Bylaws related to signage

Signage, including temporary signs, mobile community signs, election signs, and service advertisements, falls under the regulation of our Temporary Signs Bylaw.

• Is within 15 meters of any intersection.
• Is within 30 meters of any City bus shelter, transit bench, bus zone, LRT station, or LRT platform.
• Is placed in a Playground Zone or School Zone.
• Is within 20 meters of a sign posted by the same owner or featuring the same idea.
• Is on or within 2 meters of a Fire Hydrant.
• Is within 10 meters of a crosswalk that is not at an intersection.
• Is closer than 2 meters from the curb or edge of the road.
• Is on any traffic island or center median.
• Obstructs any traffic control device.
• Is erected on any prohibited or restricted roadway. View map.
• Creates a traffic or pedestrian hazard.
• Is displayed for more than 14 days before or more than 24 hours following the date of the advertised event, whichever is less (see exceptions for election signage below).

• Is attached to a standard street light pole, traffic signal pole, or a City sign pole.
• Is attached to or within a plus 15 bridge, pedestrian walkway, or overpass.
• Is attached to a sound wall.
• Is permanently affixed.
• Is supported by string, rope or metal guide wire.
• Causes or could cause damage to municipal property.

• Resembles a Traffic Control Device in terms of position, shape, color, format, or illumination.
• Is placed on any decorative or painted lamp post, including posters.
• Poses a hazard to the person installing the sign or any member of the public.
• Has a sign face larger than 0.6 square meters (3 square meters for election signs and Mobile Community Signs).
• Is higher than 0.92 meters when measured from grade to the highest part of the sign (2.5 meters for election and Mobile Community Signs).
• Is lit, electrified, or inflatable.
• Appears unsightly, damaged, or in disrepair.

Fines for violations of these regulations range between $75 and $1000.

Election signs have certain exemptions from our Temporary Signs Bylaw. Election signs can be placed on municipal property for more than 14 consecutive days during an election period. But election signs on municipal property must be removed within 72 hours of the polls closing. For information on these exemptions, please visit our election signs page.

Referendum signs

Referendum signs have started to appear around Calgary as Alberta prepares for a province-wide referendum on October 19, 2026. The referendum is being administered by Elections Alberta, and anyone seeking information about it is encouraged to visit the Elections Alberta website https://www.elections.ab.ca/elections/referendum/.

In accordance with provincial legislation, The City of Calgary does not regulate referendum signs or referendum advertising. The City will continue to monitor and address public safety concerns related to signs that present safety hazards or interfere with public infrastructure. Following the conclusion of the referendum vote, signage should be removed by the party responsible for the original placement. Any remaining signage located along roadways will be removed by The City of Calgary beginning one week after the vote concludes.

The Government of Alberta has issued general guidelines on the size, characteristics, and placement of election signs. Elections Alberta has also issued guidance that statements that do not specifically promote or oppose a question in a referendum and taken alone, do not constitute referendum advertising. Third-party advertisers seeking to place signs in Calgary are encouraged to follow these guidelines, which are intended to promote public safety and compliance with existing legislation.

Garage sale signs need to follow all rules associated with temporary signs.

The School Safe Zones Temporary Signs on Highways Bylaw (29M97) Amendment restricts advocacy messaging on public streets near schools, due to the harmful impact this messaging has on unwilling viewers. This bylaw amendment was created for the safety and protection of students, their caregivers, and school staff, who do not want to be exposed to this messaging while attending school.

The Temporary Signs on Highways Bylaw prohibits the placement of signs within playground and school zones and with the amendment, restricts advocacy messaging on public property within 150 metres of a school (if larger than 3.5” by 5” in size). 

Advocacy messaging is defined in the bylaw as messaging that publicly expresses an opinion on an issue or cause. An advocacy group is defined as any group that promotes this type of messaging whether it be an external group or student group.

The bylaw restrictions do not impose a ban on advocacy messaging, but rather restrict the size of the sign within a 150 metre distance from the school, thereby mitigating the issue of unwanted messaging.

The bylaw does not apply to any activities within the school property, only to the public property around the school. Schools can give permission to advocacy messaging on school property. Students looking to hold demonstrations on school property can seek approval from their schools.

Enforcement and reporting

The School Safe Zones Bylaw Amendment carries a fine of $1,000 for any person found to be displaying or carrying a sign with advocacy messaging:

• Within 150 metres of the school boundary;
• Larger than 3.5” by 5”;
• During school days; and
• Between the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  

The bylaw will operate on a complaint basis – individuals or advocacy groups known or suspected to be engaging in this process near schools should be reported.

Bylaws related to signs can be found under The City of Calgary Temporary Signs on Highways bylaw.

This page is a brief overview of the bylaw. Please refer to the actual bylaw for more detailed information. Original copies of the bylaw are available at the City Clerk's office.

You must obtain the home owner's permission before placing a sign on their property and you are encouraged to obtain the home owner's permission before placing a sign adjacent to their property.

According to the Parks and Pathways Bylaw, no person shall place a sign of any kind, commercial or otherwise, in a park unless otherwise authorized.

If you know of a bylaw infraction and would like to report it, please call 311 (from within Calgary) or 403-268-CITY (2489) (from outside Calgary) or use the 311 app or:

To help us respond faster, please be ready with the following information:

• Your name and address
• A primary and alternate phone number
• The address and exact location of the property for which you wish to register a complaint
• A brief and concise description of the complaint

This information will remain confidential. No anonymous complaints will be accepted - you must identify yourself with the 311 service representative.

Please include any related photos when reporting a complaint with the 311 app. This will assist the investigating officer.

Learn more about filing a bylaw complaint and the process.