When Is A Sign Permit Needed

How Many Permits Do You Need?

1.  Sign Permit – This controls the size, type and placement of signs. It also controls the installation method. There are specific forms, drawings and sometimes engineering drawings required to complete the application.

2. Occupancy Permit – Some jurisdictions require a permit during installation to cover occupying the sidewalk or street. In some cases off duty police officers are required for traffic control.
3. Electrical Permit – To connect all electrical signs

The laws linked to sign permits in Toronto, Mississauga or Brampton or any other place are spread over a number of complex areas pertaining to planning law. A majority of local planning authorities implement their own policies. This may involve certain restrictions compared to those normally applied. Special rules can govern national parks and conservation areas. Permission can be given only if the surrounding circumstances consent.

Urban Planning And Signs

The primary factor to consider in this case is that any kind of sign is regarded as an advertisement. The sign may have lettering or logo or it may not. All advertisements can be classified into any one of the three categories and consent is a must for only one of them.

A few signs do not come into the realm of planning control if they follow a few conditions. The list of such examples includes price tags and road signs. This category also includes national flags and indoor advertising like promotion inside shopping centers. Election notices also generally do not require a permit. You do not need permits for signs normally motion, like a ship, train, taxi or bus.

Deemed Consent

The signs included in the second category can be termed as “deemed consent”. The installations can be put up without any particular permission- or by “express consent”. Do note that the right of displaying these advertisements is not an absolute. It is the prerogative of the local planning authority to order you to take them down. Signs of this kind must fulfill certain conditions:

• They must be tidy and clean at all times.
• They must be kept safe.
• If you are not the owner of the site on which the sign is to be displayed, then permission must be given from the owner.
• The signs must not hinder or obscure any official road, aircraft, rail or waterway signs. The sign must not contribute to any hazard.
• They can be removed whenever asked by the local planning authority like the Brampton authority

A large number of advertisements are considered to enjoy “deemed consent”. The list of examples include:

1. All functional advertisement installations by public bodies, like display of timetable at the bus station.
2. Signs which identify the premises, like house names or numbers. These include nameplates used by lawyers or doctors or even a panel with the name of a school, church or business.
3. Temporary signs, like those installed by real estate agents for the purpose of communicating that a home is for sale. Circus signs also come under this category.
4. A few advertisement signs that are illuminated internally.
5. Signs installed on building sites up to a maximum of about three years. However, signs in Conservation Areas need permission.
6. Signs installed on telephone kiosks or bus shelters. Captive balloon signs are included.
7. Directional signs applicable for new things like housing estates. There is, however, a certain time period associated with them.
8. Signs positioned within a building.
9. Advertisements that had “Express Consent” previously and which were not challenged by local planning authority within the time period, and any advertising on any site which have been previously used for advertising.

Do note that the condition of “Deemed Consent” could be more restrictive compared to what was described in the preceding lines. To give an example, all such signs are subjected to size restrictions and they can only be displayed in certain parts of the building or site.

Make sure you work with a local sign company that is familiar with the local bylaws to ensure your next signage project runs smoothly from concept to installation.