Federal election signs permitted on public and private property

Election signs for the 2025 Canadian federal election can be placed on public and private property (with the permission of the resident or business owner) until 11:59 pm on Thursday, May 1. The City of Ottawa has two signs by-laws that regulate election signs for municipal, provincial, and federal elections: the Temporary Signs on Private Property By-law (No. 2004-239) and the Signs on City Roads By-law (No. 2003-520). All signs must adhere to the regulations set out in these by-laws. Election signs on public and private property must not be:

1. within three metres (3 m) of an intersection,
2. within fifty centimetres (50 cm) of a sidewalk, or where there is no sidewalk, within two metres (2 m) of the roadway or within fifty centimetres (50 cm) of the edge of a shoulder where such exists, or
3. placed on central medians, including in roundabouts.

Signs on both public and private property must be removed 72 hours after election day (11:59 pm on Thursday, May 1). By-law and Regulatory Services is responsible for the enforcement of the City’s Temporary Signs on Private Property and Signs on City Roads by-laws. Any concerns or complaints regarding election signs should be directed to 3-1-1. Please refer to the City’s Transit By-law (No. 2007-268) for sign regulations on transit property. Contact the National Capital Commission (NCC) for restrictions of signs on NCC lands and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for restrictions on provincial highways. For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Bluesky, X and Instagram.