Victoria business owners will have to pay for the privilege of putting signs on city sidewalks, but councillors are in no rush to shut down illegal newspaper kiosks.
Councillors have endorsed proposed bylaw changes regulating portable signs, currently prohibited by existing bylaws.
After being asked to review the issue, city staff made a variety of recommendations, which were endorsed by councillors.
Business owners who want to put sidewalk signs on public space will now have to pay a one-time $60 administration fee, a $30 annual renewal fee and a $100 annual fee for the use of public space.
Under the new rules, only one sign per business to a maximum size of 60 centimetres by 60 centimetres by 90 centimetres is to be allowed. No attachments (such as balloons, pennants, flags or pamphlets) are to be permitted. Signs are to be placed on a sidewalk immediately adjacent to the business and will be permitted only for ground-floor businesses with street frontage.
In addition, the signs are only to be placed on sidewalks with a minimum width of 2.6 metres and left out only during posted business hours. They are not to be secured, damaging public property or interfering with city infrastructure. They are to be put out only after snow is cleared and kept in good condition.
Liability insurance covering the city will be required.
Councillors recently were told by city staff they would be looking at newspaper kiosks as they continue to examine use of public space.
The city has no control over boxes, used to distribute newspapers, magazines and tourist and real estate publications, on private property. However, kiosks on city sidewalks are illegal.
Staff were instructed to continue their review of the use of public space. Enforcement of the regulations is not, however, to be given any special priority at this time.
