All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated.
A First Party Sign Permit is required before putting up a sign used to identify a business or service located on the property.
Sign / Building Permit
All drawings to be drawn on standardized sized sheets, drawn to scale, fully dimensioned, signed and dated.
If drawings were prepared by a qualified designer (as defined under Div. C, Part 3, Section 3.2 of the Ontario Building Code), drawings must include the designer’s name, registration number, qualification identification number, signature, and stamp/statement that the person has reviewed and taken responsibility for the design activities.
All drawings, reports, and forms, including the completed Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish, must be provided in a PDF format.
Your sign may require third-party approvals prior to issuance. Applications requiring heritage approval do not qualify for the Express Service 3-day service. Payment is required at application.
If your sign is encroaching on a public right of way, a Construction Permit from Transportation Services is required.
Use these websites to check whether you need approval from these third-party agencies
If you are unsure, you can verify for issued orders on your property using the Building Application Status tool. Make sure to select “Issued Orders” when searching for violations.
If there is a related violation on the property, your application will be reviewed within our 3-day service. If a permit can be issued, payment will be requested, and the permit issued once paid. If a permit cannot be issued, you will receive a Refusal Notice noting the deficiencies with the application and a request for payment. The application will no longer be within the scope of our 3-day Express Service Please note that outstanding violations may also result in additional Administrative Fees on your permit application.
The following documents are required as part of your application.
| Document Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Sign Copy | Details of the type of copy proposed (ie. electronic, readograph, static). |
| Lighting Details | Notes and details about lighting design and illumination levels for the sign. |
| Location | Fully dimensioned drawings showing the sign proposal and location on the building or lot, including location and dimensions of any other signs on the building or lot. |
| Site Plan | Showing property lines and setbacks (sign and building) as well as the proposed sign location, the location any other signs on the building or lot. |
| Photos | Photographs of the site and/or building with the new sign proposal (optional). |
| Ground Signs | Height of sign above surrounding grades. Distance of sign from property lines and street lines. |
| Wall, Projecting and Overhanging Structure Signs | Depth and height of the building. Clearance from grade to the bottom of the sign. Elevations including storey levels and their heights. Location of windows and other openings. |
(Required for most signs, other than Window or Painted signs)
Loading Information* (Snow Loads, Wind Loads, Earthquake Loads). Information of Combustion of Sign face/Materials.
For Wall Signs only: Cross section showing the depth of the sign and structural capability of the building or structure to which the sign is attached. Sign weight and attachment details.
For Ground Signs only: Foundation design and attachment details. Soil Parameters.
* where a building permit is required for the sign.
The following forms are required as part of your application.
| Agency Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) | Property is within TRCA regulated area |
| Ministry of Transportation (MTO) | Property is within MTO regulated area |
| Heritage Planning Toronto | Property is protected as a designated heritage property |
| Metrolinx | Property within 30 m of Transit Corridor lands |
| Toronto Transportation Services (Construction Permit) | When sign encroaches on a public right-of-way |
| Document/Form Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Application to Construct or Demolish | Always required. Ensure that the property owner’s email address is provided (this may be different than the sign owner). |
| First Party Sign Permit Application | Always Required. Sign dimensions must be entered into sign data sheet on page 3 of the first party sign permit form. |
| Letter of Authorization from Property Owner | Always Required. Template not available. |
| Drawings - Cross-Section, Elevation and Site Plan (see an example) | For ground signs, see ground sign checklist.
For overhanging structure signs, see overhanging structure signs checklist. For projecting signs, see projecting signs checklist. For wall signs, see wall signs checklist. |
| Schedule 1: Designer Information | Required when the sign is designed by anyone other than a professional engineer/architect. |
| Tree Declaration | Required for ground signs only. |
| Commitment To General Review | Required for a roof sign with a sign face area greater than 10m2; a ground sign with a finished height that exceeds 7.5 m above the adjacent finished ground; any sign attached to a parapet wall; a sign weighing over 115 kg attached to any wall |
| Declaration Form - Overhead Electrical Conductors | The purpose of this form is to confirm compliance with Article 3.1.20.1 (as may be referenced by 9.1.1.5) of Division B of the Ontario Building Code (“Article 3.1.20.1”), and it shall be submitted with every permit application for the construction of a new building or the construction of an addition to an existing building. The form must be signed by the designer who has prepared the designs in support of the building permit application. |
Only electronic applications are accepted, and can be sent via email to expressservices@toronto.ca. Please make sure you send all required forms, documents and drawings in PDF format.
For applications submitted via email, we accept credit card payments over the phone. Please call our main line at 416-392-8000.
| Sign Type/Permit | Fee Effective January 1, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Wall Signs | $36.26 per square metre (minimum of $253.72) |
| Ground Signs | $36.26 per square metre (minimum of $253.72) |
| Projecting Signs | $36.26 per square metre (minimum of $253.72) |
| Overhanging Structure Signs | $36.26 per square metre (minimum of $253.72) |
| Roof signs | $43.48 per square metre |
| Topiary Signs | $321.66 per sign |
| Renewal of Sign Permit | $21.78 per square metre |
| Renewal of Topiary Sign Permit | $152.33 per sign |
| Building Permit (DS) | $67.95 |