WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Public Service is recommending that the City of Winnipeg Zoning By-law governing the use of digital signs and billboards be updated to better reflect new technology available to those who want to advertise using this medium.
Many Canadian cities have seen an increase in applications for digital sign permits in recent years and Winnipeg is no different. This has resulted in local governments having to re-examine policies and By-laws to address this trend in advertising.
Digital signs use electronic screens to display programmed text, images, or potentially videos, such as advertisements or public notices. In Winnipeg, current zoning by-laws do not provide dimensional or location standards for billboards, unique dimensional standards for digital accessory signs, or standards for how bright digital signs can be.
A cross-departmental sign policy group looked at current concerns and issues regarding the use of digital signs and billboards in Winnipeg. Policies and regulations in several other cities, including Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa, were also researched.
Consultations have taken place with business improvement zones, the Manitoba Sign Association, representatives from the outdoor sign industry and CentreVenture to make sure our proposed amendments reflect best practices, and to examine how to best integrate signage into neighbourhoods. Factors to consider regarding the regulation of billboards and digital signs include location, dimness and brightness, and safety concerns.
A report recommending amendments to the current By-law will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development on July 3, 2012.
These recommendations are not applicable to the downtown. A separate report will be going to the Standing Policy Committee on Downtown Development regarding the zoning by-laws for that area, which will take into account the SHED (Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District).