Sign permits

What is a sidewalk sign?

• A sidewalk sign is a temporary sign, not anchored to the ground, and constructed in a manner and of such materials that it can be easily moved by a person, without tools.

What is a first party sidewalk sign?

• First party, in reference to a sign, means a sign that identifies or promotes a product or service provided on the same property as the sign. The information here pertains to all forms of first party sidewalk signs under 0.66m (≈ 2 ft 2 in) in area.

Private or City property?

There are two main types of sidewalk signs, differentiated on their location:

• Sidewalk signs on private property
• Sidewalk signs on City property (also called public property or the public road allowance)
• Determining which type sidewalk sign you have is important, as only sidewalk signs on City property need to be registered.
• It is also important to know if the building your business occupies is set back from the front property line one (1) metre or more. If it is, you are not permitted to place a sidewalk sign on City property, it must stay on private property.

How do I register my sidewalk sign on City property?

Registration is free and relatively easy. Please follow the steps below:

• Complete the application form (Schedule 'B').
• Have your insurance company complete the Standard Certificate of Insurance.
• Draw the sign and include measurements of the height, width, and overall area. Your sign company may provide this drawing to you, or you can use the sidewalk sign template.
• Email all of the completed materials listed in steps 1 through 3 as PDF attachments to zoning@london.ca.
• Display your sign in compliance with the Sign by-law. If there are problems with your application materials or insurance City Staff will contact you. Keep copies of your documents and/or emails in order to demonstrate registration, and compliance, if you are contacted by Enforcement staff in the future.

How big can a sidewalk sign be?

Whether on public or private property, the maximum dimensions of a sidewalk sign are:

• Height: 1.1 m (≈ 3 ft 7¼ in)
• Width: 0.6 m (≈ 1 ft 11⅝ in)
• Area: 0.66 m2 (≈ 7.1 sq ft)
• A sidewalk sign with an overall area greater than 0.66m2 (≈ 7.1 sq ft) is prohibited by the Sign by-law.

Where can my sidewalk sign be placed?

When determining where to put the sidewalk sign it is important to know where the curb and property lines are. The following location criteria is used to guide sign location.

• As well, the sidewalk sign cannot be in a parking space.

On City property

On City property (aka the public road allowance, or public property). Following registration the sidewalk sign must:

• Be a minimum of 0.6 m (≈ 1 ft 11⅝ in) (2 feet (≈ 610 mm)) from the curb
• Be a maximum of 1.2 m (≈ 3 ft 11¼ in) (4 feet (≈ 1.22 m)) from the curb
• Keep at least 1.5 m (≈ 4 ft 11 in) (5 feet (≈ 1.52 m)) of space between the sign and the front of the building

On Private Property

On Private Property: Where the building is set back more than 1.0m (≈ 3 ft 3⅜ in) the sidewalk sign must not be placed on City property, and the sign must be at least:

• 1.5 m (≈ 4 ft 11 in) from the sidewalk
• 3 m (≈ 9 ft 10⅛ in) (10 feet (≈ 3.05 m)) from a driveway or sight triangle
• 5 m (≈ 16 ft 4⅞ in) (16 feet (≈ 4.88 m)) from another sidewalk sign on the same property
• 10 m (≈ 32 ft 9¾ in) (33 feet (≈ 10.1 m)) from a solely residential zone

How do I know if my sign is on public or private property?

• If you're not sure your sign will be on public or private property, refer to a building survey, or check the maps. Business Hub Staff can provide some guidance, but in situations where it is unclear you will need a land survey plan. If in doubt, you can submit the application/registration materials in order to ensure compliance.
• If the building is set back from the public road allowance (City property/front property line) more than 1 (one) metre, you cannot display a sidewalk sign on City property.
• If the distance from the curb to the front of your building is less than 2.7 metres (≈ 8 ft 10¼ in), you are not eligible for a sidewalk sign on City property.

Do I have to register the sidewalk sign every year?

• No. Once a sidewalk sign on City property has been registered it can be displayed in accordance with the Sign by-law.
• However, you are required to renew your insurance certificate each year. You will be contacted by the City of London to remind you to submit that document, annually.

When can I display my sidewalk sign?

• A sidewalk sign on City property that has been properly registered with the City can be displayed when the business is open.
• A sidewalk sign on private property has no time limits regarding its display. It can be out all the time so long as it is not a "Group 1" use. For more information about group uses, please refer to the Sign By-law.

Can my sign have lights in it or on it?

• No. Sidewalk signs are prohibited from having any sort of lighting or illumination.

• All read-o-graph mobile signs displayed in the City of London are required to display a valid annual permit sticker.
• Annual permit stickers expire June 30th of each year.
• Those who rent out mobile signs are considered mobile sign operators and are required to have a valid business licence to operate as a Contractor.
• Read-o-graph mobile signs not displayed in compliance with the regulations of the City’s Sign By-law S.-5668-183 are subject to immediate removal, fines or legal action.
• Application for Read-o-Graph Mobile Sign Permit
• Email the completed document to licensing@london.ca. One of our staff will call you regarding payment.