Signs
146. For prohibiting or regulating signs and other advertising devices or any class or classes thereof and the posting of notices on buildings or vacant lots within any defined area or areas or on land abutting on any defined highway or part of a highway. (a) A by-law passed under this paragraph may specify a time period during which signs or other advertising devices in a defined class may stand or be displayed in the municipality and may require the removal of such signs or other advertising devices which continue to stand or be displayed after such time period has expired. (b) A by-law passed under this paragraph may require the production of the plans of all signs or other advertising devices to be erected, displayed, altered or repaired and provide for the charging of fees for the inspection and approval of such plans and for the fixing of the amount of such fees and for the issuing of a permit certifying to such approval and may prohibit the erection, display, alteration or repair of any sign or advertising device where a permit has not been obtained therefor and may authorize the refusal of a permit for any sign or other advertising device that if erected or displayed would be contrary to any by-law of the municipality. (c) A change in the message displayed by a sign or other advertising device does not in itself constitute an alteration. (d) A by-law passed under this paragraph may authorize the pulling down or removal at the expense of the owner of any sign or other advertising device that is erected or displayed in contravention of the by-law and may require any person who, (i) has caused a sign or other advertising device to be erected, displayed, altered or repaired without first having obtained a permit to do so, or (ii) having obtained a permit has caused a sign or other advertising device to be erected, displayed, altered or repaired contrary to the approved plans in respect of which the permit was issued, to make such sign or other advertising device comply with the by-laws of the municipality if it does not so comply or to remove such sign or other advertising device within such period of time as the by-law specifies. Notice (e) Before passing a by-law under this paragraph notice of the proposed by-law and notice of the council meeting at which the proposed by-law is to be discussed shall be published once at least fourteen days prior to the council meeting indicated in the notice and in the case of a municipality where there is no newspaper having general circulation in the municipality, shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the municipality for at least fourteen days prior to the council meeting indicated in the notice. (f) The council shall hear any person who before the council meeting indicated in the notice applies to be heard. Minor variances (g) The council may, upon the application of any person, authorize minor variances from the by-law passed under this paragraph if in the opinion of the council the general intent and purpose of the by-law are maintained. Saving (h) No by-law passed under this paragraph, as it read on the 31st day of July, 1983, that prohibits or regulates signs or other advertising devices, applies so as to require a sign or advertising device that is lawfully erected or displayed on the 1st day of August, 1983, but that does not comply with the by-law, to be made to comply with the by-law or to be removed by the owner or the owner of the land on which it is situate, if the sign or advertising device is not substantially altered; and the maintenance and repair of the sign or advertising device or a change in the message displayed shall be deemed not in itself to constitute an alteration. Idem (i) No by-law passed under this paragraph that prohibits or regulates signs or other advertising devices, applies to a sign or advertising device that is lawfully erected or displayed on the day the by-law comes into force, if the sign or advertising device is not substantially altered, and the maintenance and repair of the sign or advertising device or a change in the message displayed shall be deemed not in itself to constitute an alteration. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.45, s. 210, pars. 141-146. 147. Repealed: 1996, c. 1, Sched. M, s. 7 (1).