Temporary signs are signs that are not permanently installed or affixed to the ground or any structure or building, and are regulated by Article III of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 693, Signs (“Temporary Signs By-law”). This report proposes amendments to modernize the By-law to improve enforcement, respond to the use of new sign types in Toronto, and increase the By-law's overall readability. Election Signs, Third-Party Signs, Posters, Designation Signage on Public Highways, Neighbourhood and Business Area Identification Signs, and signs regulated under the Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 694, Signs, General were not part of this review. This report recommends improving the pedestrian clearway by updating placement requirements for A-frame and Portable signs. It is proposed that these signs be placed curb-side and in-line with other street furniture, where possible. The existing 2.1 metre pedestrian clearway requirement would be maintained and expanded to 2.5 metres on specified Downtown Toronto streets to align with Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 742, Sidewalk Cafes, Parklets and Marketing Displays. These changes are intended to improve the line-of-travel for pedestrians while allowing the business community to continue to use A-frame and Portable signs. This report also proposes allowing and regulating three new types of temporary signs on private property: Contracted Services Signs, Home Builder Identification Signs, and Advocacy Signs. The proposed regulations for Contracted Services Signs and Home Builder Identification Signs limit the size, number, and display period for these sign types, respond to their use in Toronto, and clarify the City’s expectations for signage on construction sites. The proposed regulations for Advocacy Signs balance the ability of Toronto residents to display content related to civic causes with the need to consider the safety and neighbourhood impacts of these signs. Further amendments are recommended that would modernize the By-law, improve enforcement, and simplify regulations. These include: - Updating regulations for Mobile Signs (i.e. those designed to allow for the rearrangement of lettering, typically on steel frames) to remove the requirement that they may only have black and white lettering, and to increase the maximum number of permits issued to a single business from 3 to 6 per year — - Updating the removal and disposal provisions, except for Election Signs, including deleting the mandatory 30-day storage period and allowing for the timely disposal of unlawful temporary signs — - Updating and clarifying fees, and aligning enforcement, fine, and offence provisions with the authority provided under the City of Toronto Act, 2006 — and, - Simplifying all existing requirements to improve the readability of Chapter 693 including adding a section setting out the scope of the By-law, consolidating the general restrictions that apply to all signs and setting out more clearly the location requirements, and specific requirements that apply to all sign types. A previous review was completed in 2019 and a staff report was considered by the Planning and Housing Committee on October 15, 2019, and by City Council on October 29, 2019 (2019.PH9.3). At both the Planning and Housing Committee and City Council, questions were raised about the proposed location requirement that Advocacy Signs be allowed only on private property, as there are properties in Toronto where the front-yard is considered the public’s right of way. Concerns were raised about the ability of these property owners to display Advocacy Signs, and the report was referred to staff for additional research on allowing Advocacy Signs on public and private property. Given that time has passed since the 2019 review, staff conducted additional public and stakeholder engagement and research to validate the recommendations. This report proposes changing the 2019 proposal on the location requirements of Advocacy Signs to allow these signs to be placed on private property and/or the public property in the boulevard abutting the private property. Other recommendations in this report remain substantially the same as those considered by City Council in 2019. Minor changes have been recommended to modernize the By-law, provide clarity, and reflect current operational practices. Transportation Services, Toronto Building, and the Toronto Transit Commission were consulted in the preparation of this report.
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