In an effort to clear up misconceptions about signage rules, Haliburton County roads superintendent Doug Ray spoke to members of the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce at their June 7 breakfast at Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve.

Ray outlined the current county bylaw to those in attendance, which has been in place since 1972.

The current bylaw only applies to county roads and not private or municipal roads or highways, which are governed by the Ministry of Transportation.

"Each municipality has their own rules," said Ray.

The bylaw includes six sections, which range in the definition of signs, classifications and fees.

Signs are prohibited on trees, fence posts, hydro poles and rocks, or at intersections, said Ray.

One of the bylaws' grey areas includes the governing of billboard signs and portable signs, with the latter requiring a permit.

Both of these categories will be reviewed when putting together a new bylaw, said Ray.

Sylvia Rose asked how long special event signage was permitted to be up, to which Ray said it was allowed to be up 30 days prior to the event and up to seven days after.

The superintendent recommended calling the county to notify them of such signage.

Ray said he is putting forth a recommendation to review the signage bylaw to the county roads committee at their upcoming June 13 meeting.

If the committee agrees to move forward, Ray expects a new bylaw could be in place as early as fall 2013.

The recommendation being will include a two-year review period, with Ray suggesting the county receive input from business stakeholders in the area.

"We don't want to do it during the busy summer season though," said Ray, adding he would like to work with the chamber during the process.

Art Dawson asked whether current signs would have to be removed before 2013.

"Most of the signs will be grandfathered," said Ray.

If approved by county council, reviewing the bylaw should result in creating a more comprehensive and useful document, said Ray.

"It started off as a one-page bylaw and it's just been amended and added to . it's a little cumbersome," Ray told the paper.

Another aspect to be reviewed is where signage advertising is most appropriate.

"It's more or less deciding [if] highway commercial type advertising should be in these areas and not in these areas."

The full signage bylaw can by found on the county's website by visiting www.haliburtoncounty.ca clicking on the County Government tab and then clicking on the Governing Signs link.

For more information contact the county roads department at 705-286-1762.