Burnaby Rules for Obscene or Misleading Advertising

Signs and Advertising British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

In Burnaby, British Columbia, businesses must follow municipal rules that limit obscene, indecent or misleading advertising displayed in public or visible from public places. This article explains how Burnaby regulates signs and commercial advertising, how complaints are handled, what sanctions may apply and practical steps businesses can take to comply.

Scope and Legal Basis

Advertising on signs, posters, vehicles and storefronts can be regulated by the City through sign bylaws, zoning rules and by-law enforcement powers. Where advertising may be considered misleading or obscene the City can act under its sign controls and bylaw enforcement processes. For details on permitted sign types, permit requirements and general sign rules, consult the City of Burnaby signs and advertising information site[1]. For how to report a bylaw issue or contact enforcement, see the City’s bylaw enforcement pages By-law Services[2].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is handled by the City’s By-law Services (By-law Enforcement). The municipal instrument controlling advertising is the City’s sign controls and related bylaws; specific offence descriptions, penalties and procedures are set out in those bylaws or enforcement notices.

  • Fines: amounts for offences are not specified on the cited page and must be confirmed in the consolidated bylaw text or enforcement notices.[1]
  • Escalation: whether there are higher fines for repeat or continuing offences is not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Non-monetary orders: the City may issue removal orders, compliance orders or require correction of signs; seizure or takedown may be authorized by the bylaw text.
  • Inspection and complaints: complaints are received and investigated by By-law Services; use the City’s complaint/reporting pages to submit photos and locations.[2]
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits depend on the specific bylaw provision or order; the cited pages do not specify precise time limits or appeal steps.[1]
If a sign is ordered removed, act quickly and follow the removal instructions to avoid further enforcement action.

Applications & Forms

Sign permits or development sign approvals may be required before installing or altering advertising visible from public spaces. The City provides sign permit application information and instructions on submission on its permits pages; specific form names, numbers and fees are provided there or within the permit application package.[1]

Common Violations and Typical Outcomes

  • Obscene or indecent imagery visible to the public — possible removal order and enforcement action.
  • Misleading claims or deceptive promotions that breach advertising standards — investigation and orders to correct or remove.
  • Unpermitted signs, banners or temporary advertising — permit refusal, removal and potential fines.
Maintain records of permits and approvals to demonstrate lawful intent if challenged.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: take dated photographs, note the exact location and record any permit numbers shown.
  2. Check the City pages for permit status and sign rules to confirm whether a permit was required.[1]
  3. Report the issue to By-law Services through the City’s report form or contact line with your evidence.[2]
  4. If you receive an order, follow the remediation steps, pay any fines if required and use the appeal process if available within the stated time limit.

FAQ

Q: What counts as obscene or indecent advertising in Burnaby?
A: The City’s sign and bylaw rules regulate imagery and text visible from public spaces; specific definitions and examples are set out in the bylaw text or enforcement guidelines, which should be consulted for precise thresholds.[1]
Q: Can I appeal a removal or compliance order?
A: Appeal rights and timelines depend on the specific bylaw provision or order; the City’s enforcement pages and the relevant bylaw text describe appeal steps, but precise time limits are not specified on the general information pages.[1]
Q: Are there permits for temporary promotional signs?
A: Temporary signs often require permits or must meet specific size and placement rules; check the City’s sign permit guidance and application instructions for details.[1]

Key Takeaways

  • Check sign permit requirements before installing advertising visible from the street.
  • Report obscene or misleading advertising with photos and location details to By-law Services.
  • Keep permit records and correspondence to support compliance and appeals.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Burnaby - Signs and Advertising (sign permits and guidance)
  2. [2] City of Burnaby - By-law Services (complaints and enforcement contact)

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