Election and Referendum Signs on Highway Rights-of-Way

Signs in relation to election, referendum, initiative vote, initiative petition and recall petition are allowed on highway rights-of-way only as specified in the Election Signs and Posters Policy in the Policy Manual for Supplemental Signs (PDF, 551KB - October 2005).

This policy is updated regularly using the Election and Referendum Signs and Posters Policy Technical Circular. Information on this page may be superseded by the latest policy circular.

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For more information about advertising and election signs visit ElectionsBC, Elections Canada or your local community.

What you need to know about posting signs on highway rights-of-way:

• Only registered individuals and groups may post signs on highway rights-of-way
• Signs must Identify the registered owner of the sign including contact information
• Signs must be installed only during the times permitted by the policy
• Signs must be further from the road than standard traffic signs
• Signs must not obstruct, simulate or be attached to any traffic control device (e.g. signs, sign posts or traffic signal poles)
• Signs must not, in any way, pose a traffic hazard
• Signs must not be placed on overpasses, tunnels or other highway structures

Election signs must not be placed on:

• Highways within Provincial Parks
• Highway 1, from Horseshoe Bay to Hope
• Highway 5, from Hope to Kamloops
• Highway 19, from Duke Point Ferry Terminal to Trans-Canada Highway
• Highway 19/Nanaimo Parkway, from Trans-Canada Highway to Island Highway
• Highway 19, Parksville to Campbell River
• Highway 91 and 91A
• Highway 99, from the US border to Horseshoe Bay
• Highway 17, from Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to Highways 1/15
• Highway 17A, from Hignway 17 to Highway 99
• Highway 97C, from Aspen Grove to Peachland

Removal of Signs

Signs must be removed by owners by the next working day following the event or they will be removed by maintenance contractors and the owner will be invoiced for the cost of removal.

Signs in contravention of the policy will be removed from the highway right-of-way by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The owner will be informed of the reasons for removal and potential proper placement.

Definitions

Authorized Individual or Organization

Individual or organization that is registered with a Municipality, Elections BC or Elections Canada to sponsor advertising, such as a political candidate, political party, registered advertising sponsor, a proponent or opponent, or an authorized participant.

Federal and Provincial Election Signs 

A sign, poster or other notice posted by a political candidate, political party, or election advertising sponsor registered with Elections BC or Elections Canada.

Sign placement period: between the issue of a writ of election and general voting day.

General Local Election Signs

A sign, poster or other notice posted by a registered political party, candidate or election advertising sponsor for general local elections.

Sign placement period: Signs may be placed only during the campaign period (campaign period as defined by Election BC) and must be removed on the day following the end of the electoral event.

Federal, Provincial or Municipal Referenda Signs

A sign, poster or other notice posted by a referendum proponent, opponent, or referendum advertising sponsor registered with a Municipality, Elections BC or Elections Canada.

Sign placement period: between the issue of a writ or order of referendum and the polling day for the referendum.

Provincial Recall Petition, Initiative Petition or Initiative Vote Signs

A sign, poster or other notice posted by a proponent, opponent, authorized participant, or a recall or initiative advertising sponsor registered with Elections BC.

Sign placement period: between the beginning of a recall petition period, initiative petition period or initiative vote period and the end of the respective period as described in the Recall and Initiative Act.