Regulate the Erection of Signs on or Overhanging County Road Allowances By-Law - By-Law No. 6272

A By-Law to Regulate the Erection of Signs on or Overhanging County Road Allowances 

WHEREAS the Council of the Corporation of the County of Middlesex deems it expedient to regulate the erection of signs on County Road Allowances;

AND WHEREAS The Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act R.S.O. 1990 provides that the County may with respect to roads under its jurisdiction and control, by by-law, prohibit or regulate signs, notices or advertising devices.

THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the County of Middlesex enacts as follows:-

1. DEFINITIONS  -  In this By-law:
   1. “County Engineer” shall mean such person as may be appointed by by-law of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Middlesex as County Road Superintendent
   2. “Sign” shall mean any device which is used to project an image, occurrence, name, product, time, place or business and is visible in whole or in part from any public roadway and shall include building signs, freestanding signs, mobile signs, portable signs, and temporary signs.
   3. “Person” shall include any person and/or persons, firm or corporation.
   4. “County Road Allowances” shall mean the entire right-of-way including daylight corners of any County road under the jurisdiction, control or ownership of the Corporation of the County of Middlesex.
2. GENERAL PROVISIONS - In this By-law:
   1. No person, firm or corporation shall place, erect or cause to be erected or placed any sign, notice or advertising device on or overhanging County road allowances except as herein specifically provided for and permitted.
   2. The County Engineer may in the case of signs, notices or other advertising devices erected, placed, kept or maintained on any County Road allowance in contravention of this By-law, remove, or cause to be removed forthwith, the said sign, notice or other advertising device.
   3. No sign, notice or other advertising device shall be placed in a manner in which the sign, notice or device encroaches upon or overhangs the County Road Allowance unless such encroachment has been specifically approved in writing by the County Engineer.
   4. This By-law does not apply to signs erected on County roads under the direction of the County Engineer.
3. TEMPORARY SIGNS - In this By-law:
   1. A temporary sign shall be a sign or notice of a temporary nature which sign shall not exceed 1.2 metres (3.9') by 2.4 metres (7.9') in size.
   2. Certain approved signs may be placed by the County with the approval of the County Engineer to direct persons to major events such as a plowing match or golf tournament.   These signs placed by the County are classified as Official Guide Signs for the purposes of these directions.   Campsite marker, Service Station markers and Private Directional Signs are also classified as Official Guide Signs
   3. Temporary signs shall include:
      1. election signs placed for or on behalf of a candidate or political party.  See Election signs for more details.
      2. Canadian Forces Convoy route markers - see Canadian Forces Convoy Route Markers for more specific instructions
      3. signs erected to advertise a particular agricultural event such as plowmen’s association signs, plowing match, exhibition and fall fair signs and signs placed by recognized organizations of a similar nature.
      4. signs placed by religious or charitable organizations or other recognized public service organizations to advertise a particular event.
      5. private auction signs.
   4. With exception of election signs, temporary signs shall not be erected on County road allowances without the prior approval of the County Engineer.  Each temporary sign shall be removed within five days following the conclusion of the event advertised.

   5. Election Signs:

      Election signs may be erected on the right-of-way or adjacent to a County road, providing:

      1. They are not placed closer to the travelled portion of the highway than the outer extremity of the shoulder and do not interfere with official signs, traffic signals, or other safety devices.   Should the extremity of the shoulder be difficult to determine, it shall be up to the County Engineer to specify its location on any particular County Road.
      2. Election signs are not to be affixed to any permanent or official County sign or support, guide rail or other County structure or facility.
      3. Mobile Trailer type read-o-graph signs are prohibited on the right-of-way of a County road.  Such read-o-graph signs may be utilized providing they are erected on private property and meet the requirements of the Local Municipality for Mobile Trailer type read-of-graph signing.
      4. Election signs shall be removed within 24 hours after the election date.
   6. Canadian Forces Convoy Route Markers:
      1. Route markers in the form of tack signs, approximately 0.4 metres (16') by 0.3 metres (12") will be permitted affixed to trees, posts and County Official Signs.
      2. These markers may be placed one day before the convoy is to pass and should be removed within one day after the convoy has passed.   The markers shall be erected and removed by military personnel.
      3. The Canadian Forces shall notify the County of their intention to erect convoy markers and the location of these markers prior to their actual installation.
4. ADMINISTRATION    -  In this By-law:
   1. These instructions are subject to all local municipal by-laws and do not supersede such by-laws.
   2. By-law #4364 is hereby repealed.
   3. This By-law shall come into force and shall take effect on the day of its passing.

PASSED in Council this 12^th day of October, 2010