Here’s what you need to know about new election sign rules in Brampton

Candidates in Brampton’s upcoming municipal election will face updated rules on where and how they can display campaign signs after the city amended its Election Sign By-law. 

The changes are aimed at improving safety, reducing visual clutter and ensuring election signs are displayed consistently during municipal, provincial and federal elections, according to the City of Brampton. 

One of the biggest changes affects election signs displayed on vehicles. 

Rather than banning them outright, the updated bylaw now brings vehicle-mounted election signs under the same regulations that apply to other campaign signs. 

Signs displayed on vehicles must not obstruct a driver’s visibility, block emergency access or create a safety hazard. They also cannot be illuminated, animated or digital, and they remain subject to size restrictions. 

The amendments also clarify how many signs can be placed on residential properties. 

Each registered residential unit on private property, including additional residential units (ARUs), may display one election sign for each candidate or third-party advertiser, aligning Brampton’s rules with the Municipal Elections Act. 

Other long-standing restrictions remain in place. 

Election signs cannot be placed on public property, road allowances or vacant land, and they cannot be attached to trees, fences, utility poles, light standards, construction hoarding or building walls. Signs must also not block visibility for motorists or pedestrians or create any safety hazards. 

For the 2026 municipal election, campaign signs may first be displayed beginning at 5 p.m. on Oct. 2. All election signs must be removed by 7:59 p.m. on Oct. 29. 

Residential election signs are limited to a maximum height of 14.9 feet, while signs on non-residential properties can be up to 12 feet high. The maximum sign size is 21.5 square feet. 

The city says property owners must give permission before any election sign is installed on private property. 

Brampton tightened enforcement following the 2022 municipal election, when bylaw officers seized roughly 6,400 illegally placed election signs, leading to more than $150,000 in fines. 

Election signs that violate the bylaw may be removed by the city and stored for up to 30 days. Owners can arrange to retrieve removed signs, but a $50 retrieval fee applies. Unclaimed signs may be disposed of after the storage period. 

Residents can find the complete Election Sign By-law and sign regulations on the City of Brampton’s website. 

– with files from Ryan Rumbolt