The City of Ottawa is conducting a review of its Signs by-laws as they relate to election signs. To assist with this review, we are seeking feedback from members of the public on the current election signs regulations.
An online survey is available on the Engage Ottawa platform to those who wish to provide feedback. The survey closes on Friday July 30.
Members of the public may also call the Elections Office at 613-580-2660 or email elections@ottawa.ca to provide their comments should they not be able to access the Engage Ottawa platform, or should they require assistance.
Our current regulations
An election sign is a temporary sign, including a poster or rigid ground-mounted sign, advertising support or opposition for a candidate, a political party, or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot in a municipal, school board, public utility company, provincial or federal election.
The City of Ottawa has two signs by-laws that regulate election signs on private and public property for municipal, provincial and federal elections:
- Signs on City Roads By-law (No. 2003-520)
- Temporary Signs on Private Property By-law (No. 2004-239)
The by-laws outline the regulations and responsibilities that must be followed.
Signs on public property:
- Are allowed 30 days prior to the election date for municipal elections, or at the issuance of the relevant federal or provincial writ.
- Cannot be placed along highways or in a median and must be at least 50 centimetres from a sidewalk. In areas with no sidewalks, signs must be at least two metres from the roadway or, if the roadway has a shoulder, at least 50 centimetres from the edge of the shoulder.
Signs on private property:
- Are allowed 60 days prior to the election date for municipal elections, or at the issuance of the relevant federal or provincial writ.
- Must be at least:
- nine metres frm the edge of the nearest traffic control device
- nine metres frm the closest edge of the nearest paved portion of an intersection
- ne metre from the closest edge of the nearest sidewalk
- three metres frm a driveway
- 23 metres frm the closest edge of another temporary sign
Signs cannot block or impede pedestrians or motorists or their lines of sight.
Removal of Election Signs
- All election signs must be removed within 48 hours following any election date.
