Municipal Election Campaign Signs

What are the rules for municipal election campaign signage?

Campaign signs for municipal elections are governed by the Highway Signage Act and the Highway Signage Regulations. Key rules at a glance:

• No permit is required for campaign signs. 
• Signs may be installed no earlier than one month before the Municipal Election. 
• All campaign signs must be removed within seven days after the election.

Key areas of consideration:

• Signs must not be:
  • Larger than four feet by eight feet (32 square feet in area).
  • Installed more than eight metres (26.25 feet) above ground level.
  • Designed to resemble traffic control devices (e.g. stop signs).
  • Placed within a highway right-of-way.
  • Attached to utility telephone poles or trees.
  • Located where they obstruct sightlines at intersections.
  • Installed on sidewalks or pedestrian walkways where they impede foot traffic.
  • Placed on roadway green areas such as medians or the centre of roundabouts.

For further information on legislation, please refer to the Highway Signage Act and the Highway Signage Regulations. 

Do the rules apply in all municipalities?

Under the Highway Signage Act Regulations, some municipalities are exempt from the regulations including (e.g., Alberton, Borden Carleton, Charlottetown, Cornwall, Georgetown, Kensington, Miltonvale Park, Resort Municipality, Stratford, Souris, and Summerside). 

These municipalities have adopted their own signage bylaw and are responsible for enforcing signage violations and responding to complaints.  The bylaw may outline rules about sign location and size.

It is recommended that all candidates become familiar with the campaign rules applicable in their municipality including the Election Bylaw and, where applicable, bylaws relating to signage.

The Municipal Directory provides contact information for PEI municipalities.