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The Zoning Bylaw regulates the design, construction, installation, relocation, alteration and repair of permanent signs located on private property in the city of Edmonton.
All signs on private property in Edmonton require a sign permit, except those listed in Section 7.120 of the Zoning Bylaw. Signs that have an electrical connection also require an electrical permit.
You must have a permit before the installation of any sign. Installing a sign without a valid Development Permit is an offence which is subject to fines and penalties.
For relocatable or removable signs see Portable Signs.
A permanent sign is a sign that is anchored to a footing extending below ground level or is affixed to, or painted on, a building or other structure that cannot be readily relocated or removed from a site.
On-premise and Off-premise Advertising Types:
The advertising copy displayed on a sign is categorized into 2 distinct types.
On-Premises advertising means copy that relates only to a business, activity or organization that has a Development Permit to operate on the site where the sign is located.
Off-Premises advertising means copy that relates to a business, activity or organization that does not have a Development Permit to operate on the site where the sign is located. Signs with off-premises advertising may generally be used for short-term advertising.
All properties within Edmonton are zoned and that zoning determines which type of signs are allowed. The Zoning Bylaw outlines the uses and regulations of a particular zone.
Use maps.edmonton.ca to find the zone your proposed sign is in.
Note the Plan in Effect, and if an Overlay may apply.
Some properties in Edmonton are Direct Control Zones. If your proposed sign is located within a Direct Control Zone, it will be necessary to determine the regulations in effect at the time the zone was approved by Council. View the Historical Land Use Bylaw resource to review these bylaws.
Once you have determined the zone applicable to your site, refer to the additional regulations for specific sign types within the zone and specific development regulations for signs contained in Section 6.90 of the Zoning Bylaw.
If you're planning to install a sign in the Old Strathcona Historical Commercial District, please refer to The Old Strathcona User's Guide to Signage for more information about requirements.
Signs that encroach from private property into or above City property, easements of interest or rights-of-way (ROWs) may be subject to an encroachment agreement and additional fees.
An electrical permit is required for signs with an electrical connection. The electrical work for the sign can be performed by an electrical contractor or a Certified Sign Service/Installation Technician (SSIT). If a new electrical service is required, it must be an electrical contractor who is doing the work.
An electrical permit will be included automatically with the sign permit application if applicable.
When the electrical work is being performed by an electrician the name of the electrical contractor can be supplied with the sign permit application. Once the sign permit has been issued, the electrical contractor will be notified and able to fill out the electrical details required for the permit.
If the electrical work is being performed by a Certified Sign Service/Installation Technician the sign permit applicant will need to have basic information about the electrical work ready. The name of the sign installer as well as their certification number is required. If you do not know your Electrical Certificate Training Program (ETCP) or Sign Service/Installation Technician (SSIT) number you can get it by emailing info@albertasigns.com.
See commercial electrical permits for further details.
Fascia signs are a wall sign or window sign that does not contain digital copy. Typical examples include business identification signs, window signs, billboards, posters or murals.
A non-exempted fascia sign requires an engineer's design for its structural capacity and method of attachment to the building. Such a design must contain appropriate engineering authentication and validation as per this APEGA standard.
Fascia signs exempted from requiring engineering:
Freestanding signs are supported independently of a building.
Typical examples include pylon signs, monument signs, billboards, posters, and neighbourhood identification signs.
The plot plan must be prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor and all elements of the plan must be labelled as existing or proposed.
Projecting signs are signs that project more than 0.4 metres from a building facade; below or above a canopy, awning, or architectural feature; or above the eaveline or roofline.
Typical examples include blade, canopy, and roof signs.
If the sign encroaches over City property, a plot plan prepared by a registered Alberta Land Surveyor, showing the exact amount of encroachment, must be submitted.
A projecting sign requires an engineer's design for its structural capacity and method of attachment to the building. Such a design must contain appropriate engineering authentication and validation as per this APEGA standard.
A Minor Digital Sign is a ground sign or wall sign, generally used for short-term advertising, that contains digital copy where the message duration is 6 seconds or more, and does not include moving effects, message transition effects, video images, or animation.
A Major Digital Sign is a ground sign or wall sign, generally used for short-term advertising, that contains digital copy and may include static images, moving effects, message transition effects, video images, or animation.
The Plot Plan must be prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor and all elements of the plan must be labelled as existing or proposed.
Applicants must confirm that ambient light monitors will adjust the brightness level of the digital copy based on lighting conditions and that the brightness level of the sign won’t exceed 400 nits, as specified in Section 6.90 of the Zoning Bylaw. This may be accepted as a separate letter or as a note on the plan.
A traffic safety study, authenticated and validated as per this APEGA practice standard, may be required for any Minor Digital Sign, or Major Digital Sign. The study must contain, but is not limited to, an analysis of possible traffic safety impacts, including impacts on motor vehicle drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and visibility of traffic control devices, including traffic control signals, and a final recommendation regarding the proposed sign placement.
A Comprehensive Sign Design Plan is a plan for all signs that will be on the site. It must include a site plan, elevations and detailed plans that highlight the site context, surrounding developments, number of proposed signs (including uses), type of illumination, total signage area and the location of each individual sign.
It must be a separate document that can be shared with future sign applicants. No floor plans or sensitive material should be included.
Fees are determined by the 2025 Planning and Development Fee Schedules (effective January 1, 2025).
Additional fees will be charged if an electrical permit is required. See the 2025 Planning and Development Fee Schedules (effective January 1, 2025).
When the application is submitted online and the fees have been paid, our intake staff will check that all the required information and documents have been received. Once the application is complete, the application is assigned to a Development Planner to review against the Zoning Bylaw.
Signs may require circulation to other relevant stakeholders as part of the review process (this may include departments such as Subdivision Planning).
The Development Planner will make a decision on the application. If approved, you will receive a digital copy of your permit to the email address you provided on your application form.
Changes to your submitted application may be subject to additional fees. To make changes while your application is in progress please email permanentsigns@edmonton.ca or the Development Planner working on the sign permit.
To make changes after your permit has been issued, contact the development authority identified on your development permit.
An Electrical inspection may be required at various stages of your project. Review your electrical permit conditions to understand when to request inspections.
Online Applications: Request your inspection(s) online.
In-Person Applications: Call 311 to request your inspection(s).
Contact Development Services Online
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| Telephone |
In Edmonton: 311 |
| permanentsigns@edmonton.ca |