Background
Since 1970, it has been the County Roads Department´s informal policy, as authorized by a resolution of the County Road System Committee, that private signs not be permitted on the County Road right-of-way. This policy has generally been enforced by our patrol staff with allowances being made for special circumstances.

It was decided at that time that no attempt would be made to regulate signs on private property adjacent to the road, even though authority to do so is provided by Section 63(1)(b) of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act.

It is deemed advisable to formally establish the County Roads Department´s policy for the guidance of patrol staff and the public. Authority for the County Road System Committee to make and establish policies for the operation of the County Roads Department is provided by Section 7.(5) of County By-law No. 88-29 and pursuant to Section 45(2)(b) of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act.

Policy
It shall be the policy of the County Roads Department that no private signs be permitted on or within the right-of-way of any County Road except as follows:

a. Temporary real estate "For Sale" signs for adjacent properties will be permitted under the following conditions:

1. signs shall be removed when the property has been sold
2. real estate signs directing prospective clients to some other location remote from the subject property will not be permitted.

b. In tourist areas, signs directing tourists to their destination will be permitted on the right-of-way where a suitable location on adjacent private property does not exist under the following conditions:

1. signs shall be removed when the tourist facility is not in operation (2) signs shall not contain any field advertising messages
2. the signs shall have a size appropriate for the location
3. tourist signs include private signs indicating cottages, farms or other non-commercial destinations.

c. Special signs by public or charitable organizations which promote services or events of public interest may be permitted where their erection is approved by the County Road System Committee.

d. Temporary signs for roadside fruit, vegetable or home produce stands will be permitted during the season while the subject stand is in operation.

e. Election signs will be permitted on the condition that the candidate or his representatives remove the signs within two weeks of the election.

General Requirements
All signs permitted on the right-of-way shall conform to the following requirements:

a. all signs shall be maintained in good condition by the owner of the sign

b. no sign shall be erected in a location which obscures vision for vehicles along the road

c. no private sign shall be attached to sign post erected by the County Roads Department or a public utility pole without the written consent of the operating authority.

Implementation
The County Roads Department shall remove and dispose of, as debris, any sign erected on a County Road in violation of this policy, without notice to the owner of the sign.

The County Roads Department may contact the owner of any sign not in compliance with this policy to advise that the sign is not in compliance and provide them with a period of time, not to exceed fourteen (14) days, to remove or relocate the sign or otherwise bring the sign into compliance.

Approved by County Road System Committee by resolution dated June 6, 1991.