Construction signs are temporary by definition, but "temporary" in the construction industry can mean two years or more. A large development project might have multiple signs — identifying the developer, the general contractor, the architect, future commercial tenants — that remain on site for the entire duration of the build. The sign bylaw has to accommodate this reality while preventing construction sites from becoming permanent advertising platforms.
What Counts as a Construction Sign
Construction signs identify a construction project and the parties involved: the developer, builder, contractor, architect, and sometimes future tenants or purchasers. They are distinct from development signs (which advertise a completed project for sale or lease) and from real estate signs (which advertise a specific listing).
Most bylaws define construction signs broadly enough to include:
- Hoarding signs (graphics on the plywood barriers around a construction site)
- Freestanding project identification signs
- Future tenant signs on buildings under construction
- Builder and contractor identification signs
Permit Requirements
In many municipalities, small construction signs are exempt from permit requirements. A single sign under a certain size (commonly 2 to 3 square metres) identifying the builder or contractor does not need a permit. Larger construction signs — the kind you see on major development sites, sometimes covering entire hoarding walls — typically require permits.
Toronto's Chapter 693 requires permits for construction signs over a specified size. The permit is valid for the duration of active construction and expires when the project receives its final building inspection or occupancy permit. Ottawa and Hamilton have similar provisions, though the specific thresholds differ.
For large development projects with multiple construction signs, the permit application needs to show the location and size of each sign on a site plan. The total sign area across all construction signs may be subject to a maximum based on the site's street frontage.
Common Issues
Signs that outlast the project. The most common construction sign violation is a sign that remains long after the construction project is complete. The building is occupied, the hoarding is gone, but the "Coming Soon" or "Future Site Of" sign remains. Most bylaws require construction signs to be removed within 14 to 30 days of project completion or when the building permit expires. In practice, these signs persist for months because nobody complains and enforcement is reactive.
Hoarding as advertising. The plywood barriers around construction sites present a large, visible surface. Developers increasingly use hoarding as an advertising medium — full-colour renderings, marketing messages for the completed project, and branding for the development company. Some municipalities regulate hoarding graphics as construction signs subject to size and content limits. Others have not explicitly addressed it, creating a grey area.
Third-party advertising on construction sites. Some developers sell advertising space on their construction hoarding to third parties — a billboard by another name, but at ground level. This is usually prohibited under the sign bylaw because it converts a construction sign (first-party, permitted as temporary) into a third-party advertising sign (requiring a separate permit and subject to stricter regulations).
Safety sign confusion. Required safety signs — "Hard Hat Area," "Authorized Personnel Only," traffic management signs — are not governed by the sign bylaw. They are required under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act and Construction Projects regulation (O. Reg. 213/91). These signs are the responsibility of the constructor, not the municipality, and are not subject to sign permits.
Duration
The duration of a construction sign permit is usually tied to the building permit or site plan approval for the project. This can range from a few months for a small renovation to several years for a phased development. Some municipalities issue construction sign permits for a fixed period (e.g., 12 months) with the option to renew if construction is still ongoing.
For phased developments — where multiple buildings are constructed sequentially over several years — the sign situation can become complicated. Signs for Phase 1 should come down when Phase 1 is complete, but new signs for Phase 2 go up. Managing the transition and ensuring expired signs are removed requires attention that busy construction managers often do not give to sign compliance.