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Home/Town Hall/Applications, Licences and Permits/Sign Permit
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Photo of sign at beach by Micah Hallahan

Sign Permits

All signage or advertising within the Town of Cobourg requires a sign permit.  Sign permits are administered in accordance with the Town of Cobourg's Sign By-law No. 008-2009. In addition, for signage that will be placed on Municipal property require a signed Indemnity Agreement, indemnifying the Town of Cobourg against any and all actions, losses and damages.

Signs located in the Heritage Conservation Districts

Prior to placing a sign on a designated heritage property, a Heritage Permit must be obtained.  Signage on heritage properties should be appropriately placed in the existing sign band and should not overwhelm the building façade.  Fonts and colours should be in accordance with the Cobourg Heritage Colour Palette. 

Signs that are backlit, contain flashing, animated lights or neon lights are not permitted within the Heritage Conservation Districts.

To find out if your property is within the Heritage Conservation District, please refer to By-law No. 118-91, as amended. 

Types of Signs

Fascia Sign

Fascia signs refer to any sign or display attached to or painted across the exterior surface of a building or any part thereof.

Sign permit fee is $250 
*Permit fee is waived for businesses located within the Commercial Core.
 

What to include with the completed application:

1)    Sample drawing of the sign, including dimensions, colour(s) and material of sign;

2)    Information on how the sign will be adhered to the building.

Free Standing Sign

Free standing signs refer to a sign which is supported by one or more columns, uprights or braces which is installed upon or connected to the ground for the sole purpose of supporting the sign and which is not attached to any building or structure but does not include a Portable Sign or Real Estate Development Sign.

 

Sign permit fee: $250 

 

What to include with the completed application:

1)    Sample drawing of the sign, including dimensions, colour(s) and material of sign;

2)    Information on how the sign will be constructed and mounted in the ground.

 

Free standing signs require two inspections:

1)    Once the footings have been excavated; and

2)    Once the sign has been completed.

Please call the Building Department (905-372-1005) to schedule your inspections. 

 

Sample of a free standing sign

Portable Sign

Portable signs refer to a two-sided sign mounted on or connected to a trailer or other means of conveyance and which is not permanently anchored in the ground and is designed in such a manner so as to facilitate its movement from place to place for the purpose of advertising special events, whether commercial or otherwise, on a temporary basis including inflatable signs but does not include a Sandwich Board or Real Estate Development Signs.

 

Portable signs are permitted for a single period of no more than thirty (30) days.  Businesses can be issued as many as three (3) portable signs per calendar year.  Portable signs are not permitted in the Commercial Core Heritage Conservation District.

 

Sign permit fee: $50 per sign per 4 weeks

 

Sample portable sign

Real Estate Development Sign

Real estate development signs refer to signs used by real estate companies, developers and other persons having an interest in the sale of land and/or buildings to direct prospective customers to a real estate developer or developments.

 

The maximum size of a real estate development sign is 0.9m wide by 0.9m high.  Applicants can be issued two real estate development signs in a calendar year. 


Weekend Real Estate Development Signs: Maximum of six weekend signs which can be displayed from 6:00p.m. Friday evening until 7:00a.m. Monday morning.

 

Sign permit fee: $50 per sign

 

What to include with the completed application:

1)    Sample drawing of the sign, including dimensions, colour(s) and material of sign;

2)    An insurance certificate indicating the owner has public liability/property damage in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 (one million dollars), naming the Town of Cobourg as an additional insurer;

3)    A signed Indemnity Agreement.

 Sandwich Board Sign

Sandwich board signs refer to signs which are erected or placed on but not permanently attached to the ground with copy on either or both sides.

 

The maximum size of a sandwich board sign is 0.9m wide by 0.9m high.  *If the sign is located in the Heritage Conservation District, then the maximum size of a sandwich board sign is 0.6m by 0.9m high.

 

Sign permit fee: $50 per sign

 

What to include with the application:

1)    An insurance certificate indicating the owner has public liability/property damage in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 (one million dollars), naming the Town of Cobourg as an additional insurer;

2)    A signed Indemnity Agreement.

 

Sample sandwich board sign Sample sandwich board sign

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