Province Working with Municipalities to Address Highway Sign Clutter

The province is joining forces with municipalities to protect the natural landscape and scenery of Nova Scotia.

"We are giving municipalities the option to control highway advertising signs to help them preserve the uncluttered beauty of their communities," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.

This amendment to the Public Highways Act will authorize municipalities to regulate advertising signs on provincial secondary highways, through a by-law approved by the minister.

Municipalities who choose to participate will be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the program. The province retains the ability to approve or amend a proposed municipal by-law before it can be implemented.

Department staff will work with their municipal counterparts to gauge the effectiveness of their sign program and ensure the concerns of business owners, the public and the tourism industry are considered. Questions will also be included in the department's annual highway customer satisfaction phone survey.