Signs and Portable Signs

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Signs and Portable Signs

The City of Vaughan Sign By-law 140-2018 (PDF) (as amended) and Sign By-law 079-2019 (PDF) enforces the use of all signs listed below. Exceptions include all signs listed in Section 4 of the Sign By-law. For definitions of various sign types, please refer to Section 2.

Properties Under Development Agreement(s)

Contact Development Planning PRIOR to design and building permit applications.

Signs are required to meet the Development Agreement, as amended, if applicable, to comply with the Sign By-law 140-2018 (PDF) (as amended) and Sign By-law 079-2019 (PDF).

Fixed Signs

Ground Signs (including Billboard Signs)

Ground signs are signs that are directly supported by the ground without the help of any other building or structure other than the sign structure.

Where a ground sign has a total height of 2.4 metres (about 7.8 feet) or more, the plans submitted with the sign permit application must be approved by a professional engineer (drawings must be stamped and signed by the professional engineer).

Wall Signs

Where a wall sign has a total weight of 115 kilograms (about 253 pounds) or more, the plans submitted with the sign permit application must be approved by a professional Engineer (drawings must be stamped and signed by the professional Engineer).

Additional Requirements

Commonly Used Applicable Laws and Building Permits (PDF)

Schedule 1 Designer Information Form (PDF) (as required)

General Review Commitment Form (PDF) (as required)

Ministry of Transportation approval (if wall or ground sign is located within 400 metres and visible from Highway 400, 407 and 427)

Any other documents that pertain to the project

Inspection of Fixed Signs

If the Inspector cannot obtain access to inspect the structural components (or it is not within compliance of the Ministry of Labour, Health and Safety guidelines), the inspector may request and obtain a general review letter from a qualified person or Professional Engineer.

Sign Variance

A *sign variance is required when the proposed signage does not meet the requirements of the City of Vaughan Sign By-law 140-2018 (PDF)(as amended).

*A Site Plan amendment may be required for certain buildings. Please contact the Development Planning department for further information.

Additional requirements

Sign Variance Application Form (PDF)
Site plan or survey showing the location of the building and the location of the proposed wall sign(s) or ground sign(s)
Building elevation(s) on which the proposed sign(s) is to be located identifying the dimensions of the wall and the proposed sign(s) and all existing signage on the building

Sign Variance Committee meets every 3rd Thursday of the month. To be heard at the next upcoming meeting please follow the application submission chart below :

SIGN VARIANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS @ 2:00 P.M.	LAST DAY FOR SIGN VARIANCE APPLICATION SUBMISSION
January 19, 2023	December 1, 2022
February 16, 2023	January 5, 2023
March 23, 2023	February 2, 2023
April 20, 2023	March 2, 2023
May 18, 2023	April 6, 2023
June 15, 2023	May 4, 2023
July 20, 2023	June 8, 2023
August 17, 2023	July 6, 2023
September 21, 2023	August 10, 2023
October 19, 2023	September 7, 2023
November 16, 2023	October 5, 2023
December 21, 2023	November 9, 2023

Sign Variance applications should be submitted by mail to Vaughan City Hall, Building Standards Department, 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr., Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1

Fees: By-law 158-2020

Permits are required prior to the installation of a sign. You can apply online, by using the links below:

Portable Signs ("A" Frame and Feather banners) - Click here to apply for portable signs
Mobile - Mobile Signs will temporarily be reviewed and issued, by the By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services department until December 31, 2022 - click here to apply

Fixed and Wall Signs - Click here to apply for fixed and wall signs

The City of Vaughan online portal is available for to use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

For signs on public properties, please refer to the Sign By-law, Public Properties and Road Allowances By-law 178-2003 (PDF), as amended. For additional information, contact the City’s Roads division directly.

Contact Information

Building Standards

Phone: 905-832-8510
Inspection Services: 905-832-8511
City of Vaughan: 905-832-2281

Email: buildingstandards@vaughan.ca

Location:
Vaughan City Hall, Level 100
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1

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Fixed Signs

Ground Signs (including Billboard Signs)

Ground signs are signs that are directly supported by the ground without the help of any other building or structure other than the sign structure.

Inspection of Fixed Signs

Sign Variance

Additional requirements

Contact Information

Related Links

Additional Resources

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Fixed Signs

Ground Signs (including Billboard Signs) Ground signs are signs that are directly supported by the ground without the help of any other building or structure other than the sign structure.

Inspection of Fixed Signs

Sign Variance

Additional requirements

Contact Information

Related Links

Additional Resources

Ground Signs (including Billboard Signs)

Ground signs are signs that are directly supported by the ground without the help of any other building or structure other than the sign structure.