Mississauga.ca - City Hall


Understanding the Public Nuisance By-law
As the weather gets warmer, we see more signs in our City. Some signs, like those that are put on City streets without permission and don't follow the sign by-law, are illegal and a public nuisance. The City has a Public Nuisance By-law. Did you know that under the by-law there are steps you can take to keep your City beautiful and free from these nuisance signs? 1. Removing Signs Yourself You can remove nuisance signs placed on your property or on public property next to yours without City permission. 2. The Nuisance Sign Removal Program The by-law gives residents the power to remove nuisance signs if they sign an agreement with the City. If you are an adult resident of Mississauga and you are interested in removing nuisance signs from your community, you must sign up for the Nuisance Sign Removal Program. Under the by-law, this program gives you the ability to remove nuisance signs from City streets.
The program gives eligible residents the ability to remove nuisance signs that are: no more than one square metre or 10 square feet in size placed on a boulevard next to the street; placed on traffic signal poles and traffic signage poles, but NOT on the face of the traffic signs; or placed on streetlighting poles and utility poles. How to sign up: carefully read the Nuisance Sign Removal Agreement available online and from the City's sign unit; sign two copies of the agreement; and bring or mail both copies to the City's Sign Unit, located at 300 City Centre Drive on the third floor.
3. What is a Nuisance Sign? Before taking steps to remove a nuisance sign, it is important to be sure that it is illegal. The City makes allowances for some signs. Please do not remove: election signs, new home development signs, open house signs, real estate signs, sidewalk signs, signs on poster sleeves and any signs placed on a bus shelter; signs for garage sales that will be taking place or have taken place within one day of the sign being found (unless the sign is found on a streetlighting pole, a traffic signal pole, a traffic signage pole or a utility pole, and not on a poster sleeve); signs found on the centre median of a road or a traffic island; signs found on private property, other than your own; or any sign that is stuck with an adhesive - you could damage City property. When in doubt, do not remove the sign. Call 3-1-1 before you act. The City can help remove nuisance signs if you are unable or do not have permission.
4. Putting Your Safety First When removing nuisance signs under the Public Nuisance By-law: be careful when handling signs on poles, as they may have sharp staples; never approach work areas or construction zones; always follow traffic laws and parking regulations when removing nuisance signs; and never remove a sign when confronted by an angry citizen or sign owner. Remember, the key is to remove nuisance signs legally and safely. Always be cautious and careful.
For More Information If you would like more information on the Public Nuisance By-law or the Nuisance Sign Removal Program, please call 3-1-1.