Sign Permit

Signs Requiring a Permit or Permission

Richmond Hill's Sign By-law 52-09 sets the size, location and number of signs allowed on any property, business or at special events in our community. Thank you for applying for a sign permit, and for your continued cooperation.

Temporary Signs

Temporary signs refer to signs that are not permanently attached or fixed to a structure or surface.

Apply for a temporary sign

List of temporary signs

Charity sign - $67

Charity signs are signs located, erected or displayed on Private Property to advertise non-profit or charitable event by a non-profit organization, charity, place of worship, public school board, or separate school board. A Charity Sign is only valid for 14 days. You will find a list of pre-approved locations within the City of Richmond Hill listed on the Application form if you decide to apply.

Development sign - $308

Development signs are signs where Copy shall display: (a) the name or registered trademark including logo, crest or seal of a builder or developer of a development as defined and approved pursuant to Section 41 of the Planning Act, resulting from a Plan of Subdivision approved pursuant to Section 51 of the Planning Act, or a combination thereof; (b) directions to a development as defined and approved pursuant to Section 41 of the Planning Act, resulting from a Plan of Subdivision approved pursuant to Section 51 of the Planning Act, or a combination thereof; (c) information pertaining to the business occupant of a Premises of an approved development pursuant to Section 41 of the Planning Act, or (d) a combination thereof of (a), (b), and (c); and (e) "Development" shall mean such a development described in (a), (b) and (c).

Mobile sign - $133 (5 business days to issue) - $189 (2 business days to issue)

Mobile signs are designed to be capable of being readily moved from one location to another and is usually built on a trailer or other solid platform and may include wheels. A Mobile Sign is only valid for 21 days.

Portable sign - $133

Portable signs are a free-standing Sign located, erected, or displayed on but not permanently anchored in the ground and includes, but is not limited to, Signs commonly referred to as A-frame, T-frame, sandwich board. This does not include an Inflatable Sign or a Mobile Sign. A Portable Sign is only valid for 21 days.

Permanent Signs

Permanent Signs are signs that are affixed to the ground or buildings.

Apply for a permanent sign

List of permanent signs

Awning sign - $279

Awning signs are located, erected, or displayed on an Awning and having a face thereof on a plane approximately parallel to the plane of such wall to which the awning is attached to and shall not include a Canopy Sign.

Canopy sign - $279

Canopy signs are located, erected, or displayed on a Canopy and approximately parallel to the plane of such Canopy and shall not include an Awning Sign.

Entrance feature sign - $279

Entrance feature signs are located, erected, or displayed on Property or Premises, at the entrance of a Development in a residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional Zone for the purpose of identifying the Development.

Ground sign - $279

Ground signs are directly supported by one or more uprights, poles, or braces, or located on a structural base placed in or upon the ground and does not include a Flag Sign, an Inflatable Sign, a Mobile Sign, or a Portable Sign.

Menu board sign - $279

Menu board signs are located, erected, or displayed as part of a drive through facility for the purposes of displaying or ordering products or services, or a combination thereof available at the drive-through business.

Mural sign - $216

Mural signs are any type of display or artistic endeavour that is applied as paint or film, or a sculpture to any external wall or other part of a Premises or structure, but shall not include any stained glass window of a Premises.

Projecting sign - $279

Projecting signs are attached to and projecting from a Premises wall or attached to and hanging from a soffit.

Sign package or sales trailer - $1,342

Sign package or sales trailer include all permitted Flag Signs, Ground Signs, Portable Signs, and Wall Signs.

Wall sign - $279

Wall signs are attached to, marked or inscribed on, located, erected or placed against a wall of a Premises and having the exposed face thereof on a plane approximately parallel to the plane of such wall and may include display boxes, but shall not include an Awning Sign, a Banner Sign, a Canopy Sign, a Mural Sign, or a Poster Sign. A Wall Sign shall not be supported by the Roof; the ground or a combination thereof.

Required Documents for Applications

The documents which you are required to submit will depend on the type of permit application.

Temporary Signs

Mobile Sign - requires an authorization letter from the owner

Portable Sign - requires an authorization letter from the owner

Charity Sign - requires an authorization letter from the owner if the sign is being placed on private property

Election Sign - does not require additional documentation

Development Sign:

Site Plan – showing location of proposed sign with respect to parking layout, driveway, property lines, traffic lights and buildings
Elevation View – dimensioned drawings showing tenant’s business premise, proposed location of sign, area and graphics / wording on sign
Ground Sign Foundation Details - only required during Ground Sign Applications
P. Eng. (stamped) Design – Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Ground Sign Structure. Foundation and Connection Details (only required if sign is greater than 7 feet above grade)
Connection Details/Sections indicating sign weight, spacing size, strength and # of connecting screws bolts, and/or shields, thickness and strength of attaching member, description of existing building component sign is being attached to
MTO Approval – only required for Signs adjacent to Highway 404 (416-235-5385)
Written consent from Condominium Corporation or Property Owner
Proof of Site Plan Approval & Execution

Permanent Signs

Site Plan – showing location of proposed sign with respect to parking layout, driveway, property lines, traffic lights and buildings
Elevation View – dimensioned drawings showing tenant’s business premise, proposed location of sign, area and graphics / wording on sign
Ground Sign Foundation Details - only required during Ground Sign Applications
P. Eng. (stamped) Design – Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Ground Sign Structure. Foundation and Connection Details (only required if sign is greater than 7 feet above grade)
Connection Details/Sections indicating sign weight, spacing size, strength and # of connecting screws bolts, and/or shields, thickness and strength of attaching member, description of existing building component sign is being attached to
MTO Approval – only required for Signs adjacent to Highway 404 (416-235-5385)
Written consent from Condominium Corporation or Property Owner

Election Signs

Election signs are signs that advertise or promote the election of a political party or a Candidate for public office in a federal, provincial, or municipal election. Election signs are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill. These signs must follow Section 7.14 of the Sign By-law.

All Candidates and Third Party Advertisers are required to complete an Election Sign Application and pay the associated fee of $308 prior to erecting or displaying any election related signage.

On December 13, 2023 Council enacted an amendment to the Sign By-law, to update Election Sign requirements. Sign By-law Amendment No. 126-23 updated definitions, placement and size restrictions surrounding election signs.

Signs Not Requiring a Permit

View the information below about each type of sign, for which you don't need a permit in Richmond Hill.

Address sign

Address signs are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill. These signs must follow Section 6.2 of the Sign By-law.

Agricultural sign

You don't need a permit for agricultural signs advertising the sale of farm produce grown on the same property where the sign is located, erected or displayed. These signs are allowed in agricultural zones of Richmond Hill and are also allowed in any Oak Ridges Moraine zones according to By-law 128-04.

These signs must:

Have a maximum sign area of 3 m2
Be a maximum of one double-faced sign or two single-faced signs per private property
Be removed within 24 hours of the date when the advertised produce is no longer available for sale
Have a maximum height of 1.83 m for a ground sign

These signs can be non-illuminated or externally illuminated

Banner sign

Banner signs are allowed in all zones, except residential zones of Richmond Hill. These signs must follow Section 6.4 of the Sign By-law.

Commemorative sign

Commemorative signs are plaques or corners stones of a non-advertising nature. These types of signs are allowed all of Richmond Hill's zones. They must have a maximum sign area of 0.20 m2, be located, erected or displayed on a premises wall and can be non-illuminated or externally illuminated.

Community special event sign

Signs advertising community special events are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill. These signs must follow Section 6.4 of the Sign By-law.

Contractor advertising sign

Signs advertising the contractor doing landscaping, repairs, renovations or maintenance on a property or premises are allowed in all zones. These signs must have a maximum sign area of 0.30 m2 and must be removed from the property within two days after the project is completed.

These signs can't be illuminated.

Directional sign

Directional signs are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill. You can have a maximum of eight directional signs per property. These signs must:

Have a maximum sign area of 0.50 m2
Have a maximum height of 1.20 m for direction signs in the form of a ground sign
Non-ground signs must only be located on the first storey of a premises
Not include a business or organization registered trademark, logo, crest or seal that takes up more than 50 per cent of the sign area

These signs can be non-illuminated, externally illuminated or internally illuminated.

Directory signs

A directory sign is allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill. These signs must follow Section 6.5 of the Sign By-law.

Flag signs

Flag signs of public education, religious, charitable or fraternal organizations are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill. You can only have three of these signs per premises. These signs must:

Have a maximum height of 6 m, including the supporting structure
Not include commercial advertising

These signs can be non-illuminated or externally illuminated.

Flag signs of civic nature

Flag signs of patriotic and civic nature are also allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill. These signs must be a maximum height of 6 m, including the supportive structure and can be non-illuminated or externally illuminated.

Incidental signs

Incidental signs indicating something about a specific area of the premises are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill. These kinds of signs include store hours or an open sign. These signs can be non-illuminated, externally illuminated or internally illuminated.

Interior signs

Interior signs are not meant to be seen off the premises where the sign is located, erected or displayed. These signs are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill.

No Trespassing signs

No Trespassing signs are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill. They must have a maximum sign area of 0.20 m2 and can't be illuminated.

Off-site directional signs

Off-site directional signs are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill and must follow Section 6.7 of the Sign By-law.

Pennant signs

Pennant signs located, erected or displayed by Richmond Hill or any other of its agencies, boards or commissions can't contain commercial advertising content. This also applies to commercial advertising content by York Region or any of its agencies, boards or commissions. Pennant signs that follow these rules are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill and can't be illuminated.

Public information signs

Public information signs are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill and must be in the form of a wall sign, ground sign or projecting sign. These signs must follow the rules in Table D: Provision for Signs in Industrial, Institutional or Agricultural Zone of the Sign By-law.

Poster signs

Poster signs are allowed in all zones of Richmond Hill and must follow Section 6.8 of the Sign By-law.

Real estate signs

Real estate signs are located, erected or displayed for notification that a premises or property is for sale, rent or lease. These signs must:

Have a maximum area of 1.20 m2 in residential zones and a maximum sign area of 3.50 m2 in all other zones
Have a maximum height of 1.20 m in the form of a ground sign
Must be removed within 14 days after the date of an acceptance offer for the purchase or lease of the property or premises

Real estate signs can't be illuminated.

Real estate open house signs

The permitted use of Real Estate Open House Signs in Richmond Hill is as follows:

A maximum of one (1) Real Estate Open House Sign may be displayed on each street frontage of the property where the open house is being held. For example, if the open house is at a corner lot then two (2) signs are permitted (one on each abutting street frontage), for all other lots one (1) sign is permitted
An additional four (4) Real Estate Open House Signs may be installed in addition to the maximum of one (1) Real Estate Open House Sign on each street frontage of the property where the open house is being held
Signs must be setback a minimum of 1.0 metre from the paved portion of the road
Signs must clearly display the words “Open House”; the municipal address of the open house; and the date and time of the open house
Signs shall be displayed only on the day of the open house

The Sign By-law also permits the erection of a Real Estate Sign on a property that is being offered for sale, rent or lease. The information displayed on the Real Estate Sign is not restricted and may include an insert advertising an open house event.

Signs at a gas station

Signs located, erected or displayed at a gas station are only allowed in commercial zones of Richmond Hill. These signs can't be illuminated.

Signs for home businesses

Signs that identify a home-based business on a private property or premises are allowed in residential zones of Richmond Hill. You can have a maximum of two signs per premises or property. These signs can be a ground sign, wall sign, window sign or a combination of any of these. Home business signs must:

Have a maximum sign area of 0.20 m2 for a ground sign or wall sign
Have a maximum sign area of 0.15 m2 for a window sign
Have a maximum height of 1.50 m for a ground sign

Window signs can't be illuminated. Ground or wall signs can be non-illuminated or externally illuminated.

Window signs

Window signs are allowed in all zones, except residential zones of Richmond Hill, unless they are for a home business. You can have a maximum of six window signs per premises. These signs must have a maximum sign area of 0.15 m2 per sign and can't take up more than 25 per cent of a window, window section or window pane.

Window signs can be non-illuminated or internally illuminated.

Sign By-law Variance Information

If your proposed sign does not meet the requirements of the City’s Sign By-law you may apply for a Sign Variance.

What is a Sign Variance?

A variance allows for flexibility when unique or exceptional circumstances make it difficult to comply with the Sign By-law, provided the proposed sign still supports the overall intent and purpose of the by-law.

When is a Sign Variance Required?

A Sign By-law Variance is required if your proposed sign does not fully comply with the standards set out in the City’s Sign By-law. This may include situations where the design, location, size, illumination, or number of signs differs from what is permitted. If your signage proposal cannot meet the by-law requirements due to unique circumstances, and you believe it still supports the overall intent of the by-law, you may apply for a variance.

Before you apply

Before submitting your application, please contact us by email. The Community Standards Division can provide general information about the application process and explain the requirements of the Sign By-law, including whether a variance application may be required. Submitting a sign variance application without first applying for, or fully reviewing, the sign permit and by-law requirements can result in missed deficiencies and delays in processing. Contacting staff in advance can help applicants ensure all required information is considered prior to submission and avoid unnecessary delays.

This assistance is intended to help applicants understand the process and does not constitute a review of plans or an opinion on compliance with the by-law or the approval of any application.

Sign Complaints

To report an illegal sign, please contact the By-Law Enforcement Office at 905-771-0198 or by email.

Residents are allowed to remove illegal signs from their property. To report illegal signs at other locations please contact the By-Law Enforcement Office at 905-771-0198 or by email.

Richmond Hill is not able to remove signs from Regional Roads. Illegal signs can be reported to York Region.

Resources

Service Charter

Learn more about our Service Charter.

Service Commitment

Mobile Sign Permits will be processed and you will hear back from us within 5 business days after receipt of an application.