Sign permits

If you’re building or installing a permanent, portable or temporary sign in Kitchener, you need to apply for and obtain a sign permit. You may also need a variance if your sign doesn’t meet our requirements.

On this page:

1. Sign bylaw
2. Permanent signs
3. Portable signs
4. Temporary signs
5. Variance requests
6. Sign variance requests under review
7. Report an illegal sign

Sign bylaw

Our sign bylaw regulates the location and sizes of signs installed in the city. Our guidelines ensure signs are safely installed and won’t impede visibility.

Permanent signs

Click here to apply online.

If you want to install a permanent sign, please read our Application and Drawing Requirements below before applying for a permanent sign permit.

Fees

Please see the applicable fee schedule here (Page 12, Row 279-292).

Application requirements

A letter of authorization from the property owner must be included with your submission.

All drawings are to be submitted in metric units of measurement

If your sign does not comply with the Sign bylaw regulations, you will need to request a variance

or an amendment.

Drawing requirements

Site Plan

For construction information, ground supported, new home development or billboard signs – please include:

• Location of proposed sign(s)
• Setback from property lines
• Location of all other signs on the property and abutting lands
• Distance to parking or pedestrian areas
• To determine if a City Site Plan is available, please contact the Records Administrator at building@kitchener.ca.

Sign Drawing

For all sign types, please include the following (if applicable):

• Dimensions of sign
• Dimensions of wall the sign is located on
• Clearance from grade to bottom of sign
• Height of sign
• Description of area beneath the sign (pedestrian, vehicular, landscaped)
• Projection from wall
• Material of the wall that the sign is being attached to
• Details of how sign is fastened to the wall - size, spacing and number of bolts
• Footing details
• Landscape details/changes (updated or new landscape plan may be required)

Additional information

For an awning, fascia or projecting sign, you must also submit a photo or elevation drawing of the building or structure to which the sign is to be attached clearly showing the proposed location of the sign and showing that it will not cover any architectural feature of the building or structure.

The Ontario Building Code requires the following signs to be designed by a Professional Engineer:

• All types of projecting building signs (including fascia) weighing more than 25 kg
• All freestanding signs greater than 1.8 metres above ground level

Inspection information

Signs containing Automatic Changing Copy shall conform to the criteria outlined in Section 680.3.31 of the Sign By-law and shall be certified in writing by a Lighting Engineer after the installation of the sign and before its operational use. See this link for a template for the Lighting Engineer certification.

Portable signs

Portable signs may only be placed in approved locations and subject to receiving property owner approval. A maximum of six permits may be issued for any one business or use per calendar year. To apply for a permit, complete our portable sign permit application.

Send us an email if the subject property does not have a valid sign location and you want to apply for one.

Temporary signs

You can receive a temporary permit for inflatable signs and banners. There is a maximum of six permits a year for a business or specific use.

To apply for a permit, complete a temporary sign permit application.

Variance requests

If your sign doesn’t meet our bylaw requirements, you’ll need to request a variance. The variance process is:

• apply for a variance (download the application form) and pay the fee
• a notice of application will be posted on our website
• property owners within 120 metre radius receive written notice of the request and can provide comments
• planning staff will circulate the application for feedback from other departments deemed relevant

After you apply for and receive a variance, you will need to apply for and obtain a sign permit.

Variance approval

Approval may be subject to conditions determined by staff. If staff do not support the application, you can appeal staff’s recommendation to city council.

If the variance is considered minor and there are no concerns, the process will take approximately four weeks to complete.

If in the variance request is worthy of consideration but not minor, the application will be processed as a bylaw amendment that would be considered by city council.

Sign variance requests under review

• 333 Manitou Dr

Report an illegal sign