Policy statement

1   To facilitate the display of advertising and promotional signs on City operated/owned “Welcome to Abbotsford” Signage.

Purpose of this policy

2   To ensure that all advertising and promotional signs on City operated/owned “Welcome to Abbotsford” Signage are displayed in a consistent and appropriate manner.

Application

3   This Policy applies to any individual or organization wishing to display a sign on City operated/owned “Welcome to Abbotsford” Signage.

Interpretation

4   (1) Schedule “A” contains definitions of terms used in this Policy.

(2) Unless otherwise provided in this Policy, words and phrases used herein have the same meanings as in the Community Charter, S.B.C. 2003, c. 26, Local Government Act [RSBC 2015] c. 1, R.S.B.C. 2015, c. 1, and Interpretation Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 238, or as the context and circumstances may require.

(3) A reference to a statute refers to a statute of the Province of British Columbia, and a reference to any statute, regulation or Bylaw refers to that enactment, as amended or replaced from time to time.

(4) Words in the singular include the plural and gender specific terms include both genders and corporations.

(5) Headings in this Policy are for convenience only and must not be construed as defining, or in any way limiting the scope or intent of this Policy.

(6) If any part of this Policy is held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalid part is severed and the remainder continues to be valid.

Definitions

5   In this policy

"City" means the City of Abbotsford.

"City Manager" means the chief administrative officer for the City, appointed under Section 147 of the Community Charter; or a designate.

"City Sponsored" means an event sponsored by the City.

"Communications Department" means the City's Communications and Marketing Department.

"Mayor" means the elected Mayor for the City.

"Non-Profit Organization" means a “Non-Profit Organization” as set out in the City's Permissive Property Tax Exemptions Policy.

"Requestor" means any individual or organization wishing to display a sign.

Displaying of signs

6   (1) Only signs which display one (1) or more of the following will be considered:

(a) public information messages of the City;

(b) promotes or advertises City organized or conducted events;

(c) community-based events, including but not limited to: Agri-Fair, Berry Festival, Sumas Day, Abbotsford Airshow, and Circle Farm Tours;

(d) performing or visual arts festivals or competitions;

(e) sporting events or competitions; or

(f) concerts or conferences.

(2) Signs will be permitted to be displayed, as follows, where:

(a) the request is from a Non-Profit Organization;

(b) the event is City Sponsored; or

(c) it is required by contractual obligation.

(3) Only signs on City operated/owned “Welcome to Abbotsford” Signage are permitted at the locations identified in Schedule “B”, “Welcome to Abbotsford” Sign Locations.

(4) Notwithstanding Subsections (1) and (2), the Mayor or City Manager may approve the displaying of any of the following signs:

(a) the United Nations;

(b) a country recognized by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, when an official representative is visiting the City; or

(c) an official Sister City of the City.

(5) The Requestor, must submit a request, in writing, at least 45 days in advance, to the Communications Department.

(6) Notwithstanding Subsection (5), where the request is submitted less than 45 days in advance, to the Communications Department, a request may be processed where time permits the completion of Subsection (7) and the installation of the sign.

(7) The Requester must:

(a) submit the design proof of the sign for approval by the Communications Department prior to production;

(b) provide the sign for installation;

(c) submit the installation and removal fee, as set out in the City's Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2006; and

(d) include the City as an “additional insured” on the requester’s liability coverage.

(8) The display of the signs is restricted to a maximum of four (4) weeks prior to the event, based on availability.

(9) All signs must be approved by the Communications Department before installation.

(10) Notwithstanding Subsection (8), the display may be reduced or extended based on availability or where required by contractual obligation.

Exceptions

7   In exceptional circumstances, and on the advice of the City Manager, the Mayor may approve the displaying of signs not provided for in this Policy.

Exclusions

8   Any sign approved under the City's Sign Bylaw, 2001, is excluded from this Policy.

Prohibitions

9   The request will be denied if the content is profane, vulgar, makes offensive signs or gestures or addresses issues not within the written request submitted under Section 6 (5) and (6).

Related procedures, guidelines and publications

10   The following documents are related to this Policy:

(a) Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2006; and

(b) Sign Bylaw, 2001.