Sign Enforcement and Mobile Sign Permits
About the by-law
The Sign By-law outlines rules around the use of signs for the benefit of community appearance and the safety of residents. Signs must comply with the Sign By-law, and in some cases require a City-issued permit. For Mobile Signs, see application details below; for other types of signs, see the Building Standards page for application instructions.
Mobile Sign permits
The City offers three type of mobile sign permits, which are required in order to display a Mobile Sign in the City of Vaughan, as per the table below.
| Type of mobile sign permit | How to apply for a mobile sign permit |
| Mobile sign permits for public spaces for charitable, religious, and community organizations | Complete this application form and email it to nonprofitmobilesigns@vaughan.ca. |
| Mobile sign permits at City of Vaughan community centres | Contact the Recreation Services Department for more information. |
| Mobile sign permits for use on private property | As per below, complete this application form and submit it with payment, such as in person, by mail or by email it to MobileSignPermits@vaughan.ca. |
Update: Mobile Sign permit applications are now streamlined
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, relief efforts were put in to place to assist local businesses, including changes to mobile sign permit regulations. These changes were made permanent in October 2023, through a by-law amendment, and include:
- Up to three (3) mobile signs are permitted on an eligible property as long as there is a minimum distance of 30 metres (approximately 100 ft) between such signs, provided that the property does not directly abut a residentially zoned property.
- No limit on the number of permits that may be obtained by any one business.
- No black-out period between permits, with permits continuing to be for 21 days, and each permit requiring a separate application and fee.
- Submission of zoning clearances and site drawings is not required.
- The Director and Chief Licensing Officer is authorized to refuse mobile sign permit applications.
How to submit your application
Applicants have several options for submitting the Mobile Sign Permit application; if by mail or email, after the form below has been submitted, applicants must contact By-law & Compliance, Licensing & Permit Services at 905-832-2281 to make payment by credit or debit card. Applicants can submit their applications:
1. In person or by mail to:
By-Law and Compliance, Licensing & Permit Services
Vaughan City Hall, Level 100
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1
2. By e-mail to:
MobileSignPermits@vaughan.ca, along with scanned copies of required documentation.
Application
To apply for a Mobile Sign Permit, a Mobile Sign Company is required to have a business licence which is valid until after the end-date of the Mobile Sign Permit; i.e., if the Mobile Sign Permit expires on June 1, 2022, the Mobile Sign Company must have a valid business licence which goes until at least June 2, 2022.
Mobile Sign Permit Application
Application Fee
| Permit Type | 2023 |
| Mobile Sign Permit | $159 |
Enforcement
The following are key points with respect to enforcement; see the Sign By-law for more information.
- Sign investigations ensure all signs have the required permits and meet the regulations including, colour, location, etc.
- When a sign is installed without a permit, it may be removed immediately, without notice, if located in any way on property owned by/under the jurisdiction of the City of Vaughan.
- The City may issue a letter to remove a sign installed on other properties without a permit.
- If the City needs to remove a sign, operational costs may be at the owner’s expense.