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.

PermittedNot Permitted Duncan Victoria City of North Vancouver Colwood Kamloops Langley White Rock Maple Ridge Burnaby Parksville Prince George Courtenay Langford Kelowna New Westminister

Duncan  Animated or electronic changeable copy signs require approval by the GM of Development Services. City of North Vancouver  Limited to 30% of sign area.  Not permitted in the Central Lonsdale sign area.Kamloops  Electronic changeable copy signs shall not exceed half of the sign face to a max of 10m 2.

White Rock  Permitted as an electronic message-board sign.  Not permitted as a fascia sign but permitted in other forms (i.e.: free-standing).Burnaby  Only permitted within Comprehensive Development Zones. Rezoning is required and it must be architecturally integrated and included as part of a comprehensive development.

Prince 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.Vancouver  Permitted in one location: northeast corner of Granville and Robson Streets.  Permitted through an amendment to the Sign Bylaw.  Max size 28m 2.

Langford 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 - 3m 2 (32ft 2 ) per side. All Message centres must be 3 colours (red, green, blue).

Calgary 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.

Edmonton 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 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 Specific i.e.: permitted by the GM or Mayor and Council: Vancouver Duncan Burnaby Permitted by a Sign Bylaw with specific regulations pertaining to electronic message boards: Langford Grand Prairie, AB Leduc AB Cold Lake AB Calgary Edmonton

Permitted as Animated / Signage with no specific criteria to address LED signage: North Vancouver Kamloops White Rock Prince George 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 Thursday, 2009-NOV-19 6pm to 8pm