Banners and flags

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  Programs

  Business Improvement Association (BIA) banners

  These banners are usually in permanent installations in local BIA areas. They are funded by local BIAs. The themes and design are the responsibility of the BIA.

  User group program for annual or once only functions

  Examples of this type of banner are the Sun Run, Cherry Blossom Festival, and Art Gallery banners.

  Neighbourhood Society banners

  These banners are funded by Neighbourhood Societies to enhance the streetscape of the area. The themes and design are the responsibility of the Neighbourhood Societies. Examples of this type of banner are the Main St banners, from E 48th Ave to E 51st Ave.

  Flag islands

  There are five flag islands throughout the city that are used for local events, community groups, and charitable and non-profit organizations to promote awareness of a cause or event, such as Cancer Awareness Month and the United Way Campaign. Four of the five Flag Islands have 12 flag poles each, and one island has eight flag poles for use by outside organizations.

How to apply

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  Step 1: Check that your group is eligible

  The following groups are permitted to have commercial content or third party sponsorship in their banners hung in the street right-of-way:

  • Not- for-profit events and organizations, including local business associations
  • Commercial events and organizations

  Special event organizers are allowed to install signs across streets for a short term preceding and during their events, provided the design and installation procedures are approved by the City, and the event organizer has received permission from the Festival Expediting Staff Team Committee.

  Important note Not-for-profit groups will be given priority for the reservation of the City banner space.

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  Step 2: Review banner design guidelines

  Subject to the conditions outlined below, the display of the company logos, or other text and graphics on the street banners relating to commercial events and organizations may be permitted.

  The purpose of the content will be to help the groups promote local public events and campaigns, or to decorate the streetscape. The commercial content must be incidental to the overall banner design. Local business associations must display their banners within their business area, or the banners will be considered commercial. 

  Any corporate recognition or other commercial content on any banner shall not exceed 20% of the total area of the banner. This includes the banner tail, if used. 

  The logo of a non-profit group or local business association is not considered commercial when banners are installed for awareness or as street décor only. 

  It is at the discretion of the General Manager of Engineering Services as to what is considered commercial content. It is not the intention of the City to permit a banner that solely advertises a product or service. Generally, commercial content would be considered to include text or logos that involve the promotion of a campaign or for-profit event. The General Manager of Engineering Services may refer specific proposals to Vancouver City Council for approval.

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  Step 3: Review location details

  Banners

  Banners are installed on light poles throughout the city. We have banner poles on bridges and viaducts, downtown streets, and streets in other areas.

  Flag islands

  Flags are installed at flag islands only.

  Locations	Number of poles
  City Hall, 453 W 12th Ave	12
  Nicola St at W Pender and Georgia St	12
  Denman St and Davie St	12
  Fraser St and Kingsway	12
  Main St and Terminal St	8

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  Step 4: Review installation, removal, and maintenance guidelines

  Installation and removal

  The applicant is required to hire a qualified contractor to install and remove banners.

  Important note The installation contractor should be a qualified contractor with proper training to work in proximity to the energized electrical power lines.

  The applicant must select a private contractor to install and remove banners on City streets, and agree to the following conditions:

  • The installation application and banner design are approved by the City.
  • Workers for this contractor have BC Workers’ Compensation Board coverage; Worksafe BC compliance.
  • Workers for this contractor have certifications to indicate that they are capable of installing banners near live electrical wires, on trolley and/or street lighting poles. The applicant and contractor need to follow relevant utility operation and maintenance standards and guidelines (CMBC, City of Vancouver, Communication Companies, etc.) and contact the relevant organization directly for any issue or concern.
  • Contractor provides proper traffic control during banner installation, as per the directions given by the City’s Traffic Management Branch.
  • Contractor has commercial general liability insurance of not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000) per occurrence inclusive for personal injury, with the City of Vancouver officials and staff as additional insured’s.
  • Commitment to replace or to remove these banners, maximum two years from the initial installation date.
  • Commitment to maintain these banners during the maximum two display years.

  Maintenance

  The maximum banner display time is two (2) years, equivalent to the actual average banner life, subject to approval. While the banner is displayed, the applicant is responsible for the maintenance of these banners meeting City of Vancouver banner standards.

  Maintenance includes replacing banners:

  • Damaged by wind and other unforeseen causes
  • Replacing prematurely deteriorated banners that have excessive color fading or fabric failure.

  The City will remove the damaged or prematurely deteriorated banners, and invoice 100% cost of this work to the applicant, under the following conditions:

  • If the damaged banners are deemed to be a safety concern
  • If the prematurely deteriorated banners are not replaced or removed by the applicant after 14 days from the City’s notification

  Damaged or deteriorated unsafe banners removed by the City will be returned to the banner owner. 

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  Step 5: Review the banner specifications and hardware details

  Construction specifications

  All banners must be made of:

  • A Dupont Type 66 Bright Nylon
  • Thread not less than no.16 cotton thread or 3/25 if cotton-terylene
  • Thickness of 200 to 210 Denier

  All flags must be made of:

  • 200 Denier nylon
  • 27” x 54” - Grommet and Eyelet

  We've found that a Dupont Type 66 Bright Nylon, 210 Denier nylon high tenacity materials work well. Banner materials must be approved by the City prior to installation.

  Banner sizes vary from 27 x 54, 32 x 60, 32 x 72, and 32 x 80 inches. The City will determine which size of banner is to be used.

  The banner design must have artistic content that is high quality, aesthetically pleasing, vibrant, and colorful. If the banner design has images or faces of professional models, the applicant must have a written agreement or contract with said models.

  Any changes to the banner design and materials must be approved by the City. 

  Review a drawing with the banner construction details PDF file (344 KB)

  Hardware

  If an applicant wishes to install banners in a location that doesn’t already have banner hardware installed, banner hardware may be installed. We charge a non-refundable flat fee of $500 per pole (plus tax and a 15% administration fee). This cost includes supply and installation of banner hardware.

  The banner hardware remains the property of the City.

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  Step 6: Review fees

  The user group is responsible for all costs associated with the banner project. These include banner production, installation, and removal. They are also responsible for any maintenance costs. Production costs vary depending on quantity and design.

  Banners with commercial content or logos

  A $200 (plus tax) application fee will be charged for banners with commercial content or logo hung in the street right-of-way, with the following exceptions:

  • Not-for-profit community event group (without corporate sponsorship logos on banners):  Application fee is  waived
  • Not-for-profit promoting group (with corporate sponsorship logos on banners): Application fee and rental fee are reduced by 50%. 

  Banners without commercial content or logos will not be charged an application fee.

  Information icon Not-for-profit events and organizations must be registered as not-for-profit societies in BC or federally, and use the banner space for the purpose of promoting a charitable, public, or special community event to take advantage of the reduced rate or waived fee.

  Monthly rental fee

  A $20 per banner monthly rental fee will apply to banners with commercial content or logos hung in the street right-of-way, with the following exceptions:

  • Not-for-profit community event group (without corporate sponsorship logos on banners): Pole rental fees waived
  • Not-for-profit promoting group (with corporate sponsorship logos on banners): 50% discount

  Important note Application and pole rental fees are subject to a 15% administrative fee plus GST.

  Flag fees

  There is an application fee of $200 ($100 for not-for-profit applicants) per application and an installation/removal fee of $600 per flag island.

  A 15% program administration fee is payable on the total and GST is also applicable.

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  Step 7: Submit a booking inquiry

  Complete our online form to begin your booking inquiry.