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Home > Services > Business Services > Building Permits > Signs
Signs and Portable Signs
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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
  • Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (PDF)
  • 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

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
Sign Variance - Applied by mail to Vaughan City Hall, Building Standards Department, 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr., Vaughan, ON  L6A 1T1​​​
 
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​​​
 

 Related Links

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

 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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