Placing election signs on City of Vancouver property could cost candidates $300 per sign

The federal election race is now a week old, and campaign signs are probably sprouting up on a street corner near you.

But political campaigners might want to think twice about erecting election signs on City of Vancouver property.

City hall is warning candidates and parties about a $100 to $300 impoundment charge for each sign removed from city medians, poles, boulevards, sidewalks, and streets, where they are not permitted.

"During elections, the approach the City Engineer has taken over many years is to make it possible and practical for political parties and candidates to place signage on private property that is clearly visible. The City's enforcement approach is to allow election and political signage between the back of the sidewalk and the adjoining private property. Some of the signs may be on City property, but given that a property line can be difficult to identify without a survey, the City allows this encroachment," a city news release states.

"However, election and political signage on all other areas including but not limited to the area between the sidewalk and the street, street centre medians (including on Boundary Road), poles, structures such as utility or post boxes, sidewalks and roadways is not allowed."

The release also notes: "Election and political material may be posted on the City of Vancouver's poster cylinders located on designated lamp standards throughout the city."

Candidates and parties can pick up their confiscated signs from Engineering Services on the 5th floor of 507 West Broadway.