A-Frame Signs

A-frame signs are rigid, free-standing movable signs (not fastened to the ground or a structure) and include information on one or both sides. A-frame signs require a permit from the City.

Application Requirements

Valid photo identification
Provincial Business Name Registration or Franchise Agreement Declaration
Site Plan or Survey of location
Letter of Authorization from Property Owner (must be dated within 30 days of application submission)
Photo of sign (photo should show entire frontage of proposed area)
Completed application form
Photo or replica of sign design with measurements
Approval letter from BIA (if within a BIA)
Business license (where required)

Where a business license is not required:

Corporate documentation and business name registration
Contact information of person responsible for sign

Note: Applicants must provide proof of two million dollars in Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. The completed Certificate of Insurance  must be signed and stamped by the insurer. The Certificate must be sent by email to MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca directly from the Insurance Representative.

Identification Requirements

One piece of valid government issued identification is required for an officer or signing authority (for corporations), who appears on the Primary Business Licence.

Two pieces of government-issued identification (one must be photo ID):

Canadian passport
Driver’s licence
Canadian birth certificate
Citizenship card
Permanent resident card
SIN card (social insurance number)
Valid work permit

Note:

First and last names must match on all identification
We do not accept Health Cards.
For sole proprietorship or individual applicants, one piece of ID must provide proof of work status
Identification is required for all officers/directors listed on the Articles of Incorporation, Corporate Profile or Federal Form 6

Permit Requirements

All applicants must also provide the following:

a business location/address
a copy of provincial business name registration or signed franchise agreement

Corporations must also provide:

a copy of Articles of Incorporation (Note: If there has been a change to the list of officers and directors, please also provide a current Corporate Profile Report or a Federal Form 6)

If a director of the corporation is unable to apply in person at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, a designate may apply on their behalf. The designate must:

have an original letter advising of their signing authority on corporation letterhead , signed by a director of the corporation dated within 30 days
provide two pieces of identification for themselves
provide two pieces of identification for each officer and director of the corporation, or, if original identification is not available, notarized photocopies of the identification will also be accepted

How to Apply

Applications need to be submitted online. You cannot apply for this licence/permit in-person.

Apply online

Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the application, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide  on how to submit a new application. Permit application fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.

Submit Application

If you have already submitted an application you may upload additional documents using your upload token.

Upload Documents for Existing Request

Apply in-person

In-person services are available at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor.

You must bring hard copies of all application requirements. Applications will not be started unless all requirements are provided. Digital copies of documents will not be accepted.

Payment can only be made by debit, credit or cheque. Cash will not be accepted.

Walk-in services

Walk-in services are available once a week.

Please contact MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca for the next weekday availability.

Please note office hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:00 p.m.
The office is closed from 12:30–1:30 p.m. daily.

Appointments

Appointment services are available. Please contact MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in and be on time for your appointment or you may be turned away and asked to re-book for another day and time, subject to availability.

Fee

A-frame signs: $123.81 per year, including HST.

Sign Requirements

No larger than 0.6 metres wide x 1 metres high x 0.75 metres long
Only permitted on public property if not able to be located on private property
First part advertising only
One per business location
Sign can only be out during business hours
No illumination, sound, motion etc.
Area around sign must be kept free of litter, debris and weeds

Placement

Example of an a-frame sign.

If you have a permit for a sidewalk café, the A-frame sign must be placed within the permitted café area.
There must be 2.1-metres pedestrian clearway on sidewalks and this is expanded to 2.5 metres on certain downtown Toronto streets.
Signs must be placed beside the curb and in-line with other street furniture, where possible (instead of close to the building).
If your store frontage is 6.1 metres or less, one A-frame sign is allowed.
If the store frontage is more than 6.1 metres, two A-frame signs are allowed.

A-frame sign permits are not allowed to be placed at the following locations:

Bloor Street West between Avenue Rd. and Yonge St.
Bloor St. E. between Yonge St. and Sherbourne St.
Yonge St. south of Davenport Rd.

Permit Renewal

Your permit will expire annually on the anniversary of the date that the permit/licence was first issued. A renewal notice, identifying any documents required to renew the permit/licence, will be mailed to the address on file.

A-frame sign permit renewal fee $97.75

If documents are not received; please note that your permit/licence may be cancelled, and a new application will be required. Please ensure you submit all renewal documentation and fees.

Existing licensees must renew their licences via a new online renewal portal. Licence renewal fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.

Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the renewal, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide  on how to renew a licence or permit.

Renew Licence

Find your outstanding business licence or permit renewal invoice.

Renew in-person

In-person services are available at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor. You must bring hard copies of all application requirements. Applications will not be started unless all requirements are provided. Digital copies of documents will not be accepted.