Temporary Signs

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The Edmonton Zoning Bylaw regulates the location, size, maximum number, and design of temporary signs on private property.

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 Sign Permit Locations

View the Temporary Sign Permit Locations map for available locations.

View Map

Location, Zones and Regulations

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.

Zones and Regulations

All properties within the City of 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.

Determine the Zone

To determine the zone your proposed sign is in, please visit maps.edmonton.ca and select “view map” and enter the address of the proposed sign location to search the zoning and overlay information for the subject property.

If the property is in a Direct Control zone, please email temporarysigns@edmonton.ca to find out the specific regulations.

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 and applicable regulations prior to applying.

Determine the Sign Schedule

Once you have determined the zone, refer to the specific zone regulations in the Zoning Bylaw to find the Sign Schedule which contains the sign regulations that are applicable to the proposed sign on the subject property.

Submission Requirements

All properties within the City of 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.

Documents

The following documents must be provided along with your completed application form and applicable fees:

1. Curb to Property Line Map With Aerial Imaging

A scaled Curb to Property Line Map must be provided along with your application for a Temporary Sign permit. To request this map email mapdesk@edmonton.ca.

The following information must be included on a Curb to Property Line Map with Aerial Image:

Plot the location of the proposed sign on the site, dimensioned perpendicular from the curbs and the property lines to the nearest edge of sign
Include all vehicle access location(s)

2. 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/authorized agent permission letter template.

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

For Temporary On-premises Signs to be located on land owned by the City of Edmonton, the Landowner/Authorized Agent Permission Letter signed by the City of Edmonton must be provided.

3. 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 on the sign must be provided with the application.

Application Submission

Timelines

Applications for Temporary Signs will be accepted one month prior to the proposed start date of the Temporary Sign Permit. Where there is an existing Temporary Sign, the application will be accepted for the sign location one month prior to the sign location being available.

Timeline Examples

If the permit for the existing Temporary Sign expires on August 15, applications will be accepted for the sign location starting on July 16, one month prior to the first date the Sign location is available.

If the permit for the existing Temporary Sign expires on July 30, applications will be accepted for the sign location starting on July 1, since there is no June 31.

Application Methods

For a Temporary On-Premises sign, the application can be made online, or by dropping off a completed application at the Edmonton Service Centre.

For a Temporary Off-Premises sign, the application can be made by email or by dropping off a completed application at the Edmonton Service Centre.

Please note that the City of Edmonton does not accept faxed or emailed applications for Temporary On-Premises Signs.

Online Application

For Temporary On-premises Sign ONLY. An applicant must be a registered user to apply online.

Online Application

Drop Off

For Temporary On-premises Sign or Temporary Off-premises Sign.

Use the following application forms for the type of temporary sign you are applying for:

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

Please note that the application will be accepted beginning one month prior to the proposed start date of the permit. If there are existing permits for temporary signs on the site, the application will be accepted beginning one month prior to the expiry date of existing permits.

Drop-Off Location

City of Edmonton
2nd Floor, Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T5J 0J4

Office Hours: Monday to Friday,
8am-4:30pm.
Payment may be cash, personal cheque (payable to the City of Edmonton),
Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Interac.

temporarysigns@edmonton.ca

Email

For Temporary Off-premises Sign only.

Use the following application forms for the type of temporary sign you are applying for:

Temporary Off-premises Sign Application Form

To apply for a Temporary Off-premises Sign, please send the completed application to temporarysigns@edmonton.ca. Please enter “Temporary Off-premises Sign Application” in the subject line and ensure that all required documentation is attached.

Application Processing and Fees

Application Processing

Once the application has been submitted along with the applicable fees, the application will be placed in the queue for review
The Development Officer reviews the application and all other required documentation to ensure it is complete
The Development Officer reviews the proposed sign to ensure compliance with the Zoning Bylaw and other relevant legislation
If the proposed sign location is not available at the time of review, the Development Officer will notify the applicant to confirm the revised location if other sign locations are available on the site at the time of review
The Development Officer renders a decision
An electronic copy of the permit report and the QR code will be automatically sent out to the applicant’s email when the decision is made, and the signed and printed copy of the permit will be mailed to the applicant’s mailing address

Fees

2023 Fees

Effective January 1, 2023
Application Fee:
90 days or less: $98
365 days or less: $295

2023 Development Permit and Compliance Fees

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.
(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.

Temporary Signs Catalogue

The Temporary Signs Catalogue includes the inventory of current and future development permits for Temporary On and Off-premises Signs issued by the City of Edmonton.

The catalogue is updated on a daily basis and is available for the public to provide the ability to view current permit information about temporary signs on private property.

Zoning Bylaw

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):

Discretionary Temporary Signs Process: Class B

DC2 Process: Examples

Development Permit Approval Tag

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)

For More Information

Edmonton Service Centre

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday
8am to 4:30pm

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Email	temporarysigns@edmonton.ca

Temporary Signs

Temporary Sign Permit Locations

Temporary On-premises Signs

Temporary Off-premises Signs

Zones and Regulations

Documents

Application Submission

Timelines

Timeline Examples

Application Methods

Online Application

Drop Off

Drop-Off Location

Email

Application Processing and Fees

2023 Fees

Temporary Signs Catalogue

DC2 (Site Specific Development Control Provision) Process

Related Links

Municipal Government Act (MGA)

Open Data Catalogue Temporary Signs Map

Subdivision and Development Appeal Board

Zoning Bylaw 12800 - Sign Regulations

For More Information

Edmonton Service Centre