Road Signage Policy

This is a transcription of By-law 51-2025 for convenience only and should not be treated as a true copy. To request a copy of the signed version of the by-law, please contact the municipal office. Where a discrepancy exists between this transcription and the official copy, the official copy will prevail.

By-Law 51-2025 Being a By-law to adopt a Road Signage Policy

Whereas the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, c. 25. S.5 (3) requires a Municipal Council to exercise its powers by by-law, except where otherwise provided;

Whereas the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Bluewater deems it necessary to adopt a Roads Signage Policy;

Now therefore The Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Bluewater enacts as follows:

Schedule 'A': Road Signage Policy

Purpose

To establish clear and consistent criteria for the evaluation and approval of road signage requests within the Municipality of Bluewater.

Scope and Applicability

This policy applies to all requests for road signage installation on roads under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Bluewater. This policy does not override or replace the Municipality's Sign By-law, which governs private and non-municipal signage.

Definitions

Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM): Provincial guidelines for the design, application, and location of traffic control devices.

Custom Signage: Signs not prescribed within the OTM, requested to address localized concerns or non-standard scenarios.

Public Request: A submission made by a resident, agency, or organization seeking installation of new signage on municipal roads.

Manager of Public Works: The Manager of Public Works for the Municipality of Bluewater.

Members of the Public: Means residents, service clubs, businesses within the Municipality of Bluewater.

Staff: Meaning Municipality of Bluewater Public Works staff.

Policy:

Members of the public may request the installation of road signage by submitting a completed Road Signage Request Form to the Public Works Department. Upon receipt of a request, Municipal staff will review the submission against the applicable criteria outlined in this policy. Staff will assess whether the requested signage is warranted based on OTM guidelines, safety considerations, and operational feasibility. The criteria for each signage type are detailed below. Approval and installation decisions will be to the discretion of the Manger of Public Works or their designate. Only complete request forms will be considered for review.

1. General (OTM) Signage

• All signage must conform to the standards and specifications outlined in the Ontario Traffic Manual (Books 5 and 6).
• Requests will be reviewed and approved based on safety considerations, data collection, merit, and compliance with Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) specifications.

2. Requests for Additional Speed Limit Signs

• Speed limit signs will be installed in accordance with OTM placement guidelines.
• Requests for additional signage will be evaluated based on verification through data collection (e.g., speed monitoring or traffic counts) and placed at the discretion of the Manager of Public Works.

3. Stop Signs and Intersections

• Stop signed intersections shall not be installed as a means to reduce vehicle speeds, in accordance with OTM recommendations.
• Requests for stop signs will be evaluated based on sightlines, collision history, traffic volume, and intersection control warrants.
• Creation of new intersections or changes to intersection control requires Council approval through amendment to the Stop Sign by-law.

4. Animal Crossing Signs

• Animal crossing signage may only be considered if a local conservation or wildlife authority identifies the area as high risk through an annual assessment.
• Areas with fluctuating animal activity due to agricultural crop rotations or other varying influences will not be eligible for signage unless as identified by the local conservation or wildlife authority.

5. Persons requiring Awareness Signage

• Awareness related signage such as "Deaf Child or Blind Child" may be considered upon request, subject to Staff evaluation of the location and traffic characteristics.
• The requester is responsible for notifying the Municipality if the sign is no longer required.

6. "Children at Play" Signage

• May only be installed in areas adjacent to active parkland and schools zones.
• Request for signage to be used as a general traffic calming measure in residential neighborhoods will not be permitted on municipal road allowances.

7. School Zone Signage

• May be installed in areas adjacent to recognized school properties, in accordance with provincial guidelines and OTM.

8. Bus Stop Signage

• Bus stop signage may only be permitted to be installed to serve school bus stops located directly at or adjacent to school properties.

9. Transit Bus Stop Signage

• Requests for transit-related signage will be reviewed based on pedestrian safety, stop location, and traffic flow impacts.
• Signs may only be installed with approval from the Manager of Public Works,

10. "No Parking" Signs

• May only be installed where a no-parking by-law is in effect for the identified section of road segment.
• Signage will be considered based on need and impact to public safety and sightlines.
• Placement is at the discretion of the Manager of Public Works in accordance with all applicable laws and in accordance with by-law enforcement needs.

11. "No Engine Brake" Signs

• These signs are not included in the Ontario Traffic Manual and are not enforceable under current legislation.
• Engine braking is a recognized vehicle safety feature; therefore, such signs shall not be installed on municipal road allowances.

12. Wayfinding Signage

• Only Bluewater-branded wayfinding signage will be permitted.
• Requests for third-party way-finding signs (e.g., for community facilities) are to the approval of the Municipality of Bluewater Council

13. Hidden Driveway

• May be installed at the discretion of the Manager of Public Works and only if impacted sight lines pose a risk to public safety.

14. Other Custom Signage

• Any signage not covered under this policy will require approval of the Municipality of Bluewater Council.

Forms available by contacting the Administrative Assistant for Public Works.