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Home > Services > Business Services > Building Permits > Signs
Signs and Portable Signs
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The City of Vaughan follows the City of Vaughan Sign By-law 140-2018 (PDF) and enforces the use of all signs listed below. A sign permit must be issued before any sign is put up. Exceptions include all signs listed in section four of the Sign By-law.
 
Portable signs
Fixed signs
Wall signs
Sign variance
 

Portable signs

 
“Portable Sign” means any Sign not securely anchored to the ground or to a building or which because of its design may be moved, such as A-frame Signs, Mobile Signs and any Signs located on a vehicle that identify, advertise or give information in respect to a Premises or a part thereof, but does include a Sign that is printed or painted on the side of a commercial vehicle identifying Ownership; as defined under Bylaw 140-2018.
 
The City’s Sign By-law requires that:
 
  • The following types of Portable Signs require permits to be located on private property of industrial and commercial properties:
    • Mobile signs 
    • “A” frame signs
 
**New Mobile Sign Permit Portal
 
Announcing an easier way to apply for Mobile and “A” Frame sign permits using our new online Mobile Sign Permit Portal.
The City of Vaughan is introducing a new mobile sign permit portal, for Mobile and “A” Frame sign permits. The Online Portal is scheduled to launch on September 6th, 2018.
 
This new service will modernize the sign permit application process by moving to an online portal, providing several benefits to the permit applicants:
 
  • Eliminates the need to visit City Hall to make an application
  • Enables online credit card payment through a secure portal 
  • Removes the need to wait at City Hall for permit to be issued
  • Provides automated status updates by email as the application flows through the process
  • Enables permits to be issued and delivered electronically

  

The City of Vaughan online portal is available for you to submit Mobile or “A” Frame sign permits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by navigating to the following link:
 
vaughan.stratawiseapp.com
 
 
 

Designer requirements

A designer is not required for portable sign permits. 

Drawing requirements 

Drawings are not required for portable sign permits.

Additional requirements

  • Copy of the landlord’s approval (if applicable)

 

Fixed signs

Ground 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.

Drawing requirements

Two copies of the following plans are required:
  • Site plan or survey showing the location of the proposed sign on the lot and the distances from the street line, other lot lines and driveways
  • Structural details for the proposed sign including foundations or base and connection details, columns and other structural elements
  • Sign elevation for the proposed sign, including all dimensions and message to be displayed
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).

Additional requirements

  • Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (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

Fees

Sign permit fees are payable at the time of application and are as follows:
  • Ground Sign $185 per application, plus $31 per square metre of each sign face (total sign area of the proposed sign)
  • Billboard Sign $160 per application, plus $41 per square metre of each sign face (total sign area of the proposed sign) 

Signs located on public property

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. 
 

Wall signs

Drawing requirements

Two copies of the following plans are required:
  • Site plan or survey showing the location of the building and the location of the proposed sign
  • Building elevation(s) where the proposed sign is to be located identifying the sizes and dimensions of both the proposed sign and building or unit where the sign is to be located
  • Construction details for the proposed sign including materials, dimensions, the method of attachment to the building, sign projection and the weight of the proposed sign
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

  • General Application Form - Miscellaneous (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

Fees

Sign permit fees are payable at the time of application and are as follows:
  • $185 per application, plus $31 per square metre of each sign face (total sign area of the proposed sign) 

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).

Drawing requirements

Six colour copies of the following plans:
  • 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

Additional requirements

  • Sign Variance Application Form (PDF)

Fees

Sign variance application fees are payable at the time of application and are as follows:
  • $1,160 per application
 

 Contact Information

 

Building Standards​​​

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

Fax: 905-832-8558

Email: buildingstandards@vaughan.ca

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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

 Related Links

 
  • Building inspections
  • Building Standards department
  • By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services
  • City by-laws
  • Development Engineering and Infrastructure Planning
  • Development Planning
  • Zoning by-laws
  • Zoning services
 

 Additional Resources

 
  • Build Right Ontario
  • Code of Conduct for Building Officials (PDF)
  • Fees and Charges By-law 171-2013 (PDF)
  • Ministry of Municipal Affairs
  • Ontario Association of Architects
  • Ontario Building Code
  • Ontario Building Code Act, 1992
  • Ontario Building Officials Association
  • Professional Engineers of Ontario
  • Tarion
  • York Region
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