Crackdown on abandoned open house signs could generate $10K a year in Brampton

The city is looking to introduce new rules that would see abandoned and oversized open-house signs “destroyed without notice or compensation” to realtors.

The proposed stand-alone Open House Sign By-Law comes more than six months after Brampton City Council discussed possible fine increases for derelict real estate signs left across the city.

Brampton has been fighting a battle for years against what it calls “nuisance” signs that break city bylaws, and launched the City Sign Sleeve Program with over 100 designated sleeves placed throughout the city for residents to post signs.

A report going to council this week says current regulations for Open House signs in the city’s sign rules “do not allow officers to effectively enforce the bylaw,” and introducing a specific open house sign bylaw “would provide stakeholders with clear and specific directions for rules and regulations.”

In November, Coun. Michael Palleschi said realtors are treating Brampton like “the wild wild west,” saying signs are only larger and “ridiculous.”

If passed, the new bylaw would introduce fines of $250 for displaying an open house sign outside the permitted time, $300 for placing signs on a centre median, and $350 for displaying more than two signs at the same intersection.

The changes are estimated to generate up to $10,000 in city revenue this year.

Under the new bylaw, the city will set up an authorized storage and disposal process for open house signs with a 30-day cycle that allows for unclaimed signs to be destroyed without notice or compensation. The bylaw will also “provide stakeholders with clear direction in a timely format,” the report says.

The report and proposed bylaw will go to Brampton City Council for consideration on Wednesday.

In November, Coun. Michael Palleschi said realtors are treating Brampton like “the wild wild west,” saying signs are only larger and “ridiculous.”