Election Signs - General Enforcement
- Election signs shall not be installed until after 4:00pm on Monday August 22, 2022 which is the deadline for certification of nominations by the Clerk.
- Signs installed in prohibited areas will be removed by Village of Merrickville- Wolford staff.
- Where there are immediate safety concerns or damage to municipal property, Village of Merrickville-Wolford staff will immediately remove the signs.
- The Village of Merrickville-Wolford will assume no responsibility for any damage to election signs where they are removed by Village of Merrickville- Wolford staff in prohibited locations.
Village of Merrickville-Wolford By-law 24-2010 reads:
S. 12.1 – Administration – This By-Law shall be administered by the Chief Building Official or as assigned by the Chief Administrative Officer.
S. 12.4 – Administration – Any sign in contravention of this By-Law may for the first offence be picked up and brought to the Municipal offices. The owner shall be notified that they may claim and pick up the sign at the Municipal office. The owner shall be given a written caution/notice that a first offence has been committed and if any further offences against the Sign By-Law are committed the sign shaJI only be returned upon payment of an administrative fee.
S. 12.5 – Administration – Any sign in contravention of this By-Law shall for the second offence shall be picked up and brought to the Municipal office. The owner shall be notified that they may claim and pick up the sign at the Municipal office upon the payment of an administrative fee of twenty ($20.00) dollars.
S. 12.6 – Administration – Any sign in contravention of this By-Law shall for the third offence be picked up and brought to the Municipal office. The owner shall be notified that they may claim and pick up the sign at the Muni cipal office upon the payment of an administrative fee of fifty ($50.00) dollars.
S. 12.7 – Administration – Any sign in contravention of this By-Law shall for the fourth offence be picked up and brought to the Municipal office. The owner shall be notified that they may claim and pick up the sign at the Municipal office upon the payment of an administrative fee of two hundred ($200.00) dollars. Any further offences against the Sign By-Law the sign shall be returned only upon payment of an administrative fee of the same amount ($200) for each repeat offence.
S. 12.8 – Administration – Every person who contravenes any of the provisions of this By-Law is guilty of an offence and upon conviction is liable to a court fine not less than $100.00 and not more than $2,000.00 exclusive of costs.
Please note also that:
- Election signs shall not be installed until after 4:00pm on Monday August 22, 2022 which is the deadline for certification of nominations by the Clerk.
- Signs installed in prohibited areas will be removed by Village of Merrickville- Wolford staff.
- Where there are immediate safety concerns or damage to municipal property, Village of Merrickville-Wolford staff will immediately remove the signs.
- The Village of Merrickville-Wolford will assume no responsibility for any damage to election signs where they are removed by Village of Merrickville- Wolford staff in prohibited locations.
Elections signs are prohibited on:
- Any municipally-owned property including, but not limited to:
- The Village Municipal Office and Fire Hall;
- Merrickville Community Centre;
- Merrickville Fairgrounds;
- Merrickville Outdoor Ice Rink;
- Merrickville Public Library;
- Merrickville Toboggan Hill;
- Centennial Hall and the adjacent outdoor sports facilities;
- Wolford Municipal Garage;
- Village Waste Disposal Site;
- Village water and wastewater facilities; and,
- Merrickville Cenotaph.
- Any public or private property that:
- Are within one (1) metre of a fire hydrant;
- Obstruct or detract from any traffic control device or signage;
- Obstruct the line of vision at an intersection; or
- Are placed in a manner that may constitute a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles.
Village of Merrickville-Wolford By-law 24-2010 reads:
S. 5.3 – General Regulations – Persons may, with the written permission of the Corporation attach any sign, poster, hand bill, notice or advertisement to any pole, subject to obtaining the written consent of the utility company or any others owning such pole on any highway.
S. 5.5 – General Regulations – No person shall attach any sign, poster, notice or advertisement to any tree in the Municipality located on municipal property.
S. 5.8 – General Regulations – No person shall erect or maintain any sign within the area of a comer lot defined as the Site Triangle which would obscure vision.
Please note also that signs are prohibited on:
- Any municipally-owned property including, but not limited to:
- The Village Municipal Office and Fire Hall;
- Merrickville Community Centre;
- Merrickville Fairgrounds;
- Merrickville Outdoor Ice Rink;
- Merrickville Public Library;
- Merrickville Toboggan Hill;
- Centennial Hall and the adjacent outdoor sports facilities;
- Wolford Municipal Garage;
- Village Waste Disposal Site;
- Village water and wastewater facilities; and,
- Merrickville Cenotaph.
- Any public or private property that:
- Are within one (1) metre of a fire hydrant;
- Obstruct or detract from any traffic control device or signage;
- Obstruct the line of vision at an intersection; or
- Are placed in a manner that may constitute a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles.
Election Signs - General Requirements
- Signs must meet the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended.
- Sign permits are not required.
- Signs must not be visible from any voting place.
- Signs must not be illuminated, animated, rotating, flashing or have moving lights or other electrical features.
- Signs must meet the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended.
- Election signs for provincial or federal elections or by-elections are permitted only within the respective election period.
- Signs must be removed with five (5) days after the election period closes.
Village of Merrickville-Wolford By-law 24-2010 reads:
S. 2.13 – 'Election Sign' means any sign advertising or promoting the election of candidates and does include a portable sign.
S. 2.37 – 'Sight Triangle' means an area free of buildings or structures, which area is to be determined by measuring, from the point of intersection of street lines on a corner lot, a distance of 5 metres (16 feet) along each such street line and joining such points with a straight line. The triangular shaped land, between the intersecting street line and the straight line joining the points the required distance along the street lines, is the ' Sight Triangle'.
S. 4.1 – Regarding Permit Exemptions – “No permit under this By-Law shall be required for the following however all other regulations of the By-Law shall be adhered to: a) any poster, banner, or sign of a candidate in a Municipal, Provincial or Federal election.”
Please note also that:
- Signs must meet the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended.
- Sign permits are not required.
- Signs must not be visible from any voting place.
- Signs must not be illuminated, animated, rotating, flashing or have moving lights or other electrical features.
- Signs must meet the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended.
- Election signs for provincial or federal elections or by-elections are permitted only within the respective election period.
- Signs must be removed with five (5) days after the election period closes.
Election Signs - Candidate Responsibilities
- Any damage to underground utilities or services as a result of election signs being placed on municipal property is the responsibility of the candidate(s) and their agent(s).
- Candidates and their agents are liable for any damage done to Village of Merrickville-Wolford property in placement of election signs on municipal property.
- Candidates and their agents should also reference applicable Provincial and Federal statutes and regulations for additional restrictions or requirements.
Village of Merrickville-Wolford By-law 24-2010 reads:
S. 5.22 – Election signs erected within the municipality shall be removed by the campaign office within five (5) days following the election.
Please note that:
- Any damage to underground utilities or services as a result of election signs being placed on municipal property is the responsibility of the candidate(s) and their agent(s).
- Candidates and their agents are liable for any damage done to Village of Merrickville-Wolford property in placement of election signs on municipal property.
- Candidates and their agents should also reference applicable Provincial and Federal statutes and regulations for additional restrictions or requirements.