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Scugog sign by‑law: what’s allowed

Sign By-law 40-15, office consolidation, passed 29 June 2015; the amendment table on the cover is blank. 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.

We calculate sizesverified 2026-09Updated 23 September 2026 →

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.

Lake Ontario Scugog
Approximate location

Check a specific address in Scugog

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.

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What the by-law allows in Scugog
Sign typeHereMost you’d getThe rule
On the building
Fascia, wall sign, channel letters
Depends on districts.3.7 — 10% of any building wall, one per wall, 150 mm maximum projection, external illumination only read it ↗
Freestanding
Pylon or monument out front
Depends on districts.3.8 — one per street frontage; area and height come from the Section 4 zone tables read it ↗
Projecting
Blade sign off the wall
Depends on districtDepends on the sign district. Start a check and pick the district to get the figure.
Small directional
Entrance or drive-aisle sign
Depends on districtUsually falls under the ground sign rules unless the by-law carves out directional signs — s.3.8 — one per street frontage; area and height come from the Section 4 zone tables read it ↗
New face, same frame
Replacing the face of a sign already there
UnresolvedA 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 neededWindow-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 onlyReview 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 onlyReview 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 onlyReview 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 onlyReview 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.

Can you light it?Yes, with conditions

Yes, with conditions

Permitted, with no brightness cap — and back-lighting allowed on a pylon but banned on a wall. There is no general grant. Illumination is permitted sign type by sign type: a ground sign may be lit externally or back-lit, while a facia or wall sign may only be lit externally and may never be back-lit.

BrightnessNo numeric limit in this by-law
No cap means no safe harbour either — the City can still object to a sign as a nuisance.
Hours it must be off or dimmedNo hours curfew. The only timing rule is buried in the definitions: an electronic message display must hold a constant illumination intensity and be dimmed at night after the business closes. No level and no clock time are stated.
s.1, definition of Electronic Message Display Sign
Up-lightingNot addressed
The by-law says nothing about the direction of light. Not the same as permission.
Near housingNone stated.

Worth knowing before you design it

Back-lighting is permitted on a ground sign and prohibited on a wall sign — the reverse of most by-laws here — and it is banned again in the Main Central Area of Port Perry and on the wall signs allowed in commercial zones elsewhere in the Port Perry urban area (s.4.3.2(d)).

Read this first. A video DISPLAY SIGN is prohibited outright in Scugog. An electronic message display is permitted on a ground sign, up to half the face, but the definitions draw the line hard: a message display uses letters and numbers only, and anything showing something like a televised image is a video display. Message displays are in turn banned entirely inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District regardless.

You said this one has no digital or changing message, so we have left those rules out. If that changes, they are in s.3.8.5; s.3.16.1.

Read it yourself: s.3.7.10; s.3.8.12; s.4.3.1(g) of Sign By-law 40-15, office consolidation ↗

What it costs and how long5 to budget

Permit fee $264

Calculated from Scugog’s published schedule — $264 per sign.

About the fee

$264 per sign outside the Heritage Conservation District. Outside the HCD, a sign put up before the permit issues doubles the fee.

How long the City takes

No verified processing target is recorded here for Scugog. Ask the sign-permit office which review stream applies, when its clock starts, and whether other approvals are prerequisites.

If it needs a variance $645

Decided by Council (s.2.7.3). In the Main Central Area of Port Perry every new or altered sign must also be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee (s.4.3.1(a)). No appeal route is stated in the by-law — ask the municipality whether there is one. Every sign fee is listed twice, once for outside the Heritage Conservation District and once for inside it, and every inside-the-District figure is printed as $0.00.

Professional design and construction review — Professional design/review not resolved

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

The by-law itself
The governing document

Sign By-law 40-15, office consolidation

40-15 · Passed 29 June 2015; the amendment table on the cover is blank · PDF, 40 pages

Open the by-law ↗
Read this before you read the by-law. The Township’s sign permit page still links last year’s Fees and Charges by-law, and that link now returns a “page not found”. The 2026 schedule is the one that governs. Separately, the sign by-law directs you to a per-square-metre billboard permit rate that the fee schedule does not publish.

Straight to the sections the numbers above come from:

What you wantWhere it is
Wall signss.3.7 — 10% of any building wall, one per wall, 150 mm maximum projection, external illumination onlyopen ↗
Ground signss.3.8 — one per street frontage; area and height come from the Section 4 zone tablesopen ↗
Variances.2.7 — Council decidesopen ↗
Structures.2.4.4(f) — a Registered Professional Engineer’s certification if the Chief Building Official asksopen ↗

Page jumps are close, not exact — a cover sheet or table of contents can shift a PDF by a page or two. The section number is the reliable part.

Also worth having open:

Where these numbers came from
By-law textverified Sep 2026 · by-law text · 2 separate checks
The cover is headed Office Consolidation over a 2015 passage date with an empty amendment table, so the by-law appears to have stood unamended for eleven years.
Size and count rulesverified Sep 2026 · by-law text · 2 separate checks
Section 4 and Appendix 1 read on 26 September 2026 from the text layer (37 quotes matched on their pages) and the page image of s.4.3.2 checked. The metric and imperial figures agree within rounding everywhere except two heights: “4 metres (15 feet)” in s.4.1 and s.4.5, where the metric is lower and is used, and “5 metres (15 feet)” in s.4.3.2, where the imperial is lower (4.572 m) and is used, with the disagreement shown on the page. The by-law has no clause saying which unit governs.
Permit feesverified Sep 2026 · published fee schedule · checked once
Variance costverified Sep 2026 · published fee schedule · checked once
The by-law’s own words130 figures

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.

Where each rule sits in the by-law

Structure
“f) plans and specifications for the erection of the Sign and supporting framework certified by a Registered Professional Engineer if so required by the Chief Building Official;”
What this means for your sign

Structure: s.2.4.4(f) — a Registered Professional Engineer’s certification if the Chief Building Official asks

Rules for every sign

how to find your category
“SECTION 4 SIGNS IN ZONES Signs shall be permitted in various Zones in accordance with the Sign Permission Matrix attached as Appendix 1.”
What this means for your sign

Section 4 splits by zone under Zoning By-law 14-14, but the commercial part splits GEOGRAPHICALLY instead: the Main Central Area, the rest of the Port Perry urban area, and everything outside it. The Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District sits on top of all of it. Appendix 1 lists which sign types each zone allows.

note
“3.16.1 Video Display Signs are not permitted.”
What this means for your sign

The rule that catches people: a video DISPLAY SIGN is prohibited outright in Scugog, while an electronic message display (or readograph) is permitted on a ground sign at up to half the face — except inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District, where s.3.8.5 withholds it. The line between them is in the definitions — a message display uses letters and numbers only, a video display shows anything resembling a televised image. A panel that shows video or images like a televised broadcast is a video display sign and cannot be permitted here at all. Our reading is that what matters is what it displays, not what the hardware could do; confirm that with the Township.

note
“3.8.5 The Sign face of a Ground Sign may allocate a maximum fifty percent (50%) of the Sign face to a Readograph or Electronic Message Display, except within the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District.”
What this means for your sign

The rule that catches people: a video DISPLAY SIGN is prohibited outright in Scugog, while an electronic message display (or readograph) is permitted on a ground sign at up to half the face — except inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District, where s.3.8.5 withholds it. The line between them is in the definitions — a message display uses letters and numbers only, a video display shows anything resembling a televised image. A panel that shows video or images like a televised broadcast is a video display sign and cannot be permitted here at all. Our reading is that what matters is what it displays, not what the hardware could do; confirm that with the Township.

note
““Electronic Message Display Sign” means a permanent Sign which is electronically controlled and which displays information in a pre-arranged sequence using only letters and numbers, and on which the intensity of illumination is maintained at constant level, such Sign to be dimmed at night after business or facility closing;”
What this means for your sign

The rule that catches people: a video DISPLAY SIGN is prohibited outright in Scugog, while an electronic message display (or readograph) is permitted on a ground sign at up to half the face — except inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District, where s.3.8.5 withholds it. The line between them is in the definitions — a message display uses letters and numbers only, a video display shows anything resembling a televised image. A panel that shows video or images like a televised broadcast is a video display sign and cannot be permitted here at all. Our reading is that what matters is what it displays, not what the hardware could do; confirm that with the Township.

note
““Video Display Sign” means a permanent Sign which is electronically controlled and which displays information in a video format similar to a televised image or broadcast;”
What this means for your sign

The rule that catches people: a video DISPLAY SIGN is prohibited outright in Scugog, while an electronic message display (or readograph) is permitted on a ground sign at up to half the face — except inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District, where s.3.8.5 withholds it. The line between them is in the definitions — a message display uses letters and numbers only, a video display shows anything resembling a televised image. A panel that shows video or images like a televised broadcast is a video display sign and cannot be permitted here at all. Our reading is that what matters is what it displays, not what the hardware could do; confirm that with the Township.

Commercial zone in the Port Perry urban area, outside the Main Central Area · Wall sign

what the area is measured against
“3.7.7 The Facia or Wall Sign Area for tenants in a multi-tenant building shall be in proportion to the linear frontage such tenant occupies on the applicable wall façade.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

what the area is measured against, area
“3.7.8 A Facia or Wall Sign shall not cover more than ten percent (10%) of any building wall. One (1) Wall Sign shall be permitted on each building wall, except for multi-tenant buildings.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

clearance above the ground, note
“3.7.3 A Facia or Wall Sign erected on a building above a location where the public passes, shall be located not less than 2.5 metres (8 feet) above the finished grade below the Sign.”
What this means for your sign

The bottom of the sign must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) above the ground or walkway below.

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

number, number, per what, number, note, area
“d) In addition to one (1) Ground Sign, one (1) Wall Sign shall be permitted on up to ten percent (10%) of the area of any one building façade fronting any Street. One (1) such Sign shall be permitted on each façade that fronts a road, and such Sign shall not be Back-Lit. Where any such business consists of more than one building on the lot, only one building fronting a Street shall be permitted such signage; e) Where more than one business is located on any lot in this area, each business shall be permitted one (1) Wall Sign that covers no more than ten percent (10%) of the façade or linear frontage of any one building the business occupies and such Signs shall not be Back-Lit; f) Where any such business fronts on more than one Street an additional Wall Sign shall be permitted for that additional Street, to a maximum of two (2) Signs; and”
What this means for your sign

One wall sign per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two.

Number, per what: per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two

One wall sign on each façade that fronts a road; a business on more than one street may have one more, to a maximum of two. Where several businesses share the lot, each gets one wall sign of 10% of the façade or linear frontage it occupies (s.4.3.2(d)–(f)).

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

note
“3.7.10 Facia or Wall Signs shall only be illuminated externally and shall not be Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

projection from the wall
“3.7.2 No Facia or Wall Sign shall project more than 150 mm (6.0 inches) from the wall to which it is attached.”
What this means for your sign

It can stick out no more than 0.15 m (6 in) from the wall.

Commercial zone in the Port Perry urban area, outside the Main Central Area · Ground sign

maximum area, where the by-law is unclear, conflictHead, number, number, per what, number, note, height
“a) Where only one business occupies the lot in any such commercial zone, one (1) Ground Sign shall be permitted for each Street frontage for the Property, to a maximum of two (2) Signs; b) Where more than one business is located on any lot, one (1) Ground Sign shall be permitted to identify the business names and type of businesses and such Sign may be illuminated. In cases where a commercial or industrial development operates as a single centre, including shared access and parking facilities, it shall be regarded as a single lot for the purpose of this By-law; c) Any such Ground Sign shall not exceed 7 m 2 (75 ft 2 ) in Sign Area, and no such Sign shall be higher than 5 metres (15 feet);”
What this means for your sign

The ground sign allowance tops out at 7 m² (75 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 7 m² (75 sq ft).

s.4.3.2(c) gives the height as “5 metres (15 feet)”, and 15 ft is 4.572 m (15 ft). The by-law does not say which unit governs, so we publish the lower figure, the 15 ft. The area, 7 m² (75 ft²), agrees within rounding.

The by-law’s metric and imperial heights disagree

One ground sign per street frontage, to a maximum of two (one per lot where several businesses share it).

per street frontage, to a maximum of two (one per lot where several businesses share it)

One per street frontage to a maximum of two where one business occupies the lot; where more than one business is on the lot, one ground sign for all of them, which may be illuminated (s.4.3.2(a)–(b)). A readograph or electronic message display may take up to half the face, except in the Heritage Conservation District (s.3.8.5).

The ground sign can be no taller than 4.57 m (15 ft).

number, note
“3.8.5 The Sign face of a Ground Sign may allocate a maximum fifty percent (50%) of the Sign face to a Readograph or Electronic Message Display, except within the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District.”
What this means for your sign

One per street frontage to a maximum of two where one business occupies the lot; where more than one business is on the lot, one ground sign for all of them, which may be illuminated (s.4.3.2(a)–(b)). A readograph or electronic message display may take up to half the face, except in the Heritage Conservation District (s.3.8.5).

setback
“3.8.3 No Ground Sign shall be closer than 3 metres (10 feet) to any lot line adjacent to any Street”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.2 No Ground Sign shall be located within 3 metres (10 feet) of a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.8 No Ground Sign shall be located within 15 metres (49 feet) of a traffic light.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.9 Where this By-law permits more than one Ground Sign along a Street frontage, no Ground Sign shall be located within 45 metres (148 feet) of another Ground Sign on the same lot. 3.8.10 A maximum of one Ground Sign is permitted per Street frontage unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this By-law. 3.8.11 All Ground Signs must comply with the Sign Area and Sign Height requirements of Section 4 of this By-law. 3.8.12 A Ground Sign may be illuminated externally or Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

Commercial zone in the Port Perry urban area, outside the Main Central Area · Projecting sign

cite
“Hanging Sign - - X - - -”
What this means for your sign

Appendix 1 permits a hanging sign only in the Main Central Area

Commercial zone outside the Port Perry urban area · Wall sign

what the area is measured against
“3.7.7 The Facia or Wall Sign Area for tenants in a multi-tenant building shall be in proportion to the linear frontage such tenant occupies on the applicable wall façade.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

what the area is measured against, area
“3.7.8 A Facia or Wall Sign shall not cover more than ten percent (10%) of any building wall. One (1) Wall Sign shall be permitted on each building wall, except for multi-tenant buildings.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

clearance above the ground, note
“3.7.3 A Facia or Wall Sign erected on a building above a location where the public passes, shall be located not less than 2.5 metres (8 feet) above the finished grade below the Sign.”
What this means for your sign

The bottom of the sign must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) above the ground or walkway below.

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

number, number, per what, number, note, area
“d) In addition to one (1) Ground Sign, one (1) Wall Sign shall be permitted on up to ten percent (10%) of the area of any one building façade fronting any Street. One (1) such Sign shall be permitted on each façade that fronts a road, and such Sign may be illuminated; e) Where any such business consists of more than one building on the lot, only one building fronting a Street shall be permitted such signage; f) Where more than one business is located on any lot in this area, each business shall be permitted one (1) Wall Sign that covers no more than ten percent (10%) of the façade or linear frontage of any one building the business occupies; g) Where any such business fronts on more than one Street, an additional Wall Sign shall be permitted for that additional Street to a maximum of two (2) Signs; and”
What this means for your sign

One wall sign per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two.

Number, per what: per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two

One wall sign on each façade that fronts a road; a business on more than one street may have one more, to a maximum of two. Where several businesses share the lot, each gets one wall sign of 10% of the façade or linear frontage it occupies (s.4.3.3(d)–(g)). Outside the urban area a wall sign may be illuminated (s.4.3.3(d)).

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

note
“3.7.10 Facia or Wall Signs shall only be illuminated externally and shall not be Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

projection from the wall
“3.7.2 No Facia or Wall Sign shall project more than 150 mm (6.0 inches) from the wall to which it is attached.”
What this means for your sign

It can stick out no more than 0.15 m (6 in) from the wall.

Commercial zone outside the Port Perry urban area · Ground sign

maximum area, number, number, per what, number, note, height
“a) Where only one business occupies the lot in any such commercial zone, one (1) Ground Sign shall be permitted for each Street frontage for the Property. Such Ground Signs may be illuminated; b) Any such Ground Sign shall be no closer to any lot line than 3 metres (10 feet) and where such Sign is located on a provincial or Regional highway, the set-back requirements of the provincial or Regional governments, as the case may be, shall be taken as the required set-back, or the distance noted in this subsection, whichever is the furthest distance from any lot line; c) Any such Ground Sign shall not exceed 7 m 2 (75 ft 2 ) in Sign Area, and so such Sign will be higher than 6 metres (20 feet) in Sign Height;”
What this means for your sign

The ground sign allowance tops out at 7 m² (75 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 7 m² (75 sq ft).

One ground sign per street frontage where one business occupies the lot.

Number, per what: per street frontage where one business occupies the lot

One per street frontage where one business occupies the lot; it may be illuminated (s.4.3.3(a)). On a provincial or Regional highway that government’s setback applies if it is greater (s.4.3.3(b)). The height is “6 metres (20 feet)”; 20 ft is slightly more than 6 m (20 ft), so the metric figure is the lower and is the one used.

The ground sign can be no taller than 6 m (20 ft).

setback
“3.8.3 No Ground Sign shall be closer than 3 metres (10 feet) to any lot line adjacent to any Street”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.2 No Ground Sign shall be located within 3 metres (10 feet) of a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.8 No Ground Sign shall be located within 15 metres (49 feet) of a traffic light.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.9 Where this By-law permits more than one Ground Sign along a Street frontage, no Ground Sign shall be located within 45 metres (148 feet) of another Ground Sign on the same lot. 3.8.10 A maximum of one Ground Sign is permitted per Street frontage unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this By-law. 3.8.11 All Ground Signs must comply with the Sign Area and Sign Height requirements of Section 4 of this By-law. 3.8.12 A Ground Sign may be illuminated externally or Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

Commercial zone outside the Port Perry urban area · Projecting sign

cite
“Hanging Sign - - X - - -”
What this means for your sign

Appendix 1 permits a hanging sign only in the Main Central Area

Industrial zone — single occupancy building · Wall sign

what the area is measured against
“3.7.7 The Facia or Wall Sign Area for tenants in a multi-tenant building shall be in proportion to the linear frontage such tenant occupies on the applicable wall façade.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

what the area is measured against, area
“3.7.8 A Facia or Wall Sign shall not cover more than ten percent (10%) of any building wall. One (1) Wall Sign shall be permitted on each building wall, except for multi-tenant buildings.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

clearance above the ground, note
“3.7.3 A Facia or Wall Sign erected on a building above a location where the public passes, shall be located not less than 2.5 metres (8 feet) above the finished grade below the Sign.”
What this means for your sign

The bottom of the sign must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) above the ground or walkway below.

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

number, number, per what, number, note, area
“4.4.1 SINGLE OCCUPANCY INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS a) One (1) Ground Sign having a maximum of 1 m 2 (10.75 ft 2 ) for each 10 metres (33 feet) of frontage or fraction thereof one (1) such Sign for each street frontage, up to a maximum of two (2) Signs shall be permitted. Such Sign shall have a maximum Sign Area of 8 m 2 (86 ft 2 ) and a maximum Sign Height of 4.5 metres (15 feet); and b) One (1) Wall Sign not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the area of the building’s façade upon which the Sign is attached. One (1) Sign for each road frontage will be permitted to a maximum of two (2) Signs;”
What this means for your sign

One wall sign per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two.

Number, per what: per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two

One wall sign of 10% of the façade for each road frontage, to a maximum of two (s.4.4.1(b)).

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

note
“3.7.10 Facia or Wall Signs shall only be illuminated externally and shall not be Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

projection from the wall
“3.7.2 No Facia or Wall Sign shall project more than 150 mm (6.0 inches) from the wall to which it is attached.”
What this means for your sign

It can stick out no more than 0.15 m (6 in) from the wall.

Industrial zone — single occupancy building · Ground sign

maximum area, number, number, per what, number, note, height, area per metre of frontage
“4.4.1 SINGLE OCCUPANCY INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS a) One (1) Ground Sign having a maximum of 1 m 2 (10.75 ft 2 ) for each 10 metres (33 feet) of frontage or fraction thereof one (1) such Sign for each street frontage, up to a maximum of two (2) Signs shall be permitted. Such Sign shall have a maximum Sign Area of 8 m 2 (86 ft 2 ) and a maximum Sign Height of 4.5 metres (15 feet); and b) One (1) Wall Sign not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the area of the building’s façade upon which the Sign is attached. One (1) Sign for each road frontage will be permitted to a maximum of two (2) Signs;”
What this means for your sign

The ground sign allowance tops out at 8 m² (86 sq ft), however big the building or lot.

One ground sign per street frontage, to a maximum of two.

Number, per what: per street frontage, to a maximum of two

1 m² (11 sq ft) for each 10 m (33 ft) of frontage or fraction of it, to a maximum of 8 m² (86 sq ft) and 4.5 m (15 ft) tall, one per street frontage to a maximum of two (s.4.4.1(a)). A part-frontage counts as a whole 10 m (33 ft), so the by-law can allow slightly more than the per-metre figure shown.

The ground sign can be no taller than 4.5 m (15 ft).

You get 0.1 m² (1.1 sq ft) of ground sign for every metre (3 ft 3 in) of frontage. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 3 m² (32 sq ft).

setback
“3.8.3 No Ground Sign shall be closer than 3 metres (10 feet) to any lot line adjacent to any Street”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.2 No Ground Sign shall be located within 3 metres (10 feet) of a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.8 No Ground Sign shall be located within 15 metres (49 feet) of a traffic light.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.9 Where this By-law permits more than one Ground Sign along a Street frontage, no Ground Sign shall be located within 45 metres (148 feet) of another Ground Sign on the same lot. 3.8.10 A maximum of one Ground Sign is permitted per Street frontage unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this By-law. 3.8.11 All Ground Signs must comply with the Sign Area and Sign Height requirements of Section 4 of this By-law. 3.8.12 A Ground Sign may be illuminated externally or Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

Industrial zone — single occupancy building · Projecting sign

cite
“Hanging Sign - - X - - -”
What this means for your sign

Appendix 1 permits a hanging sign only in the Main Central Area

Industrial zone — multiple occupancy building · Wall sign

what the area is measured against
“3.7.7 The Facia or Wall Sign Area for tenants in a multi-tenant building shall be in proportion to the linear frontage such tenant occupies on the applicable wall façade.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

what the area is measured against, area
“3.7.8 A Facia or Wall Sign shall not cover more than ten percent (10%) of any building wall. One (1) Wall Sign shall be permitted on each building wall, except for multi-tenant buildings.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

clearance above the ground, note
“3.7.3 A Facia or Wall Sign erected on a building above a location where the public passes, shall be located not less than 2.5 metres (8 feet) above the finished grade below the Sign.”
What this means for your sign

The bottom of the sign must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) above the ground or walkway below.

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

number, number, per what, number, note, area
“4.4.2 MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS a) One (1) Ground Sign not exceeding 9 m 2 (97 ft 2 ) in Sign Area and not exceeding 4.5 metres (15 feet) in height, shall be permitted; b) One (1) Ground Sign shall be permitted for each road frontage for the lot upon which the building is located, up to a maximum of two (2) such Signs; c) One (1) Wall Sign for each business located in the building shall be permitted, indicating the name and type of business for each; d) A Wall Sign permitted in this Section shall be no greater than ten percent (10%) of the façade of the portion of the building wall occupied by that business;”
What this means for your sign

One wall sign per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two.

Number, per what: per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two

One wall sign for each business in the building, of no more than 10% of the part of the façade that business occupies (s.4.4.2(c)–(d)).

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

note
“3.7.10 Facia or Wall Signs shall only be illuminated externally and shall not be Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

projection from the wall
“3.7.2 No Facia or Wall Sign shall project more than 150 mm (6.0 inches) from the wall to which it is attached.”
What this means for your sign

It can stick out no more than 0.15 m (6 in) from the wall.

Industrial zone — multiple occupancy building · Ground sign

maximum area, number, number, per what, height
“4.4.2 MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS a) One (1) Ground Sign not exceeding 9 m 2 (97 ft 2 ) in Sign Area and not exceeding 4.5 metres (15 feet) in height, shall be permitted; b) One (1) Ground Sign shall be permitted for each road frontage for the lot upon which the building is located, up to a maximum of two (2) such Signs; c) One (1) Wall Sign for each business located in the building shall be permitted, indicating the name and type of business for each; d) A Wall Sign permitted in this Section shall be no greater than ten percent (10%) of the façade of the portion of the building wall occupied by that business;”
What this means for your sign

The ground sign allowance tops out at 9 m² (97 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 9 m² (97 sq ft).

One ground sign per road frontage, to a maximum of two.

Number, per what: per road frontage, to a maximum of two

The ground sign can be no taller than 4.5 m (15 ft).

setback
“3.8.3 No Ground Sign shall be closer than 3 metres (10 feet) to any lot line adjacent to any Street”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.2 No Ground Sign shall be located within 3 metres (10 feet) of a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.8 No Ground Sign shall be located within 15 metres (49 feet) of a traffic light.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.9 Where this By-law permits more than one Ground Sign along a Street frontage, no Ground Sign shall be located within 45 metres (148 feet) of another Ground Sign on the same lot. 3.8.10 A maximum of one Ground Sign is permitted per Street frontage unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this By-law. 3.8.11 All Ground Signs must comply with the Sign Area and Sign Height requirements of Section 4 of this By-law. 3.8.12 A Ground Sign may be illuminated externally or Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

Industrial zone — multiple occupancy building · Projecting sign

cite
“Hanging Sign - - X - - -”
What this means for your sign

Appendix 1 permits a hanging sign only in the Main Central Area

Community facility or open space zone · Wall sign

what the area is measured against
“3.7.7 The Facia or Wall Sign Area for tenants in a multi-tenant building shall be in proportion to the linear frontage such tenant occupies on the applicable wall façade.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

what the area is measured against, area
“3.7.8 A Facia or Wall Sign shall not cover more than ten percent (10%) of any building wall. One (1) Wall Sign shall be permitted on each building wall, except for multi-tenant buildings.”
What this means for your sign

the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade)

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

clearance above the ground, note
“3.7.3 A Facia or Wall Sign erected on a building above a location where the public passes, shall be located not less than 2.5 metres (8 feet) above the finished grade below the Sign.”
What this means for your sign

The bottom of the sign must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) above the ground or walkway below.

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

number, number, per what, number, note, area
“a) One (1) Ground Sign shall be permitted for each street frontage for the Property, to a maximum of two (2) Signs; b) One (1) Ground Sign having a maximum Sign Area of 1 m 2 (11 ft 2 ) for every 10 metres (33 feet) of lot frontage or fraction thereof shall be permitted to a maximum of 4 m 2 (43 ft 2 ); c) In addition to one (1) Ground Sign, a Façade or Wall Sign shall be permitted on up to ten percent (10%) of the area of any one building façade fronting any street. One (1) such Sign shall be permitted for each façade to a maximum of two (2) Signs;”
What this means for your sign

One wall sign per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two.

Number, per what: per building wall fronting a street, to a maximum of two

One wall sign of 10% of any façade fronting a street, one per façade to a maximum of two (s.4.5(c)).

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the building façade the sign is on (a multi-tenant building: in proportion to your linear frontage on that façade). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

note
“3.7.10 Facia or Wall Signs shall only be illuminated externally and shall not be Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit (s.3.7.10). Above a place the public passes it must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) up (s.3.7.3).

projection from the wall
“3.7.2 No Facia or Wall Sign shall project more than 150 mm (6.0 inches) from the wall to which it is attached.”
What this means for your sign

It can stick out no more than 0.15 m (6 in) from the wall.

Community facility or open space zone · Ground sign

maximum area, number, number, per what, number, note, area per metre of frontage
“a) One (1) Ground Sign shall be permitted for each street frontage for the Property, to a maximum of two (2) Signs; b) One (1) Ground Sign having a maximum Sign Area of 1 m 2 (11 ft 2 ) for every 10 metres (33 feet) of lot frontage or fraction thereof shall be permitted to a maximum of 4 m 2 (43 ft 2 ); c) In addition to one (1) Ground Sign, a Façade or Wall Sign shall be permitted on up to ten percent (10%) of the area of any one building façade fronting any street. One (1) such Sign shall be permitted for each façade to a maximum of two (2) Signs;”
What this means for your sign

The ground sign allowance tops out at 4 m² (43 sq ft), however big the building or lot.

One ground sign per street frontage, to a maximum of two.

Number, per what: per street frontage, to a maximum of two

1 m² (11 sq ft) for every 10 m (33 ft) of lot frontage or fraction of it, to a maximum of 4 m² (43 sq ft); 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line (s.4.5(b), (d)). A part-frontage counts as a whole 10 m (33 ft), so the by-law can allow slightly more than the per-metre figure shown. The height is “4 metres (15 feet)”; the metric figure is the lower and is the one used.

You get 0.1 m² (1.1 sq ft) of ground sign for every metre (3 ft 3 in) of frontage. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 3 m² (32 sq ft).

number, note, height, setback
“d) No Ground Sign is permitted to be closer than 3 metres (10 feet) from any lot line; and e) A Ground Sign permitted under this Section of the By-law shall not exceed 4 metres (15 feet) in Sign Height.”
What this means for your sign

1 m² (11 sq ft) for every 10 m (33 ft) of lot frontage or fraction of it, to a maximum of 4 m² (43 sq ft); 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line (s.4.5(b), (d)). A part-frontage counts as a whole 10 m (33 ft), so the by-law can allow slightly more than the per-metre figure shown. The height is “4 metres (15 feet)”; the metric figure is the lower and is the one used.

The ground sign can be no taller than 4 m (13 ft).

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line · 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light

setback
“3.8.2 No Ground Sign shall be located within 3 metres (10 feet) of a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line · 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light

setback
“3.8.8 No Ground Sign shall be located within 15 metres (49 feet) of a traffic light.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line · 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light

Community facility or open space zone · Projecting sign

cite
“Hanging Sign - - X - - -”
What this means for your sign

Appendix 1 permits a hanging sign only in the Main Central Area

Rural zone (not rural residential) · Wall sign

what the area is measured against, number, number, per what, note, area
“e) One (1) Facia or Wall Sign shall be permitted on one non- residential building on each lot, the Sign Area of which shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the façade upon which the Sign is affixed and which shall identify the name of the farm or business;”
What this means for your sign

What the area is measured against: the façade of one non-residential building on the lot

One wall sign per lot, on one non-residential building.

Number, per what: per lot, on one non-residential building

One facia or wall sign on one non-residential building on each lot, naming the farm or business (s.4.1(e)). External illumination only (s.3.7.10).

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of the façade of one non-residential building on the lot. For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

note
“3.7.10 Facia or Wall Signs shall only be illuminated externally and shall not be Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

One facia or wall sign on one non-residential building on each lot, naming the farm or business (s.4.1(e)). External illumination only (s.3.7.10).

projection from the wall
“3.7.2 No Facia or Wall Sign shall project more than 150 mm (6.0 inches) from the wall to which it is attached.”
What this means for your sign

It can stick out no more than 0.15 m (6 in) from the wall.

Rural zone (not rural residential) · Ground sign

maximum area, number, note
“c) A non-illuminated Ground Sign not exceeding 3 m 2 (32 ft 2 ) in Sign Area advertising or identifying a permitted commercial activity associated with the agricultural undertaking, home industry or home occupation shall be permitted;”
What this means for your sign

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 at the front of the property, 6 m (20 ft) from any lot line, not back-lit; a non-illuminated sign for a commercial activity tied to the farm, home industry or home occupation may be up to 3 m² (s.4.1(a)–(c)). The height is “4 metres (15 feet)”; the metric figure is the lower and is the one used (s.4.1(d)).

number, number, per what, number, note, setback
“a) One Ground Sign may be located at the front of the Property, not closer than 6 metres (20 feet) from any lot line;”
What this means for your sign

One ground sign per property, at the front.

Number, per what: per property, at the front

One ground sign at the front of the property, 6 m (20 ft) from any lot line, not back-lit; a non-illuminated sign for a commercial activity tied to the farm, home industry or home occupation may be up to 3 m² (s.4.1(a)–(c)). The height is “4 metres (15 feet)”; the metric figure is the lower and is the one used (s.4.1(d)).

Setback: 6 m (20 ft) from any lot line

number, note, height
“d) Ground Signs permitted under this Section shall not exceed 4 metres (15 feet) in Sign Height;”
What this means for your sign

One ground sign at the front of the property, 6 m (20 ft) from any lot line, not back-lit; a non-illuminated sign for a commercial activity tied to the farm, home industry or home occupation may be up to 3 m² (s.4.1(a)–(c)). The height is “4 metres (15 feet)”; the metric figure is the lower and is the one used (s.4.1(d)).

The ground sign can be no taller than 4 m (13 ft).

Rural zone (not rural residential) · Projecting sign

cite
“Hanging Sign - - X - - -”
What this means for your sign

Appendix 1 permits a hanging sign only in the Main Central Area

Residential zone — apartment or condominium townhouse development · Wall sign

cite, why
“Fascia / Wall Sign X - X X X X Garage Sale Sign - X - - - - Ground Sign X X - X X X”
What this means for your sign

Appendix 1

The sign permission matrix at the back of the by-law does not permit a facia or wall sign in a residential zone.

Residential zone — apartment or condominium townhouse development · Ground sign

maximum area, number, number, per what, number, note
“b) One (1) non-illuminated identification Ground Sign not exceeding 2.5 m 2 (27 ft 2 ) in Sign Area for an apartment or condominium townhouse development of three (3) units or more;”
What this means for your sign

The ground sign allowance tops out at 2.5 m² (27 sq ft), however big the building or lot. For example, a lot with 30 m (98 ft) of street frontage works out to 2.5 m² (27 sq ft).

One ground sign per development of three units or more.

Number, per what: per development of three units or more

One non-illuminated identification ground sign of up to 2.5 m² (27 sq ft) for an apartment or condominium townhouse development of three units or more, plus one directional sign of 2.5 m² (27 sq ft) showing the internal roads and unit numbers (s.4.2(b)–(c)). Section 4 sets no height for it.

number, note
“c) One (1) Directional Sign not exceeding 2.5 m 2 (27 ft 2 ) in Sign Area for a condominium townhouse development indicating the internal road patterns and unit numbers,”
What this means for your sign

One non-illuminated identification ground sign of up to 2.5 m² (27 sq ft) for an apartment or condominium townhouse development of three units or more, plus one directional sign of 2.5 m² (27 sq ft) showing the internal roads and unit numbers (s.4.2(b)–(c)). Section 4 sets no height for it.

setback
“3.8.3 No Ground Sign shall be closer than 3 metres (10 feet) to any lot line adjacent to any Street”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.2 No Ground Sign shall be located within 3 metres (10 feet) of a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.8 No Ground Sign shall be located within 15 metres (49 feet) of a traffic light.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

setback
“3.8.9 Where this By-law permits more than one Ground Sign along a Street frontage, no Ground Sign shall be located within 45 metres (148 feet) of another Ground Sign on the same lot. 3.8.10 A maximum of one Ground Sign is permitted per Street frontage unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this By-law. 3.8.11 All Ground Signs must comply with the Sign Area and Sign Height requirements of Section 4 of this By-law. 3.8.12 A Ground Sign may be illuminated externally or Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

3 m (9 ft 10 in) from any lot line next to a street, and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from a driveway entrance or exit at the lot line · 15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light · 45 m (148 ft) between ground signs on the same lot

Residential zone — apartment or condominium townhouse development · Projecting sign

cite
“Hanging Sign - - X - - -”
What this means for your sign

Appendix 1 permits a hanging sign only in the Main Central Area

The Main Central Area of Port Perry · Wall sign

what the area is measured against, number, number, per what, number, note, area
“c) One (1) Facia or Wall Sign, covering not more than ten percent (10%) of any building façade, or in the case of a multi-tenant building, ten percent (10%) of the linear frontage each tenant occupies, shall be permitted. One (1) such Sign shall be permitted for each road allowance to a maximum of two (2) Signs;”
What this means for your sign

any building façade (a multi-tenant building: 10% of the linear frontage each tenant occupies)

One wall sign per road allowance, to a maximum of two.

Number, per what: per road allowance, to a maximum of two

One for each road allowance, to a maximum of two (s.4.3.1(c)). In a multi-tenant building each tenant gets 10% of the linear frontage it occupies.

Wall signs may cover up to 10% of any building façade (a multi-tenant building: 10% of the linear frontage each tenant occupies). For example, a storefront 10 m (33 ft) wide with a 4 m (13 ft) tall first storey works out to 4 m² (43 sq ft).

clearance above the ground
“3.7.3 A Facia or Wall Sign erected on a building above a location where the public passes, shall be located not less than 2.5 metres (8 feet) above the finished grade below the Sign.”
What this means for your sign

The bottom of the sign must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) above the ground or walkway below.

note
“3.7.10 Facia or Wall Signs shall only be illuminated externally and shall not be Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit anywhere in the Township. In the Main Central Area every new or altered sign must also be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee, in heritage colours and design (s.4.3.1(a)–(b), (g)).

note
“a) All new Signs and Sign Copy, and existing Signs that are altered in appearance shall be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee;”
What this means for your sign

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit anywhere in the Township. In the Main Central Area every new or altered sign must also be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee, in heritage colours and design (s.4.3.1(a)–(b), (g)).

note
“b) All Signs shall be of heritage colour and design as defined in the Township’s Heritage Design Guidelines;”
What this means for your sign

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit anywhere in the Township. In the Main Central Area every new or altered sign must also be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee, in heritage colours and design (s.4.3.1(a)–(b), (g)).

note
“g) No Sign in the Main Central Area shall be illuminated as a Back-Lit Sign”
What this means for your sign

External illumination only — a facia or wall sign may not be back-lit anywhere in the Township. In the Main Central Area every new or altered sign must also be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee, in heritage colours and design (s.4.3.1(a)–(b), (g)).

projection from the wall
“3.7.2 No Facia or Wall Sign shall project more than 150 mm (6.0 inches) from the wall to which it is attached.”
What this means for your sign

It can stick out no more than 0.15 m (6 in) from the wall.

The Main Central Area of Port Perry · Ground sign

why
“e) Ground Signs shall not be permitted in the Main Central Area;”
What this means for your sign

Section 4 says in terms that ground signs shall not be permitted in the Main Central Area of Port Perry (the area defined in the Township’s Official Plan). Wall and hanging signs are the route here.

The Main Central Area of Port Perry · Projecting sign

maximum area, clearance above the ground, number, number, per what, note
“d) One (1) Hanging Sign shall be permitted for each building façade belonging to a single business. No Hanging Sign shall be more than 1 m 2 (10.75 ft 2 ) in Sign Area, and no such Sign shall be located closer to the ground than 2.5 metres (8 feet).”
What this means for your sign

A projecting sign can be no larger than 1 m² (11 sq ft).

The bottom of the sign must be at least 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) above the ground or walkway below.

One projecting sign per building façade of a single business.

Number, per what: per building façade of a single business

A hanging sign: one per building façade belonging to a single business, up to 1 m² (11 sq ft), 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) above grade, extending no more than 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) from the wall with its face starting within 0.3 m (1 ft) of it, no wider than 1:2; over a Township right-of-way it needs an encroachment agreement (s.4.3.1(d); s.3.10).

note
“3.10.1 The owner of a Hanging Sign that overhangs a public right-of-way under the jurisdiction of the Township shall enter into an encroachment agreement with the Township. 3.10.2 No portion of a Hanging Sign shall be less than 2.5 metres (8 feet) above the finished grade below the Sign. 3.10.3 No portion of a Hanging Sign shall extend more than 1.2 metres (4 feet) beyond the wall to which it is affixed. 3.10.4 The Sign Area of a Hanging Sign shall begin no more than 0.3 metres (1 foot) beyond the wall to which it is affixed. 3.10.5 The Sign Area of a Hanging Sign shall have a maximum 1:2 ratio in width to length.”
What this means for your sign

A hanging sign: one per building façade belonging to a single business, up to 1 m² (11 sq ft), 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) above grade, extending no more than 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) from the wall with its face starting within 0.3 m (1 ft) of it, no wider than 1:2; over a Township right-of-way it needs an encroachment agreement (s.4.3.1(d); s.3.10).

Lighting and digital signs

hours, where a digital sign can go, read this first
““Electronic Message Display Sign” means a permanent Sign which is electronically controlled and which displays information in a pre-arranged sequence using only letters and numbers, and on which the intensity of illumination is maintained at constant level, such Sign to be dimmed at night after business or facility closing;”
What this means for your sign

No hours curfew. The only timing rule is buried in the definitions: an electronic message display must hold a constant illumination intensity and be dimmed at night after the business closes. No level and no clock time are stated.

No certification, no photometric standard and no dimming sensor. The only brightness duty is the night dimming in the definitions.

A video DISPLAY SIGN is prohibited outright in Scugog. An electronic message display is permitted on a ground sign, up to half the face, but the definitions draw the line hard: a message display uses letters and numbers only, and anything showing something like a televised image is a video display. Message displays are in turn banned entirely inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District regardless.

movement and animation
“c) A Flashing or animated Sign;”
What this means for your sign

Flashing and animated signs are prohibited, but a compliant message display is carved out of that prohibition

movement and animation
““Flashing” means an intermittent or flashing light source, or which gives the illusion of intermittent or flashing light, but does not include a time, temperature or date Sign, or an Electronic Message Display Sign;”
What this means for your sign

Flashing and animated signs are prohibited, but a compliant message display is carved out of that prohibition

which signs may be digital, read this first
“3.8.5 The Sign face of a Ground Sign may allocate a maximum fifty percent (50%) of the Sign face to a Readograph or Electronic Message Display, except within the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District.”
What this means for your sign

A ground SIGN only, to a maximum of half the sign face, and never inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District

A video DISPLAY SIGN is prohibited outright in Scugog. An electronic message display is permitted on a ground sign, up to half the face, but the definitions draw the line hard: a message display uses letters and numbers only, and anything showing something like a televised image is a video display. Message displays are in turn banned entirely inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District regardless.

distance from an intersection
“3.8.8 No Ground Sign shall be located within 15 metres (49 feet) of a traffic light.”
What this means for your sign

15 m (49 ft) from a traffic light — a general ground sign rule, but it binds every message display because they can only go on ground signs

general permission to illuminate, worth knowing
“3.8.9 Where this By-law permits more than one Ground Sign along a Street frontage, no Ground Sign shall be located within 45 metres (148 feet) of another Ground Sign on the same lot. 3.8.10 A maximum of one Ground Sign is permitted per Street frontage unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this By-law. 3.8.11 All Ground Signs must comply with the Sign Area and Sign Height requirements of Section 4 of this By-law. 3.8.12 A Ground Sign may be illuminated externally or Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

There is no general grant. Illumination is permitted sign type by sign type: a ground sign may be lit externally or back-lit, while a facia or wall sign may only be lit externally and may never be back-lit.

Back-lighting is permitted on a ground sign and prohibited on a wall sign — the reverse of most by-laws here — and it is banned again in the Main Central Area of Port Perry and on the wall signs allowed in commercial zones elsewhere in the Port Perry urban area (s.4.3.2(d)).

general permission to illuminate, worth knowing
“3.7.10 Facia or Wall Signs shall only be illuminated externally and shall not be Back-lit.”
What this means for your sign

There is no general grant. Illumination is permitted sign type by sign type: a ground sign may be lit externally or back-lit, while a facia or wall sign may only be lit externally and may never be back-lit.

Back-lighting is permitted on a ground sign and prohibited on a wall sign — the reverse of most by-laws here — and it is banned again in the Main Central Area of Port Perry and on the wall signs allowed in commercial zones elsewhere in the Port Perry urban area (s.4.3.2(d)).

worth knowing
“g) No Sign in the Main Central Area shall be illuminated as a Back-Lit Sign”
What this means for your sign

Back-lighting is permitted on a ground sign and prohibited on a wall sign — the reverse of most by-laws here — and it is banned again in the Main Central Area of Port Perry and on the wall signs allowed in commercial zones elsewhere in the Port Perry urban area (s.4.3.2(d)).

worth knowing
“4.3.2 COMMERCIAL ZONES WITHIN THE PORT PERRY URBAN AREA (OTHER THAN MAIN CENTRAL AREA) The following provisions shall apply on those lands zoned Commercial and located within the Port Perry Urban Area, outside of the Main Central Area;”
What this means for your sign

Back-lighting is permitted on a ground sign and prohibited on a wall sign — the reverse of most by-laws here — and it is banned again in the Main Central Area of Port Perry and on the wall signs allowed in commercial zones elsewhere in the Port Perry urban area (s.4.3.2(d)).

worth knowing
“d) In addition to one (1) Ground Sign, one (1) Wall Sign shall be permitted on up to ten percent (10%) of the area of any one building façade fronting any Street. One (1) such Sign shall be permitted on each façade that fronts a road, and such Sign shall not be Back-Lit.”
What this means for your sign

Back-lighting is permitted on a ground sign and prohibited on a wall sign — the reverse of most by-laws here — and it is banned again in the Main Central Area of Port Perry and on the wall signs allowed in commercial zones elsewhere in the Port Perry urban area (s.4.3.2(d)).

read this first
“3.16.1 Video Display Signs are not permitted.”
What this means for your sign

A video DISPLAY SIGN is prohibited outright in Scugog. An electronic message display is permitted on a ground sign, up to half the face, but the definitions draw the line hard: a message display uses letters and numbers only, and anything showing something like a televised image is a video display. Message displays are in turn banned entirely inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District regardless.

read this first
““Video Display Sign” means a permanent Sign which is electronically controlled and which displays information in a video format similar to a televised image or broadcast;”
What this means for your sign

A video DISPLAY SIGN is prohibited outright in Scugog. An electronic message display is permitted on a ground sign, up to half the face, but the definitions draw the line hard: a message display uses letters and numbers only, and anything showing something like a televised image is a video display. Message displays are in turn banned entirely inside the Downtown Port Perry Heritage Conservation District regardless.

Fees and timelines

who decides a variance
“2.7.1 Where the Owner or Person in control of a Sign for any reason is unable to comply with the provisions and regulations under this By- law, such Person may apply to the Council of the Township for a variance”
What this means for your sign

Council (s.2.7.3). In the Main Central Area of Port Perry every new or altered sign must also be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee (s.4.3.1(a)).

who decides a variance
“2.7.3 The Council of the Township shall hear all applications and may authorize such variances”
What this means for your sign

Council (s.2.7.3). In the Main Central Area of Port Perry every new or altered sign must also be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee (s.4.3.1(a)).

who decides a variance
“a) All new Signs and Sign Copy, and existing Signs that are altered in appearance shall be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee;”
What this means for your sign

Council (s.2.7.3). In the Main Central Area of Port Perry every new or altered sign must also be approved by the Township’s Heritage and Museum Advisory Committee (s.4.3.1(a)).

flat fee, note, variance fee, variance fee, third-party
“Sign Permit - Outside HCD HST Exempt Each $264.00 Sign Permit - Within HCD - - $0.00 Sign Variance Application - Outside HCD HST Exempt Each $645.00 Sign Variance Application - Within HCD - - $0.00”
What this means for your sign

The permit is a flat $264.

$264 per sign outside the Heritage Conservation District. Outside the HCD, a sign put up before the permit issues doubles the fee.

Asking for a variance (permission to go beyond the by-law) costs $645.

Every sign fee is listed twice, once for outside the Heritage Conservation District and once for inside it, and every inside-the-District figure is printed as $0.00.

note
“Any Sign Erected Without a Prior Permit Issued (Outside HCD) HST Exempt - Double all applicable fees”
What this means for your sign

$264 per sign outside the Heritage Conservation District. Outside the HCD, a sign put up before the permit issues doubles the fee.

fee schedule year
“Schedule D - Development Services Department - Signs 2026 Fees and Charges”
What this means for your sign

These fees are from the 2026 fee schedule.

Which cities we can answer for 29 cities

We calculate your maximum

28

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We can point you to the by-law, not the numbers

1

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