The Edmonton Zoning Bylaw regulates the location, size, maximum number, and design of temporary signs on private property. These regulations are intended to limit proliferation, and discourage the use of temporary signs as permanent advertising.

Temporary On-premises Signs, and Temporary Off-premises Signs require a development permit, and must have approval from the City before the sign is placed.

Temporary On-premises Signs

Temporary On-premises Signs means any sign that is relocatable or removable from a site and used for advertising of a limited duration.

The copy on such a sign identifies or advertises a business, activity, product, service or entertainment located on the premises or site where the sign is displayed. These permits may be valid up to 365 days.

Temporary Off-premises Signs

Temporary Off-premises Signs means any sign that is relocatable or removable from a site and used for advertising of a limited duration.

The copy on such a sign directs attention to a business, activity, product, service or entertainment that cannot be considered as the principal products sold nor a principal business, activity, entertainment or service provided on the premises or site where the sign is displayed.

Please review the Edmonton Zoning Bylaw to familiarize yourself with the regulations.

Determine the Zone

To determine the zone your proposed sign is in, please visit maps.edmonton.ca and enter the address of the proposed sign location. Then select the Zoning for this address link.

If you are unable to access this site, please email the address of the proposed sign location to temporarysigns@edmonton.ca to confirm the zone prior to applying.

Read the Zoning Bylaw

Once you have determined the Zone, refer to the Zoning Bylaw for sign regulations.
(Under the Index tab, type the name of the zone into the keyword search to open the regulations specific to that zone.)

DC2 (Site Specific Development Control Provision) Process

If your proposed sign is located within a DC2 (Site Specific Development Control Provision) for individual sites, it will be necessary to determine the regulations in effect at the time the DC2 was approved by Council (Refer to Section 2.7 Edmonton Zoning Bylaw 12800). To determine the date and the relevant regulations, refer to the DC2 process below.

Edmonton Zoning Bylaw Section 2.7: Unless there is an explicit statement to the contrary in a Direct Control District or Provision, any reference in a Direct Control District or Direct Control Provision to a land use bylaw shall be deemed to be a reference to the land use bylaw that was in effect at the time of the creation of the Direct Control District or Provision.

Direct Control (DC) Details

• DC2 process examples:
  DC2 (808),
  DC2 (285) 
• DC2 Site Specific Development Control Provision

Archived Land Use Bylaws (LUBs):

• Zoning Bylaw January 2013
• Zoning Bylaw July 2012
• Zoning Bylaw April 2009
• Zoning Bylaw January 2009
• Zoning Bylaw January 2008
• Zoning Bylaw January 2007
• Zoning Bylaw May 2003
• Zoning Bylaw July 2002
• Zoning Bylaw June 2001
• 1999 LUB 5996 Section 79 Consolidation Dec. 15, 1999
  (Note: this section refers only to sign regulations)
• 1998 LUB 5996 Consolidation August 24, 1998
• 1988 LUB 5996 Office Consolidation No. 8, Dec. 12, 1988
• 1987 LUB 5996 Office Consolidation No. 7, June 1, 1987
• 1985 LUB 5996 Office Consolidation No. 6, Nov. 15, 1985
• 1983 LUB 5996 Office Consolidation No. 5, Aug. 15, 1983
• 1982 LUB 5996 Office Consolidation No. 4, March 1982
• 1981 LUB 5996 Office Consolidation No. 3, April 1981
• 1980 LUB 5996 Office Consolidation No. 2, Sept. 1980
• 1980 LUB 5996 Office Consolidation No. 1, July 1980

Curb to Property Line Map

A scaled Curb to Property Line Map must be provided along with your application for a development permit. PDF format and aerial images are available upon request by emailing mapdesk@edmonton.ca or by calling Transportation at 780-496-6636.

Landowner/Agent Permission Letter

A current letter from the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected, or their agent, authorizing the applicant's sign development, must be included with the application.

Download a copy of the landowner/agent permission letter template.

Please note that Condominium Properties require a letter from the Condo Association Representative responsible for the common property.

City of Edmonton properties, facilities or events also require a current letter from the agent authorizing the applicant's sign placement.

Name of Business, Tenant or Group Advertising

Applications for Temporary Signs shall include the name and address of the business, tenants, or group advertising on the sign.

On multiple tenant developments, a list of all the businesses advertising must be provided to the development officer prior to placing the advertisement on the sign.

Application Methods

Apply for a Temporary On-Premises sign online, or in person. Apply for a Temporary Off-Premises sign by email or in person.
Please note that the City of Edmonton will not accept faxed applications for Temporary Signs. 

Use the following application forms and landowner/agent permission letter template:

• Temporary On-premises Sign Application Form
• Temporary Off-premises Sign Application Form 
• Landowner/Agent Permission Letter Template
• Access Request Form (for online application submission)

The sign application forms and other relevant forms, including various business-related items, are also available on our Form Listing page.

Online Application:

All Temporary On-premises Sign applications must be made online, or in person.

A Posse Customer ID for Web Access is required to apply for Temporary Signs online. You must also be added to the Temporary Signs user group.

If you require access, please complete the Access Request Form, and submit it by email to temporarysigns@edmonton.ca. Please enter “Access Request: for Company Name” in the subject line.

Access details will be emailed to you. Once you have access you will be able to login to permits.edmonton.ca/Default.aspx using your username and password.

In person:

Applications made in person will be taken in at the front counter on the 5th floor of the HSBC building, 10250-101 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 3P4. Payment of application fees will be required, and the job will be placed in the queue.

Email:

Email is available for Temporary Off-Premises Signs only. Please submit your Off-Premises application to temporarysigns@edmonton.ca. Enter “Temporary Off-Premises Sign Application” in the subject line and ensure that all required documentation is attached.

2016 Fees

Application Fee:
90 days or less: $87
365 days or less: $261

Development Notification Fee:

The development notification fee for discretionary signs is $102. This fee will be applied when notices are sent out to adjacent landowners during the review process.

Development Permit and Compliance Fees including Fee Policy (2016)

Refunds:

• Refunds will not be granted once a decision has been made.
• Refunds will be granted when it has been determined that a site is full.
• Refunds will be granted when overpayment is made.
  (ie. If applicant paid for a 365 day permit, but only a 90 day permit is allowed, the difference will be refunded.)

To request a refund please fill out and submit the Cancellation/Refund Request Form.

For More Information

Permits and Licensing Service Centre

Processes:

Discretionary Temporary Signs Process: Class B  

DC2 Process: Examples

• DC2 (808)
• DC2 (285)

Development Permit Approval Tag

Other Related Information:

Temporary Signs Open Data Catalogue

The Temporary Signs Open Data Catalogue is now available. The catalogue is updated on a daily basis, providing the temporary sign industry, businesses and landowners with the ability to view current development permit information for temporary signs on private property.

Read the guide for information on how to use the Temporary Signs Open Data Catalogue.

Temporary Signs Open Data Catalogue

Zoning Bylaw Sections:

Edmonton Zoning Bylaw

• Section 7.9 Sign Use Classes
• Section 11.3 Variance to Regulations
• Section 11.4 Limitation of Variance
• Section 12.4 Class B Discretionary Developments
• Section 13 Development Application Submission
• Section 13.4 Sign Developments
• Section 19 Development Permit and Agreement Fees
• Section 20 Notification of Issuance of Development Permits
• Section 21 Appeals
• Section 23.2 Offences
• Section 23.3 Enforcement
• Section 59 Sign Regulations (including Sign Schedules 59A-K)