Vancouver city council could legalize floating advertising, but only dinghy-sized ads.
A staff proposal to a May 3 city council meeting recommends prohibiting floating billboards, but allowing a single one-metre-square sign per vessel.
“In order to clarify the regulations governing such signs, and to allow floating signs in a limited manner, it is recommended that the by-law be amended to clarify the scope of the by-law, to clarify the definition of a sign to include signs located on water within City boundaries and to add a definition and regulations for floating signs,” said the staff report.
The move is in reaction to a company called Burke Billboards that operated a boat carrying a video billboard past the city’s seawalls earlier this year. The boat was seized by Transport Canada over licensing issues unrelated to the advertising. The company’s website shows a “Down for Maintenance. Please Check Back Soon.” message.
The existing Sign Bylaw says billboards containing third party advertising are not allowed on land in much of False Creek and English Bay’s residential areas. Likewise for automatic changeable copy, like that on the floating billboard. Staff want the bylaw amended to include area waters. The report, however, said some area waters are under the jurisdiction of Port of Vancouver, “which does not allow floating advertisements or marketing strategies.”
The report to council also said a new sign bylaw is coming this fall.
