A Chilliwack city staff report of October 23, 2023 notes that:

“resident complaints regarding real-estate advertising signs throughout our community, but particularly in residential zones, have been on the rise over the past 12 months.”

The Sign Bylaw had allowed real-estate signs of up to three sq. m. (32 sq. ft.) in size in all zones, including residential zones, provided:

• they’re only advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located; or
• third-party signs which advertise a real estate agent’s general services are not permitted.

In the past, REALTORS® displayed small signs approximately 0.5 to 0.75 sq. m. (6-8 sq. ft.), clearly advertising a home, listed on the MLS®, for sale. Once the home sold, the Realtor would apply a sold sticker to the sign, and would remove the sign within a reasonable timeframe. Realtors were also using small signs to advertise open houses.

Large-sized signs, three sq. m. (32 sq. ft.), advertising Realtors’ general services are being displayed around Chilliwack in increasing numbers. The city has received more than 30 complaints since January 2022.

Often these general services signs are located on properties owned by the Realtor or their family.

When approached by bylaw officers, Realtors are entering into exclusive listing agreements (non-MLS® listings) to circumvent the bylaw.

Bylaw staff attended a meeting hosted by the Chilliwack and District Board for various agency representatives.

Chilliwack city staff recommended a new Sign Bylaw Amendment Bylaw 2023, No. 5344.

The amendment limits the size of real estate signs to:

• a copy area of 0.75 sq. m. (eight sq. ft.) on each side and to a height of 1.75 metres (5.75 ft) for residential properties with a lot area less than one acre;
• two sq. m (21.5 sq. ft.) on each side and three metres (9.8 ft.) in height for residential properties with a lot area of between one acre and less than two acres; and
• three sq. m (32 sq. ft.) in copy area and three metres (9.8 ft.) in height for residential properties with a lot area of two acres or larger.

The  amendment continues to permit signs of three sq. m. (32 sq. ft.) in copy area for all other uses, such as commercial, industrial, and agricultural.

The amendment permits one sign for each property, or one sign per unit of a building or strata.

Non-conforming use provisions do not protect existing signs from new bylaw regulations, and therefore if the proposed bylaw amendment is passed by Council, the new size restrictions will apply to all new and existing signage. 

The current bylaw provides for fines.

“Any person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw, or who fails to comply with any order, direction or notice given under this Bylaw, is guilty of an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 and in default of payment to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both.”

“Notwithstanding the minimum fine referred to in Section 40, every person who commits an offence by continuing to display a sign without a valid permit or by failing to comply with an order is liable to a fine of not less than $500 for each offence.”

These fines are not expected to change. 

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has announced changes to exclusive listings. Realtors with "off market" exclusive listing homes must list them on the MLS® within three days of public marketing, for example, displaying signs.

By January 2024, real estate boards must create policies to enforce these new rules. 

Members must respect local sign bylaws, as per the Rules of Cooperation. 

If you have questions about the proposed Chilliwack sign bylaw, contact Harriet Permut, director of government relations at hpermut@rebgv.org.