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:

  1. The proposed signage amendment will increase flexibility for businesses and provide user-friendly signage regulations.
  2. Sign regulations will be the same for the entire region.
  3. Administration is shifting to a proactive approach to sign compliance and enforcement.
  4. Third-party advertising will be allowed on billboard and portable signs but not in residential districts.
  5. 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

Consider the following updates proposed for freestanding signs within the signage bylaw before sharing your thoughts. What are your thoughts on the proposed changes shown below? Could these benefit your business? Do you have any concerns? Share your thoughts here! General Updates: 1. The proposed signage amendment will increase flexibility for businesses and provide user-friendly signage regulations. 2. Sign regulations will be the same for the entire region. 3. Administration is shifting to a proactive approach to sign compliance and enforcement. 4. Third-party advertising will be allowed on billboard and portable signs but not in residential districts. 5. 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 (200 metres). 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. Note: Planning would consider consolidating the Billboard and Freestanding sign regulations into a single section.
Read and Contribute

Signs: Part 7A, Part 7B, and Part 7C of the LUB

Provide your feedback regarding the signs section of the Land Use Bylaw. What recommendations do you have?
Read and Contribute

Hamlet Districts

Welcome to our online forum! Do you have any feedback on the proposed changes to the Hamlet Districts? Please review some targeted questions below. Question 1: We heard that having residential uses meet a minimum size did not meet the needs of residents in the hamlets. We have removed the minimum size of residential uses, are you in support of this change? Question 2: In order to provide more flexibility within the hamlet residential districts, we created two new residential districts rather than just having one residential district. HR 1 preserves the current rural character of hamlets, while HR 2 allows for different and more compact housing choices in those hamlets that want to see this type of development. Do you support this change in the LUB?
Read and Contribute

Residential District

Do you have any feedback on the proposed changes to the Residential District? Please review some targeted questions below. Question 1: Do you think future residential lots with access to a rear lane should: Remain the same depth they are now, and have enough space for a detached garage and minimal backyard space? Be required to be deeper to allow for both a detached garage and a moderate-sized rear yard? Question 2: The proposed maximum height for low-density building typologies, including: single detached, semi-detached (commonly referred to as duplexes), and townhouses has been increased from 10m to 12m. This change allows for a third storey to be added. Are you supportive of this change?
Read and Contribute

Commercial and Institutional Districts

Do you have any feedback on the proposed changes to the Commercial and Industrial Districts? Please review some targeted questions below. Question 1: The proposed commercial districts include provisions that will promote pedestrian-friendly development and active storefronts. Do you think this will encourage better commercial development in the Urban Service Area? Question 2: The number of commercial land uses has been decreased, and many have been combined. The result is, it is less likely that a new tenant will require a development permit when moving into another space. Do you feel this will support businesses?
Read and Contribute

Industrial and Airport Districts

Do you have any feedback on the proposed changes to the Industrial and Airport Districts? Please review a targeted question below. The proposed LUB has increased the number of Industrial Districts from one in the existing LUB to three. This change will allow for diversification of future industrial areas, prevent heavy industrial uses from being located close to residential areas, and provide flexibility to allow businesses to be located in other similar or complementary areas. Do you think the new three types of Industrial Districts will address this concern?
Read and Contribute

General Regulation

Do you have any feedback on the proposed changes to the General Regulations? Please review some targeted questions below. Question 1: Earlier drafts of the LUB did not allow for sea cans as accessory buildings in hamlet residential districts. Based on public feedback, this has been changed to allow sea cans as a discretionary use with provisions requiring screening and for sea cans to not be unsightly. Are you supportive of this change? Question 2: The current LUB only allows for basement suites (except for Parsons Creek, where other types of secondary suites are allowed). The proposed LUB provides options for four different types of secondary suites: 1. Basement suites 2. Loft suites, which are located on the third storey of a dwelling 3. Garden suites, which are self-contained structures located in a rear yard 4. Garage suites, which are located on a second storey of a garage Are you supportive of these options being available?
Read and Contribute

Parking

Do you have any feedback on the proposed changes to Parking? Please review some targeted questions below. Question 1: The LUB is changing the minimum parking requirements for Single Detached Houses based on the feedback received that streets in the Urban Service Area are congested. Do you support the change from 2 to 4 parking stalls? Question 2: The proposed LUB includes a parking stall requirement for designated senior parking stalls, similar to requirements for accessible parking stalls. This requirement is only applicable to non-residential uses. Do you support this change?
Read and Contribute

Signs

Do you have any feedback on the proposed changes to Signs? Please review some targeted questions below. Question 1: It is now possible to apply for a digital sign throughout the region. Are you supportive of the requirements related to these signs under the proposed LUB (Part 8 Section 5.4)? Question 2: A portable sign is mounted on a frame or stand which can be relocated to another location. Portable signs frequently include copy that can be changed manually using detachable characters. What do you think about the ability of each property to have one portable sign, subject to approval, for up to one year?
Read and Contribute

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:

  1. The proposed signage amendment will increase flexibility for businesses and provide user-friendly signage regulations.
  2. Sign regulations will be the same for the entire region.
  3. Administration is shifting to a proactive approach to sign compliance and enforcement.
  4. Third-party advertising will be allowed on billboard and portable signs but not in residential districts.
  5. 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.

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:

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!
(External link)

Quick Poll

Quick polls on this project have concluded.