Before you make the effort to design a sign or pay to have it manufactured and installed, you or someone else will need to know about business sign permits. In this article, AGC covers what you need to know:
1. The building safety code in Ontario and its impacts
2. What is included in a sign permit
3. How AGC can help with sign permits
Let’s get started on this technical journey.
Image Source: Gerd Altmann
Before erecting a sign, establish permission from provincial / local government.
Understanding Business Sign Permits
1. the building safety code in Ontario and its Impacts
Building Permits vs Sign Permits
If you are following our blog, you’ll know that the Government of Ontario defines a building permit as “a document issued by the body responsible for enforcing Ontario’s Building Code in your area” and that it is “necessary when you wish to construct, renovate, demolish or change the use of a building”. Some signs require both a building permit and a sign permit while other signs will only require a sign permit. Keep reading below to find out the differences.
The City of Toronto states the difference here:
“Any time a sign is installed on a building or into the ground, a sign and building permit is required.” The following signs only require a sign permit and not a building permit:
Window Signs
Topiary Signs
Painted Wall Signs
“Sign/building permits allow staff to confirm that the construction work being proposed meets the requirements set out in the Ontario Building Code, and complies with the sign by-law. This helps keep the public safe and limits the impact on residents and surrounding properties”.
Why You Need a Permit
The purpose of the Ontario Building Code “is to set minimum standards for construction to minimize the risk to the health and safety of the occupants of a building and to provide for the barrier-free accessibility into a building and the energy efficiency of that building”.
Essentially, you need a sign permit and/or a building permit to ensure that your project will not cause harm to anyone or to the environment and that you will not break any laws.
Image Source: AGC Signs
The forms you must submit depend on the business sign permits you need.
2. What is included in a sign permit
Acquiring business sign permits involves multiple steps and may vary depending on your location (see our other blog for a link to permit information according to major cities in Ontario). However, we’ve summarized some of the main points outlined by the City of Toronto for a First Party Sign Permit as an example below.
Drawings to scale, signed and dated
Type of Copy
Required Lighting
General Site Plan
Photos
Details of Ground Signs, Wall, Projecting and Overhanging Structure Signs
Other Structural Information
Required Forms (See full list)
Remember, you can go to their website to see a more detailed outline of the information listed above.
Image Source: AGC Signs
AGC Signs provides drawings and plans needed when applying for a permit.
3. How AGC can help with sign permits
Support
You may have felt your brain go into overload after looking through the “To Do” list we just summarized. Or, you may be wondering if you need a qualified designer to help you with the drawings you are to submit. We understand how you might be feeling after reading this article, and the good news is that you don’t have to go through the process of acquiring business sign permits alone.
Services
AGC can help by providing you with a qualified designer to produce drawings of your sign. As a locally owned and operated sign company, AGC is very familiar with the local signage bylaws and all the forms you’ll need to use. They work across the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario, including Courtice, Whitby, Brooklin, Ajax, Pickering, Bowmanville and Scarborough. You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that someone is working alongside and for you.
Image Source: AGC Signs
Trust AGC Signs to help you meet all the requirements of business sign permits.
AGC Signs Has Your BAck
We don’t know what sign project you have in mind, but AGC is committed to helping their customers with any project from start to finish, including help with any business sign permits. If you need inspiration, have a look at the gallery of their work here. Also, if you want to speak with a staff member or get a quote, contact us here.
“Quality work and quick turnaround times. I asked for mock layouts which were provided to me instantly, affordable pricing, and required some signage immediately. Rhonda was attentive, quick to respond, and ensured we got all of our signage within a week (even with the July 1st holiday) happening that week. We will be coming to AGS signs for all of our signage and promotional materials! Thank you”
“Adrian and his team are amazing! We worked together on a large project for 2 locations. They traveled out to Cobourg and Peterborough from Ajax on multiple occasions and were very patient, thorough and accommodating. They updated our existing signage and installed new signs and understood our branding requirements and vision from beginning to end! Excellent turn around time, professional crew and great communication. We are extremely pleased with our new look and I definitely recommend AGC to any business looking to upgrade their signage, and we will definitely use them again for future projects. Thanks guys!”
