Business By-laws
Sign By-law
Digital Signs
The City's Sign By-law currently prohibits digital signs. To keep pace with technological advancements, we are examining the inclusion of digital signs to this by-law.
Hamilton's Sign By-law
The Sign By-law controls the type of sign, size, location, number and display timelines for all signs.
Hamilton’s Sign By-law No. 10-197 regulates all outdoor signs and advertising space. This by-law ensures that signs are not a safety hazard and assists in maintaining a clean and positive image for our city.
The Sign By-law controls the type of signs such as mobile or ground, size, location, number and display timelines for all signs.
Type of Signs NOT Permitted
The City does not allow:
- Flashing or animated video screens, except electronic word displays
- Signs that create a safety issue such as blocking visibility on streets
- Signs supported either entirely or partly by the roof of a building or structure that extend above the height of the building
- Signs displayed on a parked vehicle, trailer or truck and used more as a sign than a vehicle
- Signs that block or are displayed in a parking space or space required under Hamilton’s Zoning By-law to be used for parking
- Signs within 400 m of the right of way of Highway 403, the Queen Elizabeth Way, the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway or the Red Hill Valley Parkway and are visible from the travelled portion of the road
- Signs displayed on City property that are not authorized by the City
What is Allowed
Type of Signs Permitted
The City of Hamilton has installed Poster Kiosk and Collars to make it easier for you to display your posters.
Poster Kiosk & Collar Locations
They are currently located in:
- Hamilton Downtown core
- International Village
- Westdale
- Dundas
Poster Requirements
A poster does not require a Sign By-law permit, however there are requirements that you need to follow:
- Be no bigger than 28 cm wide by 44 cm high (11 inches by 17 inches)
- Only one poster advertising the same event or activity per pole/kiosk/poster sleeve or utility pole
- A minimum of 200 m is required between postings
- Be attached with adhesive tape
- Be made of biodegradable material
- Be posted no earlier than 21 days before the event and removed within three days after the event
Collars and Kiosks will be cleaned and maintained the first week of each month.
Poster Restrictions
No person can place any poster on a:
- Tree
- Utility pole on any median, traffic island or central boulevard
- Traffic signal or traffic control device
We may remove and dispose of posters at any time, without notice or compensation.
Complete Sign By-law Variance Application Form
A plan showing the dimensions of the subject land and all abutting land should accompany your application.
Submit your application and plan in person to:
Planning and Economic Development Department
City Hall
71 Main Street West, 5th Floor
Hamilton, Ontario
Fee: You will need to pay the $625 fee when you submit your application. You can pay by cash or cheque (payable to the City of Hamilton). If the sign that has been erected, located and displayed without a permit, the fee is $1,330.
You may be granted approval if you can prove that the general intent and purpose of the By-law can be maintained. For more information on the process for requesting an exception you can review the variances section of the Sign By-law.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the Sign By-law may result in:
- The sign being immediately removed at the owner’s expense
- An Order to Comply being issued and/or
- Charges under the Provincial Offences Act which provide for a maximum fine(s) of $5000 for an individual and $10,000 for a corporation in addition to other court proceeding necessary to obtain compliance.
Order to Comply
An Order to Comply is a document provided to the property owner/occupant that gives direction on what actions are required and the deadline for which this action is to occur (compliance date).
The Order to Comply may:
- Require the sign to be removed immediately or by a specific date; and/or
- Require the sign to be brought into compliance, such as request that changes be made so that the sign meets all of the regulations and requirements).
To make arrangements to pick up a sign that has been removed call Municipal Law Enforcement at 905-546-2782.
Signs that have been removed are stored for 28 days and are available for pick-up during this time period. After 28 days we may dispose of the sign without notice or compensation.
Date modified
July 13, 2022