Signs

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) (consolidated).

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) (consolidated).

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

Sign Variance Application to be emailed with required digital documents to BuildingStandards@vaughan.ca  

• 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 Fee is non-refundable (Invoice will be generated and sent to applicant once the Sign Variance Application has been received with the required digital documents). This fee may be made in person or by mailing a cheque to Building Standards Department, City of Vaughan 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, ON, L6A 1T1.

Sign Variance Committee

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

Fees: By-law 224-2023

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 are reviewed and issued by the By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services department- click here to apply

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.