Criteria for LED / Video Signage in the

City of Nanaimo

• LED / animated signs are high resolution, multi-coloured displays of graphics and text, both static and animated. These types of signs act as large exterior video screens.

• LED refers to Light Emitting Diodes, which illuminate the signs.

 

Currently, the “CITY OF NANAIMO SIGN BYLAW NO. 2850” does not address this type of signage. The Vancouver Island Conference Centre is the only location in the City using this type of signage and no further LED / animated signs are being permitted until there is a bylaw in place addressing the use of such signage.

• LED / animated signs have raised concerns in other cities and municipalities in regards to highway safety, in the form of driver distraction, and aesthetics, in the form of visual pollution.

• The City is proposing criteria to regulate the location, size, safety and aesthetics of LED / animated signage.

• A public open house on the issue of LED / animated signs will be held on Thursday, 2009-NOV-19 from 6pm to 8pm in the Lounge at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

• Static images only.

• Require automatic dimming.

• Light intensity should be restricted to ambient light levels.

• Prohibit third party signage.

• Hours of operation restricted to those of the associated business.

• LED / video signs permitted only where there is a demonstrated reduction in overall amount of signage.

PermittedPermitted Not PermittedNot PermittedDuncan Victoria

City of North Vancouver Colwood

Kamloops Langley

White Rock Maple Ridge

Burnaby Parksville

Prince George Courtenay

Langford Kelowna

New Westminister

DuncanDuncan Animated or electronic changeable copy signs require

approval by the GM of Development Services.

City of North VancouverCity of North Vancouver Limited to 30% of sign area. Not permitted in the Central Lonsdale sign area.

KamloopsKamloops Electronic changeable copy signs shall not exceed half

of the sign face to a max of 10m2.

White RockWhite RockPermitted as an electronic message-board sign.Not permitted as a fascia sign but permitted in

other forms (i.e.: free-standing).

BurnabyBurnabyOnly permitted within Comprehensive Development

Zones. Rezoning is required and it must be architecturally integrated and included as part of a comprehensive development.

Prince GeorgePrince George Permitted as animated signs. Permitted in some Commercial and Institutional Zones. Signs which are deemed to be a distraction to drivers are not

permitted. No sign shall result in direct light or significant glare being cast

onto adjacent properties zoned and used for residential purposes.

VancouverVancouver Permitted in one location: northeast corner of Granville and

Robson Streets. Permitted through an amendment to the Sign Bylaw . Max size 28m2.

LangfordLangford•Permitted by bylaw.•Permitted as variable electronic signs (LED) .•Permitted in the following zones:

Limited Commercial Zones, Industrial / Business Park, Industrial. Institutional. Comprehensive Development Zones 3, 4 and 6. Pedestrian Commercial Zone.

•Maximum size - 3m2 (32ft2) per side.•All Message centres must be 3 colours (red, green, blue).

CalgaryCalgary• Permitted as a condition of use by the Sign Bylaw.• The approving authority shall allow electronic message

centres, provided that: the sign is located in a commercial or industrial district; the sign is not located within 300m of any other electronic

message centre facing the same on‑coming traffic; and the sign does not display any third-party or sponsor advertising,

unless located in a commercial or industrial district.

EdmontonEdmonton• Permitted as a condition of use by the Sign Bylaw.• Permitted in most Commercial and Industrial Zones. • Illumination may not project onto any surrounding

residential premises.• Must be approved by the traffic authority.• Applicant shall provide evidence that proposed sign

does not cause undue distraction to traffic.• Cannot create a hazard to traffic on a public roadway

from which the sign is visible.

Grande Prairie Grande Prairie • Permitted by bylaw.

• Minimum separation between two electronic message display signs is between 100m and 200m, depending on size.

• Subject to review by transportation authority.

• Must include a dimming feature that will automatically reduce brightness to the ambient light level.

• Electronic message sign only allowed on a free-standing sign or a billboard.

Site SpecificSite Specifici.e.: permitted by the GM or Mayor and Council:

• Vancouver

• Duncan

• Burnaby

Permitted by a Sign Permitted by a Sign BylawBylaw

with specific regulations pertaining to electronic message boards:

• Langford

• Grand Prairie, AB

• Leduc AB

• Cold Lake AB

• Calgary

• Edmonton

PermittedPermitted as Animated as Animated / Signage / Signage

with no specific criteria to address LED signage:

• North Vancouver

• Kamloops

• White Rock

• Prince George

Sign Bylaws Sign Bylaws which state that animated / LED signs shall not constitute a distraction to traffic:

• Prince George

• Grande Prairie

• Edmonton

• Size• Zoning, Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones and site

specific (CD Zones).• Subject to review of transportation authorities (MOT).• Proximity to residential properties.• Static images only (messages changed with no special

effects).• Automatic dimming to reflect ambient light levels.• 3-colour signs (red, green and blue).• Minimum distance between individual signs.• Third party advertising prohibited.

Public Open House:

Nanaimo Ice Centre Nanaimo Ice Centre

Thursday, 2009-NOV-19Thursday, 2009-NOV-19

6pm to 8pm6pm to 8pm