Sign Variance

What is a Sign By-law?

A Sign By-law controls the details of signs in the City by setting out rules related to their size, location and the type of sign permitted.

In the City of Oshawa, signs are regulated by Sign By-law 72-96.

What is a Sign Variance?

A sign variance is a minor exception to the Sign By-law for a specific property.

An example of a sign variance may involve a case where an owner wants to install a sign on a business with a sign area of 1.0 sq. m. but the Sign By-law allows a maximum sign area of 0.9 sq. m. To install the larger sign, the owner requires a sign variance.

Applying for a Sign Variance

Apply for a variance to the Sign By-law, by completing the Application for a Sign Variance and submit it through the Oshawa Application Portal.  In addition to the Oshawa Application Portal submission, one original hard copy of the application form must be commissioned and mailed/dropped off to Planning Services, as well as 2 hard copies of all submission materials.