Sign Permits

Temporary Sign Permits

Lead Time: Application should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the required date. However more time may be required to acquire additional approvals from other departments, towns and/or cities within York Region for areas under their jurisdiction.

Insurance Coverage: A certificate of insurance confirming coverage for bodily injury and property damage combined without deductible and naming The Regional Municipality of York as an additional insured is required. The Certificate must be signed and stamped by your insurance company and, submitted with your application. Your application will not be processed unless it is accompanied by the Certificate of Insurance.

Waiver/Indemnity Form: A Waiver form agreeing to indemnify and save harmless the Region from and against any cost, claim, damages or loss, is required. The waiver will be available for signature at the time the permits are picked up.

Size Restrictions: Signs must be in proper repair and not exceed 1.22m high and 1.22m wide.

Placement Limitations: Signs may be placed within 50 metres from the centre line of the intersecting road (Location Plan Diagram). The number of signs allowed at some intersections are limited.

Signs May Not Be Placed

At any Restricted Intersection
In a location which, impairs or obstructs the visibility of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, warning devices, Railway, Traffic, or Municipal Signs
On any centre median, traffic island or centre blvd. within a road allowance
Within 5 metres from a fire hydrant, transit shelter, or bus stop
Within 3 metres lateral distance from the edge of the road pavement
Within 10 metres lateral distance from a driveway pavement edge

Revocation of Permits: Permits may be revoked without compensation or notice if the signs do not conform to the requirements of any governmental authority having jurisdiction over the area where the sign is placed.

Installation and Removal: Installation and removal of signs is the responsibility of the permit holder. Signs placed in contravention of the by-law may be removed by the Region. Signs removed by the Region will be stored for 30 days, during which time the permit holder can redeem their signs for a fee. After 30 days all signs will be disposed of by the Region.

Permit Stickers: Must be adhered to the front top left corner of the sign.

Development/Business Signs

Fees:	$100 per sign per six month term
Permit Limit:	12 per person, business or developer 40 per new home development
Insurance:	Minimum coverage $5,000,000
Time Allowed:	Regular Weekends 7 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday Statutory Weekends Holiday Friday 7 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Monday Holiday Monday 7 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Tuesday
Types Allowed:	"A" Frame

Charitable/Community Events

Fees:	No Charge
Permit Limit:	12 per event, one event per year
Insurance:	Minimum coverage $2,000,000
Time Allowed:	Two weeks prior to the event to 24 hours of the event conclusion.
Types Allowed:	"A" Frame
Note:	Special permission may be granted for banners crossing Regional Roads.

Permanent Sign Permits

A permanent sign is a sign that is affixed to the ground or building and can not easily be picked up and moved. The length of time the sign will be required is not an issue in obtaining this type of permit.

Sign Types - three basic types of permanent signs and they are:

Pylon Signs:

Tall, usually one or two supports with substantial concrete bases.

Facia Signs:

Permanently bolted to building walls

Ground Signs:

Shorter, usually one or two supports with post supports in ground.

Application Requirements:

A complete application form
Diagram of the site showing where the sign is going to be placed and the distance from the centre line of the Regional Road
Diagram of the proposed sign

Approval for Permanent Signs: Application must be made to the town/city in which the sign will be placed. If the sign is placed fronting onto a Regional Road, the town/city will request that you get Region Approval.

Regional Approval: The Region approves the distance the sign is to be placed from the centre line of the road. The minimum distance varies based on whether the road is rural, urban or a highway. This is determined at the time the application is reviewed.

Conditions of Regional Approval:

The sign must be on private property.
Approval of the sign must be obtained from the town/city.
The Region does not allow scrolling messages. The message has to be static at all times.

Fees: There are no fees for this type of permit. The town/city issues the primary approval on these types of signs, and any fees that are required will be collected by them.

Contact Us:

For further information on the Sign Permits, please contact us at: permits@york.ca