A bid to reopen York Region’s new election-sign bylaw failed by a narrow margin, leaving the Region’s 50-sign limit and $310 candidate registration fee in place.
By City Desk (Updated September 30, 2026)
York Regional Council has rejected an attempt to reopen its new election-sign rules after candidates raised concerns about the additional costs and restrictions introduced for the 2026 municipal election.
At its September 24 meeting, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca moved to reconsider Sign Bylaw 2025-62 as it applies to election signs. Because Council had already approved the bylaw, reconsideration required a two-thirds majority.
The motion received a reported 13–8 vote but failed to reach that threshold, meaning Council did not proceed to reconsider or amend the bylaw.
Del Duca argued that the existing 50-sign limit per candidate creates an imbalance between candidates running in a single ward and those campaigning across an entire municipality, such as mayoral candidates. He also raised concerns about the Region’s ability to administer the rules fairly.
Richmond Hill representatives split
Richmond Hill’s representatives were divided on the reconsideration.
Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola voted in favour, while Mayor David West and Regional Councillor Godwin Chan voted against, according to the recorded vote reported by NewmarketToday.
The failed motion means the existing rules remain in force. York Region currently charges $310 per election-sign registrant, and candidates may place a maximum of 50 election signs on Regional roads, subject to the Region’s location and permit requirements.
Candidate concerns prompted reconsideration
The motion followed complaints from municipal candidates about the cost and complexity of complying with the Region’s new rules.
Strong Richmond Hill previously reported that Richmond Hill council candidate Sigmund Lee decided to use campaign car magnets after facing the additional charges associated with election signs.
In an email to Strong Richmond Hill before the vote, Lee described Del Duca’s planned action as an effort to “fully cancel” the new sign bylaw. The official notice of motion was broader: it asked Council to reconsider the bylaw “as it relates to all aspects of election signs.”
Because the reconsideration motion itself failed, Council never reached the stage of debating specific amendments.
York Region’s new Signs on Regional Roads Bylaw took effect on January 1, 2026. The Region says the changes were introduced to improve road safety, reduce sign clutter and establish clearer rules for temporary signs on Regional roads.
York Region published its September 24 Council Highlights on September 29, but the election-sign reconsideration and recorded vote were not included in that summary.
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