Sign Permits

You do not need a sign permit if you are installing:

• Election signs
• Contractor signs
• Sandwich board signs
• Private warning signs
• Identification or directional signs

If you have any questions on sign permit requirements, we would be happy to help you. Just call 519-832-2008 x118 to reach Building Services.

Notwithstanding any other regulations in this by-law, the following signs are prohibited:

• a sign attached to a tree, or a fence or a gate;
• a sequential sign;
• a sign erected or painted on a vehicle (except a temporary sales trailer for new construction located on the site of the construction) where the vehicle is not used in weekly operation for transportation and is parked or located in a manner so as to make the sign visible from a street for the purpose of functioning as an identification, information or advertising sign;
• a corporation flag or emblem exceeding 2.0 square metres in area and every corporation flag or emblem exceeding 3 per premises;
• a sign that falls into more than one sign type unless such sign complies with the provisions applicable to each sign type, and where a sign is prohibited anywhere in this by-law, the prohibition shall apply notwithstanding that the sign may be permitted by other provisions of this by-law;
• an electronic message centre sign, except in accordance with Section 9.1;
• a temporary sign in a window of a Group 1 Use premise and a Group 2 Residential Use premise, except for real estate signs;
• signs erected on any accessory structure except facial wall or projecting wall signs that relate solely to an occupancy or use carried on in conjunction with the accessory structure;
• a roof sign;
• a projecting wall sign that is primarily supported by braces, cables, rods, guy wires or other structural supporting components that are external to the sign face or sign box;
• a sign, other than an official sign, that is located on a road allowance and attached to any utility pole or to any other official sign structure, unless such attachment is authorized by the Town or any other authority having jurisdiction in the matter;
• a billboard sign;
• a sign attached to any part of municipal property or road allowance except as otherwise permitted by the Town pursuant to this By-law;
• signs displaying profanity, nudity, hate messages or other similarly offensive content;
• a sign which uses flashing illumination or is otherwise animated.

The Town is pleased to offer residents, builders, and the business community an online application system to apply for and track your building permits.

The online building permit system allows you to apply for and to see the status of your application anywhere, at any time. You can start an application and finish it later, and receive email updates on the status of your permit application. You can even request building inspections!

Apply for a sign permit

Need help getting started with Cloudpermit?  A step-by-step guide is available to help you login and submit your first application.

Guide to Cloudpermit

If you are having difficulty using Cloudpermit, please contact the Building Department for assistance at building@saugeenshores.ca or 519-832-2008 ext. 118. You can also access support through Cloudpermit's online portal.

Cloudpermit Support

• Ground, Fascia or Projecting Sign: $81.51
• Awnings and Marquees: $88.15

You may qualify for a sign permit fee reduction if the land is located within downtown Port Elgin or downtown Southampton. Fees in these areas are 50 per cent of the required fee.

View our methods of payment accepted.

Signs installed on buildings

1. Detail drawings illustrating the following information:
   • Dimensioned elevation drawings of the building on which the sign is to be displayed
   • Include the size, area, height and location of the sign and the height of all lettering
   • Installation and fastening details of the sign
   • Provide the weight of the sign if a projecting sign

Ground signs

1. Site plan - of your property showing the size and location of all buildings on the property and the location of the proposed ground sign.  Accurate measurements from the property lines to the proposed sign are required. This can be hand drawn but must be clear, accurate and include all necessary measurements. 
2. Detail drawings illustrating the following information:
   • Include the size, area, height and location of the sign and the height of all lettering
   • Installation and fastening details of the sign and sign structure with footing
   • Provide the weight of the sign if a projecting sign

How to apply for a sign variance

If the Sign By-law does not allow for the sign you want, you can apply for a sign variance. Our Committee of Adjustment considers and approves sign variance requests.