Sign Permits

Advertising Sign

• a sign that is owned and maintained by a person engaged in the rental or leasing of the sign face area for advertising goods services or facilities and upon which copy can be fastened in a manner such that other copy can be substituted from time to time.

Awning Sign

• a single-sided sign painted on, or otherwise affixed to, the surface of an awning and such sign does not project off or out from the awning in any direction.

Canopy, Entrance

• any non-retractable roof-like structure, that may be supported from the ground by poles or similar supports, that is attached to the exterior wall of a building at entrance(s).

Canopy, Fuel Pump

• any open and permanent roof structure, free standing or attached to a building, that is erected for the purpose of sheltering fuel pumps at a motor vehicle service station.
   

Community Bulletin Board

• a structure erected by the town for the purpose of providing a display surface for posters, pamphlets, or notices. Locations of community bulletin boards are listed in Part 13, section 2 of this by-law.

Directional Sign

• a double-or single-faced sign that gives directions or instructions for the control of vehicular or pedestrian traffic within the property on which the sign is located and at entrances to the property from the street.

Directory Sign

• a single-sided sign that displays unit numbers, business names or tenants of a premises, or a combination thereof.

Drive-Through Menu Board Sign

• a permanent single- or double-faced sign erected on a menu board, as part of a drive-through facility, that is used to display products available.  The sign face may incorporate a digital display and the structure may include an ordering station.

Drive-Through Pre-Sale Menu Board Sign

• any permanent single-faced sign erected on a pre-sale menu board, as part of a drive-through facility, that is used to display a selection of products available and/or special promotions. The sign face may incorporate a digital display and the structure may include an ordering station.
   

Election Sign 

• a double-or single-faced sign advertising or promoting the election of a political party or a candidate for public office in a federal, provincial or municipal election and includes signs promoting the position of a person registered to campaign with respect to a question on a ballot and third party election signs.

Fuel Pump Sign

• a permanent or temporary double-or single-faced sign erected or displayed on, or attached to, a fuel pump or electric vehicle charging station that displays, in whole or in part, static copy, electronic static copy or electronic moving copy (video).

Fascia Sign

• a single-faced sign, constructed of a permanent and rigid material, that is attached and positioned parallel to the exterior wall of a building or structure.

Ground Sign

• a double-or single-faced freestanding sign that is permanently affixed to the ground and not supported in any manner by a building.

Manual Changing Copy Sign

• a double-or single-faced sign, or part thereof, that the copy can be periodically changed or rearranged in fixed rows by manual means.

Menu Board

• a single-sided menu displaying the list of offerings at a food or service establishment and displayed at the main entrance to the establishment.

Monolith Sign

• a double-or single-faced ground sign that is shaped like a single pillar such that there is no  structural delineation between the base of the sign and the display surface of the sign.

Mural

• any type of display or artistic endeavour applied to any external wall or other part of  a building or structure which does not include any words, images, logos, or trademarks that advertise or convey any promotional message.

Official Sign

• any sign erected by or under the jurisdiction of a federal, provincial or municipal government or agency and any sign required by a federal or provincial statute or municipal by-law.

Projecting Sign

• a double-faced sign that is erected on and entirely supported by a building wall and that projects from the building wall; this does not include a canopy or awning sign.

Roof Sign

• any sign that is located above or attached, in whole or in part, to the roof of a building or to the top of a parapet wall.

Static Electronic Message Board (SEMB)

• a component of a ground sign that is designed to have alphanumeric characters and digital images that can be readily changed or rearranged by electronic means without altering the face of the sign and displays information in a prearranged sequence.

A Static Electronic Message Board does not contain copy that is full motion video or otherwise gives the appearance of animation or movement and does not display third-party advertising. This does not include a Drive-Through Menu Board Sign and Drive-Through Pre-Sales Menu Board Sign.

Wall Poster Sign

• a single-faced sign that is inserted into a fixed frame that is attached to building façade.

Wall Sign

• a single-faced sign directly painted, marked on or inscribed on an exterior wall surface of a building, but shall not include a mural.

A-Frame Sign

• a temporary, double-faced sign, triangular in shape, designed with no less than two sides of similar length forming its apex allowing it to stand on the ground. Such signs include, but not limited to, sandwich board signs.
   

Advertising Sign (third party)

• a sign that is owned and maintained by a person engaged in the rental or leasing of the sign face area for advertising goods services or facilities and upon which copy can be fastened in a manner such that other copy can be substituted from time to time.

Banner Sign, Cross-Street

• a temporary double-or single-faced lightweight, open-web banner sign suspended across a street and mounted on poles designed to support this sign type.

Banner Sign, Light Pole

• a temporary double-or single-faced lightweight, open-web banner sign mounted on support arm(s) that are attached to an individual light pole located on private property.

Banner Sign, Projecting

• a temporary double-or single-faced lightweight, open-web banner sign mounted on support arms that are attached perpendicularly to an exterior building wall.

Banner Sign, Street Light Pole

• a temporary double-or single-faced lightweight, open-web banner sign mounted on support arm(s) that are attached to an individual light pole or utility pole located on the municipal boulevard.

Banner Sign, Wall

• a temporary single-faced lightweight, open-web banner attached to and positioned parallel to an exterior building wall.

Charitable Sign

• a temporary double-or single-faced sign located, erected, or displayed on Private Property to advertise non-profit or charitable event by a non-profit organization, charity, place of worship, or school board and does not promote a business or product.

Community Mobile Sign

• a temporary double-faced sign issued to charitable or not for profit group whose primary purpose is to provide recreational, cultural or community services to the residents of Oakville.

Congratulatory Sign

• a temporary double-or single-faced sign that promotes a private special occasion and does not contain a commercial message nor direct persons to a commercial enterprise.

Development Sign, Ground

• a temporary double or single-faced ground sign that provides information promoting a development site or construction site as part of a plan of subdivision or a plan of condominium that has received draft approval, or the construction of a building or building complex on a property.

Development Sign, A-frame

• a temporary, double-faced A-frame sign displayed on town property that directs attention to the sale of new dwelling units.

Event Sign

• a temporary double-or single-faced sign on Town Property advertising a charitable, community or tourism event occurring within the town.

Feather Banner Sign

• a temporary double-sided lightweight sign made of non-rigid material attached to a metal or plastic pole and placed into the ground or on a weighted stand.

Flag Sign

• a temporary double-faced sign made of cloth or lightweight non-rigid material that is attached by one edge to a pole or rope on a permanent supporting structure.

Hoarding Sign

• a temporary single-faced sign erected on hoarding, associated with the development of property, that advertises or identifies the development of the property on which the sign is located. (Definition 49 in the by-law).

Inflatable Sign

• any temporary sign made of non-rigid, lightweight material that is designed to be inflated and that is tethered to the ground; and includes hot-air balloons. (Definition 52 in the by-law).

Mobile Sign

• a double-or single-faced temporary sign capable of being readily relocated from one location to another and which does not rely on a building or fixed foundation for its structural support. (Definition 57 in the by-law).

Open House Directional Sign

• a temporary double-or single-faced A-Frame sign that is displayed on a street that is intended to direct potential clients to a single residence for sale or lease. (Definition 70 in the by-law).

Pennant Sign

• a temporary triangular-shaped double-or single-faced sign comprised of lightweight materials and displayed in a grouping, typically strung between two supports or against a wall. (Definition 74 in the by-law).

Pole Poster Sign 

• a temporary double-or single-faced sign that is inserted into a fixed frame attached to a freestanding light pole located within a surface parking area, and includes Banner Sign, Light Pole. (Definition 79 in the by-law).

Real Estate Sign

• a temporary double-or single-faced sign that is affixed to the ground or attached to an exterior  building wall for the purpose of advertising the sale, lease or rental of the lands and existing buildings located on the property, where applicable. (Definition 83 in the by-law).

Rotating Sign

• a temporary sign in which any portion of the sign face area mechanically or by wind power rotates or revolves.

T-Frame Sign

• a temporary double-or single-faced sign supported by a base such that the sign and base are similar in shape to an inverted “T”.

Vehicle Sign

• a temporary single-faced sign which is displayed on a vehicle and includes a sign painted or otherwise exhibited on a vehicle or a sign displayed on a secondary surface placed upon or over the vehicle.

Window Sign

• a temporary single-faced sign erected, painted, attached, etched, or inscribed onto the inside or outside of any part of a window in a building wall, but excludes the window frame.

  This definition also means a sign located within or in place of the glass of a window or any sign erected or displayed within 1.0 m of the window in a manner that the sign faces are intended to be viewed from outside the building, but excludes a sign that forms an integral part of a designed window display.

  Does not include ‘open/closed’ sign with a maximum sign face area of 0.3 square metres.

For more information on a municipal election, visit the Oakville Elections page.

Candidates who submited a $205 deposit

Candidates and their agents are responsible for following the requirements of the Sign By-law. Here are some things you need to know:

• No election signs of any kind are permitted 45 days prior to Election Day.
• Election signs may only be displayed within the Ward in which the Candidate is running
• Election signs are restricted to designated arterial roadways only and are not permitted within road corridors abutting town owned facilities.
• Election signs cannot obstruct the view of pedestrians or drivers or obstruct the visibility of traffic signs.
• Election signs cannot be displayed along the frontage of properties where a cenotaph is located
• Election signs must be removed within 72 hours of Election Day.
• Municipal Enforcement Services continue to enforce election signs that remain on the roadway. Failure to comply with the Sign By-law will result in the confiscation of signs. Signs will be stored in a secure compound and may be retrieved upon payment of a $51 fee per sign, which will be deducted from your $205 deposit. Appointments to retrieve elections signs can continue to be picked up by appointment by calling ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601.
• Payment of $11 for each sign left on display 72 hours after Election Day will be deducted from your deposit.
• Refunds or applicable invoices to candidates will be issued by mail after December 1, 2022.

For more details on regulations governing election signs please refer to Sign By-law 2018-153, Part 10.

For further information relating to election signs or enforcement of election signs please contact Service Oakville at 905-845-6601.