Sign Permitting · Canada-Wide

Sign Code Checks for Signage Across Canada

Know before you build. A Sign Code Check tells you whether your proposed sign needs a permit and whether it complies with the local sign by-law — before you fabricate, install, or risk an enforcement order.

Request a Sign Code Check See how it works →

What is a Sign Code Check?

A Sign Code Check is a preliminary by-law compliance assessment for proposed signage. For each sign you want to install, we determine whether a permit is required, which by-law governs, how many signs your property is actually allowed, and exactly what must change for the signage to comply. It is the fastest way to de-risk a signage project before money is spent on fabrication or installation.

What every Sign Code Check answers

Clear, defensible answers to the questions that decide whether your sign goes up and stays up.

1

Do you need a permit?

We classify each sign and determine whether it requires a sign permit, is exempt, or is prohibited outright under the governing by-law.

2

How many signs are allowed?

Sign counts are tied to street frontage, not the number of building walls. We map your property's street lines and confirm the true permitted count.

3

What size is compliant?

Area limits often depend on zoning. We identify the maximum permitted sign area and flag any proposed sign that exceeds it.

4

Where can it go?

Setbacks, sight triangles, height, illumination, and placement restrictions, assessed against your actual site and elevations.

5

What needs to change?

A sign-by-sign list of the specific adjustments required to bring each proposed sign into compliance.

6

What's the enforcement risk?

A plain-language read on how the by-law is enforced and the exposure of installing non-compliant signage.

Why a Sign Code Check pays for itself

A single non-compliant sign can mean a removal order, re-fabrication, and a stalled storefront opening. A Sign Code Check catches the problem on paper, where it is cheap to fix.

  • Avoid fabricating signage that can't legally be installed.
  • Confirm your permitted sign count before committing to a design.
  • Catch zoning-driven size limits that aren't obvious from the by-law text.
  • Reduce the risk of enforcement orders and forced removals.
  • Give landlords, franchisors, and tenants a clear compliance record.

Who we work with

  • Sign shops and fabricators pricing a job
  • National brands and franchise rollouts
  • Commercial landlords and property managers
  • Real estate brokerages and leasing teams
  • General contractors and architects

How it works

From drawings to a clear, client-ready compliance report.

Send your signage

Provide the address, sign drawings or renderings, and a site or aerial plan.

We assess the by-law

Each sign is classified and tested against the governing municipal sign by-law.

You get the report

A clear PDF: permit status, permitted count, size limits, and required changes per sign.

Build with confidence

Fabricate and install knowing the signage is on solid compliance footing.

Coverage across Canada

Every municipality writes its own sign by-law. We assess signage against the local code wherever your project is, with deep specialization in the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario.

Toronto Mississauga Brampton Vaughan Markham Richmond Hill Hamilton Ottawa Burlington Oakville Ontario-wide Canada-wide on request

Sign Code Check FAQs

The questions we hear most often about sign permitting and compliance.

Does my sign need a permit?
It depends on the sign type and the municipality. Many permanent signs require a permit, while some temporary signs (such as real estate signs) are exempt from a permit but still have to comply with the by-law. A Sign Code Check tells you exactly which category each of your signs falls into.
How many signs am I allowed on my building?
Permitted sign counts are usually tied to street frontage, not the number of walls or tenants. A corner property with two street frontages is treated differently than a building with four walls facing one street. We map your property's street lines to confirm the real permitted count.
What happens if I install a non-compliant sign?
Enforcement is often complaint-driven, but once flagged, a non-compliant sign can be subject to an order to comply, removal, and fines set by the by-law. Catching the issue in a Sign Code Check before installation is far cheaper than re-fabricating or removing a finished sign.
How is a Sign Code Check different from a permit application?
A Sign Code Check is a preliminary assessment that tells you whether your signage can comply and what a permit application would need. It is not a permit and not a legal opinion; the municipality retains final authority. It is the smart first step before you commit to a design or file an application.
What do you need from me to start?
The property address, drawings or renderings of the proposed signage with dimensions, and a site or aerial plan showing the building and its frontages. The more detail you provide, the more precise the assessment.
Do you only work in Toronto and the GTA?
The GTA and Ontario are our core specialization, but sign by-laws follow the same underlying logic across the country. We assess signage against the local municipal code for projects across Canada on request.

Get a Sign Code Check before you build

Send us your address, drawings, and site plan. We'll tell you whether your signage needs a permit, how many signs you're allowed, and exactly what must change to comply.

Request a Sign Code Check

A Sign Code Check is a preliminary by-law compliance assessment provided for informational purposes. It does not constitute a permit approval or legal opinion. All sign permit decisions are subject to the final review and approval of the municipality having jurisdiction.