Proliferation of Illegal Signs Raises Concerns Over City Enforcement

Calgary is actively grappling with a persistent challenge: the prevalence of unauthorized advertisement signs across the city. Numerous metal signs, notably observed along 18th Street SE near Carburn Park and in other areas, frequently violate the city’s regulations, contributing to visual clutter and sparking debate over enforcement of signage bylaws.

The City of Calgary's Temporary Signs on Highways Bylaw mandates that temporary signs must be removed within 24 hours following an advertised event and maintain a distance of at least two meters from the curb or edge of a roadway. Despite these clear guidelines, residents report signs lingering for months, raising questions about oversight and consistent application of the rules.

In a proactive effort to address these concerns, amendments to the Temporary Signs on Highways Bylaw were approved in November 2023, introducing heightened penalties and a revised enforcement strategy. Current fines for non-compliant signs range from $75 to $1,000, with proposals from 2023 suggesting an increase to at least $300 for most infractions, and a minimum of $200 for a guilty plea, with potential doubling or tripling for repeat offenders. The city’s Mobility business unit now handles sign removal during regular boulevard maintenance, aiming for more efficient cleanup. These changes appear to be yielding results, with the city reporting high compliance rates of over 95% and average response times within two days for temporary sign removal requests as of October 2024.

Despite these improvements, the issue of accountability for unauthorized installations remains, particularly concerning whether advertising companies hold contracts for these placements, exploiting public spaces without repercussions. Calgarians continue to urge city officials to balance the need for businesses and community groups to advertise with the shared goal of maintaining urban aesthetics and ensuring public safety.