Court decision confirms municipal authority to create bylaws banning roadside trailer signs
An Alberta Court of Appeal decision has confirmed that municipalities have the authority to create bylaws banning roadside trailer signs. The RMA is pleased to see the appeal court uphold the decision of lower courts, as this aligns with the RMA’s position regarding municipal autonomy.
In 2018, the RMA worked with members to develop recommendations to guide jurisdiction surrounding regulating roadside trailer signs. These recommendations include:
- That the Government of Alberta review the legislation, regulations, policy documents, etc. to ensure that rural municipalities and urban municipalities have the same regulatory application.
- That the Government of Alberta review the legislation, regulations, policy documents, etc. to encourage municipal authority, recognizing that municipalities have local characteristics to accommodate.
- That the Government of Alberta review the legislation, regulations, policy documents, etc. to restrict what is known as equipment signage (e.g., trailers) for third part corporations.
- That the Government of Alberta review the legislation, regulations, policy documents, etc. to set a minimum standard regarding billboard signage.
- That the Government of Alberta require that all permitted signs within the development control zone follow the “sign standard”.
- That the Government of Alberta amend its permit application to utilize language discussed in the working group and be representative of the embedded collaboration between the province and the municipality. Moreover, that it has verbiage regarding the condition of attaining municipal approval as there are local decision-making powers over signage.
- That the Government of Alberta review the legislation, regulations, policy documents, etc. to alter or create a system whereby the province enforces non-permitted signage. In the absence of this provincial mechanism, that the Government of Alberta delegate to the municipality the authority to enforce the provincial regulations and penalties.
- That the Government of Alberta support the RMA in an educational campaign on this topic. The campaign can include newsletter communications, municipal website updates / guidance, bylaw language recommendations, and advertising of the Alberta Transportation guideline document.
While the recent court decision only addresses the municipal authority to create bylaws regulating roadside signs, the RMA will continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta on the other recommendations.
Alex Mochid
Policy Advisor
780.955.4085
alex@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com