Size and placement could factor into the revamped sign bylaw for Oak Bay.
In August 2015, after the launch of a 78-day federal election campaign, Oak Bay called a special short-notice council meeting to deal with election signs that would be up longer than the 30 days allowed in its current sign bylaw.
It was noted at that time, that staff use discretion with signs that warn of deer and support the CBC, which appear throughout the community.
They tasked staff will reviewing the sign bylaw from 1997.
Staff brought a report to a committee meeting last week that proposed a bylaw amendment to allow federal and provincial election signs to be erected once the writ for election is issued.
Local government and school board election signs would be allowed on the final day of the nomination period – 36 days days before general voting day. The amendment also proposes election signs be allowed on parts of a boulevard immediately in front of and connected to residential property.
The proposed changes would also provide a definition of an election sign.
It would also require signs be removed four days, rather than the current seven, after an election.
The proposed bylaw included prohibiting election signs on public property, but council asked staff to have a look at logical public spaces to allow signage and investigate potential for limiting size and shape of election signs.
The goal is to have a new sign bylaw in place prior to the impending spring provincial election.
Council expects to see a draft of the bylaw at the next committee of the whole meeting scheduled for Nov. 21 at municipal hall 2167 Oak Bay Ave.