Permit guideOakvilleBuilding PermitsSigns
Sign permits
A sign permit is required whenever a new permanent sign is installed on a building or into the ground, or if you plan to install a temporary sign.
The municipality lists what to submit. CodeEase shows what the building code asks of it. See CodeEase →
Check whether you need a permit
- A sign permit is required whenever a new permanent sign is installed on a building or into the ground, or if you plan to install a temporary sign.
- Any change to the structure, face, or attachment details of a previously approved sign, including adding, removing, or rearranging parts, is considered an alteration and would require an alteration permit.
- Installing a sign in the Town of Oakville without a valid permit is a violation of the Town’s by-laws and can result in the sign being removed and/or charges laid.
- The Sign By-law provides regulations of various sign types including elections signs, mobile signs, fascia signs and advertising signs.
- Sign regulations differ depending on the location of the property where the sign will be placed and are sectioned into "designations" or types of land uses.
- To find out what designation your property is classified as please search your address in the Interactive Map of Land Use.
Not an alterationSimply changing the message displayed or performing maintenance on the sign structure does not count as an alteration.
Permanent sign types
Permanent signs are attached to a building, structure, or the ground so as to resist environmental loads, such as wind, and prevent its ready removal or relocation.
- Advertising sign
- Awning sign
- Canopy, entrance sign
- Canopy, fuel pump sign
- Community bulletin board
- Directional sign
- Directory sign
- Drive-through menu board sign
- Drive-through pre-sale menu board
- Fuel pump sign
- Fascia sign
- Ground sign
- Manual changing copy sign
- Menu board sign
- Monolith sign
- Mural
- Official sign
- Projecting sign
- Roof sign
- Static electronic message board
- Wall poster
- Wall sign
Temporary sign types
Temporary signs are only permitted for a specified period of time and are often easy to change, remove or relocate.
- A-frame sign
- Advertising sign, third party
- Banner sign, cross-street
- Banner sign, light pole
- Banner sign, projecting
- Banner sign, street light pole
- Banner sign, wall
- Charitable sign
- Community mobile sign
- Congratulatory sign
- Development sign, ground
- Development sign, a-frame
- Election sign
- Only if you are applying for a fascia sign
Fascia signs
To apply for a fascia sign, you must complete a fixed sign permit application and provide drawings of the proposed sign.
Drawings
The drawings must include:
- Section through wall, showing wall thickness, floor and/or roof construction and anchorage.
- Show elevations of the structure to which the sign is to be attached, showing the location of openings, thickness, construction and dimensions of the wall.
- The proposed location of the sign, the height of the sign above the sidewalk and the projection of the sign beyond the street line, if any.
- Depict the proposed sign, its weight and structure including dimensions, copy design and materials (type of bolts/screws, length, material, etc.).
- Show all lettering and lighting (including colour) on the sign(s).
Additional drawing requirements
Additional drawing requirements:
- If the sign weighs more than 115 kg (253 lbs) – a design sealed by a Professional Engineer (PEO) or Architect (OAA).
- All signs not designed by an engineer and/or architect, a Schedule 1 Designer Information form (pdf) completed by the sign designer.
You also must provide
You also must provide:
- A letter of authorization from the property owner/agent.
- A current plan of survey certified by a registered Ontario Land Surveyor showing the location of the proposed sign in relation to the boundaries of the lot, setback from the property line, adjacent streets, driveways, traffic lights and any buildings on the lot.
- Proof of general liability insurance with the Town of Oakville named as additional insured or co-insured for no less than three million dollars. Insurance to be submitted by sign installer.
- Ministry of Transportation approval (certificate) if the sign(s) is within 400 metres (≈ 1312 ft) of any 400 Series Highway.
- For awning applications – documentation showing that the material meets Canadian flame spread rating CAN-ULC-S109.
Sign alterations
- If you are applying for a sign alteration, drawings showing the alteration to the sign are required.
- Only if you are applying for a ground sign
Ground signs
To apply for a ground sign, you must complete a fixed sign permit application online and provide duplicate copies of sign drawings with the application.
Drawings
The drawings must show:
- The proposed sign, sign structure, location, height sign face area, message area and open construction area including dimensions, copy design and materials and how the sign is affixed/installed in the ground.
- All lettering and lighting (including colour) on the sign(s).
- Details of connection and fasteners to be used.
Additional drawing requirements
Additional drawing requirements:
- If the sign weighs more than 115 kg (253 lbs), drawings/design must be sealed by a Professional Engineer (PEO) or Architect (OAA).
- Ground signs with height exceeding 7.5 metres (≈ 24 ft 7¼ in) must include a design sealed by a Professional Engineer or Architect and reviewed on site.
- All signs not designed by an engineer and/or architect, require a Schedule 1 Designer Information form (pdf) completed by the sign designer.
You must also provide
You must also provide:
- A current plan of survey certified by a registered Ontario Land Surveyor, when required, on which is shown the location of the proposed sign in relation to the boundaries of the lot, setback from the property lines, adjacent streets, driveways, traffic lights and any buildings on the lot.
- Proof of general liability insurance with the Town of Oakville named as additional insured or co-insured for no less than three million dollars. Insurance to be submitted by sign installer.
- A letter of authorization from the property owner/agent.
- Ministry of Transportation approval if the sign(s) is within 400 metres (≈ 1312 ft) of any 400 Series Highway.
Sign alterations
- If you are applying for a sign alteration, drawings showing the alteration to the sign are required.
- Only if you are applying for a static electronic message board
Static electronic message boards (SEMB)
To apply for a Static Electronic Message Board, you must complete a static electronic message board permit application online.
Drawings
Your application must include drawings that show:
- The proposed sign, sign structure, location and height including dimensions and how the sign is installed in the ground.
- Cross-section views of the proposed sign and sign structure, including the dimensions, copy design and materials (ie. types of bolts/screws, length, etc.).
- All lettering and lighting on the sign.
- Maximum sign face area of the static electronic message board portion per sign.
You must also provide
You must also provide:
- A current plan of survey certified by a registered Ontario Land Surveyor, when required, on which is shown the location of the proposed sign in relation to the boundaries of the lot, setback from the property lines, adjacent streets, driveways, traffic lights and any buildings on the lot.
- Engineering drawings.
- Traffic Impact report that is stamped and signed by a professional transportation engineer.
- Proof of general liability insurance with the Town of Oakville named as additional insured or co-insured for no less than three million dollars. Insurance to be submitted by sign installer.
- A letter of authorization from the property owner/agent.
- Ministry of Transportation approval if the sign is within 400 meters (≈ 1312 ft) of any 400 Series Highway.
- Proof of approval for the proposed sign from all other governmental authorities having jurisdiction (Conservation Halton, Halton Region).
- Only if you are displaying a temporary sign for a maximum of 21 days
Temporary signs: 21 day permits
A temporary sign that is displayed for a maximum of 21 days.
Signs in this category
Signs that fall under this category include:
- mobile signs
- wall banner signs
- inflatable signs
- feather banner signs
- charitable signs
Permit locations
Permit locations are available as follows:
- Maximum display period of 21 days per permit approval.
- Requirement of seven day prohibited period per location after a sign permit has expired before another sign permit will be approved for the same location.
- Locations are available within 30 metres (≈ 98 ft 5⅛ in) from another feather banner, charitable mobile sign or mobile sign located along the same property frontage.
- Maximum number of display periods in a calendar year is seven and is shared between feather banner and mobile signs.
When to apply
Once you have confirmed a permitted location for your mobile signs you may submit a permit application within the following timelines:
- Maximum of 60 days prior to requested placement.
- Minimum of three business days’ notice is required.
- Only if your temporary sign requires to be renewed each calendar year
Temporary signs: Annual permits
To apply for a Temporary Sign - Annual Permit, you must complete an Annual Temporary sign permit application online. The application must include:
Signs in this category
Sign types that fall under this category include
- pole poster sign (private property)
- wall poster sign (fascia sign)
- flag sign
- window sign
- A-frame sign (private property)
- real estate fascia sign (non-residential)
- real estate ground sign (non-residential)
- hoarding sign
- development sign
For development signs
- Current plan of survey certified by a registered Ontario Land Surveyor, when required, on which is shown the location of the proposed sign in relation to the boundaries of the lot, setback from the property lines, adjacent streets, driveways, traffic lights and any buildings on the lot
- Drawings showing the proposed sign, its weight and structure including: dimensions, copy design and materials (type of bolts/screws, length, material, etc.)
- Proof of approval from the Town for the development (plan approval or building construction approval)
- Proof of general liability insurance with the Town of Oakville named as additional or co-insured for no less than three million dollars from sign contractor.
For real estate (non-residential) fascia signs, window signs, real estate (non-residential) ground signs, hoarding signs and poster signs
- The proposed sign, sign structure, location and height including: dimensions, copy design and materials and how the sign is affixed/installed in the ground.
- All lettering and lighting (including colour, where applicable) on the sign(s).
- All signs weighing more than 115 kg (253 lbs) must include a design sealed by a Professional Engineer
- Details of connection and fasteners to be used
- Ground signs with height exceeding 7.5m (≈ 24 ft 7¼ in) must include a design sealed by a Structural Engineer or Architect and be reviewed on site.
- Proof of general liability insurance with the Town of Oakville named as additional or co-insured for no less than three million dollars from sign contractor.
For fascia signs, window signs or wall poster signs
- Drawings and specifications showing the parts of the building to which the proposed sign is to be attached.
- Written approval of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario must be included if the sign is within 400 meters (≈ 1312 ft) of a 400 series highway.
- Proof of general liability insurance with the Town of Oakville named as additional or co-insured for no less than three million dollars from sign contractor.
- Only if you are a charitable or not for profit group whose primary purpose is to provide recreational, cultural or community services to the residents of Oakville
Community mobile signs
Community mobile signs permits are issued to charitable or not for profit group whose primary purpose is to provide recreational, cultural or community services to the residents of Oakville. Signs which promote a business or product or serve to seek employees, customers or clients for the organization displaying the signs are not permitted.
Permit locations
Permit locations are available as follows:
- Permits issued for up to 14 days per permit approval.
- Requirement of 14 day prohibited period per ward for organizations after a sign permit has expired before another sign permit will be approved for the same ward.
- Locations are available per ward. There are currently three locations available per ward as identified on the application and interactive map.
- You can only apply for one community sign per ward at a time.
- The sign may include a corporate sponsorship that takes up no more than 15% of the sign face.
- You will be required to provide the message that will appear on the sign during the application process.
When to apply
Once you have confirmed a permitted location for your mobile signs please complete the Community Mobile Sign application online. Applications may be submitted within the following timelines:
- Maximum of 60 days prior to requested placement.
- Minimum of three business days’ notice is required.
- Only if you want to display a double-faced a-frame sign on Town property for the sale of new dwelling units
A-frame development signs
A-frame development sign permits are issued to a double-faced a-frame sign that will be displayed on Town property. The objective of these signs is to attract attention to the sale of new dwelling units within the Town of Oakville.
Prohibited locations
A-frame development signs are prohibited to be displayed:
- On any center median, traffic island, or center boulevard within a road allowance
- In a location which impairs or obstructs the visibility or movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or the visibility of warning devices, railway, traffic of municipal street signs; or
- Affixed in any way to a utility pole, tree, official sign or other Town property.
Your application must include
Your application must include:
- Certificate of General Liability Insurance in the amount of no less than $3,000,000. The Town of Oakville 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville ON L6H 0H3 must be listed as either "additional insured" or "certificate holder".
- Copy of the letter from Planning Services confirming that the development draft plan is approved.
- Only if you are a candidate putting up election signs
Election signs
- Visit the Election Signs page for more information.
- Candidates must submit a deposit as listed in the Rates and Fees.
- For more details on regulations governing election signs please refer to Sign By-law, Part 10.
- Only if you need event signs
Event signs
Submit your application
All permanent and temporary sign permits applications must be submitted through the Town’s online services.
- Save files in a PDF format.
- PDFs should not be locked.
- Organize documents as separate files. Document types can contain multiple pages, such as drawings or plans.
- Name your files appropriately, i.e. MTO Approval.pdf This saves significant time in processing your application.
- All files should be easy to read, i.e. scanned documents.
- Ensure all required documentation is added to your application submission or your application will be delayed.
- The review and approval process of your submitted documents regarding your sign permit application will be processed through the ProjectDox software if your application requires drawings to be uploaded.
- Refer to the ProjectDox Applicant Guide for Sign Permits for more information.
- It may take up to 15 to 20 business days to process your application. Processing may take longer if your submitted documents are insufficient and need additional information.
Pay the fee
- Refer to the Sign Permit Rates and Fees for our current fees. Application fees are non-refundable and not transferable.
- Additional fees will apply if approvals are required if the sign encroaches or overhangs municipal property.
Written from Oakville’s own pages as published on 22 October 2026. The municipality decides what a permit needs: confirm with it before you apply. Legal notice