Sign Permit Sandwich Boards Policy - City of Nelson

THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NELSONPOLICY TITLE: Signs Permits, POLICY NO: 4520.00.005Sandwich BoardsEFFECTIVE DATE: June 11, 2012 SUPERSEDES: July 1, 2000APPROVAL: Council PAGE: 1 of 2POLICY:Despite any applicable City of Nelson Sign Bylaw, sandwich board signs will be permitted onCity sidewalks within Development Permit Area #2 – Downtown (Commercial Heritage CoreArea) as established with the Official Community Plan provided they meet these guidelinesand receive City approval. Approval must be received prior to placing any sandwich boardsign on City property. The approved sign must include a sticker endorsed by the City.GUIDELINES:1. Number of Signs One sandwich board sign is permitted per business; For buildings with more than one (1) tenant, a maximum of one (1) sandwichboard sign per 4.5 metres of frontage is permitted. Joint use signs areencouraged; For non-Baker Street downtown businesses, one (1) sandwich board sign perbusiness on one (1) Baker Street corner is permitted, provided the business hasno other sandwich board signs located on City property.2. Sign Placement Signs be located on the curb side of the sidewalk directly opposite the frontdoor of the business, at a maximum of one (1) metre from the curb edge andwhere possible near parking meters and/or trees. If the business is fronted by abus stop, the sign must only be located immediately adjacent to the buildingthat houses the business. A business located in the downtown core on side streets or in an alley, wantingtheir sandwich board sign to be placed on a Baker Street corner may bepermitted subject to these guidelines. At no time may a sign restrict pedestrian movement along the sidewalk orcrosswalk area. May be located anywhere on private property. Sandwich Board Signs are not permitted to be put out after a snowfall until thesnow is cleared from the sidewalk.Page 1

3. Sign Dimensions Maximum surface area of 0.56 square metres (e.g. 61 cm x 91 cm). Sign mustnot exceed the maximum surface area but is encouraged to be built using avariation in the height and/or width. Maximum height, including stand or support of 107cm, minimum height is 61cm. Maximum width is 61cm, minimum width of 25cm.4. Materials Constructed of plywood or plastic. Sturdy hinges at the top. Chain or fastening devise across bottom. Paint to be durable and waterproof.Page 2

5. Insurance All owners must sign a liability waiver to the satisfaction of the City. The City takes no responsibility for loss or damage to the sign of any kind,whether damaged by the public or the City. The City takes no responsibility for any injury caused by a sandwich board sign.6. Design Guidelines Sandwich Board Signs are expected to meet the sign design guidelines.Section 3 of Schedule G found in the City’s Official Community Plan describesthe building design guidelines. Sign Typeface and GraphicsBuilding style, colours, and the nature of the establishment, should beconsidered in the selection of appropriate sign typeface. In general,coloured backgrounds are preferred over white.Discouraged:Ultra-Modern graphics and/orlettering stylesLarge expanses of whitebackgroundsHomemade, amateurish signsEncouraged:Clear, legible stylized letteringHistoric typefacesCreative graphics7. Approval Business owners must complete and sign an application form and submit acoloured rendering or photograph of the proposed sign. All signs must meet the sign design guidelines and receive one-time approvalby the Advisory Design Review Panel. The City of Nelson reserves the right to refuse an application based on its ownreasons (such as public safety issues, congestion, etc.). Where approved the City will issue stickers that are required to be placed onthe approved sign. A sign placed without an approved sticker shall be immediately removed by theCity. A one-time application fee as identified within a relevant Fees and ChargesBylaw must be paid to the City prior to review of the application. The City will keep a list of approved sandwich board signs. The approval sticker is non-transferable. Approval and sticker must be received prior to placing sandwich board signs onCity property. Staff shall refuse to issue an approval if in their opinion the Sign is offensive orfails to meet the minimum guidelines. Appeals of staff decisions can be made in accordance with the AdministrativeFairness Policy No. 0220.00.005.Page 3

Care of Sandwich Board Signs is the sole responsibility of the owner.The City is not responsible for any damage, theft, etc. to Sandwich Board Signsas a result of the signs being on City sidewalks.Sandwich board signs are to be removed from City property when the businessis closed.Page 4