not exceeding 3 m², and

(c) is no more than 2.5 m in height.

Banner signs

19   A permit is not required for a banner sign that

(a) has a vertical dimension at least twice the width of the banner,

(b) is secured perpendicular to a building face, and

(c) has a combined sign area not exceeding 3 m².

Community activity signs

20   (1) A permit is not required for a community activity sign that

(a) is limited to four signs for each activity provided that the signs are not located on the same lot frontage,

(b) has a sign area not greater than 3 m² per face,

(c) is erected no more than 45 days prior to the activity,

(d) is removed no more than seven days after the conclusion of the activity, and

(e) is not backlit and internally illuminated.

(2) A community activity sign may contain third party advertising.

Construction project signs

21   A permit is not required for a construction project sign that

(a) has a sign area

(i) in the case of a single detached dwelling or duplex, not greater than 0.6 m² per face, or

(ii) in the case of a building other than a single detached dwelling or duplex, not greater than 3 m² per face, and

(b) is removed

(i) in the case of a subdivision, upon the sale of all of the lots in the subdivision, or

(ii) in the case of a property other than a subdivision, no later than one month following the approved final inspection.

Contractor identification signs

22   A permit is not required for a contractor identification sign that

(a) has a sign area

(i) in the case of a single detached dwelling or duplex, not greater than 0.2 m² per face, or

(ii) in the case of a building other than a single detached dwelling or duplex, not greater than 1.5 m² per face, and

(b) is removed no later than 14 days following the approved final inspection of the project.

Directional signs

23   (1) A permit is not required for a directional sign that

(a) has a sign area not greater than 0.6 m² per face, and

(b) is no more than 1.2 m in height.

(2) A directional sign may contain third party advertising if the sign

(a) is located outside the City's urban development boundary,

(b) provides directions to a lot in the City where agricultural products are sold that were produced by a farm operation operating on that lot,

(c) is limited to two signs for eachlot to which directions are provided, and

(d) is removed no later than 14 days after products are no longer sold on the lot to which the directions are provided.

Home occupation signs

24   A permit is not required for a home occupation sign that

(a) is a freestanding sign,

(b) is limited to one sign on each lot,

(c) is not illuminated, and

(d) has a sign area

(i) in the case of a home occupation - level 2, not greater than 0.4 m² per face, or

(ii) in the case of a home occupation - level 3 or 4, not greater than 1.2 m² per face.

Identification signs

25   A permit is not required for an identification sign that

(a) is limited to one sign for each premises,

(b) has a sign area not greater than 0.6 m² per face,

(c) is not greater than 1.5 m in height, where the sign is freestanding, and

(d) is not internally illuminated.

Promotional signs

26   A permit is not required for a promotional sign that

(a) is limited to one sign for each premises,

(b) is displayed for no more than 90 days in a calendar year,

(c) is not backlit,

(d) is not internally illuminated, and

(e) is any of the following signs:

(i) a banner sign with a sign area not greater than 3 m² per face,

(ii) a portable sign that

(A) has a sign area not greater than 3 m² per face, and

(B) is no more than 1.5 m in height,

(iii) a stake sign that

(A) has a sign area not greater than 0.6 m² per face, and

(B) is no more than 1.5 m in height, or

(iv) a window sign with a sign area not greater than 1.2 m² per face.

Real estate directional signs

27   (1) A permit is not required for a real estate directional sign that

(a) is limited to two signs for each open house event,

(b) has a sign area not greater than 0.6 m² per face,

(c) is no more than 1.2 m in height,

(d) is erected no more than one hour prior to the start of the open house event, and

(e) is removed no more than one hour after the conclusion of the open house event.

(2) A real estate directional sign may contain third party advertising.

Real estate signs

28   A permit is not required for a real estate sign that

(a) is limited to one sign on each frontage of a premises,

(b) has no more than two faces,

(c) has a sign area

(i) in the case of a frontage greater than 100 m in length, not greater than 1.5 m² per face, or

(ii) in the case of a frontage not greater than 100 m in length, not greater than 3 m² per face,

(d) is removed no more than 14 days after the property being advertised is sold, leased or rented,

(e) is not backlit, and

(f) is not internally illuminated.

Sandwich board signs

29   A permit is not required for a sandwich board sign that

(a) is limited to one sign for each premises,

(b) is located in

(i) the building frontage zone, or

(ii) the building furnishing zone in which a clear pedestrian movement zone is maintained,

(c) has a sign area not greater than 0.6 m² per face, and

(d) is removed when the premises are not open for business.

Window signs

30   A permit is not required for a window sign that has a sign area not greater than 25% of the total area of the window on which the sign is located.

Sign districts

31   (1) For the purpose of this bylaw, the City is divided into the following 3 sign districts as illustrated in Figure 5-1:

(a) mixed use centre sign district;

(b) historic downtown sign district;

(c) municipal sign district.

Figure 5-1: Sign district map

Figure 5-1 provides a general illustration of the City's sign districts. For the precise definition of each sign district, refer to subsection (2) below. For convenience, the City's Web Map may be used to identify the land use designation or Neighbourhood Plan that applies to a property.

(2) For ease of reference, the City's sign districts are further illustrated within inset maps according to Figure 5-2.

Figure 5-2: Sign district inset map

(3) The following inset maps generally illustrate the City's sign districts:

(a) inset 1 as shown in Figure 5-3;

Figure 5-3: Inset 1

(b) inset 2 as shown in Figure 5-4;

Figure 5-4: Inset 2

(c) inset 3 as shown in Figure 5-5;

Figure 5-5: Inset 3

(d) inset 4 as shown in Figure 5-6;

Figure 5-6: Inset 4

(e) inset 5 as shown in Figure 5-7;

Figure 5-7: Inset 5

(f) inset 6 as shown in Figure 5-8;

Figure 5-8: Inset 6

(g) inset 7 as shown in Figure 5-9.

Figure 5-9: Inset 7

Sign district locations

32   (1) The mixed use centres sign district includes all lands

(a) designated urban centre, neighbourhood centre or institutional complex, and

(b) subject to the City Centre Neighbourhood Plan or UDistrict Neighbourhood Plan

in the Official Community Plan Bylaw.

(2) The historic sign district includes all lands subject to the Historic Downtown Neighbourhood Plan in the Official Community Plan Bylaw.

(3) The municipal sign district includes all lands not included in the mixed use centres sign district or the historic downtown sign district.

Sign design in the mixed use centres sign district

33   Signs located in the mixed use centres sign district are encouraged to be directly integrated into building facades and architecturally consistent with associated buildings.