How to Obtain a Sign Permit in Richmond Hill, ON
If you're installing a sign on your business or institution in Richmond Hill, you will most likely need a sign permit. In some cases, you'll need both a sign permit and a building permit.
Signage in Richmond Hill is regulated by two overlapping frameworks: the Ontario Building Code (OBC), which requires a building permit for signs attached to a building or classified as designated structures, and the City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law No. 52-09, which controls the size, location, type, illumination, and number of signs across the City. The Community Standards Division administers and enforces the Sign By-law.
This guide covers everything you need to know — the permit categories, required drawings, supporting documents, fees, portal submission process, and post-issuance obligations — based on the City of Richmond Hill's current requirements.
Step 1: Determine Whether You Need a Permit
Most permanent exterior signs in Richmond Hill require a permit. Wall signs, ground signs, awning signs, canopy signs, projecting signs, entrance feature signs, menu board signs, and mural signs all require a permanent sign permit. Temporary signs — including mobile signs, portable signs, charity signs, development signs, and election signs — also require a permit before being erected or displayed.
A limited list of signs is exempt from permit requirements when they meet specific size and location criteria, including address signs, contractor advertising signs, directional signs, real estate signs, home business signs, and window signs.
The safest assumption is that if your sign is visible from the exterior and is being installed on a commercial, industrial, or institutional property, it needs a permit. If you're unsure, contact Rouge Hill Consulting for a compliance assessment before investing in fabrication.
Step 2: Confirm Sign Location Compliance
Under Sign By-law 52-09, signs are only permitted on the property address identified in the permit application — not on adjacent lands or on a street boulevard. Signs cannot be located:
On or in a parking space, or on a vehicle.
In a manner that obstructs the view of any pedestrian or driver of a motor vehicle, obstructs the visibility of any traffic sign or device, or interferes with vehicular traffic in a manner that could endanger any person.
In a manner that obstructs or impedes any fire escape, fire exit, functional door, false door, functional window, false window, scuttle, skylight, flue, or air intake or exhaust — including fire department Siamese connections and fire hydrants.
These location restrictions are reviewed by the Community Standards Division before a permit is issued. Confirming compliance early avoids costly rework later in the process.
Step 3: Prepare Your Sign Permit Drawings
Every Richmond Hill sign permit application must include a complete set of sign permit drawings. Incomplete submissions are not accepted by the City.
For all permanent signs, the drawing package must include:
A site plan showing the location of the proposed sign with respect to parking layout, driveways, property lines, traffic lights, and buildings.
An elevation view with dimensioned drawings showing the tenant's business premise, the proposed sign location, the sign area, and the graphics or wording on the sign.
For ground signs, the package must additionally include:
Foundation details showing the base, anchorage, and structural design.
Connection details and sections indicating sign weight, spacing size, strength, and number of connecting screws, bolts, and shields, along with the thickness and strength of the attaching member and a description of the existing building component the sign is being attached to.
All drawings must be to scale and fully dimensioned. Where prepared by a qualified designer under the OBC, drawings must include the designer's name, BCIN, and stamp. Rouge Hill Consulting produces permit-ready drawing sets for sign shops and business owners across Richmond Hill, York Region, and the wider GTA — learn more about our drawing services.
Step 4: Determine Whether Engineering is Required
A Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) stamp is required by the City of Richmond Hill for the design of any commercial, industrial, or institutional ground sign structure greater than 7 feet (2.13 m) above grade. Foundation and connection details must be sealed by the engineer.
Separately, the Ontario Building Code requires a P.Eng. to review and stamp sign permit drawings in the following cases:
The total installed weight of the sign exceeds 115 kg.
The sign is attached to a parapet wall.
The sign is a roof sign with any face exceeding 10 m².
The sign is a ground sign over 7.5 m in height.
In OBC-triggered cases, both an engineering stamp and a Commitment to General Review (CGR) are required.
Rouge Hill Consulting provides in-house sign engineering, stamps, and General Review across Ontario.
Step 5: Gather Supporting Documents
Depending on the project, the City may require the following in addition to your drawings:
Written consent from the property owner or Condominium Corporation — Required when the applicant is not the registered owner. This is common for tenants, franchisees, and sign companies. Where the work affects condominium common elements, the Condominium Corporation must sign the authorization.
Proof of Site Plan Approval and Execution — Required for properties subject to Site Plan Control under Section 41 of the Planning Act, particularly for new developments.
MTO Approval — Required for signs adjacent to Highway 404. The MTO Corridor Management Office can be reached at 416-235-5385. Learn more about MTO approvals.
Schedule 1: Designer Information — Required when drawings are prepared by a BCIN-qualified designer. Not required if the designer is a licensed Architect (OAA) or Professional Engineer (PEO).
Commitment to Provide General Review (CGR) — Required when the OBC triggers engineering involvement.
Step 6: Submit Through the Energov Portal
Sign permit applications in Richmond Hill are submitted online through the Energov SelfService portal at permits.richmondhill.ca. Both permanent and temporary sign applications are processed through this system.
Select the appropriate sign type, upload your drawing set and supporting documents, and provide the project description and property details.
After submission, Community Standards staff review the package for completeness. If anything is missing, you'll be contacted with a list of deficiencies. Address all comments promptly to keep the application moving.
If you'd rather not manage the portal process yourself, Rouge Hill Consulting can handle the entire sign permit application on your behalf — drawings, submission, and examiner correspondence included.
Step 7: Permit Fees
Richmond Hill sign permit fees are set per sign and per type. Current fees are:
Permanent signs:
Wall sign — $279
Ground sign — $279
Awning sign — $279
Canopy sign — $279
Projecting sign — $279
Entrance feature sign — $279
Menu board sign — $279
Mural sign — $216
Sign package or sales trailer — $1,342
Temporary signs:
Mobile sign — $133 (5 business days) or $189 (2 business days)
Portable sign — $133
Development sign — $308
Election sign — $308
Charity sign — $67
For businesses installing signs at multiple locations across the GTA, our National Franchise Permit Program standardizes the process and pricing across municipalities.
Step 8: Sign Construction Requirements
Permanent signs must be constructed such that the writing on the sign contains a minimum 50% English or French language, and the sign may only advertise the business to which the permit was issued. This is a hard requirement under By-law 52-09 and is checked at both permit review and inspection stages.
Step 9: Sign By-law Variance Applications
If your proposed sign does not meet the standards set out in Sign By-law 52-09 — whether due to size, location, illumination, height, or number of signs — you may apply for a Sign By-law Variance.
A variance allows flexibility for unique or exceptional circumstances, provided the proposed sign still supports the overall intent and purpose of the by-law. Before applying, the City strongly recommends contacting the Community Standards Division at signpermits@richmondhill.ca to confirm whether a variance is required and to identify deficiencies before submission.
Rouge Hill Consulting has a 100% approval rate on sign variance applications across Ontario. We handle the strategy, justification, and committee submission end-to-end.
Step 10: Permit Issuance, Document Availability, and Revocation
Once the application is approved and fees are paid, the permit is issued. A copy of the Permanent Sign Permit must be available at the subject site at all times. The permit and all supporting documents must be retained and available on request until construction is complete and the sign has been inspected.
Permanent Sign Permits are issued for permanent use unless otherwise identified within Sign By-law 52-09. Sign permits are not transferable to another party.
The Community Standards Division may revoke a sign permit at any time if:
The permit was issued based on mistaken, false, or incorrect information.
The sign is not compliant with City by-laws or applicable legislation, including the Ontario Building Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sign permit cost in Richmond Hill? Most permanent sign permits cost $279 per sign. Mural signs are $216. Sign packages and sales trailers are $1,342. Temporary sign fees range from $67 to $308 depending on type.
Do I need a building permit for a sign in Richmond Hill? It depends on the sign type. The Ontario Building Code requires a building permit for signs attached to buildings or classified as designated structures (such as larger ground signs and pylons). For most other signs, the Sign By-law permit is the primary approval.
How do I submit a sign permit application in Richmond Hill? Through the Energov SelfService portal at permits.richmondhill.ca. Both permanent and temporary applications are submitted online.
When is a Professional Engineer required? A P.Eng. stamp is required by the City for commercial, industrial, or institutional ground sign structures greater than 7 feet above grade. Engineering may also be required under the Ontario Building Code for signs over 115 kg, parapet-mounted signs, or roof signs with faces over 10 m².
What if I'm not the property owner? The property owner — or the Condominium Corporation, if common elements are affected — must provide written consent before the permit can be issued.
What drawings do I need for a ground sign permit in Richmond Hill? A site plan showing the sign location relative to parking, driveways, property lines, and buildings; an elevation view with dimensions and graphics; foundation details; and connection details indicating sign weight and attachment specifications.
What if my sign doesn't meet the by-law? You can apply for a Sign By-law Variance. We recommend contacting the Community Standards Division before submitting to identify any deficiencies upfront.
Need Help With Your Richmond Hill Sign Permit?
Rouge Hill Consulting handles sign permits across Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, Toronto, and the wider GTA. Whether you need sign permit drawings, engineering stamps, variance applications, or a full permit management package, we handle the process from start to finish.
Phone: 437-833-7817