What the published sign by-law allows at an address, with the source behind every number — early, while you are still estimating. Two short steps to an answer. Start with the location; add dimensions when you have them.
Start with the location. You do not need sign dimensions yet.
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Choose an address suggestion to check available government maps. You can also type an address and select the municipality for a manual check, or leave the address blank to explore the general rules.
Not identified automaticallyChoose an address suggestion for available automatic map checks, or confirm this category manually. Coverage varies by municipality.
Don’t know it? Urban zoning map ↗ — search your address there.
The map area or by-law category used to select sign rules. It may differ from zoning. Confirm the applicable category using the municipality’s map or written advice.
General explanation; local definitions and measurement rules control. Check Milton’s source ↗
This changes the presentation and available report options, not the rules or calculation. You can change it after the check.
Want to read it as written? Sign By-law 120-2017 ↗ — as amended by By-law 034-2018.
Choose the type that matches your sign. Dimensions can come later.
Other sign purposes
These categories currently prepare a municipal review. Size limits, fees and permit exemptions are not calculated yet.
Count display faces on this one sign, not separate signs. Dimensions can come later.
Each municipality can count faces differently. A per-face limit is not permission to multiply the total allowance.
Review guidance only: no size allowance, permit exemption, fee or permitted display period is calculated for these categories yet. You can record a proposal and save a preliminary report with the open questions.
Enter your intended dates, not a permitted duration. Renewal, repeat displays and removal deadlines still need confirmation.
Initial coverage: Oakville’s commercial, employment, mixed-use and institutional categories. Other municipalities and special uses need a separate review. This is a preliminary check against the published 2022 consolidation; later amendments remain unverified.
Motor vehicle businesses, drive-through facilities and third-party advertising need separate review. Choose “Other content or a special use” above. Illuminated signs and electronic displays are outside this initial calculation.
Measure one rectangular window, excluding its frame. Use explicit units: m, cm, ft or inches; bare numbers mean feet. Do not combine panes or transfer spare area between windows. For the proposed sign, enter the enclosing rectangle around the complete message; irregular layouts need confirmation.
This is the building’s storey count, not the sign’s location. Clarington uses it to select the shared wall-and-awning allowance. Subdivision sales offices have a separate table provision.
Exclude the sign you are proposing or replacing and any signs being removed. Leave uncertain quantities blank. Your answer is not independently verified.
No single sign-count limit is calculated for this selection. Confirm how the municipality counts existing signs.
A size limit for one sign is not automatically spare capacity on a wall or property. No shared-area deduction is calculated for this selection.
Not sure about placement? Leave it as “Not sure” and review the limits first. A sign type that is not listed needs a separate review.
Review what the maps found, then work through one follow-up at a time. You can leave questions open while exploring a sign before it is designed.
You can download a preliminary report before a sign is designed. Missing dimensions and unresolved reviews remain clearly identified.
Local history and team links keep basic details: location, sign type, district, building type, lighting and building measurements. They do not keep proposed sign dimensions, site-review answers or reports. Choose Save to my account to retain the full proposal and dated reports. For a customer handoff, download the neutral customer assessment.
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No sign design yet? That is fine. A wall or frontage measurement helps calculate the size allowance; proposed sign dimensions are optional. Use feet/inches or metric: 12 ft, 6 in, 3.5m or 150mm. Numbers without a unit are read as feet. Leave anything unknown blank.
Wall signs are usually sized off the wall they sit on, so this is the measurement that turns the rule into a number. A rough answer is fine.
The length of the property along the relevant street. Building frontage can mean something different. Use the measurement basis in your result; do not add street edges together unless the rule allows it.
General explanation; local definitions and measurement rules control. Check Milton’s source ↗
The display area counted toward the sign-size limit. Separate letters, borders and multiple faces can be counted differently. Confirm the local method before entering the sign’s width and height.
General explanation; local definitions and measurement rules control. Check Milton’s source ↗
Sign height is the display’s vertical size. Overall height runs from the required ground reference to the top of the sign. Check the local ground reference and what must be included.
General explanation; local definitions and measurement rules control. Check Milton’s source ↗
Type them exactly as the drawing reads — 54'-1", 16m (52 ft), 11' 4" all work.
Manual review of the property and sign location. Address, zoning and heritage checks do not settle this overlay. Open the official district index and maps. If the boundary is unclear, ask Building Services and leave this unchecked.
Manual confirmation — an address or projecting sign does not establish an overhang. Compare the proposed sign with the property line on a survey or reliable site plan. Leave “Haven’t checked” if the location is undecided.
| Standard | Allowable | Proposed | Ref |
|---|
Every reference in that last column is a link into the by-law text itself.
By-law 120-2017 · As amended by By-law 034-2018 · PDF, 39 pages
Open the by-law ↗Straight to the sections the numbers above come from:
| What you want | Where it is | |
|---|---|---|
| Wall signs | s.7.5 — 20% of the architectural elevation for a single occupancy | open · p.18 ↗ |
| Ground signs | s.7.4 and Table 7A — area and height set zone by zone | open · p.17 ↗ |
| Minor variance | s.11 — Commissioner must find it minor and within the general intent | open · p.33 ↗ |
| Construction | s.8 — Building Code and Electrical Safety Code by reference; no P.Eng trigger | open · p.30 ↗ |
Also worth having open:
Permission requested to depart from a by-law requirement. Approval is not guaranteed, and a variance does not replace any other permits or approvals the proposal needs.
General explanation; local definitions and measurement rules control. Check Milton’s source ↗
Each figure shows when it was last checked and against what. Anything over a year old, or a fee we checked before the most recent January (when most cities raise their fees), is marked out of date and is not shown as current. How we keep it current →
Search quotes, rule labels and citations on file for Milton across all sign districts. This is not the complete by-law. A match may not apply to your address; check its district and source.
Showing the original excerpts for this check below. Search uses no additional checks.
Each figure above, in the by-law’s own words. Every quote was checked against the published document, and is re-checked whenever the document is re-read; a figure without one is not published.
“7.1 Except as otherwise expressly permitted by the provisions of this By-law, signs are permitted only on lands within Commercial, Employment, and Institutional Zones.”
Signs are permitted in commercial, employment and institutional zones (s.7.1), with named exceptions for residential, rural and agricultural lots in s.7.2 and s.7.6.3. Ground-sign size then depends on WHERE the property is, not its zone: outside the Central Business District, inside the CBD, or inside the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville (Schedules A and C, Table 7A). The downtown areas also carry the s.6.21 restrictions.
“6.21 Notwithstanding any other regulations in the By-law, the following provisions shall apply to Signs in the Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area and Character Area as shown on Schedule “A” and Downtown Campbellville as shown on Schedule “C” of this By-law: a) The following Signs are not permitted: (i) internally illuminated box wall and awning type Signs;”
Signs are permitted in commercial, employment and institutional zones (s.7.1), with named exceptions for residential, rural and agricultural lots in s.7.2 and s.7.6.3. Ground-sign size then depends on WHERE the property is, not its zone: outside the Central Business District, inside the CBD, or inside the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville (Schedules A and C, Table 7A). The downtown areas also carry the s.6.21 restrictions.
“7.6.3 Notwithstanding Section 7.6.2 to the contrary, Business Identification Signs located in a Residential Zone, the Future Development Zone, or in a Rural or Greenlands Zone within the Rural Area are restricted to the lesser of a maximum sign area per face of 3 m² and a maximum height of 3 m or the applicable sign provisions of Table 7A.”
Signs are permitted in commercial, employment and institutional zones (s.7.1), with named exceptions for residential, rural and agricultural lots in s.7.2 and s.7.6.3. Ground-sign size then depends on WHERE the property is, not its zone: outside the Central Business District, inside the CBD, or inside the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville (Schedules A and C, Table 7A). The downtown areas also carry the s.6.21 restrictions.
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
Signs are permitted in commercial, employment and institutional zones (s.7.1), with named exceptions for residential, rural and agricultural lots in s.7.2 and s.7.6.3. Ground-sign size then depends on WHERE the property is, not its zone: outside the Central Business District, inside the CBD, or inside the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville (Schedules A and C, Table 7A). The downtown areas also carry the s.6.21 restrictions.
“7.4.4 Notwithstanding Section 7.4.3 Table 7A herein, a legally existing Sign located on lands expropriated or acquired by the Town, the Regional Municipality of Halton, or the Ministry of Transportation for the purpose of establishing, laying out, widening, altering or diverting any highway, or for the purpose of storm, sanitary or water services may be relocated with a setback from the abutting expropriation line or acquisition line, a minimum of 1.5m. (5ft.); and,”
A legally existing ground sign on land taken for a road widening or services may be relocated 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) from the new line (s.7.4.4).
“7.5.1 In a single occupancy building, the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of the architectural elevation on which they are erected. Roof structures as shown on architectural elevations are not included in the elevation area;”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3).
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
Window graphics come out of this same allowance.
“the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation of a single unit shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of that unit elevation”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3).
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3).
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“7.4.1 The total area of all ground Signs on any property shall not exceed 70% of the frontage for the property. A 0.30m reserve shall be considered frontage for the purposes of this calculation; 7.4.2 Ground signs shall be separated from each other by a distance of not less than 30 m (100ft.) and no more than two (2) ground signs shall be located on the same street frontage;”
What the area is measured against: property frontage (all ground signs together)
2 ground signs per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart.
Number, per what: per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 15.3 m² (165 sq ft) and sets the height by the face area.
You get 0.7 m² (7.5 sq ft) of ground sign for every metre (3 ft 3 in) of property frontage (all ground signs together). For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 15.3 m² (165 sq ft).
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 15.3 m² (165 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
Maximum height by sign area: up to 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 4.57 m (15 ft); 3 m² (32 sq ft) to 7.4 m² (80 sq ft) → 7.6 m (25 ft); over 7.4 m² (80 sq ft) → 10.7 m (35 ft).
street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft), 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) for 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and over · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 6.0 m (20 ft) from a property line abutting any other zone
“Outside of the Central Business Distric t, Business Improvement Area, or Character Area Less than 3.0 4.57 1.0 3.0 6.0 Equal to 3.0 and less than 7.4 7.6 3.0 3.0 6.0 Equal to 7.4 to a maximum of 15.3 10.7 3.0 3.0 6.0”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 15.3 m² (165 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 15.3 m² (165 sq ft) and sets the height by the face area.
Maximum height by sign area: up to 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 4.57 m (15 ft); 3 m² (32 sq ft) to 7.4 m² (80 sq ft) → 7.6 m (25 ft); over 7.4 m² (80 sq ft) → 10.7 m (35 ft).
street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft), 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) for 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and over · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 6.0 m (20 ft) from a property line abutting any other zone
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
s.7.5.4 caps a projecting banner or swinging wall-mounted sign at 0.46 m² (5 sq ft) per face, and s.7.5.5 allows a swinging wall sign only in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area. Whether a rigid projecting sign is allowed here is not written; ask the Town before quoting a projecting sign.
“7.5.1 In a single occupancy building, the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of the architectural elevation on which they are erected. Roof structures as shown on architectural elevations are not included in the elevation area;”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). The s.6.21 downtown restrictions apply in the BIA and Character Area next door, not here — check which side of the line the building sits.
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
Window graphics come out of this same allowance.
“the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation of a single unit shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of that unit elevation”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). The s.6.21 downtown restrictions apply in the BIA and Character Area next door, not here — check which side of the line the building sits.
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). The s.6.21 downtown restrictions apply in the BIA and Character Area next door, not here — check which side of the line the building sits.
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“6.21 Notwithstanding any other regulations in the By-law, the following provisions shall apply to Signs in the Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area and Character Area as shown on Schedule “A” and Downtown Campbellville as shown on Schedule “C” of this By-law: a) The following Signs are not permitted: (i) internally illuminated box wall and awning type Signs;”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). The s.6.21 downtown restrictions apply in the BIA and Character Area next door, not here — check which side of the line the building sits.
“7.4.1 The total area of all ground Signs on any property shall not exceed 70% of the frontage for the property. A 0.30m reserve shall be considered frontage for the purposes of this calculation; 7.4.2 Ground signs shall be separated from each other by a distance of not less than 30 m (100ft.) and no more than two (2) ground signs shall be located on the same street frontage;”
What the area is measured against: property frontage (all ground signs together)
2 ground signs per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart.
Number, per what: per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 14.9 m² (160 sq ft) in the CBD.
You get 0.7 m² (7.5 sq ft) of ground sign for every metre (3 ft 3 in) of property frontage (all ground signs together). For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 14.9 m² (160 sq ft).
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 14.9 m² (160 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
Maximum height by sign area: up to 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 3 m (9 ft 10 in); over 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 7.6 m (25 ft).
street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft), 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) for 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and over · 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting any other zone
“Within the Central Business District and outside of the Business Improveme nt Area and Character Area Less than 3.0 3.0 1.0 1.0 3.0 Equal to 3.0 to a maximum of 14.9 7.6 3.0 1.0 3.0”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 14.9 m² (160 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 14.9 m² (160 sq ft) in the CBD.
Maximum height by sign area: up to 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 3 m (9 ft 10 in); over 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 7.6 m (25 ft).
street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft), 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) for 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and over · 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting any other zone
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
s.7.5.4 caps a projecting banner or swinging wall-mounted sign at 0.46 m² (5 sq ft) per face, and s.7.5.5 allows a swinging wall sign only in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area. Whether a rigid projecting sign is allowed here is not written; ask the Town before quoting a projecting sign.
“7.5.1 In a single occupancy building, the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of the architectural elevation on which they are erected. Roof structures as shown on architectural elevations are not included in the elevation area;”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
Window graphics come out of this same allowance.
“the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation of a single unit shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of that unit elevation”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“6.21 Notwithstanding any other regulations in the By-law, the following provisions shall apply to Signs in the Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area and Character Area as shown on Schedule “A” and Downtown Campbellville as shown on Schedule “C” of this By-law: a) The following Signs are not permitted: (i) internally illuminated box wall and awning type Signs;”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
“b) No Sign shall obstruct a building’s significant architectural features, including, but not limited to, windows, brackets, sills, decorative masonry and cornice;”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
“d) No illuminated window or exterior wall Sign shall be permitted above the second storey of any building;”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
“7.4.1 The total area of all ground Signs on any property shall not exceed 70% of the frontage for the property. A 0.30m reserve shall be considered frontage for the purposes of this calculation; 7.4.2 Ground signs shall be separated from each other by a distance of not less than 30 m (100ft.) and no more than two (2) ground signs shall be located on the same street frontage;”
What the area is measured against: property frontage (all ground signs together)
2 ground signs per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart.
Number, per what: per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 4.6 m² (50 sq ft) and 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) here.
You get 0.7 m² (7.5 sq ft) of ground sign for every metre (3 ft 3 in) of property frontage (all ground signs together). For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 4.6 m² (50 sq ft).
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 4.6 m² (50 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
The ground sign can be no taller than 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from the street line · 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting any other zone
“Within the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville Up to a maximum of 4.6 3.0 1.0 1.0 3.0”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 4.6 m² (50 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 4.6 m² (50 sq ft) and 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) here.
The ground sign can be no taller than 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from the street line · 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting any other zone
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
A projecting sign can be no larger than 0.46 m² (5 sq ft).
A projecting banner or swinging wall-mounted sign may be up to 0.46 m² (5 sq ft) per face (s.7.5.4); a swinging wall sign is permitted only in the BIA and Character Area (s.7.5.5). No internally illuminated box sign here (s.6.21).
“6.21 Notwithstanding any other regulations in the By-law, the following provisions shall apply to Signs in the Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area and Character Area as shown on Schedule “A” and Downtown Campbellville as shown on Schedule “C” of this By-law: a) The following Signs are not permitted: (i) internally illuminated box wall and awning type Signs;”
A projecting banner or swinging wall-mounted sign may be up to 0.46 m² (5 sq ft) per face (s.7.5.4); a swinging wall sign is permitted only in the BIA and Character Area (s.7.5.5). No internally illuminated box sign here (s.6.21).
“7.6.3 Notwithstanding Section 7.6.2 to the contrary, Business Identification Signs located in a Residential Zone, the Future Development Zone, or in a Rural or Greenlands Zone within the Rural Area are restricted to the lesser of a maximum sign area per face of 3 m² and a maximum height of 3 m or the applicable sign provisions of Table 7A.”
What the area is measured against: the architectural elevation, or 3 m² (32 sq ft), whichever is less
s.7.6.3 restricts a business identification sign in these zones to the lesser of 3 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall, or Table 7A. We read that as capping a wall sign at 3 m² (32 sq ft) as well; it is the lower reading, so confirm with the Town if you need more. Outside the urban and hamlet boundaries only external illumination is allowed (s.7.6.4).
Whatever the percentage gives, the allowance stops at 3 m² (32 sq ft).
“7.6.4 Business Identification Signs may be internally or externally illuminated, with the exception of signs located outside of the current urban boundary or hamlet boundaries as defined by the Official Plan, in which case only external illumination shall be permitted.”
s.7.6.3 restricts a business identification sign in these zones to the lesser of 3 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall, or Table 7A. We read that as capping a wall sign at 3 m² (32 sq ft) as well; it is the lower reading, so confirm with the Town if you need more. Outside the urban and hamlet boundaries only external illumination is allowed (s.7.6.4).
“7.5.1 In a single occupancy building, the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of the architectural elevation on which they are erected. Roof structures as shown on architectural elevations are not included in the elevation area;”
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation, or 3 m² (32 sq ft), whichever is less. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 3 m² (32 sq ft).
Window graphics come out of this same allowance.
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“7.6.3 Notwithstanding Section 7.6.2 to the contrary, Business Identification Signs located in a Residential Zone, the Future Development Zone, or in a Rural or Greenlands Zone within the Rural Area are restricted to the lesser of a maximum sign area per face of 3 m² and a maximum height of 3 m or the applicable sign provisions of Table 7A.”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 3 m² (32 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 3 m² (32 sq ft).
One ground sign per property.
s.7.6.3: the lesser of 3 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall. An agricultural operation may instead have a non-illuminated ground sign of 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) naming the farm, and one for seasonal produce grown there (s.7.2(b), (c)).
The ground sign can be no taller than 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
“b) One non-illuminated ground Sign having a maximum Sign area of 3.0m 2 (32sq.ft.) per face and a maximum height of 3.0 m (10 ft.) advertising the sale of seasonal produce from the agricultural lands on which they were grown, during the appropriate growing season for the produce advertised; c) One non-illuminated ground Sign not exceeding 3.0m 2 (32sq.ft.) per face and 3.0 m (10ft.) in height identifying the name and/or proprietor of an Agricultural Operation located on the same lot;”
One ground sign per property.
s.7.6.3: the lesser of 3 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall. An agricultural operation may instead have a non-illuminated ground sign of 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) naming the farm, and one for seasonal produce grown there (s.7.2(b), (c)).
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
Table 7A setbacks: street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a commercial or industrial property line · 6.0 m (20 ft) from any other
“Outside of the Central Business Distric t, Business Improvement Area, or Character Area Less than 3.0 4.57 1.0 3.0 6.0 Equal to 3.0 and less than 7.4 7.6 3.0 3.0 6.0 Equal to 7.4 to a maximum of 15.3 10.7 3.0 3.0 6.0”
Table 7A setbacks: street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a commercial or industrial property line · 6.0 m (20 ft) from any other
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
s.7.5.5 allows a swinging wall sign only in the BIA and Character Area
“7.5.6 A non-internally illuminated apartment identification Sign, including a Sign identifying the residential component of a Mixed-Use building, shall not exceed 4.64m 2 (50sq.ft.).”
What the area is measured against: a flat maximum for the apartment identification sign
The wall sign allowance tops out at 4.64 m² (50 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4.6 m² (50 sq ft).
A non-internally illuminated apartment identification sign, including a sign for the residential part of a mixed-use building, may be up to 4.64 m² (s.7.5.6).
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“j) One non-internally illuminated ground Sign identifying an apartment, townhouse or other approved residential complex in a Residential Zone not exceeding 3.0m 2 (32sq.ft.) per face and 3 m (10 ft.) in height including a portion designated as “apartment for rent”;”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 3 m² (32 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 3 m² (32 sq ft).
One ground sign per complex.
One non-internally illuminated ground sign of 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall, which may include “apartment for rent” (s.7.2(j)). A sign on an entrance wall or landscape feature of up to 1.9 m² (20 sq ft) and 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall is also allowed, without the Table 7A setbacks (s.7.2(l)).
The ground sign can be no taller than 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
“l) A non-internally illuminated, freestanding single faced Sign located on a decorative entrance wall, landscape feature or other like marker in front of any multi-tenant or multi-building commercial, industrial or residential development shall not exceed a total Sign area of 1.9m 2 (20sq.ft.) and shall carry no advertising other than the name, address and/or logo of the development or complex. Such Sign shall not exceed a height of 1.5m (5ft.) from grade”
One non-internally illuminated ground sign of 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall, which may include “apartment for rent” (s.7.2(j)). A sign on an entrance wall or landscape feature of up to 1.9 m² (20 sq ft) and 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall is also allowed, without the Table 7A setbacks (s.7.2(l)).
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
s.7.5.5 allows a swinging wall sign only in the BIA and Character Area
“The brightness of a digital sign shall not exceed a maximum luminance of 5000 cd/ m² between sunrise and sunset, and 200 cd/m² between sunset and sunrise”
None. Milton regulates the night with a 200 cd/m² cap from sunset to sunrise on digital and internally illuminated signs, instead of a curfew.
A digital or lit sign can be no brighter than 5,000 nits in daylight (a nit is the standard measure of screen brightness).
At night it must dim to no more than 200 nits.
“b) A digital sign shall display static images only;”
Static images only. No animation, video, audio, movement or flashing
“c) No digital sign shall display or use animation, video, audio, movement, flashing effects, odours, gases, pyrotechnics, or interactive devices;”
Static images only. No animation, video, audio, movement or flashing
“A maximum of 100% of the sign face is permitted to be digital.”
50% of the face on a digital business identification sign; 100% on a digital billboard
“A maximum of 50% of the sign face is permitted to be digital”
50% of the face on a digital business identification sign; 100% on a digital billboard
“k) Digital signs shall be permitted as ground signs only;”
Ground signs only, and only within the urban or hamlet boundaries — no digital wall or fascia sign
“a) A digital sign shall be permitted within the urban boundary or hamlet boundaries only, as defined by the Official Plan;”
Ground signs only, and only within the urban or hamlet boundaries — no digital wall or fascia sign
“The minimum frame duration shall be 30 seconds for on-premise advertising signs and 8 seconds for off-premise advertising on billboard signs”
30 seconds minimum for on-premise advertising; 8 seconds for off-premise advertising on a billboard
“Digital signs shall be equipped with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness level to a maximum of 3 lux (0.3 fc) above ambient light conditions”
An ambient light sensor holding to 3 lux above ambient is mandatory, on top of the absolute caps.
“No digital sign shall be located closer than 30 m to a Residential Zone or any property containing a residential dwelling unit, Retirement Dwelling, or Long-Term Care Facility”
30 m (98 ft) from residential, retirement or long-term care
Where the property abuts a residential zone or use, light along the mutual lot line may not exceed 5 lux above ambient. A digital sign needs 30 m (98 ft) from residential, a retirement dwelling or a long-term care facility.
“The minimum separation distance between digital signs that are visible to the same direction of oncoming traffic shall not be less than 80 m”
Not inside the prohibited area at signalized intersections and flashing-beacon crossings, which the by-law gives as a drawing (Figure 2), not a distance. Also not within 100 m (328 ft) of a highway on- or off-ramp or of a roundabout, and 80 m (262 ft) from another digital sign visible to the same direction of traffic
“Within 100 m of the beginning of an on or off-ramp associated with a controlled access highway interchange; ii) Within 100 m of the nearest part of the internal circulatory roadway of a roundabout; or, iii) Within the prohibited area at signalized intersections and pedestrian and railway crossings with flashing beacons as shown in Figure 2”
Not inside the prohibited area at signalized intersections and flashing-beacon crossings, which the by-law gives as a drawing (Figure 2), not a distance. Also not within 100 m (328 ft) of a highway on- or off-ramp or of a roundabout, and 80 m (262 ft) from another digital sign visible to the same direction of traffic
“The maximum transition time between frames shall be one (1) second with no transition effects permitted between frames; g) Message sequencing is not permitted”
1 second maximum with NO transition effects — no fade, dissolve or wipe. Message sequencing across frames is prohibited outright
“7.19 ILLUMINATION The following regulations shall apply to all illuminated signs:”
s.7.19.1: a sign in the Rural Area, hamlets excepted, shall be non-illuminated. Inside the urban boundary, illumination is permitted to spec.
“7.19.1 Unless expressly permitted elsewhere in this by-law, signs located in the Rural Area, with the exception of the Hamlets as defined in the Official Plan, shall be non-illuminated.”
s.7.19.1: a sign in the Rural Area, hamlets excepted, shall be non-illuminated. Inside the urban boundary, illumination is permitted to spec.
“the light levels along the abutting mutual lot line shall not exceed a maximum of 5 Lux (0.5 footcandles) above ambient light conditions”
It may add no more than 5 lux of light (roughly, the glow it throws on its surroundings) above normal levels.
Where the property abuts a residential zone or use, light along the mutual lot line may not exceed 5 lux above ambient. A digital sign needs 30 m (98 ft) from residential, a retirement dwelling or a long-term care facility.
“7.19.3 Where signs are internally illuminated, the illumination shall comply with the following: a) The brightness of the sign shall not exceed a maximum luminance of 5000 cd/ m² between sunrise and sunset, and 200 cd/m² between sunset and sunrise”
A digital or lit sign can be no brighter than 5,000 nits in daylight (a nit is the standard measure of screen brightness).
At night it must dim to no more than 200 nits.
“a) all light emitted shall be directed downward, below the lamp or diffusing element, and away from abutting properties and road allowances;”
Up-lighting is prohibited: light must be directed downward below the lamp and away from abutting properties, and no light may project above the horizontal plane from the base of the fixture (s.7.19.2). Ground-mounted up-lighting of a monument sign is non-compliant.
Lighting from below, shining up at the sign, is allowed.
“b) No light dispersion shall project above the horizontal plane from the base of the lighting fixture;”
Up-lighting is prohibited: light must be directed downward below the lamp and away from abutting properties, and no light may project above the horizontal plane from the base of the fixture (s.7.19.2). Ground-mounted up-lighting of a monument sign is non-compliant.
Lighting from below, shining up at the sign, is allowed.
“Signs 1.60% of prescribed value or min. rate $264.20”
The smallest permit fee is $264.20.
Charged as 1.6% of prescribed construction value — confirm how Milton defines that before quoting.
The fee is 1.6% of what the sign costs to build.
Sign By-law 120-2017, as amended by By-law 034-2018. What the published by-law allows, how big, whether a sign can be lit, what it costs, and which copy of the by-law to trust.
What we hold: we calculate the size and count limits, so a check here gives you a number · lighting and digital rules read in full · fees and timelines from the published schedule.
Two questions, no dimensions needed. You get the maximum for your sign type, the lighting rules, the fee and the sections it all came from.
Start a check →| Sign type | Here | Most you’d get | The rule | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
On the building Fascia, wall sign, channel letters | Depends on district | s.7.5 — 20% of the architectural elevation for a single occupancy read it · p.18 ↗ | ||
Freestanding Pylon or monument out front | Depends on district | s.7.4 and Table 7A — area and height set zone by zone read it · p.17 ↗ | ||
Projecting Blade sign off the wall | Depends on district | Depends on the sign district. Start a check and pick the district to get the figure. | ||
Small directional Entrance or drive-aisle sign | Depends on district | Usually falls under the ground sign rules unless the by-law carves out directional signs — s.7.4 and Table 7A — area and height set zone by zone read it · p.17 ↗ | ||
New face, same frame Replacing the face of a sign already there | Unresolved | A face replacement may be a copy change, maintenance or an alteration under the applicable by-law. Confirm the existing sign’s lawful status and whether changes to its face, structure, area or illumination require a permit. A permit exemption does not establish permission to install. | ||
Window signs & graphics Lettering, decals and signs behind glass | Review needed | Window-sign calculations are not yet verified for this municipality and category. Confirm classification, coverage, placement and permit requirements with the municipality. | ||
Temporary promotional Banners, mobile signs and short-term promotions | Review guidance only | Review guidance only. No size limit, fee, exemption or permitted display period has been validated for this category. Confirm the exact sign format, location, display period and any renewal or repeat-display limits. Temporary use does not itself establish a permit exemption. | ||
Construction & development Development marketing, builder signs and hoarding | Review guidance only | Review guidance only. No size limit, fee, exemption or permitted display period has been validated for this category. Confirm whether this is development advertising, builder identification, hoarding graphics or a required notice. Provide the project stage, proposed copy and location; these purposes may follow different requirements. | ||
Real estate For sale, for lease and open-house signs | Review guidance only | Review guidance only. No size limit, fee, exemption or permitted display period has been validated for this category. Confirm the property use, whether the sign is at the listed property or off-site, and the applicable removal deadline. New-development marketing may be classified separately from an ordinary sale or lease sign. | ||
Event signage Commercial, community and private events | Review guidance only | Review guidance only. No size limit, fee, exemption or permitted display period has been validated for this category. Confirm the organizer, commercial content, sign format, location and display dates. Community events, private celebrations and election signs may follow separate rules; an event permit does not establish permission for every sign. |
“Up to” means we have the rule but not your dimensions — start a check and enter them to get your actual numbers. “Rule on file” means we have read the section and can take you to it, but have not turned it into a calculation — so no number, on purpose. “Depends on district” means we do calculate it, but the figure changes with the sign district, so pick one to see it.
Permitted in town — nothing lit at all in the rural area. s.7.19.1: a sign in the Rural Area, hamlets excepted, shall be non-illuminated. Inside the urban boundary, illumination is permitted to spec.
| Brightness | 5,000 nits by day · 200 nits at night (nits: screen brightness) These bind every illuminated sign here, not just digital ones — a plain internally lit box face is in scope. |
| Light spill | 5 lux above ambient light (lux: light landing on neighbours), measured at the abutting residential lot line, above ambient |
| Hours it must be off or dimmed | None. Milton regulates the night with a 200 cd/m² cap from sunset to sunrise on digital and internally illuminated signs, instead of a curfew. |
| Up-lighting | Prohibited Ground-mounted up-lights on a monument sign are out. s.7.19.2 |
| Near housing | Where the property abuts a residential zone or use, light along the mutual lot line may not exceed 5 lux above ambient. A digital sign needs 30 m (98 ft) from residential, a retirement dwelling or a long-term care facility. s.7.19.3(b), s.7.8.1(l) |
Up-lighting is prohibited: light must be directed downward below the lamp and away from abutting properties, and no light may project above the horizontal plane from the base of the fixture (s.7.19.2). Ground-mounted up-lighting of a monument sign is non-compliant.
You said this one has no digital or changing message, so we have left those rules out. If that changes, they are in s.7.8.1–s.7.8.5.
Read it yourself: s.7.19, s.7.8 of Sign By-law 120-2017 ↗
1.6% of construction value, minimum $264.20
Charged as 1.6% of prescribed construction value — confirm how Milton defines that before quoting.
No verified processing target is recorded here for Milton. Ask the sign-permit office which review stream applies, when its clock starts, and whether other approvals are prerequisites.
The entered details do not establish whether professional design or construction review is required. The 2024 Ontario Building Code Compendium, Division C, Articles 1.2.1.2.(6)–(7) and 1.2.2.1.(8)–(9), distinguishes design from construction review and permits an architect, professional engineer or both for these sign provisions. Confirm the applicable Code edition, sign classification, each face area, total weight, height and mounting with the municipal building-permit office. Being below a listed threshold does not clear other structural or local requirements. Official Code source: https://www.publications.gov.on.ca/store/20170501121/Free_Download_Files/301880.pdf
By-law 120-2017 · As amended by By-law 034-2018 · PDF, 39 pages
Open the by-law ↗Straight to the sections the numbers above come from:
| What you want | Where it is | |
|---|---|---|
| Wall signs | s.7.5 — 20% of the architectural elevation for a single occupancy | open · p.18 ↗ |
| Ground signs | s.7.4 and Table 7A — area and height set zone by zone | open · p.17 ↗ |
| Minor variance | s.11 — Commissioner must find it minor and within the general intent | open · p.33 ↗ |
| Construction | s.8 — Building Code and Electrical Safety Code by reference; no P.Eng trigger | open · p.30 ↗ |
Also worth having open:
Each figure above, in the by-law’s own words. Every quote was checked against the published document, and is re-checked whenever the document is re-read; a figure without one is not published.
“7.1 Except as otherwise expressly permitted by the provisions of this By-law, signs are permitted only on lands within Commercial, Employment, and Institutional Zones.”
Signs are permitted in commercial, employment and institutional zones (s.7.1), with named exceptions for residential, rural and agricultural lots in s.7.2 and s.7.6.3. Ground-sign size then depends on WHERE the property is, not its zone: outside the Central Business District, inside the CBD, or inside the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville (Schedules A and C, Table 7A). The downtown areas also carry the s.6.21 restrictions.
“6.21 Notwithstanding any other regulations in the By-law, the following provisions shall apply to Signs in the Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area and Character Area as shown on Schedule “A” and Downtown Campbellville as shown on Schedule “C” of this By-law: a) The following Signs are not permitted: (i) internally illuminated box wall and awning type Signs;”
Signs are permitted in commercial, employment and institutional zones (s.7.1), with named exceptions for residential, rural and agricultural lots in s.7.2 and s.7.6.3. Ground-sign size then depends on WHERE the property is, not its zone: outside the Central Business District, inside the CBD, or inside the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville (Schedules A and C, Table 7A). The downtown areas also carry the s.6.21 restrictions.
“7.6.3 Notwithstanding Section 7.6.2 to the contrary, Business Identification Signs located in a Residential Zone, the Future Development Zone, or in a Rural or Greenlands Zone within the Rural Area are restricted to the lesser of a maximum sign area per face of 3 m² and a maximum height of 3 m or the applicable sign provisions of Table 7A.”
Signs are permitted in commercial, employment and institutional zones (s.7.1), with named exceptions for residential, rural and agricultural lots in s.7.2 and s.7.6.3. Ground-sign size then depends on WHERE the property is, not its zone: outside the Central Business District, inside the CBD, or inside the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville (Schedules A and C, Table 7A). The downtown areas also carry the s.6.21 restrictions.
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
Signs are permitted in commercial, employment and institutional zones (s.7.1), with named exceptions for residential, rural and agricultural lots in s.7.2 and s.7.6.3. Ground-sign size then depends on WHERE the property is, not its zone: outside the Central Business District, inside the CBD, or inside the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville (Schedules A and C, Table 7A). The downtown areas also carry the s.6.21 restrictions.
“7.4.4 Notwithstanding Section 7.4.3 Table 7A herein, a legally existing Sign located on lands expropriated or acquired by the Town, the Regional Municipality of Halton, or the Ministry of Transportation for the purpose of establishing, laying out, widening, altering or diverting any highway, or for the purpose of storm, sanitary or water services may be relocated with a setback from the abutting expropriation line or acquisition line, a minimum of 1.5m. (5ft.); and,”
A legally existing ground sign on land taken for a road widening or services may be relocated 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) from the new line (s.7.4.4).
“7.5.1 In a single occupancy building, the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of the architectural elevation on which they are erected. Roof structures as shown on architectural elevations are not included in the elevation area;”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3).
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
Window graphics come out of this same allowance.
“the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation of a single unit shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of that unit elevation”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3).
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3).
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“7.4.1 The total area of all ground Signs on any property shall not exceed 70% of the frontage for the property. A 0.30m reserve shall be considered frontage for the purposes of this calculation; 7.4.2 Ground signs shall be separated from each other by a distance of not less than 30 m (100ft.) and no more than two (2) ground signs shall be located on the same street frontage;”
What the area is measured against: property frontage (all ground signs together)
2 ground signs per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart.
Number, per what: per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 15.3 m² (165 sq ft) and sets the height by the face area.
You get 0.7 m² (7.5 sq ft) of ground sign for every metre (3 ft 3 in) of property frontage (all ground signs together). For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 15.3 m² (165 sq ft).
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 15.3 m² (165 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
Maximum height by sign area: up to 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 4.57 m (15 ft); 3 m² (32 sq ft) to 7.4 m² (80 sq ft) → 7.6 m (25 ft); over 7.4 m² (80 sq ft) → 10.7 m (35 ft).
street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft), 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) for 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and over · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 6.0 m (20 ft) from a property line abutting any other zone
“Outside of the Central Business Distric t, Business Improvement Area, or Character Area Less than 3.0 4.57 1.0 3.0 6.0 Equal to 3.0 and less than 7.4 7.6 3.0 3.0 6.0 Equal to 7.4 to a maximum of 15.3 10.7 3.0 3.0 6.0”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 15.3 m² (165 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 15.3 m² (165 sq ft) and sets the height by the face area.
Maximum height by sign area: up to 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 4.57 m (15 ft); 3 m² (32 sq ft) to 7.4 m² (80 sq ft) → 7.6 m (25 ft); over 7.4 m² (80 sq ft) → 10.7 m (35 ft).
street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft), 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) for 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and over · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 6.0 m (20 ft) from a property line abutting any other zone
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
s.7.5.4 caps a projecting banner or swinging wall-mounted sign at 0.46 m² (5 sq ft) per face, and s.7.5.5 allows a swinging wall sign only in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area. Whether a rigid projecting sign is allowed here is not written; ask the Town before quoting a projecting sign.
“7.5.1 In a single occupancy building, the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of the architectural elevation on which they are erected. Roof structures as shown on architectural elevations are not included in the elevation area;”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). The s.6.21 downtown restrictions apply in the BIA and Character Area next door, not here — check which side of the line the building sits.
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
Window graphics come out of this same allowance.
“the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation of a single unit shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of that unit elevation”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). The s.6.21 downtown restrictions apply in the BIA and Character Area next door, not here — check which side of the line the building sits.
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). The s.6.21 downtown restrictions apply in the BIA and Character Area next door, not here — check which side of the line the building sits.
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“6.21 Notwithstanding any other regulations in the By-law, the following provisions shall apply to Signs in the Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area and Character Area as shown on Schedule “A” and Downtown Campbellville as shown on Schedule “C” of this By-law: a) The following Signs are not permitted: (i) internally illuminated box wall and awning type Signs;”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). The s.6.21 downtown restrictions apply in the BIA and Character Area next door, not here — check which side of the line the building sits.
“7.4.1 The total area of all ground Signs on any property shall not exceed 70% of the frontage for the property. A 0.30m reserve shall be considered frontage for the purposes of this calculation; 7.4.2 Ground signs shall be separated from each other by a distance of not less than 30 m (100ft.) and no more than two (2) ground signs shall be located on the same street frontage;”
What the area is measured against: property frontage (all ground signs together)
2 ground signs per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart.
Number, per what: per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 14.9 m² (160 sq ft) in the CBD.
You get 0.7 m² (7.5 sq ft) of ground sign for every metre (3 ft 3 in) of property frontage (all ground signs together). For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 14.9 m² (160 sq ft).
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 14.9 m² (160 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
Maximum height by sign area: up to 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 3 m (9 ft 10 in); over 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 7.6 m (25 ft).
street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft), 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) for 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and over · 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting any other zone
“Within the Central Business District and outside of the Business Improveme nt Area and Character Area Less than 3.0 3.0 1.0 1.0 3.0 Equal to 3.0 to a maximum of 14.9 7.6 3.0 1.0 3.0”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 14.9 m² (160 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 14.9 m² (160 sq ft) in the CBD.
Maximum height by sign area: up to 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 3 m (9 ft 10 in); over 3 m² (32 sq ft) → 7.6 m (25 ft).
street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft), 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) for 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and over · 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting any other zone
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
s.7.5.4 caps a projecting banner or swinging wall-mounted sign at 0.46 m² (5 sq ft) per face, and s.7.5.5 allows a swinging wall sign only in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area. Whether a rigid projecting sign is allowed here is not written; ask the Town before quoting a projecting sign.
“7.5.1 In a single occupancy building, the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of the architectural elevation on which they are erected. Roof structures as shown on architectural elevations are not included in the elevation area;”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
Window graphics come out of this same allowance.
“the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation of a single unit shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of that unit elevation”
the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation it sits on (in a multi-unit building, your own unit’s elevation), not counting roof structures. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 8 m² (86 sq ft).
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“6.21 Notwithstanding any other regulations in the By-law, the following provisions shall apply to Signs in the Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area and Character Area as shown on Schedule “A” and Downtown Campbellville as shown on Schedule “C” of this By-law: a) The following Signs are not permitted: (i) internally illuminated box wall and awning type Signs;”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
“b) No Sign shall obstruct a building’s significant architectural features, including, but not limited to, windows, brackets, sills, decorative masonry and cornice;”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
“d) No illuminated window or exterior wall Sign shall be permitted above the second storey of any building;”
Window signs count inside the 20%, so existing window graphics consume the allowance (s.7.5.1–7.5.2). No wall sign may project more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in), except one flat on an awning; an awning over a sidewalk needs 2.44 m (8 ft) of clearance and over a driveway or parking area 4.25 m (s.7.5.3). In these areas no internally illuminated box wall or awning sign is permitted, and no illuminated window or exterior wall sign above the second storey; a sign may not hide a building’s significant architectural features (s.6.21).
“7.4.1 The total area of all ground Signs on any property shall not exceed 70% of the frontage for the property. A 0.30m reserve shall be considered frontage for the purposes of this calculation; 7.4.2 Ground signs shall be separated from each other by a distance of not less than 30 m (100ft.) and no more than two (2) ground signs shall be located on the same street frontage;”
What the area is measured against: property frontage (all ground signs together)
2 ground signs per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart.
Number, per what: per street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 4.6 m² (50 sq ft) and 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) here.
You get 0.7 m² (7.5 sq ft) of ground sign for every metre (3 ft 3 in) of property frontage (all ground signs together). For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 4.6 m² (50 sq ft).
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 4.6 m² (50 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
The ground sign can be no taller than 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from the street line · 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting any other zone
“Within the Business Improvement Area, Character Area or Downtown Campbellville Up to a maximum of 4.6 3.0 1.0 1.0 3.0”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 4.6 m² (50 sq ft), however big the building or lot.
The total area of all ground signs on the property may not exceed 70% of the frontage in square metres (s.7.4.1); no more than two on one street frontage, at least 30 m (98 ft) apart (s.7.4.2). Table 7A caps a single face at 4.6 m² (50 sq ft) and 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) here.
The ground sign can be no taller than 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from the street line · 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) from a property line abutting a commercial or industrial zone · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a property line abutting any other zone
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
A projecting sign can be no larger than 0.46 m² (5 sq ft).
A projecting banner or swinging wall-mounted sign may be up to 0.46 m² (5 sq ft) per face (s.7.5.4); a swinging wall sign is permitted only in the BIA and Character Area (s.7.5.5). No internally illuminated box sign here (s.6.21).
“6.21 Notwithstanding any other regulations in the By-law, the following provisions shall apply to Signs in the Milton Downtown Business Improvement Area and Character Area as shown on Schedule “A” and Downtown Campbellville as shown on Schedule “C” of this By-law: a) The following Signs are not permitted: (i) internally illuminated box wall and awning type Signs;”
A projecting banner or swinging wall-mounted sign may be up to 0.46 m² (5 sq ft) per face (s.7.5.4); a swinging wall sign is permitted only in the BIA and Character Area (s.7.5.5). No internally illuminated box sign here (s.6.21).
“7.6.3 Notwithstanding Section 7.6.2 to the contrary, Business Identification Signs located in a Residential Zone, the Future Development Zone, or in a Rural or Greenlands Zone within the Rural Area are restricted to the lesser of a maximum sign area per face of 3 m² and a maximum height of 3 m or the applicable sign provisions of Table 7A.”
What the area is measured against: the architectural elevation, or 3 m² (32 sq ft), whichever is less
s.7.6.3 restricts a business identification sign in these zones to the lesser of 3 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall, or Table 7A. We read that as capping a wall sign at 3 m² (32 sq ft) as well; it is the lower reading, so confirm with the Town if you need more. Outside the urban and hamlet boundaries only external illumination is allowed (s.7.6.4).
Whatever the percentage gives, the allowance stops at 3 m² (32 sq ft).
“7.6.4 Business Identification Signs may be internally or externally illuminated, with the exception of signs located outside of the current urban boundary or hamlet boundaries as defined by the Official Plan, in which case only external illumination shall be permitted.”
s.7.6.3 restricts a business identification sign in these zones to the lesser of 3 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall, or Table 7A. We read that as capping a wall sign at 3 m² (32 sq ft) as well; it is the lower reading, so confirm with the Town if you need more. Outside the urban and hamlet boundaries only external illumination is allowed (s.7.6.4).
“7.5.1 In a single occupancy building, the total Sign area of all wall Signs, including Window Signs, on any one architectural elevation shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the area of the architectural elevation on which they are erected. Roof structures as shown on architectural elevations are not included in the elevation area;”
Wall signs may cover up to 20% of the architectural elevation, or 3 m² (32 sq ft), whichever is less. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 3 m² (32 sq ft).
Window graphics come out of this same allowance.
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“7.6.3 Notwithstanding Section 7.6.2 to the contrary, Business Identification Signs located in a Residential Zone, the Future Development Zone, or in a Rural or Greenlands Zone within the Rural Area are restricted to the lesser of a maximum sign area per face of 3 m² and a maximum height of 3 m or the applicable sign provisions of Table 7A.”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 3 m² (32 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 3 m² (32 sq ft).
One ground sign per property.
s.7.6.3: the lesser of 3 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall. An agricultural operation may instead have a non-illuminated ground sign of 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) naming the farm, and one for seasonal produce grown there (s.7.2(b), (c)).
The ground sign can be no taller than 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
“b) One non-illuminated ground Sign having a maximum Sign area of 3.0m 2 (32sq.ft.) per face and a maximum height of 3.0 m (10 ft.) advertising the sale of seasonal produce from the agricultural lands on which they were grown, during the appropriate growing season for the produce advertised; c) One non-illuminated ground Sign not exceeding 3.0m 2 (32sq.ft.) per face and 3.0 m (10ft.) in height identifying the name and/or proprietor of an Agricultural Operation located on the same lot;”
One ground sign per property.
s.7.6.3: the lesser of 3 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall. An agricultural operation may instead have a non-illuminated ground sign of 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) and 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) naming the farm, and one for seasonal produce grown there (s.7.2(b), (c)).
“TABLE 7A SIGN LOCAT ION (Refer to Schedules A & C to this By - law) SIGN AREA PER FACE (m²) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (m) MINIMUM SETBACK (m) Street Line Property Line abutting Commercial or Industrial Zone Property Line abutting any Other Zone”
Table 7A setbacks: street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a commercial or industrial property line · 6.0 m (20 ft) from any other
“Outside of the Central Business Distric t, Business Improvement Area, or Character Area Less than 3.0 4.57 1.0 3.0 6.0 Equal to 3.0 and less than 7.4 7.6 3.0 3.0 6.0 Equal to 7.4 to a maximum of 15.3 10.7 3.0 3.0 6.0”
Table 7A setbacks: street line 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) for a face under 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) · 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) from a commercial or industrial property line · 6.0 m (20 ft) from any other
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
s.7.5.5 allows a swinging wall sign only in the BIA and Character Area
“7.5.6 A non-internally illuminated apartment identification Sign, including a Sign identifying the residential component of a Mixed-Use building, shall not exceed 4.64m 2 (50sq.ft.).”
What the area is measured against: a flat maximum for the apartment identification sign
The wall sign allowance tops out at 4.64 m² (50 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4.6 m² (50 sq ft).
A non-internally illuminated apartment identification sign, including a sign for the residential part of a mixed-use building, may be up to 4.64 m² (s.7.5.6).
“7.5.3 No part of any wall Sign shall project more than 0.76 m (2 ft. 6 in.) from the face of the wall except in the case of a Sign painted or affixed flat to the surface of an awning. Such awning shall comply with the provisions of the Zoning By-law and where located above the surface of a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, the awning shall be located at least 2.44m (8ft.) above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian walkway. In the case of an awning projecting over a driveway or any portion of a parking area, the clearance between the lowest part of the Sign and the driveway shall be a minimum of 4.25m (14ft.);”
It can stick out no more than 0.76 m (2 ft 6 in) from the wall.
“j) One non-internally illuminated ground Sign identifying an apartment, townhouse or other approved residential complex in a Residential Zone not exceeding 3.0m 2 (32sq.ft.) per face and 3 m (10 ft.) in height including a portion designated as “apartment for rent”;”
The ground sign allowance tops out at 3 m² (32 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 3 m² (32 sq ft).
One ground sign per complex.
One non-internally illuminated ground sign of 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall, which may include “apartment for rent” (s.7.2(j)). A sign on an entrance wall or landscape feature of up to 1.9 m² (20 sq ft) and 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall is also allowed, without the Table 7A setbacks (s.7.2(l)).
The ground sign can be no taller than 3 m (9 ft 10 in).
“l) A non-internally illuminated, freestanding single faced Sign located on a decorative entrance wall, landscape feature or other like marker in front of any multi-tenant or multi-building commercial, industrial or residential development shall not exceed a total Sign area of 1.9m 2 (20sq.ft.) and shall carry no advertising other than the name, address and/or logo of the development or complex. Such Sign shall not exceed a height of 1.5m (5ft.) from grade”
One non-internally illuminated ground sign of 3.0 m² (32 sq ft) per face and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall, which may include “apartment for rent” (s.7.2(j)). A sign on an entrance wall or landscape feature of up to 1.9 m² (20 sq ft) and 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall is also allowed, without the Table 7A setbacks (s.7.2(l)).
“7.5.4 The maximum Sign area per face of a projecting banner or swinging wall mounted Sign shall be 0.46m 2 (5sq.ft.); 7.5.5 A swinging wall Sign is only permitted in the Business Improvement Area and Character Area; and,”
s.7.5.5 allows a swinging wall sign only in the BIA and Character Area
“The brightness of a digital sign shall not exceed a maximum luminance of 5000 cd/ m² between sunrise and sunset, and 200 cd/m² between sunset and sunrise”
None. Milton regulates the night with a 200 cd/m² cap from sunset to sunrise on digital and internally illuminated signs, instead of a curfew.
A digital or lit sign can be no brighter than 5,000 nits in daylight (a nit is the standard measure of screen brightness).
At night it must dim to no more than 200 nits.
“b) A digital sign shall display static images only;”
Static images only. No animation, video, audio, movement or flashing
“c) No digital sign shall display or use animation, video, audio, movement, flashing effects, odours, gases, pyrotechnics, or interactive devices;”
Static images only. No animation, video, audio, movement or flashing
“A maximum of 100% of the sign face is permitted to be digital.”
50% of the face on a digital business identification sign; 100% on a digital billboard
“A maximum of 50% of the sign face is permitted to be digital”
50% of the face on a digital business identification sign; 100% on a digital billboard
“k) Digital signs shall be permitted as ground signs only;”
Ground signs only, and only within the urban or hamlet boundaries — no digital wall or fascia sign
“a) A digital sign shall be permitted within the urban boundary or hamlet boundaries only, as defined by the Official Plan;”
Ground signs only, and only within the urban or hamlet boundaries — no digital wall or fascia sign
“The minimum frame duration shall be 30 seconds for on-premise advertising signs and 8 seconds for off-premise advertising on billboard signs”
30 seconds minimum for on-premise advertising; 8 seconds for off-premise advertising on a billboard
“Digital signs shall be equipped with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness level to a maximum of 3 lux (0.3 fc) above ambient light conditions”
An ambient light sensor holding to 3 lux above ambient is mandatory, on top of the absolute caps.
“No digital sign shall be located closer than 30 m to a Residential Zone or any property containing a residential dwelling unit, Retirement Dwelling, or Long-Term Care Facility”
30 m (98 ft) from residential, retirement or long-term care
Where the property abuts a residential zone or use, light along the mutual lot line may not exceed 5 lux above ambient. A digital sign needs 30 m (98 ft) from residential, a retirement dwelling or a long-term care facility.
“The minimum separation distance between digital signs that are visible to the same direction of oncoming traffic shall not be less than 80 m”
Not inside the prohibited area at signalized intersections and flashing-beacon crossings, which the by-law gives as a drawing (Figure 2), not a distance. Also not within 100 m (328 ft) of a highway on- or off-ramp or of a roundabout, and 80 m (262 ft) from another digital sign visible to the same direction of traffic
“Within 100 m of the beginning of an on or off-ramp associated with a controlled access highway interchange; ii) Within 100 m of the nearest part of the internal circulatory roadway of a roundabout; or, iii) Within the prohibited area at signalized intersections and pedestrian and railway crossings with flashing beacons as shown in Figure 2”
Not inside the prohibited area at signalized intersections and flashing-beacon crossings, which the by-law gives as a drawing (Figure 2), not a distance. Also not within 100 m (328 ft) of a highway on- or off-ramp or of a roundabout, and 80 m (262 ft) from another digital sign visible to the same direction of traffic
“The maximum transition time between frames shall be one (1) second with no transition effects permitted between frames; g) Message sequencing is not permitted”
1 second maximum with NO transition effects — no fade, dissolve or wipe. Message sequencing across frames is prohibited outright
“7.19 ILLUMINATION The following regulations shall apply to all illuminated signs:”
s.7.19.1: a sign in the Rural Area, hamlets excepted, shall be non-illuminated. Inside the urban boundary, illumination is permitted to spec.
“7.19.1 Unless expressly permitted elsewhere in this by-law, signs located in the Rural Area, with the exception of the Hamlets as defined in the Official Plan, shall be non-illuminated.”
s.7.19.1: a sign in the Rural Area, hamlets excepted, shall be non-illuminated. Inside the urban boundary, illumination is permitted to spec.
“the light levels along the abutting mutual lot line shall not exceed a maximum of 5 Lux (0.5 footcandles) above ambient light conditions”
It may add no more than 5 lux of light (roughly, the glow it throws on its surroundings) above normal levels.
Where the property abuts a residential zone or use, light along the mutual lot line may not exceed 5 lux above ambient. A digital sign needs 30 m (98 ft) from residential, a retirement dwelling or a long-term care facility.
“7.19.3 Where signs are internally illuminated, the illumination shall comply with the following: a) The brightness of the sign shall not exceed a maximum luminance of 5000 cd/ m² between sunrise and sunset, and 200 cd/m² between sunset and sunrise”
A digital or lit sign can be no brighter than 5,000 nits in daylight (a nit is the standard measure of screen brightness).
At night it must dim to no more than 200 nits.
“a) all light emitted shall be directed downward, below the lamp or diffusing element, and away from abutting properties and road allowances;”
Up-lighting is prohibited: light must be directed downward below the lamp and away from abutting properties, and no light may project above the horizontal plane from the base of the fixture (s.7.19.2). Ground-mounted up-lighting of a monument sign is non-compliant.
Lighting from below, shining up at the sign, is allowed.
“b) No light dispersion shall project above the horizontal plane from the base of the lighting fixture;”
Up-lighting is prohibited: light must be directed downward below the lamp and away from abutting properties, and no light may project above the horizontal plane from the base of the fixture (s.7.19.2). Ground-mounted up-lighting of a monument sign is non-compliant.
Lighting from below, shining up at the sign, is allowed.
“Signs 1.60% of prescribed value or min. rate $264.20”
The smallest permit fee is $264.20.
Charged as 1.6% of prescribed construction value — confirm how Milton defines that before quoting.
The fee is 1.6% of what the sign costs to build.
What we collect, why, and who handles it
The check itself runs in your browser. The address you type, the measurements you enter, the answers you give the checklist, the result and the report are worked out on your own device. Address lookup and picked coordinates are processed as described below. Local checks stay on your device unless you explicitly choose Save to my account. That optional action sends the saved project name, address, measurements and selected answers to SignAllow, together with a dated result summary and the full research and customer-summary PDFs. These reports include the government map findings and source dates shown at the time of saving. Local history is never uploaded automatically.
While you fill in a check before submission, the tool automatically keeps one unfinished draft in this browser. It contains your address, municipality, sign type, form inputs and measurements, manual review choices, form step, last-edit time and, if you selected an address suggestion, its coordinates. Automatic map findings, calculated reports, account identifiers and payment details are not saved in the draft. Purpose: restore unfinished work without signing in or using a check. Drafts are not uploaded to your account or synchronized to other devices. Anyone using this browser profile can see the restored draft.
A draft expires 7 days after its last edit and is removed when the tool is next opened. Start fresh, a successful check, or clearing this site’s browser data removes it earlier. Opening a different check and editing it replaces the unfinished draft; existing saved projects and past checks are not deleted. Other tabs cannot silently overwrite a changed draft. Storage restrictions or private browsing may prevent saving or retaining it, and the tool shows a message when a save fails. On restoration, saved coordinates refresh the existing same-origin government map lookups described below; only the point is forwarded to those map servers. Old automatic findings are not treated as current.
Some things do leave your browser. This notice says exactly which, why, who handles them and for how long. It describes what the site does today.
To avoid charging again for a property refinement, your browser sends SignAllow a one-way fingerprint of the normalised address and municipality, plus a signed allowance when returning. The meter does not receive the raw address or measurements. A fingerprint may still be linkable to an address; we do not treat it as anonymous. The signed allowance contains that fingerprint, the municipality, issue and expiry times, and an opaque account or browser identifier. It is used only to validate the 90-day revision period, not for advertising or analytics, and is not sent to map providers.
Visitors receive an essential, secure browser-identification cookie lasting up to 90 days; each new visitor check can renew the cookie, but never extends an existing allowance. Browser storage keeps up to 100 recent allowances until removed or replaced. Clearing past checks removes those local allowances; clearing cookies removes visitor access to them. When you explicitly save a project, its allowance is stored with the inputs in our existing Cloudflare database and bound to your account, with the same expiry. People authorised to open the project can use it under that account. It remains with the project until updated or deleted; it is excluded from customer reports, share links and personal project-detail exports.
When you choose Notes & next steps and save, we store the current notes text (up to 4,000 characters), next step (up to 500 characters), completion status, last editor’s membership email, save date, revision and accepted Privacy Notice version in our existing Cloudflare database. These are internal working notes to help you and selected project collaborators coordinate work. Anyone currently allowed to edit the project can read and update them; removing shared access also removes access to notes. They do not change the by-law assessment and are not included in report PDFs, web reports, shared check links or private project duplicates. Saving replaces the current notes; we do not keep a notes revision history. Clear text and save to remove it. The latest save date, editor email and revision remain with the project until its creator deletes the project or asks us to delete it. Project deletion removes these notes and metadata too. Existing database backups may retain deleted data temporarily as described below.
When you choose Give feedback and send the form, we store the category, message (up to 4,000 characters), optional reply email, a random submission reference, submission date and accepted Privacy Notice version in our existing Cloudflare review queue. If you tick Include basic diagnostics, we also store the page category, screen-size group and site build shown in the form. We do not attach the URL, address, project, report, account identity or browsing history. We use this to investigate problems and plan improvements, and may use your supplied email to respond about your message. No marketing subscription is created. Feedback is deleted after 12 months when the next feedback submission triggers cleanup; you may request earlier deletion from the Privacy Officer. Existing provider backups may retain deleted records temporarily. A separate keyed connection counter limits submissions for one hour; the connection address is not stored with feedback.
You may optionally save an internal job number of up to 64 characters with a project, alongside its existing name. It follows the project’s existing access, sharing and deletion rules. It is used for account display and search and included in your personal project-details export. It is excluded from customer PDFs, web reports and shared check links. Editing names or job numbers changes current project metadata without replacing earlier report versions.
If you have an active membership, you can explicitly save up to 200 projects to your account. We store the project name, check inputs (including address, municipality, sign type, dimensions and selected checklist answers), creation and update dates, the Privacy Notice version confirmed when saving, and an account-linked identifier in our existing Cloudflare database. Each new save can also retain a dated result summary, report reference, software and rules versions, and both generated PDFs in the same database, including map findings and source dates contained in the reports. Up to 20 dated versions are retained per project, with no automatic removal of older versions. This lets you reopen inputs or view and download the original saved reports on another device after signing in. New projects are private to the person who saved them, including individual teammates. On an active Pro account, the creator can explicitly share a project and all its dated versions with selected current teammates. Those selected can view and edit inputs, save new versions, download reports and make private duplicates. Only the creator can manage sharing or delete the project and its versions. We store the sharing selection and update date, creator and selected teammate email addresses, and the email address of the person saving each new report version. Selected collaborators can see the creator and saver email addresses. The sharing chooser lists existing team email addresses so a creator can select the intended people; it does not add people to the billing account.
We retain saved projects and dated versions until the creator deletes them or asks us to delete them. Sharing selections remain until the creator changes them, deletes the project, or a relevant teammate is removed. Removing a teammate revokes their shared access, and removes sharing on projects they created; re-adding the person does not restore those grants. Shared access is paused without an active Pro plan. Removing access cannot recall reports already downloaded or private duplicates already created. The creator can delete an individual dated version, or delete a project and all its versions. Cancelling a membership does not automatically delete projects: the account holder can still sign in to open, download or delete them, but an active membership is required to save changes. A removed teammate loses access; contact the Privacy Officer for access or deletion assistance. Deleting a project removes it and all its dated versions from the active database; provider recovery copies may remain under Cloudflare’s backup retention. Clearing browser history does not delete account-saved projects.
When you choose System, Light or Dark while signed in, we store that choice, an account-linked identifier, a revision number and the latest save time in our existing Cloudflare database. Each teammate has a separate preference. It is used only to apply your theme across signed-in devices; it is not a marketing event and contains no check or project details. We keep the current preference until you replace it or ask the Privacy Officer to delete it. System follows each device’s own appearance setting. The effective browser choice is cached locally to apply it before the page loads; visitors use this browser-only storage. Clearing browser data removes the local copy, not the account preference. We do not upload an existing browser choice until you explicitly select or save a theme, or use the header theme switch while signed in.
SRD Media Group Inc., carrying on business as SignAllow, is responsible for personal information under its control, including information that service providers handle for us. Our privacy contact is the Privacy Officer: admin@signallow.ca.
For each top-up, our existing Cloudflare database stores your Stripe customer, payment and checkout identifiers, amount paid including tax, five-check credit amount, counts used and reversed following refunds or disputes, and creation and update times. We use these records to deliver the purchase once, show the remaining balance, preserve it after subscription cancellation and handle refunds without removing unrelated purchases. They contain no addresses, measurements or reports. The records are kept while a purchased balance remains available, then under the purchase-record retention period below. Purchased checks have no expiry.
Stripe processes payments for us. Your card details go directly to Stripe; we never see or store a card number. From Stripe we receive only the items listed under "If you pay". Stripe also handles some information under its own privacy policy for its own purposes, such as fraud prevention and its legal obligations. Cancelling, changing a card and downloading receipts happen in Stripe's billing portal, which we open for you.
If you choose to use Ask Scout, your questions, recent conversation, relevant project specifications and maintained by-law evidence are sent to OpenAI to prepare an answer. Scout is AI, is in beta and can make mistakes. Do not include confidential business information, personal information you do not need to share, credentials or payment details. Project names, internal job numbers, addresses, internal project notes, account emails, billing records, owner information and development records are not automatically sent. Information you type into chat may still contain those details; omit them.
Scout conversations are private to the signed-in person, including within a Pro team, and remain in our existing Cloudflare database. We keep up to 50 conversations with up to 60 questions each. Conversations expire after 90 days without activity and are removed during the next Scout cleanup request. You can delete a conversation in Ask Scout. Deletion removes the conversation content from our active database; it does not recall a request already processed by OpenAI or erase provider security logs. Saved projects and reports are separate and are not changed by chat.
OpenAI is an additional service provider for this optional feature. We use its API with response storage disabled. API content is not used to train OpenAI models by default; abuse-monitoring logs may contain content and ordinarily remain for up to 30 days, subject to OpenAI’s stated exceptions. We do not promise zero provider retention or Canada-only processing. See OpenAI API data controls.
We retain message counts, model names, token usage and estimated cost for up to 90 days, with removal during subsequent cleanup, to enforce allowances and control operating costs. These usage records do not contain question or answer text. Our normal service logs and backup handling also apply. Contact admin@signallow.ca for privacy requests, including after membership ends.
We use these service providers to run SignAllow. Each handles only what it needs to for the service it provides to us:
These providers process information in the United States and may do so in other countries. Information processed outside Canada is subject to the laws of those countries and may be accessible to their courts, law enforcement and national security authorities. We remain responsible for information we transfer to them for processing, and each provider also has its own privacy practices.
Project save and delete requests also use hourly counters linked to a hashed account identifier, to prevent automated abuse.
We collect as little as the service allows. Your proposed sign measurements and checklist answers stay on your device unless you explicitly save an account project. Generated reports stay on your device. Address suggestions and picked coordinates are processed only as described above. Beyond that, all traffic is encrypted, access tokens are random and held in cookies your browser's scripts cannot read, recovery codes are stored only as hashes, and access to the database and provider accounts is limited to the person who operates SignAllow.
If a breach of security safeguards involving personal information under our control creates a real risk of significant harm, we will report it to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and notify the people affected as soon as feasible. We keep a record of every breach of security safeguards involving personal information for at least 24 months.
You can ask what personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it. Write to admin@signallow.ca from the email address concerned; that is how we confirm the request is yours. We answer within 30 days. Deleting a purchase record ends the access it holds, and records the law requires us to keep, such as tax records, are kept for the required period and then deleted.
If you are not satisfied with how we have handled your information or a request, tell us first at admin@signallow.ca. You can also complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Three cookies, all strictly functional, all unreadable by the page's scripts: one counts your free checks, one lists the municipalities you have checked in the last 24 hours, and one carries your access token if you have paid.
A fourth cookie is set only if you arrive from one of our ads: it holds that ad’s click identifier for up to 90 days, as described above. It is our own cookie, not Google’s. You can remove it by clearing this site’s cookies.
Your browser's own storage (not a cookie) also keeps things for your convenience, on your device only: which version of the terms you accepted and its reference number, so you are not asked again; the kind of user you said you are, if you chose one; and your past checks, with any project name you gave them (the address, municipality, sign type, building type, lighting choice and measurements, and the headline answer). Local history is not sent to us automatically. Account projects are stored only when you choose to save them, as described above. You can see and clear local history on the Account page in the checker, or by clearing your browser's site data.
There is no analytics cookie and no third-party tracker: no Google, social media or other advertising script runs on this site, and no one else’s cookie is set. Page statistics come from Cloudflare Web Analytics, which does not use cookies.
When address suggestions are switched on, the text you type in the address field is sent to SignAllow as you type it, and SignAllow passes it to Geoapify, a geocoding service, which returns matching addresses. Geoapify receives only the text typed; it does not receive your IP address from us, your other choices, or any cookie. Address suggestions do not create a saved project; SignAllow's server may hold a copy of the suggestions for up to an hour so the same partial address is not looked up twice. Purpose: to help you type an address and set the municipality. When suggestions are off, the address field is a plain text box and what you type there stays in your browser unless you explicitly save an account project. Whether suggestions are on is shown by whether a list appears under the field.
When you pick a suggested address in one of the municipalities that publishes its zoning as a map service (today: Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Mississauga, Burlington and Milton), SignAllow sends the coordinates of that address — a latitude and longitude, nothing else — to SignAllow and on to that municipality’s own public zoning map server, which returns the zone at that point. The municipality receives a point; it does not receive the address text, your IP address from us, your other choices, or any cookie. SignAllow’s server may hold the answer for that point for up to an hour. Purpose: to set the sign district from the zoning, which you can change. This happens only after you choose a suggestion, never as you type, and only for those municipalities.
After you pick an address suggestion, your browser sends its latitude, longitude and selected municipality to SignAllow to screen available government map layers. External map servers receive only the point and fixed query parameters, not the address text, your IP address from us, your cookies, sign measurements or report. SignAllow may cache a map answer at the edge for up to one hour. Results and source dates are displayed in the check and included in the full PDF and saved web report; the customer summary excludes the overlay cards. Manual answers remain yours to change. Typing an address without selecting a suggestion does not trigger this lookup. If you go to checkout, the picked point is temporarily kept in your browser tab so the maps can be checked again when you return. This temporary copy is removed when the check is restored.
“Copy link for your team” makes a link that carries the details of your check (the address, municipality, sign type, building type, lighting choice, measurements and project name) in the part of the link after the # sign. Browsers do not send that part to any server, so it does not reach us; anyone you send the link to can open it and see those details. Share it as you would share the address itself.
A PDF or web page you download is generated in your browser and saved to your device. We do not receive a copy.
Each version of this notice has a version number and an effective date, shown below, and earlier versions are kept.
Privacy Notice, version 2026-09-27.14, effective 27 September 2026.
The size and count rules are in, so you get a number rather than a reading list.
We hold the reference and the contacts. We would rather say that than guess.
