How to Get a Sign Permit in Calgary, AB

Most new signs in Calgary, AB need a development permit from the City of Calgary under Land Use Bylaw 1P2007. Small fascia signs and basic signs that meet all rules are exempt, but all digital signs need a permit. You apply online at apply.calgary.ca or at the Planning Services Centre, and the 2026 fee is $95 for a permitted sign or $821 when the sign needs a relaxation.

This guide summarizes the City’s sign permits page and the sign rules in Part 3, Division 5 of the Land Use Bylaw 1P2007.

Do you need a sign permit in Calgary?

Section 69 of the Land Use Bylaw requires a development permit to erect, enlarge, move or alter a sign, unless the bylaw exempts it. The City sorts signs into seven classes:

Class	Sign types	Development permit
A: Basic	Address, banner, construction, directional, flag, real estate, temporary, window and similar signs	Not required if the sign meets all rules
B: Fascia	Signs on an exterior wall that project 0.4 m or less	Not required if a permitted use, 1.5 m² or smaller and meets all rules
C: Freestanding	Signs on a permanent structure other than a building	Required, with a limited exemption for added panels
D: Canopy and projecting	Canopy, awning and blade signs	Required for all new signs
E: Digital message and other	Digital, inflatable, painted wall, roof and rotating signs, temporary sign markers	Required for all
F: Third party advertising	Billboards and other off-site advertising	Required for new signs and renewals
G: Digital third party advertising	Digital billboards	Required for new signs and renewals

You do not need a development permit to maintain or repair a legally existing sign. You also do not need one to change or reduce the copy on a legally existing sign. Section 94 lets you add a panel to an approved freestanding sign without a permit when the panel matches the existing panels, stays inside the structure and breaks no rule.

Key rules from the City page:

• Fascia signs go in the area between 2.4 m above grade and the top of the building (or the bottom of the third storey on taller buildings). On a secondary wall, signs can cover up to 30% of the wall.
• Freestanding signs must be at least 30 m from a freestanding sign on a neighbouring property that faces the same traffic. Maximum area and height depend on the land use district. For example, the limit is 9.5 m² and 6.0 m in the C-N1, C-N2 and C-C1 districts.
• Projecting signs need at least 2.4 m clearance above grade. Each business can have one projecting sign on a primary building wall.

If the design does not meet a rule, you can apply with a relaxation. A relaxation changes the fee and the review process. A sign code check finds these problems before you apply.

Sign permit requirements in Calgary: drawings and documents

Each sign class has a Complete Application Requirement List (checklist) on the City page. The City accepts only complete applications, and the plans must meet a professional drafting standard. The fascia sign checklist asks for:

1. Colour photos of the proposed sign location, the site and the adjacent area.
2. A site plan with the property lines, adjacent streets and sidewalks, and the sign location.
3. Elevations of each facade with a sign. Show the distance from the underside of the sign to grade.
4. Sign drawings with the copy, dimensions, illumination, the method of support and the physical form of the sign (cabinet or individual letters).

The freestanding sign checklist adds a letter of authorization from the owner, the certificate of title, a site contamination statement and a public tree disclosure statement. The site plan must show utilities, rights-of-way and the distances to property lines and intersections. The City can ask for a stamped engineered drawing before it approves or releases the permit.

Dimensioned photos do not replace drawings. Our sign permit drawings service prepares plans to these checklists.

When you need an engineer

The City refers applicants to the National Building Code (Alberta Edition), Division C, Section 2.4.2. When a professional is required, the drawings must have the seal of an engineer registered with APEGA. See our sign engineering service.

How to apply for a sign permit in Calgary

1. Find your sign class and check the sign against its rules.
2. Complete the checklist and prepare the drawings and documents.
3. Apply online at apply.calgary.ca/signs with a myID account, or in person at the Planning Services Centre, 800 Macleod Trail SE.
4. Pay the full fee when you apply. Online applications take credit cards only.
5. Track the file in Vista with the Job Access Code from your confirmation email.

Calgary sign permit fees (2026)

These fees come from the 2026 Planning Applications Fee Schedule (R2026-02).

Sign development permit	Permit fee	Completion inspection	Advertising	Total
Permitted use, no relaxations	$95	None	None	$95
Discretionary use or relaxations	$636	$155	$30	$821

Sign permit timeline and inspections in Calgary

The City gives no fixed review time for the development permit. Time depends on volume, the completeness of the application and how fast you answer City requests. The checklists explain that the Municipal Government Act lets you treat the application as refused if the City makes no decision within 40 days of acceptance.

The City page also lists a building safety review of about 7 days to check safety code compliance.

A sign permit expires 180 days after issue. You can apply for an extension.

Discretionary signs and signs with a relaxation need a development completion inspection. Book it through the Planning Services Centre.

For other provinces, read our Montréal sign permit guide and our Toronto sign permit guide. Brands with many locations can use our national franchise permit program.

Need help with your Calgary sign permit?

Rouge Hill Consulting prepares sign permit drawings, engineering and applications for businesses and sign companies across Canada. Send your address and sign artwork through our contact page. See our sign permit services for what we include.