Ward 5 Coun. Raj Dhaliwal said he’s seen a big change. A good change. Residents are noticing it, too.

In a briefing note to councillors as a part of the Nov. 27 Community Development Committee agenda, city administration provided an update on their attempts to curb the proliferation of illegal signs on Calgary streets.

Last October signaled a change in how the City of Calgary dealt with problem road signs. They started shifting the duties of dealing with road signs from bylaw officers to the city’s mobility unit. The belief was that mobility/roads crews were in a more convenient position to deal with potential sign infractions through the normal course of road and boulevard maintenance.

Fines were also increased for first, second and third offenses.

The briefing note indicates administration is “pleased” with the implementation of changes.

“These efforts have enhanced community aesthetics, reduced sign clutter, improved travel sightlines and positively influenced public perceptions of safety,” the note read.

The briefing note goes on to show that there’s a city-wide compliance rate of 95 per cent for temporary signage. To reach this mark, along with the dedicated crews for sign removal, the city has addressed the backlog in illegal signage, they’ve used Calgary Parking staff to monitor compliance, created a new service request ID for signs, revised the prohibited roadways and increased fines.

More than 2,000 service requests have been received, and while response times took up to three weeks in April 2024, that’s now down to two days, the city said.

“Over 8,000 hours have been allocated to sign removal and enforcement since the Bylaw amendment,” the briefing note reads.

“This has not impacted our capacity to deliver core services, as urgent needs were assessed by operational crews and triaged appropriately.”

The city removed 11,400 non-compliant signs and impounded 1,215.

‘You don’t see a single sign’: Coun. Dhaliwal

According to Coun. Dhaliwal, there’s been a material change in the number of signs that are in his ward. In the past, he’s referred to it as “Ward Signage.”

“The number of signs now, like the main boulevards, and at least in my ward, 80th Avenue, Saddletowne Circle, was very bad, starting from 64th Avenue,” he said.

“Right now, when you go there, it’s all cleaned, and you don’t see a single sign.”

Dhaliwal said if you do see a sign on the roadways, you can be assured that it’s likely a proper sign, placed appropriately, with the proper secured permit. Also, it’s not an eyesore littering the boulevards around the city, he said.

The Ward 5 councillor said that it may sound a bit self-serving, but if there was one change in the approach by city staff, he would have liked to see a stronger message sent. Especially for those scofflaws who were repeat offenders. Dhaliwal didn’t say if more fines were the answer.

“I think education is still key. Let’s not take our foot off the gas,” he said.

“On the education side, keep reminding these folks that what is legal, what is illegal.”

He’s also seen an increase in the number of people finding loopholes in the bylaw, particularly the appearance of smaller, election-sized boulevard signs. Dhaliwal said he’s working with administration to see if there’s a way to deal with that aspect of road signage.

While there are still some things to iron out, Coun. Dhaliwal said he was pleased with the progress.

“To be honest, it’s a big change, and it’s a good change,” he said.