Election Sign By-law Information
Municipal Election Signs
Municipal election signs are governed in the City of Cambridge under the sign by-law and its amending by-laws.
- By-law 191-03 is the original by-law for prohibiting and regulating signs and other advertising devised within the City of Cambridge. Section 25 speaks directly to election signage;
- By-law 60-18 also amends the original by-law in relation to the usage of elections signs.
The by-law defines “Election Sign” as:
a sign used to advertise any person or political party participating in an election and includes an election campaign advertisement, a third party advertisement, and a mobile read-a-board sign.
- By-law 26-043 amends the original by-law to extend the placement and removal dates as follows:
| All Signs Except Mobile Read-a Board Signs AND Mobile Read-a-Board Signs | |
| Installation of Signs | The day a candidate files their nomination papers, beginning as early as May 1st in an election year under Section 33(4) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, or, in the case of a by‑election, from the day a candidate files their nomination papers, beginning as early as the first day the Clerk opens the nomination period pursuant to Section 65(4). |
| Removal of Signs |
November 1st of the election year for a general election, or 45 days after voting day for a by‑election in accordance with Section 88.24(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, or a removal date set by the City Clerk where sign placement may affect operations or public safety. |
Please note that the Region of Waterloo By-Law No. 183-013 also regulates municipal election signs on Regional roads. For more information, visit www.region.waterloo.on.ca.
City of Cambridge Sign By-law
Notice Regarding Election Sign Dates
Election signs may be erected beginning on the day following the filing of the nomination papers with the City Clerk (Beginning as soon as May 1st).
Election signs must be removed by Sunday, November 1st, 2026
Please be advised that signs erected contrary to the sign by-laws may be removed without notice.
Recycling of Municipal Election Signs
Did you know that municipal election signs made of coroplast can be recycled? In partnership with the Region of Waterloo, the City of Cambridge encourages all candidates and advertisers to consider the environment and recycle any chloroplast election signs. All you have to do is take the signs to a Region of Waterloo landfill within a few weeks after the election.
For more information on landfill locations, contact the Region of Waterloo – Waste Management at (519) 883-5100
More Information
For more information regarding Elections, contact the City of Cambridge's Clerks' Office
