Toronto Votes 2026: Municipal election signs can be put up and displayed as of Oct. 1
As of today (Thursday, Oct. 1) municipal election candidates are now permitted to put up and display election signs across the City of Toronto.
City regulations permit the postage of signs on private property, such as lawns and fences, with the consent of the property owner or occupant.
Additionally, signs may also be displayed on public property, such as boulevards or public utility poles on streets and roads.
Election advertising may also be displayed within paid advertising space on bus shelters; garbage and recycling containers; street installations where a permit is obtained; TTC paid advertising space where a permit is obtained; third-party advertising spaces (such as billboards); and on vehicles or trailers that are not parked on or adjacent to a voting place, city park or a facility owned or operated by the city.
Signs cannot be displayed within 1.5 metres of the curb or edge of pavement; 0.6 metres of either side of a sidewalk; 15 metres of an intersection or pedestrian crossover of a collector or arterial road; three metres of an intersection or pedestrian crossover of a local road on a median or island, said the city’s regulations.
Unless approved by the property owner/occupant, or the owner/occupant of the adjoining property when placed on public property, multiple signs displayed at a location must be at least one metre apart.
Elections signs must be no larger than 1.2 square metres in area and higher than two metres above ground level, with the exception of signs displayed on campaign offices, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) dedicated advertising spaces, street installation dedicated advertising spaces, third party advertising spaces such as billboards, and those displayed indoors and on windows and balconies, said the regulations.
Election signs are not allowed to be illuminated (unless in advertising spaces), be attached to trees, obstruct visibility or sightlines for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, or include the City of Toronto’s logo.
The city is permitted to remove signs that conflict with the Signs Bylaw, Article II – Election Signs. The city will notify candidates of where to collect confiscated signs prior to election day. Confiscated signs not retrieved may be recycled, destroyed or disposed of by the city.
Residents who wish to report election signs that conflict with the city bylaw can do so by submitting a service request to 311. Service requests must include the name of the candidate or the third-party advertiser displaying the election sign, the address or location of the sign, description of specific landmarks if the address of the sign cannot be provided, and the reason for the complaint.
For more information regarding election sign in the City of Toronto, please go to https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/public-notices-bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/election-signs/
