The digital sign and third party advertising sign portion of the Signage Regulation Review project is looking at digital (electronic) signs and third party advertising signs, which are also known as billboards.
Interim Digital Sign Regulations
In 2010, administration was directed to prepare interim measures to deal with the influx of digital signs in Calgary. The Calgary Land Use Bylaw 1P2007 does not contain regulations dealing with brightness, rate of message change or ambient light levels related to the light emissions from digital signs.
At the 2010 April 15 meeting of Calgary Planning Commission (CPC), a report (
M2010-014) was brought forward with a recommended approach to deal with digital signs until the full review of the Land Use bylaw could be completed.
CPC tabled the report for 1 month, to return to Calgary Planning Commission on 2010 May 13 after consulting with the Sign Industry further. On 2010 May 13, the item returned to CPC where it was tabled until 2010 December. Administration was directed to bring back a second option for consideration for Interim regulations on Digital Signs.
During the course of the summer and fall of 2010, members of the Land Use Bylaw Sustainment Team conducted a number of consultation meetings with Community and Industry Stakeholders. On
2010 December 9 , the 'second option' was brought back to CPC for consideration. At that meeting, CPC recommended the 'second option' to go forward to City Council for public hearing.
At the 2011 February 7 City Council Public Hearing, the Interim regulations were tabled for one month at the request of the Sign Industry. The item returned for public hearing on 2011 March 7. After accepting submissions from the public and industry and a presentation on the Planning Commission recommendation, this item was referred to a special Task Force, consisting of 3 members of City Council.
The Regulation of Digital, Electronic and Computer Signage Special task force held a number of meetings, including a public engagement session on 2011 April 26. The final meeting of the task force was in 2011 May 10. At that time, the Special Task Force directed administration to prepare a new bylaw to go forward to council, with changes from the original recommendation of administration in 2011 March 7. At the 2011 June 15 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee (SPC) on Land Use, Planning and Transportation (LPT), the task force recommendation to adopt Bylaw 30P2011 (the task force bylaw) was sent forward to City Council for a public hearing. At the 2011 July 4th (item 11.1.1)meeting of City Council, Bylaw 30P2011 was approved and given three readings by City Council. The interim regulations, are now in effect and will remain in place until the main project is completed and new policy and rules are prepared and approved by City Council.
Digital and third party advertising sign review project
This project will examine the regulations for Third Party Advertising Signs (Billboards), the interim regulations for digital signage and the Council approved ‘Billboard Development Policy Guide for Calgary’.
Some of the goals of this project are to:
Research best practices from other cities to get a better understanding of regulations for these types of signs and adapt them to create a "made in Calgary" solution;
Update the Billboard Development Policy to look at the current development context in the City;
Update the regulations in the land use bylaw to deal with digital technology and some of the issues related to digital sign operation (such as brightness, message timing, ambient light emissions);
Review various safety studies and ensure that the sign regulations focus on the safety of Calgarians;
Ensure that the regulations and policies achieve the goals set out in the Calgary Municipal Development Plan.
Following meetings with stakeholders and the public, in March 2012 a framework and guidelines were presented for review and comment. A final version of the framework and guidelines were presented in May to all Stakeholders and then sent forward to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning and Urban Development for July 11, 2012.
On July 30, 2012, City Council endorsed the proposed framework for Digital Message and Third Party Advertising Signs (digital and non-digital). Council also approved by resolution the Calgary Third Party Advertising Sign Guidelines (link to the document below), which are now in effect.
Administration is using the approved framework to craft proposed regulation changes to Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, which will be going forward to Calgary Planning commission in December 2012. All stakeholders have been circulated the draft regulations for input and comment.
A link to the approved framework and guidelines can be found at
http://agendaminutes.calgary.ca under the July 30th Regulation Meeting of Council, item 8.3.1.
Project team
The digital and third party advertising sign review is being done by members of the Land Use Bylaw Sustainment Team with the Planning Implementation branch of Development and Building Approvals and with the assistance of a professional consultant.
For further information on the Digital and Third party Advertising Sign project – please contact:
Robyn Choropita
Planner
phone: (403) 268-5864
