Delta residents aren't going to be subjected to a colourful clutter of campaign signs for a few more weeks.

Unlike most municipalities that have federal election signs already strategically placed on the sides of busy roadways for all to see, Delta's sign bylaw that dates back a dozen years sets a strict time limit on when they can be erected.

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Regardless of the level of government, political signs in Delta can be displayed for no more than 30 days prior to the date of an election or referendum. They also must be taken down within seven days after the vote.

Hugh Davies, property and compliance manager for Delta's bylaw department, said civic staff asked the organizers for one of the candidates to take down some signs after receiving a compliant. The bylaw department issues a 48-hour notice to remove a sign that is prohibited or Delta will remove it, but candidates have usually been good at removing them promptly when notified, Davies said.

The candidate this time around was Conservative incumbent Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Just a few days after the writ was dropped, she posted photos on Twitter of her volunteer team putting up campaign signs. Those signs prompted an immediate complaint by some residents.

Noting federal election periods are not limited to 30 days in length, a spokesperson for Findlay told the Optimist it was simply a case of enthusiastic sign volunteers jumping the gun. The spokesperson said the signs were removed as soon as they were notified by the bylaws department.

With an 11-week federal election campaign this time, residents more than likely wouldn't have wanted to see signs up for over two months, said Coun. Bruce McDonald.

"You could have people having signs up year-round if you didn't have something," he said. Delta has also rules where election signs can't be placed, including the grounds of municipal facilities or rights-of-way, while some signs, such as billboards, animated signs, inflated or balcony signs, are prohibited. However, there's no limit to the number of signs a candidate can post.

"We've looked at it (the bylaw) since it passed and I think it's been modified a bit, and there's been some suggestion it should be modified more. In the last election we had one candidate put up 50 white signs in a row, and you say, 'Oh geez,'" McDonald added.

White Rock also doesn't allow political signs erected until 30 days prior to election day.