Council approves signage regulations
At the Council meeting on March 12, 2024, the project team presented the amendment to the Land Use Bylaw dealing with signs (Bylaw No. 24/002 - Land Use Bylaw No.99/059 Amendment - Consolidated Signage Regulations). Following presentations from delegates, Council voted to approve the new regulations.
The new sign rules come into effect on April 2, 2024.
Next steps on signage
The project team will present the revised Land Use Bylaw signage regulations at the Council meeting on March 12, 2024. For more information about the meeting, including how to attend and participate, please visit rmwb.ca/Council. *Please note that the meeting agenda is typically published on the Wednesday before the Council meeting.
Follow this page for the latest information on the Land Use Bylaw.
Engagement for this project is now complete.
Hear what participants had to say in the What We Heard Report.
Planning and Development has engaged with local stakeholders to support meaningful revision the proposed signage regulations. By Council's direction and to ensure the proposed amendments reflect feedback previously received, validation engagement took place November 2 - 10, 2023 for the business community. In-person, online, and virtual options were made available for participants and are described below.
Engaging the business community on signage
Planning and Development will present proposed changes to the signage section of the bylaw to the business community on November 2, 2023. A two-hour luncheon at Pomeroy Hotel's conference rooms offers business owners a chance to hear about the amendments. Feedback received during this time will be reviewed and considered by the project team before presenting to Council November 2023.
If you can't attend the in-person session, join us for a virtual presentation November 9 at 11 a.m. See engagement opportunities below before registering for the event that best suits your schedule. Don't forget to subscribe to this page for updates!
- In-person engagement at Pomeroy Hotel*
Thursday November 2, 2023
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
*Seating is limited for this event. Please register by clicking here.
- Virtual presentation on Microsoft Teams
Thursday November 9, 2023
11 a.m. - Noon
Register for this session by clicking here.
- Online engagement
Nov. 2 - 10, 2023
Ask your questions and share your feedback from Nov. 2 - 10 by reviewing the Forums or Questions tabs below.
About the proposed amendments on signage
The following highlights have been created as a snapshot to see how previous engagement feedback has been incorporated before amendments are presented to Council. Please note that these are subject to change following the business community engagement (Nov. 2 - 10, 2023). Your feedback will be reviewed and considered before presenting proposed amendments to RMWB Council.
Proposed changes include consolidating the current signage sections (7A – Rural, 7B – Urban, and 7C– Downtown) into a single section for more consistent signage regulations, changes to portable, fascia, billboard and freestanding signage, and digital signage regulations.
General Updates:
- The proposed signage amendment will increase flexibility for businesses and provide user-friendly signage regulations.
- Sign regulations will be the same for the entire region.
- Administration is shifting to a proactive approach to sign compliance and enforcement.
- Third-party advertising will be allowed on billboard and portable signs but not in residential districts.
- Digital components will be permitted on more sign types but have regulations for distance and brightness near residential properties.
Updates by Sign Type:
- Billboard signs will be permitted throughout the region with increased size and digital components but with a buffer distance from residential uses.
- Freestanding signs will be permitted on all commercial properties.
- Fascia signs can now have digital components.
- Portable signs will be approved for up to 6 months and will allow for third-party advertising.
- Portable signage on municipal land will only be available for non-profit organizations.
Stay up to date on project progress regarding signage amendments by subscribing to participate.rmwb.ca/LUB
What is the Land Use Bylaw?
The Alberta Municipal Government Act requires all municipalities in Alberta to adopt a Land Use Bylaw (LUB). The LUB regulates the use and development of land and buildings within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The purpose of the LUB is to:
- Separate the Municipality into land use districts.
- Establish site provisions and determine permitted and discretionary land uses.
- Establish the development permit and rezoning process.
- Regulate standards for the height, size, and location of buildings.
- Determine parking, signage, landscaping, and urban design standards.
- Implement the vision of the Municipal Development Plan and area structure plans.
Why is the LUB being updated?
The current LUB was adopted in 1999, with several amendments since. An update to the LUB is necessary to remove inconsistencies, consider new development trends, align with current policy documents, and to better support the local environment.
Feedback from residents, developers, entrepreneurs, and Indigenous partners demonstrates that the bylaw is outdated and needs adjustment to better suit community needs.
Forum
Business Engagement on Signage Bylaw
Signs: Part 7A, Part 7B, and Part 7C of the LUB
Hamlet Districts
Residential District
Commercial and Institutional Districts
Industrial and Airport Districts
General Regulation
Parking
Signs
Questions
Thank you to those who participated in this engagement. You can learn more about this project below, or subscribe to Participate Wood Buffalo to stay connected (or get involved) with future engagement projects impacting our region.
We're asking the business community to share their thoughts on the proposed amendments to the signage section of the Land Use Bylaw. These changes include:
General Updates:
- The proposed signage amendment will increase flexibility for businesses and provide user-friendly signage regulations.
- Sign regulations will be the same for the entire region.
- Administration is shifting to a proactive approach to sign compliance and enforcement.
- Third-party advertising will be allowed on billboard and portable signs but not in residential districts.
- Digital components will be permitted on more sign types but have regulations for distance and brightness near residential properties.
Updates by Sign Type:
- Billboard signs will be permitted throughout the region with increased size and digital components but with a buffer distance from residential uses.
- Freestanding signs will be permitted on all commercial properties.
- Fascia signs can now have digital components.
- Portable signs will be approved for up to 6 months and will allow for third-party advertising.
- Portable signage on municipal land will only be available for non-profit organizations.
Consider these changes from the perspective of a business owner and share your question here. We will respond shortly!
Surveys & Forms
CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
Proposed LUB: Feedback Survey
The LUB feedback survey is now closed.
We thank all those who provided their feedback.
Please check back to this page at a later date for more information about the proposed Land Use Bylaw.
Past Engagements
14 Nov 2022
Next Steps
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo would like to thank all residents and stakeholders who participated throughout the LUB public engagement including the April 27 Public Hearing. The feedback gained from the public is instrumental in the success of the final LUB.
On April 27 at the Public Hearing a motion was put forward by Mayor D. Scott " That Council direct Administration to re-engage with the community and bring forward an updated Land Use Bylaw for first reading before the 2021-2025 Council Elect." The motion was carried. To view the full minutes of the April 27 Council meeting click here(External link).
Future engagement opportunities are being defined with the goal of providing details in fall 2021. Residents are encouraged to contact the PULSE line for any inquires, 780-743-7000 or toll-free 1-800-973-9663.
Public Hearing Notice
Please note: A public hearing for Bylaw No. 21/003, a bylaw to replace the current Land Use Bylaw No. 99/059 will be held Tuesday, April 27. It proposes improvements to language, provision updates, modifications to dated sections, and the introduction of new regulations. For more, including ways to participate in the hearing read the Public Hearing Notice(External link).
How to participate in Public Hearing?
Residents are invited to register to speak at the public hearing or present written comments to Council up until the end of the Hearing.
Registration to speak during the Public Hearing, must be submitted prior to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021.
- Pre-register on-line at www.rmwb.ca/publichearingsubmission(External link). or
- Email Legislative Services at legislative.assistants@rmwb.ca(External link)or call Legislative Services at 780-743-7001 with the following information:
- your full name,
- daytime phone number,
- the telephone number that you will be dialing in from; and
- an email address at which you may be contacted
Each registrant will be given a maximum of 5 minutes to address Council.
Written comments will be accepted up until the closing of the public hearing. Written comments submitted prior to the cut-off time can be submitted through legislative.assistants@rmwb.ca(External link) or www.rmwb.ca/publichearingsubmission(External link).
For written submissions after the cut-off time, please email legislative.assistants@rmwb.ca(External link). All written submissions will be included in the updated Council Meeting Agenda Package following the Public Hearing.
RMWB Council to hear Land Use Bylaw on Feb. 9
Council of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will be presented with a final draft of the updated Land Use Bylaw (LUB) at their virtual council meeting on Feb. 9 for first reading.
To review the draft Land Use Bylaw click here(External link). A summary of changes for the Land Use Bylaw is now available for viewing here.
Next Steps
At the first reading, the LUB will be introduced for Council to consider. There will be no public participation at the first reading. A Public Hearing as well as second and third readings will be scheduled at a later date where Council will vote to adopt the LUB.
Meeting participation details
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Council will be conducting their meetings virtually. Residents are encouraged to watch online with participation options available:
- Watch the live stream of RMWB Council meetings.(External link)
- View options for requesting to speak or submitting written comments for eligible items on council meetings agendas
What is the Land Use Bylaw?
The Land Use Bylaw (LUB) guides what can take place and be built on any piece of land across our region. It impacts issues like parking, signage, home businesses and accessory buildings.
The current LUB was adopted by Council in Oct. 1999. While it has been amended several times since then, a revised LUB is necessary to remove inconsistencies, consider new development trends and align with recently approved policy documents.
Did we get it right?
Review the September 2020 draft LUB.
Then, let us know if we got it right! Participate in the following ways:
- Answer some Quick Poll questions.
- Join your neighbours in the online Forum.
What we heard
- A key concern was prohibiting sea cans in rural areas.
- Many residents voiced concerns regarding landscaping requirements and not allowing chain link fences in Saprae Creek Estates.
- Some residents wanted to see the proposed bylaw instead of summaries of changes.
How we addressed it
- We modified the LUB to allow sea cans as a discretionary use in these areas with provisions in place to ensure adequate screening and that the structures do not become unsightly.
- The landscaping requirements have been simplified and chain link fences are now allowed.
- The new LUB is now available for your review!
Quick Poll
Quick polls on this project have concluded.