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Placement of election signs to be limited by bylaw

One sign per candidate on designated city sites
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Election signs will no longer be permittted where they interfere with traffic sight lines.

A new bylaw will curb the proliferation of signs in Abbotsford during election periods, pending final approval from council.

Council passed three readings of a new election sign bylaw on Monday, which designates parcels of city property where candidates may place signs, and limits candidates to one sign on each site.

The previous regulations provided “virtually unrestricted use of municipal property,” according to a city report. The new bylaw, which applies to signs for municipal, provincial and federal elections, designates 15 locations where the election materials can be placed.

Signs can go up on any municipal boulevards fronting residential properties, with the permission of the owner, and are allowed on private property. Signs cannot be placed where they interfere with sight lines.

The bylaw also creates a longer period where the signs can be up, starting 46 days before election day instead of 30.

City clerk Bill Flitton said the increase is to bring the time period in line with other municipalities, as well as align with the commencement of election proceedings period set by Elections BC.