Chatham-Kent is cracking down after receiving numerous complaints about improperly placed election signs.
In light of the complaints called in through 311, the municipality issued a statement on Friday and said it will be enhancing bylaw enforcement for campaign signs.
The existing sign bylaw has been in place since 2009 and remains unchanged. Municipal staff said the bylaw has been applied consistently across each election cycle.
Currently, campaign signs may only be displayed on private property with the permission of the property owner. However, signs can be installed on municipal public property beginning on August 27.
At any given time, campaign signs must not block visibility for drivers, cyclists or pedestrians; and they must not obstruct sidewalks, roads or driveways or create a public safety hazard. The signs are not permitted in parks, on roadways, traffic islands or within visibility triangles at intersections. As well, they cannot be attached to utility poles, light poles, trees, traffic signs, bus shelters, mailboxes, or other municipal infrastructure.
Any campaign sign that does not comply with the Election Campaign Sign bylaw may be removed by municipal staff. Candidates can contact the municipality’s election team to arrange for the retrieval of any signs.
All candidates were provided with bylaw information when they filed their paperwork to run for an elected position. For more details about the bylaw, click here.
