Sign Permit Application

The Sign Permit Process: What to Expect

Installing a new sign is an exciting step for your business — but before fabrication begins, most municipalities require a sign permit. The permit process ensures your signage complies with local bylaws, zoning regulations, and safety standards. When handled properly, it protects your investment and prevents costly delays.

Here’s how the sign permit process typically works:

1️⃣ Initial Consultation & Site Review

The first step is assessing your property and project needs. During this stage, we determine:

• Zoning      and sign type restrictions – Some zones allow only certain types or      sizes of signs.
• Building      size and frontage limits – Height, size, and placement requirements.
• Setbacks      and visibility – Ensuring your sign doesn’t interfere with traffic      sightlines.
• Electrical      and structural requirements – For illuminated or large freestanding      signs.
• Existing      signage on the property  - Can      limit additional signs
• Heritage      or downtown regulations – Compliance with historic district design      rules if applicable.
• MTO      corridor considerations – If the sign is visible from a provincial      highway, MTO approval may be required

This assessment ensures the design will comply with all regulations from the start, avoiding costly revisions.

2️⃣ Design Development & Compliance

After the site review, we prepare your sign design:

• Materials      and construction details – Wood, metal, acrylic, or LED components.
• Lighting      type – LED, backlit, halo-lit, external illumination or      non-illuminated.
• Size,      color, and branding – Compliant with brand, municipal or heritage      standards.
• Engineering      specifications – Structural or wind load calculations if required. (for signs exceeding 7 meters in height)      

For signs near highways, MTO corridor signs have additional requirements:

• Maximum      height and setback from the road
• Visibility      standards for motorists
• Restrictions      on flashing or dynamic lighting  ( Digital      signs especially near intersections or traffic lights)
• Permit      applications submitted directly to the MTO

Proper design ensures both municipal and MTO approvals can be obtained without delays.

3️⃣ Permit Application Submission

Once the design is finalized, the permit application is prepared. Typical documentation includes:

• Site      plan showing sign location
• Elevation      drawings and specifications
• Scale      drawings of the sign
• Attachment/securement      details
• Structural      or engineering reports (if required)
• Electrical      details for illuminated signs
• Landlord      or property owner authorization
• MTO      permit application for corridor signs

Complete applications reduce the risk of delays or rejections.

4️⃣ Permit Costs

Permit fees vary depending on location, sign type, and size. Typical costs include:

• Base      municipal permit fee – Average $125 - $450 depending on Municipality 
• Cost      per square foot – Larger signs may incur higher fees.
• Engineering      review fees – For ground signs requiring structural review over 7      meters tall 
• Electrical      permit fee – For signs with lighting.
• Heritage      or design review fees – For signs in historic districts.
• MTO      corridor sign permit – Fees and requirements vary depending on highway      classification and proximity.

Working with B&G Signs ensures accurate fee calculation and avoids unnecessary extra charges.

5️⃣ Review & Approval

The municipality (and MTO for corridor signs) reviews your application for compliance:

• Municipal      staff confirm zoning and bylaw compliance
• Inspect      structural and electrical plans
• Check      heritage or visual guidelines if applicable
• MTO      reviews for visibility, safety, and road regulations

If revisions are needed, we can quickly update plans and resubmit for approval.

6️⃣ Fabrication & Installation

After approval, your sign moves into production. Installation is handled according to the approved plans:

• Proper      structural mounting
• Electrical      connections by licensed professionals
• Safety      planning for traffic, lifts, or cranes

7️⃣ Final Inspection

Once installed, some municipalities (and sometimes the MTO) require a final inspection to confirm:

• Structural      integrity and safety
• Electrical      compliance for illuminated signs
• Correct      placement and alignment
• Adherence      to approved plans

Final approval officially closes the permit, ensuring your sign is fully compliant.

✅ Why Professional Permit Handling Matters

Navigating municipal and MTO regulations can be complex. Partnering with B&G Signs ensures:

• Accurate      and complete permit submissions
• Compliance      with all local, heritage, and MTO requirements
• Faster      approvals and inspections
• Reduced      risk of fines or sign removal
• A      smooth, stress-free process from start to finish