Council has given third reading to its sign control bylaw, limiting where election signs can be posted and how many.
Despite concerns about some of the provisions in the bylaw, Maple Ridge’s outgoing council gave the go-ahead for third reading, allowing the bylaw to come back to the new council for final reading.
Some of the changes include limiting the size of election signs to a maximum of 1.5 sq. m, or 16 sq. feet. They also can’t be put up until 20 days before a civic election and must be taken down four days afterwards.
Signs can’t be placed where they disrupt traffic sight lines or interfere with pedestrians while candidates have to put up a $100 deposit before placing signs. What remains to be decided is if there will be a limit to the number of signs that can be put up during a campaign.
The new council, to be sworn in Dec. 1, can then make further changes before final adoption.
A revision of the part of the bylaw that deals with business signs has received three readings and also awaits final reading.