Municipal Code Chapter 740 - Sign By-law No. 52-09, as amended
Richmond Hill, Ontario
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Sign By-law 52-09
(Municipal Code Chapter 740)
Table of Contents
1.0
TITLE ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.0
SCOPE .................................................................................................................................................... 2
3.0
INTENT .................................................................................................................................................. 2
4.0
DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 2
5.0
PROHIBITED SIGNS ............................................................................................................................ 9
6.0
SIGNS NOT REQUIRING PERMIT ................................................................................................... 10
7.0
GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SIGNS REQUIRING A PERMIT ................................................... 15
8.0
ADDITIONAL ZONE-SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR SIGNS REQUIRING A PERMIT ....... 22
9.0
ADDITIONAL AREA-SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR SIGNS REQUIRING A PERMIT ............... 28
10.0
CONDITIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT SIGNS REQUIRING A PERMIT ........................................ 33
11.0
ADMINISTRATION OF AUTHORITY - DELEGATED TO COMMISSIONER ............................ 35
12.0
PERMITS .............................................................................................................................................. 35
13.0
APPLICATION FOR PERMIT ............................................................................................................ 36
14.0
VARIANCE .......................................................................................................................................... 37
15.0
ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES ................................................................................................. 37
16.0
PRESUMPTION ................................................................................................................................... 39
17.0
INTERPRETATION............................................................................................................................. 40
18.0
CONFLICT ........................................................................................................................................... 40
19.0
APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS .................................................................................................... 40
20.0
EFFECTIVE DATE .............................................................................................................................. 40
21.0
EXCEPTIONS (By-law 74-11, 11 July, 2011) ..................................................................................... 40
22.0
REPEALED BY-LAWS ....................................................................................................................... 44
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 2 of 44
1.0
TITLE
1.1.
This By-law shall be known and cited as the "Town of Richmond Hill Sign By-law."
2.0
SCOPE
2.1.
This By-law applies to all Signs that are or are to be located, erected, or displayed within
the boundaries of the City, save and except for Signs:
a) prescribed by provincial or federal legislation; or
b) located, erected, or displayed within a Street under the jurisdiction of the
Regional Municipality of York. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
2.2.
All tables within the body of this By-law and schedules attached to this By-law shall
form part of this By-law.
2.3.
This By-law does not apply to a Sign that was lawfully erected, located, or displayed on
the day the By-law comes into force and effect if the Sign is not substantially altered, and
the maintenance and repair of the Sign or a change in the message or contents displayed is
deemed not in itself to constitute a substantial alteration.
3.0
INTENT
3.1.
The intent of this By-law is to regulate Signs in the Town by permitting Signs that:
(a)
are appropriate in size, number, and location to the type of activity or use to
which they pertain;
(b)
provide reasonable and appropriate means for the public to locate and identify
facilities, businesses, services, and events without difficulty or confusion;
(c)
are compatible with surrounding activities or uses;
(d)
protect and enhance the aesthetic qualities and visual character of the Town;
(e)
are consistent with the Corporation's planning, urban design, and heritage
objectives;
(f)
do not create a distraction or safety hazard for pedestrians or motorists;
(g)
minimize adverse impacts on nearby Property, and
(h)
balance the public's right to expression with the purpose and intent of this By-
law.
4.0
DEFINITIONS
4.1.1 In this By-law:
"Abandoned Sign" means a Sign located, erected, or displayed on Property or Premises
which becomes vacant or unoccupied for a period of 90 days or more, or any Sign which
pertains to a time, event, or purpose which no longer applies.
"Address Sign" means a Sign on which the Copy displays the municipal address, or unit number,
or combination thereof, of a Property or Premises on which the Sign is located, erected, or
displayed.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 3 of 44
"Animated Sign" means a Sign depicting continuous action, motion, light or colour
changes through electronic means or an instrument that projects visual images onto a
surface or such technology with the intent and effect of depicting action, motion, light or
colour changes or projecting visual images and shall not include a Digital Display.
"Awning" means a retractable or non-retractable structure that is attached to and projects
from the exterior wall of a Premises and is not supported from the ground by poles or
structures.
"Awning Sign" means a Sign located, erected, or displayed on an Awning and having a
face thereof on a plane approximately parallel to the plane of such wall to which the awning
is attached to and shall not include a Canopy Sign.
"Banner Sign" means a Sign made from cloth, plastic, canvas, or similar light-weight non-
rigid material and shall not include a Pennant Sign.
"By-law Enforcement Officer" means an employee or an agent of the Corporation whose
responsibilities include the enforcement of a by-law, an Act or a regulation under an Act.
"Campaign Office" means a Premises which is used by a Candidate or an agent of a
Candidate as part of an election campaign where a Candidate's campaign staff are
normally present and the public may enter to obtain information regarding the Candidate.
"Candidate" means a person who has been nominated under the appropriate sections of
the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 32,; the Election Act (Ontario) R.S.O.
1990, c. E.6, or the Canada Elections Act.
"Canopy" means a non-retractable roof-like structure that is supported from the ground by
poles or structures and may be attached to the exterior wall of a Premises.
"Canopy Sign" means a Sign located, erected, or displayed on a Canopy and approximately
parallel to the plane of such Canopy and shall not include an Awning Sign.
"Charity Sign" means a Sign located, erected, or displayed to advertise an event or
activity hosted by:
a) a Community Organization;
b) a place of worship;
c) a school board; or
d) any level of the government or an agency or board thereof. (By-law 25-26, 8
April, 2026)
"Civic Centre District" means that portion of the Downtown Special Signage Area
outlined on Schedule "B" to this By-law.
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Community Services of the Corporation,
or designate. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
"Community Organization" means a Not-for-profit group organized for the
advancement of a civic, environmental, cultural, social, health, philanthropic or
recreational purpose within the City. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
"Community Special Event Sign"
Repealed. 8, April 2026.
"Comprehensive Signage Design Plan" means drawings and specifications for all Signs
to be located, erected, or displayed on a Property or Premises that demonstrate the general
conceptual arrangement of said Signs including details relating to number, location, size,
and design features of the Signs in relation to the overall urban design features of a Property
or Premises.
"Construction Sign" means a Sign that identifies the Property Owner, developer,
contractor or a combination thereof involved in the construction or demolition of a
Premises or Property.
"Corporation" means the Corporation of the Town of Richmond Hill.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 4 of 44
"Copy" means the graphic content of a Sign in either permanent or non-permanent letter,
pictorial, symbolic, numeric form, insignias, logos, pictures or other means.
"Council" means the Council of the Corporation.
"Daylighting Triangle" means a triangular area of land on or abutting a corner Lot, being
a Lot abutting two or more Streets at their intersection or upon two parts of the same Street
provided that the interior angle of the intersection of such Streets or parts of one Street is
not more than 135 degrees measured at the centre line of the Street, which triangular area
is formed by measuring from the point of intersection of the Street lines the distance
required by the applicable Zoning By-law for a Daylighting Triangle along each Street
Line and joining such points with a straight line. The hypotenuse of a Daylighting Triangle
shall be that Lot Line directly opposite the angle formed by the point of intersection of the
Street Lines.
"Development Sign" means a Sign which Copy shall display:
(a)
the name or registered trademark including logo, crest or seal of a builder or
developer of a development as defined and approved pursuant to Section 41 of the
Planning Act, resulting from a Plan of Subdivision approved pursuant to Section
51 of the Planning Act, or a combination thereof;
(b)
directions to a development as defined and approved pursuant to Section 41 of the
Planning Act, resulting from a Plan of Subdivision approved pursuant to Section
51 of the Planning Act, or a combination thereof;
(c)
information pertaining to the business occupant of a Premises of an approved
development pursuant to Section 41 of the Planning Act, or
(d)
a combination therof of (a), (b), and (c); and
(e)
"Development" shall mean such a development described in (a), (b) and (c).
"Digital Display" means a Sign that may display information or images on a digital or
electronic screen, and shall include a static, or changing copy, and mechanically adjustable
sign but does not include an Animated Sign, Mobile Sign, Portable Sign. By-law 62-23, 14
June, 2023.
"Directional Sign" means a Sign which gives direction or instructions for the control of
vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a Property or Premises and which Copy displays a notation
of an arrow.
"Directory Sign" means a Sign on which the Copy displays the unit numbers, business
names of tenants, or a combination thereof of a Premises.
"Downtown Special Signage Area" means an area of the Town outlined on Schedule "B"
to this By-law.
"Election Sign" means "a sign which advertises or promotes the election of a political
party or a Candidate for federal, provincial, municipal or school board election; and
includes any Sign of a Registered Third-Party Advertiser. (By-law 16-18, 16 April, 2018)
"Electric Vehicle Charging Station Sign" means a Ground Sign installed in association
with a device that transfers electricity to an electric vehicle battery. (By-law 25-26, 8 April,
2026)
"Entrance Feature Sign" means a Sign located, erected, or displayed on Property or
Premises, at the entrance of a Development in a residential, commercial, industrial, or
institutional Zone for the purpose of identifying the Development.
"Election Sign Fee"
Repealed. 13, December 2023.
"Flag Sign" means a Sign made of cloth or lightweight material attachable by one edge to
a supporting structure and shall not include a Pennant Sign.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 5 of 44
"Flashing Sign" means a Sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light source or
which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing lights by means of animation or an
externally mounted light source and shall not include an Animated Sign or Digital Display.
"Ground Sign" means a Sign directly supported by one or more uprights, poles, or braces,
or located on a structural base placed in or upon the ground and does not include a Flag
Sign, a Inflatable Sign, a Mobile Sign, or a Portable Sign.
"Headford Special Signage Area" means an area of the Town outlined on Schedule "D"
to this By-law.
"Height" means the vertical distance measured from the average grade immediately below
a Sign to the highest point of the Sign and includes any supporting structure or ornamental
feature of a Sign.
"Heritage Property" means Property and/or Premises that is designated to be of cultural
heritage value or interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
"Highway Sign" means a Sign that is a minimum of 3m2, is facing a Provincial Highway
and is located on a property within 400 metres of a Provincial Highway, that name,
identifies, advertises, promotes or directs attention to a business, service and/or activity
available at the premise. By-law 62-23, 14 June, 2023.
"Home Occupation" means a home based business operated within a dwelling unit
incidental and secondary to the residential use.
"Illumination" means lighting of a Sign, in whole or in part, by artificial means directly
or through any transparent or translucent material and when used in reference to:
(a)
Internal Illumination includes Internally Illuminated, means lighting or having the
potential of lighting the Sign with a light source located behind or within the Sign;
(b)
External Illumination includes Externally Illuminated, means having a light
source exterior to the Sign and on or directly at the Sign, and
(c)
Non-illumination includes Non-illuminated, means the Sign is not Internally
Illuminated or Externally Illuminated.
"Inflatable Sign" means an instrument filled with air or gas and tethered to the ground, a
vehicle, any structure, or any Premises, and shall include any balloon with commercial
advertising that is tethered to the ground.
"Landmark Premises" means a Premises identified on Schedule "C" to this By-law.
"Lot" means a parcel of land having specific boundaries which is capable of being
conveyed without a requirement for consent pursuant to the Planning Act, including land
described as a lot or block on a registered plan of subdivision or by metes and bounds or
reference plan in a deed registered in a Land Registry Office. For the purposes of this By-
law, a Lot separated from a Street by a strip of land 0.50 metres in width or less abutting a
Street that is owned by the authority having jurisdiction over such a Street, as defined in
this By-law, shall be deemed to abut such Street. The length of the reserve shall be included
in the calculation of distance from a Street Line.
"Lot Line" means a line delineating any boundary of a Lot, but shall not include a Street
Line.
"Menu Board Sign" means a Sign located, erected, or displayed as part of a drive- through
facility for the purposes of displaying or ordering products or services, or a combination
thereof available at the drive-through business.
"Mobile Sign" means a Sign designed to be capable of being readily moved from one
location to another and is usually built on a trailer or other solid platform and may include
wheels.
"Multi-Storey Building" means a building with three or more storeys.
"Municipal Act, 2001" means the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c. 25.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 6 of 44
"Mural Sign" means any type of display or artistic endeavour that is applied as paint or
film, or a sculpture to any external wall or other part of a Premises or permanent structure,
but shall not include any stained glass window of a Premises. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
"Not-for-profit" means an organization created to benefit the community and whose
activities may be for the purposes of social welfare, civic improvement, recreation or any
other purpose not involving monetary gain, and whose directors, officers and members
have no ownership of the organization or its assets. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
"Off-Premises Advertising" means use of any Sign related to a business, enterprise or
other activity to advertise or promote goods or services that are not available on the
Premises on which the Sign is located and shall not include use of an Off-Site Directional
Sign, a Real Estate Open-House Sign or a Development Sign. (By-law 25-26, 8 April,
2026)
"Off-Site Directional Sign" means a Sign erected, located, or displayed on Public
Properties for the purposes of providing directions to any Corporation owned community
facilities, private recreational facilities, place of worship, Private Properties, Premises or
districts designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, business improvement areas, or
business parks.
"Ontario Heritage Act" means the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O. 18.
"Open House" means an event, during which a Property, Premises or a portion thereof that
is offered for sale, rent or lease, is temporarily available for public viewing (without
appointment). (By-law 37-21, 24 March, 2021)
"Pennant Sign" means a Sign made of lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material,
whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string,
usually in series, designed to move in the wind, but shall not include a Banner Sign or Flag
Sign.
"Permit" means a written permission to locate, erect, or display a Sign or Signs issued by
the Commissioner pursuant to provisions of this By-law.
"Person" means any individual, association, proprietorship, partnership, syndicate,
company, firm, business, authorized agent, trustee and their heirs, executors or other legal
representatives, or any combination thereof.
"Planning Act" means the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13.
"Portable Sign" means a free-standing Sign located, erected, or displayed on but not
permanently anchored in the ground and includes, but is not limited to, Signs commonly
referred to as A-frame, T-frame, sandwich board, bag Sign or Signs erected temporarily
with stakes, but shall not include an Inflatable Sign or a Mobile Sign. By-law 126-23, 13
December 2023.
"Poster Sign" means a printed notice conveying information that is intended to be
displayed for a temporary period of time.
"Premises" means any building, multiple buildings, or units within a building located on
a Property.
"Private Property" means Property owned by or under the control of a Property Owner,
save and except for any Public Property.
"Projecting Sign" means a Sign attached to and projecting from a Premises wall or
attached to and hanging from a soffit.
"Property" means a Lot or parcel of land, the whole of which can be conveyed pursuant to
the Planning Act.
"Property Owner" means the registered owner or owners of the Property as shown in the
records of the Land Registry Office; or where the lands are included in a description
registered under the Condominium Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c.19, the board of directors of the
condominium corporation
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 7 of 44
"Provincial Highway" means a 400 series highway. By-law 62-23, 14 June, 2023.
"Public Information Sign" means:
(a)
a Sign erected by or under the direction of a government agency and shall include
any Sign on which the Copy displays the name or registered trademark including
logo, crest or seal of a community organization and includes, but is not limited to
the Rotary Club in the Town or the Lions Club of Richmond Hill; or
(b)
A Sign designating public hospitals, schools operated by a public or separate school
board, a public library, a public community centre, public arena, other public
government use, or public projects; or
(c)
A Sign erected in parks, stadiums, or playgrounds for use as scoreboards or timers
provided such that the non-scoreboard or the non-timer area of any such Sign is not
greater than one-quarter of the total Sign Area, or
(d)
A Sign required by a public authority pursuant to an application made pursuant to
the Planning Act.
"Public Property" means Property owned by or under the control of the Corporation or
any of its agencies, boards or commissions, including Streets and right-of-ways, and
including structures thereon owned and/or controlled by an entity which provides a
municipal, regional or public utility service, such as public utility poles, streetlights, stop
lights, bus shelters, and garbage containers.
"Real Estate Open House Sign" means a Portable Sign that clearly advertises an active
Open House. (By-law 37-21, 24 March, 2021)
"Real Estate Sign" means a Ground Sign located, erected or displayed for the purpose of
notification that a Premises or Property is available for sale, rent, or lease. (By-law 37-21,
24 March, 2021)
"Registered Third-Party Advertiser" means "in relation to an election in a municipality,
an individual, corporation or trade union that is registered under Section 88.6 of the
Municipal Elections Act.
(By-law 16-18, 16 April, 2018).
"Roof" when used in reference to:
(a)
Flat Roof means:
(i)
a Roof having a slope of less than one (1) unit of rise for every ten (10) units
of run. Where more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the roof area of a
building is flat as defined in the preceding sentence, the entire Roof shall be
deemed to be a Flat Roof;
(ii)
a Roof which is not pitched and the surface of which is parallel to the
ground;
(iii)
a Roof which has a stepped architectural feature; or
(iv)
a combination, thereof.
(b)
Gable Roof means a ridged roof forming a gable at both ends of the Premises.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 8 of 44
(c)
Gambrel Roof means a Gable Roof with two slopes on each side, the lower
steeper than the upper.
(d)
Hip Roof means a Roof with sloping ends and sides.
(e)
Mansard Roof means a Roof with two slopes on each of four sides, the lower
steeper than the upper.
(f)
Shed Roof means a Roof with one slope.
"Roof Sign" means a Sign supported entirely or partly by the Roof of a Premises or
structure.
"Sign" means any instrument, object, surface, structure and other component parts, which
are used or capable of being used as a visual medium or display to attract attention to a
specific subject matter for identification, information or advertising purposes and includes
an Abandoned Sign, an Address Sign, an Animated Sign, an Awning Sign, a Banner Sign, a
Canopy Sign, a Charity Sign, a Construction Sign, a Development Sign, a Directional Sign,
a Directory Sign, an Election Sign, an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Sign, an Entrance
Feature Sign, a Flag Sign, a Flashing Sign, a Ground Sign, an Inflatable Sign, a Menu
Board Sign, a Mobile Sign, a Mural Sign, a Off-Site Directional Sign, a Pennant Sign, a
Portable Sign, a Poster Sign, a Projecting Sign, a Public Information Sign, a Digital
Display, a Real Estate Open House Sign, a Real Estate Sign, a Roof Sign, a Wall Sign, and
a Window Sign. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
"Sign Area" means the entire area of the surface of a Sign including the border or frame,
together with any material forming an integral part of the background of the display or used
to differentiate the Sign from the Premises façade on which it is located, erected, or
displayed, but excluding the supporting structure unless such supporting structure is used
for display of any part of the Sign's message. Where there is no border or the Sign is
composed of individually installed letters, numerals or shapes, the area of the Sign shall
include all of the area of a four-sided geometric shape that encloses the surface of the Sign
or the grouping of letters, numerals, shapes, or a combination thereof. Where a Sign is
double-faced or multi-faced, the maximum combined Sign Area shall be double the Sign
Area permitted for one (1) face.
"Sign Owner" includes:
(a)
the Property Owner;
(b)
a Person who is the occupant of the Property or Premises;
(c)
in the case of a Mobile Sign, the owner or lessor of the Sign;
(d)
the Person or Persons having the use or major benefit of the Sign; and
(e)
any Person acting or purporting to act on behalf of the Persons listed in (a),
(b), (c) or (d) with respect to the Sign,
"Storey" means that portion of a Premises between the floor line being the floor of a Storey
of a Premises and grade, the roof line being the point at which the Roof and wall of a
Premises meet, or that portion of a Premises between two floor lines being the floors of a
Storey of a Premises.
"Street" means a highway as defined by the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8.
"Street Line" means the boundary between a Street and a Lot.
"Third-Party Advertisement" means "an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic
or other medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing;
i.
A candidate,
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 9 of 44
ii.
A "yes" or "no" answer to a question referred to in subsection 8(1), (2) or (3) of the
Municipal Elections Act, and, for greater certainty, includes any election sign of a
Registered Third-Party Advertiser."
(By-law 16-18, 16 April, 2018)
"Town" means all lands situated within the geographic boundaries of the Town of
Richmond Hill.
"Town Clerk" means the Clerk or the Deputy Clerk of the Corporation as designated
by by-law, or designate.
"Uptown District" means that portion of the Downtown Special Signage Area outlined on
Schedule "B" to this By-law.
"Vacant Land" means land that is not actively utilized, but is zoned to be developed under
the Corporation's zoning by-law, but shall not include a parking lot.
"Variance" means permission to locate, erect, or display a Sign in a manner that is not in
strict compliance with the requirements of this By-law.
"Village Core District" means that portion of the Downtown Special Signage Area
outlined on Schedule "B" to this By-law.
"Voting Day" means the day on which the final vote is to be taken in an election. (By-
law 16-18, 16 April, 2018)
"Wall Sign" means a Sign attached to, marked or inscribed on, located, erected or placed
against a wall of a Premises and having the exposed face thereof on a plane approximately
parallel to the plane of such wall and may include display boxes, but shall not include an
Awning Sign, a Banner Sign, a Canopy Sign, a Mural Sign, or a Poster Sign. A Wall Sign
shall not be supported by the Roof, the ground or a combination thereof.
"Window Sign" means a Sign located on the interior of a Premises and which is located,
erected or displayed in the interior of a window, window section or window pane and is
intended to be seen from outside a Premises.
"Zone" means an area designated for particular land uses as determined by a zoning by-
law of the Corporation pursuant to the Planning Act, which is in force and effect.
5.0
PROHIBITED SIGNS
5.1.
Any Person shall not locate, erect, or display, or cause to be located, erected, or displayed
a Sign, save and except Signs expressly permitted in Part 6.0 of this By-law and located,
erected and displayed in strict compliance with the requirements of Part 6.0, which:
(a)
the Person has not been issued a Permit for if a Permit is required under this By-
law pursuant to Parts 7.0 to 10.0 of this By-law;
(b)
is not in accordance with the approved plans and drawings submitted as part of
the Permit application;
(c)
is not in conformity with the requirements of this By-law, as amended, or with the
conditions of any Variance granted pursuant to this By-law;
(d)
the Commissioner has directed be removed;
(e)
is on Public Property, unless installed by or on behalf of the Corporation or
expressly permitted in this By-law and in accordance with the conditions of such
permission as set out in this by-law; (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 10 of 44
(f)
obstructs the view of any pedestrian or driver of a motor vehicle, obstructs the
visibility of any traffic Sign or device, or interferes with vehicular traffic in a
manner that could endanger any Person;
(g)
is not maintained in a proper state of repair, becomes unsightly, becomes
structurally inadequate or faulty, or could be hazardous to a pedestrian or motorist;
(h)
does not relate to any use or uses of the Premises located on the same Property
unless expressly permitted by this By-law; (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
(i)
the text of the Sign contains less than 50% of the English or French language;
(j)
is within a Daylighting Triangle;
(k)
obstructs a parking space;
(l)
is located, erected, or displayed on a motor vehicle or trailer which is parked, or
located, erected, or displayed for the primary purpose of displaying said Sign;
(m)
obstructs or impedes any fire escape, fire exit, functional door, false door,
functional window, false window, scuttle, skylight, flue or air intake or exhaust so
as to prevent or impede the free access of emergency personnel to any part of
Premises including fire department Siamese connections and fire hydrants;
(n)
is Illuminated, which faces and locates, erects, or displays within 30 metres of a
Residential Zone or a Property being used for residential purposes unless separated
by a Street;
(o)
is an Abandoned Sign, an Animated Sign, a Flashing Sign, an Inflatable Sign, a
Pennant Sign which Copy displays commercial advertising, or a Roof Sign.
6.0
SIGNS NOT REQUIRING PERMIT
6.1.
General
6.1.1 A Permit is not required to locate, erect, or display the Signs referred to in Table A
- Signs Not Requiring a Permit and in Sections 6.2 through 6.8 below, provided
that such Signs are:
(a)
located, erected or displayed with the consent of the Property Owner;
(b)
not located, erected, or displayed on a Heritage Property;
(c)
located, erected, or displayed on Premises or Property in the Zones set out in the
second column in Table A and in strict conformity with the provisions in the last
column of Table A; and
(d)
in compliance with any other applicable laws including the Building Code Act,
1992, any by-laws of the Regional Municipality of York, any provincial and federal
laws and all the Corporation's by-laws.
Table A - Signs Not Requiring a Permit
Sign Type
/Description
Applicable Zones
Provisions
Address Sign
All Zones
Pursuant to Section 6.2.
Agricultural Sign
advertising the sale of
edible farm produce
grown on the same
Property on which the
Sign is located, erected,
or displayed.
Agricultural Zone and
permitted agricultural
use in any Oak Ridges
Moraine Zones under
By-law 128-04, as
amended
Maximum Sign Area of 3.00 m2.
Maximum one (1) double-faced Sign or two (2)
single-faced Signs per Private Property.
Shall be removed within 24 hours of the date when
the advertised produce ceases to be available for sale.
Maximum Height of 1.83 m for an agricultural Sign
in the form of a Ground Sign.
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Page 11 of 44
Table A - Signs Not Requiring a Permit
Sign Type
/Description
Applicable Zones
Provisions
Non-Illuminated or Externally Illuminated
Banner Sign
All Zones, except
Residential Zones
Pursuant to Section 6.3.
Commemorative Sign,
plaque or corner stone
of non-advertising
nature
All Zones
Maximum Sign Area of 0.20 m2.
Shall be located, erected, or displayed on a Premises
wall.
Non-Illuminated or Externally Illuminated.
Charity Signs
(By-law 25-26, 8 April,
2026)
All Zones
In the form of Banner Signs and in accordance with
Section 6.4.
Contractor advertising
Sign advertising the
contractor undertaking
landscaping, repairs,
renovations or
maintenance of a
Property or Premises
All Zones
Maximum Sign Area of 0.30 m2.
Shall be removed from the Property within two (2)
days after the project is completed.
Non-Illuminated only.
Directional Sign
All Zones
Maximum eight (8) per Property.
Maximum Sign Area of 0.50 m2.
Maximum Height of 1.20 m for Directional Sign in
the form of a Ground Sign. All other Sign types shall
be located on the first storey of a Premises only.
Business or organization registered trademark
including logo, crest or seal shall not exceed 50% of
the Sign Area.
Non-Illuminated, Externally Illuminated, or
Internally Illuminated.
Directory Sign
All Zone
Pursuant to Section 6.5
Flag Sign of public
education, religious,
charitable, or fraternal
organizations
All Zones
Maximum three (3) per Premises.
Maximum Height of 6.00 m including supporting
structure.
Shall not include commercial advertising.
Maximum Sign Area of 1.00 m2.
Non-Illuminated or Externally Illuminated.
Flag Sign or emblems
of patriotic and civic
nature
All Zones
Maximum Height of 6.00 m including supporting
structure.
Non-Illuminated or Externally Illuminated.
Incidental Sign denoting
specific sections of a
All Zones
Maximum aggregate Sign Area of 0.30 m2. (By-law
45-13, 28 October, 2013)
Premises and includes
but is not limited to a
Sign denoting the hours
of operation or an open
Sign, or a combination
thereof
(By-law 45-13, 28
October, 2013)
Non-Illuminated, Externally Illuminated, or
Internally Illuminated.
Interior Sign not visible
or intended to be seen
off the Premises on
which the Sign is
located, erected, or
displayed
All Zones
-
"No Trespassing" Sign
All Zones
Maximum Sign Area of 0.20 m2.
Non-Illuminated only.
Off-Site Directional
Sign
All Zones
Pursuant to Section 6.7.
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Page 12 of 44
Table A - Signs Not Requiring a Permit
Sign Type
/Description
Applicable Zones
Provisions
Pennant Sign which
Copy shall not contain
commercial advertising
located, erected, or
displayed by the
Corporation or any of
its agencies, boards or
commissions, or the
Region of York, or any
of its agencies, boards
or commissions.
All Zones
Non-Illuminated only.
Public Information Sign
All Zones
Shall only be in the form of a Wall Sign, Ground Sign
or Projecting Sign and shall be pursuant to the
provisions in Table D: Provisions for Signs in
Industrial, Institutional or Agricultural Zone.
Poster Signs
All Zones
Pursuant to Section 6.8.
Real Estate Open House
Sign
(By-law 25-26, 8 April,
2026)
All Zones
A maximum of one (1) Real Estate Open House Sign
may be displayed per road frontage in connection
with any one (1) Open House and shall be located on
the Property or on the boulevard adjoining the
Property where the Open House is taking place.
An additional four (4) Real Estate Open House Signs
may be displayed in connection with any one (1) Open
House provided such Signs are located within the
Boulevard portion of a Street owned by or under the
jurisdiction of the Corporation.
Shall not be displayed on any sidewalk, center
median, traffic island or center boulevard within a
Street.
Shall be displayed only on the day of an Open House.
Shall have a maximum height of 1.0 metres
Shall have a maximum Sign Area of 0.36 square
metres
Shall be setback a minimum of 1.0 metre from the edge
of the pavement and any sidewalk or driveway
Shall indicate the address, date and time of the Open
House.
Shall clearly display the words "Open House"
Real estate Sign
(By-law 37-21, March
24, 2021)
All Zones
Maximum Sign Area of 1.20 m2 in residential Zone.
For all other Zones, maximum Sign Area of 3.50 m2.
Maximum Height of 1.20 m.
Shall be removed within fourteen (14) days after the
date of acceptance of an offer of purchase or lease of
a Property or Premises.
Non-Illuminated only.
Within the maximum sign area identified in this
column, may include an insert identifying an Open
House.
Sign located, erected, or
displayed on a gasoline
pumping station
Commercial Zone
Non-Illuminated only.
Sign identifying a Home
Occupation on a Private
Property or Premises
Residential Zone
Maximum two (2) per Premises which may take the
form of a Ground Sign, a Wall Sign, a Window Sign,
or a combination thereof.
Maximum Sign Area of 0.20 m2 for a Ground Sign or
Wall Sign.
Maximum Sign Area of 0.15 m2 for a Window Sign.
Maximum Height of 1.50 m for a Ground Sign.
Window Sign shall be Non-Illuminated only.
Ground Sign or Wall Sign shall be Non-Illuminated
or Externally Illuminated.
Maximum six (6) per Premises.
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Page 13 of 44
Window Sign
All Zones, except
Residential Zone
Maximum Sign Area of 0.15 m2 per Sign and in no
case shall the aggregate Sign Area exceed 25% of a
window, window section or window pane.
Non-Illuminated or Internally Illuminated.
6.2.
Address Signs - Multiple Residential Property in Residential Zone - Property in
Commercial - Industrial - Institutional Zone
6.2.1. An Address Sign for a multiple residential Property in a Residential Zone or a
Property in a Commercial, Industrial or Institutional Zone shall:
(a)
be marked or impressed on durable material;
(b)
be of a contrasting colour to the background;
(c)
include numerals of a minimum vertical dimension of 0.15 metres, and in
the case of an Address Sign within a Ground Sign, have a maximum vertical
dimension of 0.60 meters; and
(d)
shall conform to the requirements of subsections 6.2.2.
6.2.2.
A minimum of one (1) Address Sign shall be located, erected, or displayed in the
form of a Wall Sign:
(a)
per main entrance for multiple residential Property; and
(b)
per Premises wall that faces a Street for all other Property.
6.3.
Banner Signs
6.3.1.
A maximum of one (1) Banner Sign may be located, erected, or displayed per
Premises wall for a maximum of 90 consecutive days, provided that the
Corporation is in receipt of a Permit application for a permanent Sign that is
intended to replace the Banner Sign and no such permanent Sign is located, erected
or displayed on the Premises concurrent with the Banner Sign
6.3.2.
A Banner Sign shall not project beyond the extremity of the wall on which it is
located, erected, or displayed.
6.3.3.
The maximum Sign Area of a Banner Sign shall be the same as the maximum Sign
Area of a Wall Sign as set out in either Table C - Provisions for Signs in a
Commercial Zone when the Banner Sign is to be located, erected or displayed in a
Commercial Zone or, in Table D - Provisions for Signs in Industrial, Institutional
or Agricultural Zone when the Banner Sign is to be located, erected or displayed in
an Industrial, Institutional or Agricultural Zone.
6.3.4.
A Banner Sign shall be located, erected, or displayed on the same wall used to
calculate the maximum Sign Area of the Banner Sign.
6.3.5.
On a Multi-Storey Building, a Banner Sign shall only be permitted on the first
Storey.
6.3.6.
A Banner Sign shall be Non-Illuminated.
6.4.
Charity Signs (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
6.4.1.
A maximum of two (2) Charity Signs per event or activity, in the form of Banner
Signs, may be placed so as to hang over Public Property provided that:
(a)
if the Banner Sign(s) is to be fastened to structures that are located on (1)
Private Property or (2) Public Property:
(i)
the Sign Owner provides the Corporation with evidence of written
permission from the Property Owner(s) to fasten the Banner Sign to
those structures prior to locating, erecting or displaying the Charity
Sign(s);
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Page 14 of 44
(ii)
the Sign Owner abides by any specific fastening conditions
stipulated by the Property Owner of the structures; and
(b)
the lowest extremity of the Charity Sign shall be a minimum 6 metres
above average grade if it hangs over a Street.
6.4.2.
A Charity Sign in the form of a Banner Sign shall not be located, erected, or
displayed for more than fourteen (14) days.
6.5.
Directory Signs - Multiple Residential Property -Property in Commercial -
Industrial - Institutional Zone
6.5.1. A Directory Sign for a multiple residential Property or any Property in a
Commercial, Industrial or Institutional Zone shall:
(a)
be marked or impressed on durable material;
(b)
be of a contrasting colour to the background;
(c)
have a maximum Sign Area of 0.50 square metres;
(d)
if it is in the form of a Ground Sign, have a maximum Height of 1.20
metres;
(e)
if it is in a form other than a Ground Sign, shall be located on the first
Storey of a Premises only; and
(f)
be Non-Illuminated or Externally Illuminated.
6.5.2. A maximum of one (1) Directory Sign may be located, erected, or displayed per
driveway access for Property in a Commercial, Industrial or Institutional Zone.
6.5.3. A minimum of one (1) Directory Sign shall be located, erected, or displayed on a
multiple residential Property in a Residential Zone.
6.6.
Election Signs - Repealed. By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
6.7.
Off-Site Directional Sign
6.7.1.
The maximum Sign Area of any Off-Site Directional Sign shall be 1.0 square
metres.
6.7.2.
Where an Off-Site Directional Sign is in the form of a Ground Sign it shall:
(a)
be a minimum of 0.5 metres from any curb or sidewalk, or where there is
no curb or sidewalk, a minimum of 2 metres from the Street or a minimum
of 0.5 metres from the edge of a shoulder of a Street where such exists; and
(b)
have a maximum Height of 2.5 metres.
6.7.3.
Where an Off-Site Directional Sign is located, erected, or displayed on a utility
pole located on Public Property it shall:
(a)
be mechanically fastened to the utility ; and
(b)
not be located, erected, or displayed on a utility pole that supports a traffic
control device(s), including any traffic control Sign.
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By-law No. 52-09
Page 15 of 44
6.8.
Poster Signs
6.8.1.
A maximum of one (1) Poster Sign per Sign Owner providing the same information
or advertising the same company, organization, service, product, message or event
may be located, erected, or displayed on Public Property provided that the Poster
Sign:
(a)
is made of non-rigid material;
(b)
is located, erected or displayed only on the inner or outer boulevard and
within 50.00 metres, excluding the Daylighting Triangle, of an intersection
of those Streets that are designated in the Official Plan of the Corporation
as arterial roads and collector roads and are shown on Schedule "F";
(c)
is located, erected, or displayed on Public Property along the designated
collector road;
(d)
has a maximum horizontal dimension 216 millimetres and maximum
vertical dimension 280 millimetres;
(e)
has an upper extremity that does not exceed 2.50 metres from grade;
(f)
is affixed only by way of adhesive tape;
(g)
prominently displays the date that the Poster Sign is located, erected, or
displayed on the lower right hand corner;
(h)
is located, erected, or displayed for the a maximum of the lesser of;
(i)
seven (7) days from the date referred to in (g); or
(ii)
forty-eight (48) hours before or after the occurrence of the event
advertised on the Poster Sign, whichever is the shorter period; and
(i)
is Non-Illuminated.
6.8.2.
Notwithstanding subsection 6.8.1, a Poster Sign shall not be located, erected, or
displayed on Public Property within the Downtown Special Signage Area as shown
on Schedule "B" or the Headford Special Signage Area as shown on Schedule "D".
7.0
GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SIGNS REQUIRING A PERMIT
7.1.
General Permit Requirement
7.1.1 No Person shall locate, erect or display a Sign referred to in this Part 7.0 without
first obtaining a Permit from the Corporation.
7.2.
Heritage Property or Premises
7.2.1 The Corporation may issue a Permit to locate, erect or display a Sign on a Heritage
Property upon receipt of an application pursuant to this by-law, including any Sign
that could otherwise be located, erected or displayed without a Permit pursuant to
Part 6.0, provided that such Sign conforms to all requirements as to the form and
content of the Sign set out in Parts 6.0 through 10.0 of this by- law.
7.2.2. Notwithstanding any provision in this Part 7.0 or any other part of this by-law to the
contrary, any Sign to be located, erected or displayed on a Heritage Property shall
not include a Digital Display.
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By-law No. 52-09
Page 16 of 44
7.3.
Awning Signs or Canopy Signs
7.3.1.
A Canopy Sign or Awning Sign shall not extend beyond the extremity of the
Canopy or Awning on which it is located, erected, or displayed.
7.3.2.
Any Awning Sign shall only be located, erected, or displayed on the first Storey of a
Multi-Storey Building.
7.4.
Charity Signs
7.4.1. A Charity Sign in the form of a Mobile Sign may be installed on Public or Private
Property in accordance with a Permit provided that it: (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
(a)
has a maximum of two (2) faces;
(b)
does not in any way interfere with any other Signs;
(c)
has a maximum Sign Area of 4.46 square metres;
(d)
has a maximum Height of 2.40 metres; and
(e)
shall not be located, erected or displayed within:
(i)
15.00 metres of an intersection or traffic signalization;
(ii)
1.50 metres of a private driveway;
(iii)
3.00 metres of any other Lot Line; and
(iv)
15.00 metres of a Property used solely for residential purposes.
7.4.2. A Permit for a Charity Sign in the form of a Mobile Sign shall be issued and valid for
a maximum period of fourteen (14) consecutive days from the date the Permit is issued.
(By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
7.4.3. No Person shall submit an application for, or be issued, a Permit for a Charity
Sign in the form of a Mobile Sign more than thirty (30) days in advance of the
intended start date of the Permit. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
7.4.4. There shall be a minimum of twenty-one (21) days between the expiry of one
Permit for a Charity Sign in the form of a Mobile Sign and the issuance of
another at the same location. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
7.4.5. A maximum of four (4) Permits for Charity Signs in the form of a Mobile Sign
may be issued per event or activity. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
7.4.6. A maximum of two (2) Charity Signs per event or activity, in the form of
Portable Signs, may be located, erected, or displayed on the inner or outer
boulevard of a Street provided that they: (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
(a)
have a maximum Sign Area of 0.60 square metres; and
(b)
are a minimum of 0.5 metres from any curb or sidewalk, or where there is no
curb or sidewalk, a minimum of 2.0 metres from the Street or a minimum of 0.5
metres from the edge of a shoulder of a Street where such exists.
7.4.7. A Charity Sign in the form of a Portable Sign shall not be located, erected, or
displayed for more than fourteen (14) days. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
7.5.
Entrance Feature Signs
7.5.1. An Entrance Feature Sign shall not be located, erected, or displayed within:
(a)
1.50 metres of any Lot Lines;
(b)
1.50 metres of any Street Line;
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 17 of 44
(c)
1.50 metres of any private driveway; and
(d)
1.50 metres of any Premises.
7.5.2. An Entrance Feature Sign shall be:
(a)
Externally Illuminated or Non-Illuminated;
(b)
constructed of weatherproof material; and
(c)
permitted for a Development in a residential, commercial, industrial, or
institutional Zone pursuant to the following:
(i)
For a subdivision Development, a maximum of one (1) Entrance
Feature Sign shall be located, erected, or displayed on Property at each
corner of an intersection of those Streets that are designated in the
Official Plan of the Corporation as arterial roads and collector roads and
are shown on Schedule "F", or
(ii)
For a condominium Development, a maximum of one (1) Entrance
Feature Sign shall be located at the private driveway of the Property at
an arterial or collector road.
7.5.3. The maximum Sign Area of an Entrance Feature Sign pursuant to subsection 7.5.2(c)(i)
shall not exceed 3.00 square metres.
7.5.4. An Entrance Feature Sign pursuant to Subsection 7.5.2(c)(ii) shall be in the form of
either a Ground Sign or a Wall Sign as provided for in Table B - Provisions for Signs
in Residential Zones.
7.6.
Ground Signs
7.6.1. For the purposes of calculating Sign Area of a Ground Sign, it shall not include the Sign
Area of the municipal address.
7.6.2. For the purposes of calculating Height of a Ground Sign, it shall include the Sign Area
of the municipal address.
7.6.3. A Ground Sign having a Height of 3.00 metres or greater shall not contain any Copy
within 1.00 metre above the average grade except for the municipal address of the
Premises, Property, or a combination thereof.
7.6.4. A Digital Display located, erected, or displayed on a Ground Sign shall not have a
message displayed for less than three (3) seconds, during which there shall be no
movement or change in colour or intensity of Illumination, and the message shall not
scroll horizontally or vertically. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
7.6.5. A Ground Sign shall not be located, erected, or displayed within:
(a)
15.00 metres of a traffic-control device unless it is an Electric Vehicle Charging
Station Sign; (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
(b)
1.50 metres of any Street Line, private driveway or Premises ;
(c)
1.50 metres or a distance equal to 75% of the Height of the Ground Sign,
whichever is greater, from any Lot Lines.
7.6.6. A Ground Sign shall be located, erected, or displayed on the same Street Line used to
calculate the maximum Sign Area of any said Ground Sign pursuant to the applicable
sections of Parts 8.0 to 10.0 of this By-law.
7.6.7. A Ground Sign may be used for Off-Premises Advertising, provided such Sign: (By-
law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
(a)
is only erected on lands Zoned for Commercial or Industrial use;
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Page 18 of 44
(b)
is not located within:
(i)
100 metres of any lands Zoned for Residential use unless functioning as
an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Sign;
(ii)
300 metres of another Sign containing Off-Premises Advertising unless
functioning as an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Sign; and
(iii)
400 metres of any Provincial Highway.
7.7.
Highway Signs
7.7.1. A Highway Sign shall have a maximum of two (2) faces that face a Provincial
Highway.
7.7.2. A Highway Sign shall take the form of a Ground Sign or a Wall Sign;
7.7.3. A Highway Sign may be internally or externally lit;
7.7.4. A Highway Sign may take the form of a Digital Display and shall also conform with
Sections 7.6.4 where the sign is a Ground Sign, and Section 7.12.6 where the sign is a
Wall Sign. (By-law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
7.7.5. Where A Highway Sign contains a Digital Display, there shall be a minimum setback
of 30m from a residentially zoned property, and there shall be no residentially zoned
property between the Highway Sign and the Provincial Highway;
7.7.6. Where a Highway Sign takes the form of a Ground Sign it shall be:
(a)
A maximum of 46m2 in Sign Area;
(b)
A maximum of 9m in Sign height;
(c)
A minimum of 3m from the lot line shared with a Provincial Highway,
(d)
A minimum of 1.50 metres or a distance equal to 75% of the Height of the
Ground Sign, whichever is greater, from other Lot Lines;
7.7.7. Where a Highway Sign takes the form of a Wall Sign(s) it shall be:
(a)
A maximum Sign Area of 20% of the wall area on which it is displayed;
(b)
Erected as to not extend past the face of the wall on which it is erected;
By-law 62-23, 14 June, 2023.
7.8.
Mobile Signs
7.8.1. A Mobile Sign shall have a maximum of two (2) faces.
7.8.2. Mobile Sign shall not be located, erected, or displayed on Vacant Lands.
7.8.3. A Permit for a Mobile Sign shall be valid for a maximum period of 21 consecutive
days from the date the Permit is issued.
7.8.4. Where one (1) Permit for a Mobile Sign has been issued for a Premises, no subsequent
Permit for the same Premises shall be issued until at least 30 days have elapsed from
the date of expiry of the previous Permit.
7.8.5. A Mobile Sign shall not be located, erected or displayed within:
(a)
15.00 metres of an intersection or traffic signalization;
(b)
1.50 metres of a private driveway;
(c)
3.00 metres of any other Lot Line; and
(d)
15.00 metres of a Property used for residential purposes.
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Page 19 of 44
7.8.6. A Mobile Sign shall only advertise for the Premises to which the Permit was issued.
By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
7.8.7. A Mobile Sign shall not be located, erected, or displayed on the same Premises or
Property on which a Portable Sign has already been located, erected, or displayed
unless and until such Portable Sign has been removed.
7.8.8. No Person shall submit an application for, or be issued, a Permit for a Mobile Sign
more than thirty (30) days in advance of the intended start date of the Permit. (By-
law 25-26, 8 April, 2026)
7.9.
Mural Signs
7.9.1. A Mural Sign shall be subject to Council approval.
7.10. Portable Signs
7.10.1. A Portable Sign shall:
(a)
have a maximum of two (2) faces;
(b)
not be permanently affixed to the ground, any structure, tree or fence;
(c)
only advertise for the Premises to which the Permit was issued;
(d)
be removed and stored indoors each evening after the close of the business
within the Premises;
(e)
not be located, erected, or displayed on Vacant Lands;
(f)
not be located, erected or displayed within:
(i)
15.00 metres of an intersection or traffic signalization;
(ii)
1.50 metres of a private driveway;
(iii)
3.00 metres of any other Lot Line, and
(iv)
15.00 metres of a Property used for residential purposes; and
(g)
not be located, erected, or displayed on the same Premises or Property on which
a Mobile Sign has already been located, erected, or displayed unless and until
such Mobile Sign has been removed.
7.10.2 A Permit for a Portable Sign shall be valid for a maximum period of 21 consecutive
days from the date the Permit is issued.
7.10.3 Where one (1) Permit for a Portable Sign has been issued for a Premises, no subsequent
Permit for the same Premises shall be issued until at least 30 days have elapsed from
the date of expiry of the previous Permit.
7.11. Projecting Signs
7.11.1 A Projecting Sign shall have a maximum of two (2) faces.
7.11.2 The face of a Projecting Sign shall not be parallel to a Premises wall.
7.11.3 Any portion of a Projecting Sign shall not:
(a) be less than 2.40 metres above the average grade below said Sign; or
(b) project beyond 1.30 metres from the Premises wall.
7.11.4 The Projecting Sign shall not project beyond the limit of a Lot Line onto an adjacent
Private Property.
7.11.5 For a Projecting Sign to overhang a Public Property under the jurisdiction of the
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 20 of 44
Corporation, the Sign Owner, prior to obtaining a Permit, may be required to satisfy
additional requirements of the Corporation, including, but not limited, the entering into
of an agreement for the maintenance of such Sign over the Public Property which,
among other things, will include a requirement that the Sign Owner indemnify and save
harmless the Town from any damages, claims or demands arising out of or in
connection to the Sign.
7.11.6 A Projecting Sign shall only be located, erected, or displayed on first Storey of a
Multi-Storey Building.
7.12. Wall Signs
7.12.1 The maximum Sign Area of a Wall Sign shall be calculated based on the linear
horizontal length of the Premises wall upon which the Wall Sign is to be located,
erected, or displayed.
7.12.2 A Wall Sign shall be located, erected, or displayed on the same Premises wall used to
calculate the maximum Sign Area of the Wall Sign.
7.12.3 Where the Premises wall includes horizontal or vertical indentations, the Premises
wall shall be considered to be continuous only for the purpose of calculating the
maximum Sign Area for a Wall Sign provided that the indentation of the Premises
wall is less than 3.00 metres.
7.12.4 A Wall Sign or portion thereof shall not extend beyond the extremity of the
Premises wall on which it is located, erected, or displayed.
7.12.5 A Wall Sign shall not project more than 0.60 metres from the surface of the
Premises wall to which it is located, erected, or displayed.
7.12.6 A Digital Display may take the form of or may be part of a Wall Sign and shall only
be located, erected, or displayed on a Premises wall that faces an internal lane, a
private driveway, or a combination thereof, provided that:
a)
it shall have a maximum Sign Area of 0.05 times the linear metre of a
Premises wall up to a maximum of 1.00 square metre, and
b)
its message shall not be displayed for less than three (3) seconds, during
which there shall be no movement or change in colour or intensity of
Illumination, and the message shall not scroll horizontally or vertically.
7.12.7 On a Multi-Storey Building, any Wall Sign shall be located, erected, or displayed
on the first, second, top Storey or a combination thereof, subject to subsection
below.
7.12.8 A maximum of one (1) Wall Signs per Premises wall, up to a maximum of four
(4) Wall Signs may be located, erected, or displayed on the top Storey of a Multi-
Storey Building, provided that it shall have a maximum Sign Area of 14.0 square
metres per Sign and that its Copy shall only display the registered trademarks
including logo, crest, or seal in whole or in part of the main tenant or Property
Owner.
7.12.9 A Wall Sign may be used for Off-Premises Advertising, provided such Sign: (By-law
25-26, 8 April, 2026)
1.
is only erected on lands Zoned for Commercial or Industrial use;
2.
is not located within:
(i)
100 metres of any lands Zoned for Residential use;
(ii)
300 metres of another Sign containing Off-Premises Advertising; and
(iii)
400 metres of any Provincial Highway.
7.13. Window Signs
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 21 of 44
7.13.1 A Window Sign shall only be located, erected, or displayed on the first Storey of
a Multi-Storey Building.
7.14. Election Signs
Election Sign Permit
7.14.1 No Person shall erect, or display an Election Sign unless an Election Sign Permit
has been issued. By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
General Prohibitions
7.14.2 No Person shall erect, or cause to be erected an Election Sign in front of, beside,
or on Private Property, without first obtaining permission from the Property
Owner. By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
7.14.3 An Election Sign shall be Non-Illuminated. By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
7.14.4 A Person shall not at any time on any Voting Day, or day of advance election
voting, locate, erect or display, or cause to be located, erected or displayed:
(a)
an Election Sign on or within 45.72 metres (150 feet) of any Lot Lines of a Lot
on which a Premises is used as a voting place for elections, and
(b)
an Election Sign, poster or placard in or on a vehicle that is parked on any
Premises used as a voting place for elections if the Election Sign, poster or
placard is visible from the outside of the vehicle.
By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
7.14.5 In the case of a municipal election, a Person who is neither a Candidate nor a
Registered Third-Party Advertiser shall not be permitted to place an Election Sign
on either Private Property or Public Property. By-law 126-23, 13 December,
2023.
Location of Election Signs
7.14.6 No Person shall erect, or display an Election Sign or cause to be erected or
displayed an Election Sign on Public Property save and except for in the portion
of the Street that is the municipal boulevard directly adjacent to Private Property
provided that the Sign is on the private property side of the sidewalk and a
minimum of 1.0 metre from the sidewalk, or in cases where there is no municipal
sidewalk, the Sign is a minimum of 2.0 metres from any edge of Street pavement,
Street curb or ditch. By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
7.14.7 An Election Sign may not be placed on Public Property if there is an Election
Sign on the adjacent Private Property. By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
Election Sign Size
7.14.8 No Person shall erect, or display an Election Sign or cause to be erected or
displayed an Election Sign in a Residential Zone unless:
a)
it is in the form of a Portable or Window Sign;
b) it has a maximum Sign Area of 0.36 square metres and a maximum Height of
1.00 metre.
By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
7.14.9 No Person shall erect, or display an Election Sign or cause to be erected or
displayed an Election Sign in a commercial or other Zone unless:
a)
it is in the form of a Portable or Window Sign;
b) it has a maximum Sign Area of 1.20 square metres and a maximum Height of
1.20 metres;
By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 22 of 44
Number of Election Signs
7.14.10 No Person shall erect, or display or cause to be erected or displayed more than
one Election Sign per candidate per Private Property in the form of a Portable
Sign save and except for in the case where the Private Property has both front and
side lot frontage in which case there may be one Sign positioned relative to each
frontage. By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
7.14.11 In cases where there is more than one Premises on a single Property an additional
1 Election Sign per candidate per Premises is permitted in the form of a Window
Sign. By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
Timing
7.14.12 No Person shall erect, or display or cause to be erected or displayed an Election
Sign, save and except for at a Campaign Office as set out in subsection 7.14.13.
below, unless:
a)
a writ of election has been issued for a federal or provincial election;
b) it is erected, displayed, or caused to be erected or displayed, within the 28 day
period prior to Voting Day for a municipal election; and
c)
the Sign is removed no more than 72 hours following Voting Day.
By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
7.14.13 Election Signs in the form of a Wall Sign, Window Sign, or Ground Sign may be
located, erected or displayed on Campaign Offices in accordance with Table C:
Provisions for Signs in a Commercial Zone, once the Candidate has filed his or
her nomination papers and obtained a Permit. By-law 126-23, 13 December, 2023.
8.0
ADDITIONAL ZONE-SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR SIGNS REQUIRING A
PERMIT
8.1.
Signs in a Residential Zone
8.1.1. The following provisions in Table B - Provisions for Signs in a Residential Zone
shall apply to Signs located, erected, or displayed within any Property zoned for
multiple residential uses and non-residential uses in a Residential Zone.
Table B - Provisions for Signs in a Residential Zone
Sign Type
Premises
/Property
Ownership
/Control
Maximum
Number
Maximum
Sign Area
Maximu
m
Height
Illumination
Charity Sign
only associated
with a place of
worship or a
public school
All
-
(By-law
25-26, 8
April,
2026)
Pursuant to Section 7.4.
Non-Illuminated
only
Entrance
Feature Sign
All
Pursuant to Section 7.5.
Non-Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Mural Sign
All
Pursuant to Section 7.8.
Non-Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Wall Sign
Place of
worship or
Public or
separate school
board.
Unlimited,
provided that the
combined Sign
Areas do not
exceed 0.50 m2
per liner
horizontal meter
of a Premises
wall.
25.00 m2
-
Non-Illuminated,
Externally
Illuminated or
Internally
Illuminated
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 23 of 44
All other.
Two (2) Signs
which may be a
Ground Sign, a
Wall Sign or a
combination
thereof
2.40 m2
Non-Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 24 of 44
Table B - Provisions for Signs in a Residential Zone
Sign Type
Premises
/Property
Ownership
/Control
Maximum
Number
Maximum
Sign Area
Maximu
m
Height
Illumination
Ground Sign
Place of
worship
One (1) per Street
Line and one (1)
additional where
a
minimum
separation
distance
of
200.00
m
is
maintained
between
each
permitted Ground
Sign
located
along any one (1)
Street Line.
0.30 m2 per
linear metre
of the Street
Line to a
maximum of
5.00 m2.
3.00 m
Non-Illuminated,
Externally
Illuminated or
Internally
Illuminated
Public or
separate school
board.
5.00 m2
which may
include a
Digital
Display with
a maximum
Sign Area of
2.20
3.05 m
Non-Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
All other.
Two (2) Signs
which may be a
Ground Sign, a
Wall Sign or a
combination
thereof
2.40 m2
1.50 m
8.1.2. Notwithstanding that a Ground Sign pursuant to subsection 7.6.5 and Wall Sign
pursuant to subsection 7.11.6 may have an electronic message display, a Digital
Display in a Residential Zone on any Wall Sign or Ground Sign, save and except
on a Property or Premises of a public or separate school board, may not have such
an electronic message display.
8.2
Signs in a Commercial Zones
8.2.1 The following provisions in Table C - Provisions for Signs in a Commercial Zone
shall apply to Signs located, erected, or displayed within any Property in a
Commercial Zone.
Table C - Provisions for Signs in a Commercial Zone
Sign Type
Maximum Number
Maximum
Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Illumination
Awning Sign One (1) per Awning.
Awning less than
0.90m in length: 0.75
m2
per
linear
horizontal metre of the
Awning.
Awning equal to or
more than 0.90m in
length:
0.40m2
per
linear horizontal metre
of the Awning.
-
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Canopy
Sign
-
0.60 m2 per linear
horizontal metre of the
façade to a maximum
of 8.40 m2 combined
Sign Area.
Maximum band width
of 0.60 m.
-
Non-
Illuminated,
Externally
Illuminated,
or Internally
Illuminated
Charity Sign Repealed (By-law 25-26, 8
April, 2026)
Pursuant to Section 7.4.
Non-
Illuminated
only
Entrance
Feature
Pursuant to Section 7.5.
Non-
Illuminated or
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 25 of 44
Table C - Provisions for Signs in a Commercial Zone
Sign Type
Maximum Number
Maximum
Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Illumination
Sign
Externally
Illuminated,
Sign
(By-law 25-26,
8 April, 2026)
One (1) per Street Line.
0.30 m2 per linear
metre of the Street
Line to a maximum
19.00 m2.
3.50 m (Sign Area
less than 4m2)
Non-
Illuminated,
Externally
Illuminated,
or Internally
Illuminated.
Ground Sign
(By-law 25-26,
8 April, 2026)
One (1) additional Ground
Sign shall be permitted
where a minimum
separation distance of
200.00 m is maintained
between each permitted
Ground Sign located along
any one (1) Street Line.
6.00 m (Sign Area
exceeding 4.00 m2
but less than 6.00
m2)
7.50 m (Sign Area
exceeding 6.00 m2)
Notwithstanding the above,
additional unlimited Electric
Vehicle Charging Station
Signs are permitted per Lot.
Menu Board
Sign
Two (2) Signs which maybe
a Wall Sign, a Ground Sign,
or a combination thereof per
drive-through facility of a
Premises.
4.00 m2.
Ground Sign: 2.50
m
Non-
illuminated,
Externally
Illuminated,
or Internally
Illuminated
Mobile Sign
One (1) per Street Line.
4.46 m2.
2.40 m
Non-
Illuminated
only
One (1) additional Mobile
Sign shall be permitted
where
a
minimum
separation distance of
50.00 m is maintained
between each permitted
Mobile Sign located along
any one (1) Street Line,
provided that in no case
shall there be more than
two (2) Mobile Signs per
Street Line. (By-law 45-
2013, 28 October, 2013)
Mural Sign
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Pursuant to Section 7.8.
Portable
Sign
One (1) per Property.
0.60 m2.
0.90 m
Non-
Illuminated
only
Projecting
Sign
One (1) per Premises.
1.00 m2.
-
Non-
Illuminated,
Externally
Illuminated,
or Internally
Illuminated
Wall Sign
Unlimited, provided that the
combined Sign Areas do not
exceed 0.75 m2 per liner
horizontal
meter
of
a
Premises wall.
25.00 m2.
-
Non-
Illuminated,
Externally
Illuminated,
or Internally
Illuminated
Window
Sign
-
Maximum Sign Area
shall be 25% of a
window,
window
section
or
window
pane and a maximum
of 50% of the Sign
Area may be a Read-
O-Gram.
-
Internally
Illuminated or
Non-
Illuminated
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 26 of 44
8.3
Signs in an Industrial, Institutional or Agricultural Zone
8.3.1 The following provisions in Table D - Provisions for Signs in Industrial,
Institutional or Agricultural Zone shall apply to any Property in an Industrial,
Institutional or Agricultural Zone and any Property in a Residential Zone if
conformance to this Table D is required pursuant to Section 8.1 of this By-law.
Table D - Provisions for Signs in Industrial, Institutional or Agricultural Zone
Sign Type
Maximum Number
Maximum Sign Area
Maximum
Height
Illumination
Awning Sign
One (1) per Awning.
Awning less than 0.90m
in length:
0.75 m2 per linear
horizontal metre of the
Awning.
Awning equal to or more
than 0.90m in length:
0.40m2 per linear
horizontal metre of the
Awning.
-
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Canopy Sign
-
0.60 m2 per linear
horizontal metre of the
façade up to a maximum
8.40 m2 combined Sign
Area.
-
Non-
Illuminated.
Externally
Illuminated, or
Internally
Illuminated
Maximum band width of
0.60 m.
Charity Sign
Repealed (By-law 25-26, 8
April, 2026)
Pursuant to Section 7.4.
Non-
Illuminated
only
Entrance
Feature Sign Pursuant to Section 7.5.
Non-
Illuminated, or
Externally
Illuminated
Sign
(By-law 25-26,
8 April, 2026)
One (1) per Street Line.
0.30 m2 per linear metre of
the Street Line to a
maximum of 5.00 m2.
3.00 m
Non-
Illuminated,
Externally
Illuminated or
Internally
Illuminated
Ground Sign
(By-law 25-26,
8 April, 2026)
One (1) additional Ground
Sign shall be permitted where
a minimum separation
distance of 200.00 m is
maintained between each
permitted Ground Sign
located along any one (1)
Street Line.
Notwithstanding the above,
additional unlimited Electric
Vehicle Charging Station
Signs are permitted per Lot.
Mobile Sign
One (1) per Street Line.
4.46 m2.
2.40 m
Non-
Illuminated
only
One (1) additional Mobile
Sign shall be permitted where
a
minimum
separation
distance of 50m is maintained
between
each
permitted
Mobile Sign located along
any one (1) Street Line,
provided that in no case shall
there be more than two (2)
Mobile Signs per Street Line.
(By-law 45-13, 28 October,
2013)
Mural Sign
Pursuant to Section 7.8.
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Portable
Sign
One (1) per Property.
0.60 m2.
0.90 m
Non-
Illuminated
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 27 of 44
Projecting
Sign
One (1) per Premises.
1.0 m2
-
Non-
Illuminated¸
Externally
Illuminated, or
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 28 of 44
Table D - Provisions for Signs in Industrial, Institutional or Agricultural Zone
Sign Type
Maximum Number
Maximum Sign Area
Maximum
Height
Illumination
Internally
Illuminated
Wall Sign
Unlimited, provided that the
combined Sign Areas do not
exceed 0.50 m2 per liner
horizontal
meter
of
a
Premises wall.
25.00 m2
-
Non-
Illuminated,
Externally
Illuminated or
Internally
Illuminated
Window
Sign
-
Maximum Sign Area
shall
be
25%
of
a
window, window section
or window pane and a
maximum 50% of the
Sign Area may be a Read-
O-Gram.
-
Internally
Illuminated or
Non-
Illuminated
8.4.
Conflict Between General Provisions in Part 7.0 and Zone-Specific Provisions in
Part 8.0
8.4.1 In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the zone-specific provisions in this
Part 8.0 and the general provisions in Part 7.0 of this by-law, the provisions of this
Part 8.0 shall take precedence and govern.
9.0
ADDITIONAL AREA-SPECIFIC CONDITIONS FOR SIGNS REQUIRING A
PERMIT
9.1.
Signs in Downtown Special Signage Area
9.1.1. General Provisions
(a)
A Sign located, erected, or displayed in the Downtown Special Signage Area as
outlined on Schedule "B", shall, in addition to all other applicable provisions of this
by-law, conform to the following provisions of this subsection 9.1.1, including the
district-specific provisions that apply to the three (3) districts, being the Village
Core District, the Uptown District and the Civic Centre District, within such area.
(b)
All Signs permitted in accordance with Part 6.0 shall only be non-illuminated or
externally illuminated. (By-law 45-2014, 28 October, 2013)
(c)
A Digital Display or Mobile Sign shall not be located, erected, or displayed on any
Property within the Downtown Special Signage Area, save and except for the
Public Property upon which the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts and
the Town's Civic Centre are situated upon which one (1) Digital Display may be
located provided that it shall:
(i)
be part of a Wall Sign or a Ground Sign;
(ii)
have a maximum Sign Area of 25% of the permitted Ground Sign or Wall
Sign Area; and
(iii)
have a message displayed for a minimum of three (3) seconds, during which
there shall be no movement or change in colour or intensity of Illumination,
and the message shall not scroll horizontally or vertically.
(d)
A maximum of one (1) Ground Sign shall be permitted for a Home Occupation
located in a single detached dwelling, a semi-detached dwelling, or a townhouse
dwelling within the Downtown Special Signage Area provided that it shall:
(i)
have a maximum Sign Area of 0.20 square metres;
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 29 of 44
(ii)
have a maximum Height of 1.50 metres;
(iii)
have minimum setback of 1.50 metres from any Lot Lines and Street Line,
and
(iv)
be Externally Illuminated or Non-Illuminated.
(e)
A maximum of one (1) Ground Sign shall be permitted for a Landmark Premises
provided that it shall:
(i)
have a maximum Sign Area of 1.00 square metres;
(ii)
have a maximum Height of 2.30 metres;
(iii)
have a minimum setback of 1.50 metres from any Lot Lines and Street
Line; and
(iv)
be Externally Illuminated or Non-Illuminated.
(f)
A Wall Sign within the Downtown Special Signage Area shall:
(i)
be located, erected, or displayed on a Premises wall that abuts a Street;
and
(ii)
not be located, erected, or displayed on:
(1)
any single-detached, semi-detached, townhouse or apartment
dwellings; or
(2)
a Premises wall that abuts a single-detached, semi-detached, or
townhouse dwelling except where it is separated from the dwelling
by a Street, provided that said Sign is Externally Illuminated or
Non-Illuminated.
(g)
A maximum of three (3) Directional Signs, which may take the form of a Ground
Sign, a Wall Sign or a combination thereof, may be located, erected or displayed
within a Property in the Downtown Special Signage Area provided that:
(i)
the maximum Sign Area of the Ground Sign(s) or Wall Sign(s) shall be
0.50 square metres;
(ii)
the maximum Height for Ground Sign shall be 1.20 metres; and
(iii)
a Wall Sign shall only be located, erected, or displayed on the first Storey
of a Premises.
9.1.2. Village Core District
(a)
In addition to all the general provisions in subsection 9.1.1, the following provisions
in Table E - Provisions for Signs on a Premises in the Village Core District shall
apply to any Property in the Village Core District.
Table E - Provisions for Signs on a Premises in the Village Core District
Sign Type
Maximum
Number
Maximum Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Location
Illumination
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 30 of 44
Table E - Provisions for Signs on a Premises in the Village Core District
Sign Type
Maximum
Number
Maximum Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Location
Illumination
Awning Sign or
One (1) Awning
Awning less tha
-
Only on the
Non-
Wall Sign only
located, erected,
Sign per Awning
or one (1) Wall
0.90m in length:
0.75 m2 per linear
first Storey of
a Premises.
Illuminated or
Externally
or displayed on a
Sign per
horizontal metre
Illuminated
Premises with a
Premises.
of the Awning.
Wall Sign shall
Flat Roof, save
Awning equal to
not be located,
and except
or more than
erected, or
subsection
9.1.2(b)
0.90m in length:
0.40m2 per linear
displayed less
than 0.30m
horizontal metre
from:
of the Awning.
a)
below
Wall Sign:
0.50 m2 per linear
horizontal metre
of the wall or
10.00m2,
whichever is
lesser with a
maximum vertical
dimension of
0.80m.
the top of
parapet of wall
in a single
Storey
Premises;
b)
below
the top of the
first Storey in
a Multi-Storey
Premises;
One (1)
additional
Awning Sign or
Wall Sign per
Premises wall
that abuts an
additional Street
Awning less than
0.90m in length:
0.75 m2 per linear
horizontal metre
of the Awning.
Awning equal to
or more than
c)
any
side of the
Premises wall,
and
d)
any
other existing
Sign.
or private
laneway.
0.90m in length:
0.40m2 per linear
horizontal metre
of the Awning.
Wall Sign: 0.25
m2 per linear
horizontal metre
of the wall to a
maximum of 5.00
m2, whichever is
lesser, with a
maximum vertical
dimension of 0.80
m.
Charity Sign
Repealed (By-
law 25-26, 8
April, 2026)
Pursuant to Section 7.4.
Non-
Illuminated
only
Entrance
Pursuant to Section 7.5.
Non-
Feature Sign
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Ground
Sign, One (1) per
2.40 m2
1.50 m
0.75m from
Non-
save and except
Property.
Street Line
Illuminated or
as set out in
Externally
9.1.2(c).
Illuminated
Mural Sign
Pursuant to Section 7.8.
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Portable Sign
One (1) per
0.60 m2.
0.90 m
Only on
Non-
Private Property.
Private
Illuminated
Property.
only
0 metre setback
from Street
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 31 of 44
Table E - Provisions for Signs on a Premises in the Village Core District
Sign Type
Maximum
Number
Maximum Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Location
Illumination
Line.
Projecting Sign
One (1) per
Premises.
On the first
Storey: Maximum
1.00 m vertical
and horizontal
dimensions.
Maximum
extension of
1.00 m from
the Premises
wall.
Minimum
clearance of
2.40 m above
average grade.
On the first
Storey, second
Storey of a
Premises or a
combination
thereof.
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
On the second
Storey: Maximum
1.83 m vertical
dimension and
0.50 m horizontal
dimension.
Maximum Sign
Area of 1.00 m2
per Sign Face.
Window Sign
One (1) per
Premises.
On the first
Storey: Maximum
15% of a
window, window
section or
window pane or
0.75m2,
whichever is
lesser.
-
-
Non-
Illuminated
only
On the second
Storey: Maximum
25% of the
window area or
1.50m2,
whichever is
lesser.
(b)
Any Wall Sign located, erected, or displayed on a Public Property upon which the
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts is situated upon shall have a
maximum Sign Area 10.00 square metres per Sign provided the aggregate of Sign
Areas shall not exceed 0.50 square metres per linear horizontal metre of the
Premises wall.
(c)
Any Ground Sign located, erected, or displayed on a Public Property upon which
the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts is situated upon shall have a
maximum Sign Area of 8.00 square metres and a maximum Height of 5.00 metres.
9.1.3
Uptown District and Civic Centre District
(a)
The following provisions in Table F - Provisions for Signs in Uptown District or
Civic Centre District shall apply to any Property in Uptown District or Civic Centre
District.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 30 of 44
Table F - Provis
Sign Type
Awning Sign or
ions for Signs in
Maximum
Number
One (1) Awning
Uptown District or
Maximum Sign
Area
Awning less than
Civic Centre District
Maximum
Height
Location
-
Only on the first
Illumination
Non-
Wall Sign
Sign per Awning
or one (1) Wall
1.20 m in length:
0.75 m2 per linear
Storey
Premises.
of
a Illuminated or
Externally
Sign per
horizontal metre
Illuminated
Premises.
of the Awning.
Awning equal to
or more than 1.20
m in length:
0.40 m2 per linear
horizontal metre
of the Awning.
Wall Sign:
0.75 m2 per linear
horizontal metre
of the wall or
15.00 m2,
whichever is
lesser, with a
maximum vertical
dimension of 0.80
m.
One (1)
Awning less than
additional
Awning Sign or
1.20m in length:
0.75 m2 per linear
Wall Sign per
horizontal metre
Premises wall
of the Awning.
which abuts an
Awning equal to
additional Street.
or more than 1.20
m in length:
0.40 m2 per linear
horizontal metre
of the Awning.
Wall Sign: 0.25
m2 per linear
horizontal metre
of the wall up to a
maximum of 5.00
m2.
Canopy Sign
Charity Sign
Entrance Feature
Sign
Ground Sign,
save and except
as
set
out
in
9.1.3(c).
Mural Sign
Portable Sign
-
Repealed (By-law 2
26, 8 April, 2026)
Pursuant to Section
One (1) per
Property.
Pursuant to Sectio
One (1) per
Private
Property.
0.60 m2 per linear
to a maximum of 8.
Maximum band wid
Pursuant to section
7.5.
1.00 m2.
2
n 7.8.
0.60 m2.
horizontal metre
40 m2 combined
th of 0.60 m.
7.4.
.10 m
0.90 m
of the façade up
Sign Area.
1.50 m from
Street Line
Only
on
Private
Property
Non-
Illuminated
only.
Non-
Illuminated
only.
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Non-
Illuminated
only
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
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Page 31 of 44
Table F - Provisions for Signs in Uptown District or Civic Centre District
Sign Type
Maximum
Number
Maximum Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Location
Illumination
Projecting Sign
One (1)
Projecting Sign
per Premises.
On
the
first
Storey:
Maximum 1.00
m vertical and
horizontal
dimensions.
Maximum
extension of
1.00 m from
the
Premises
wall.
Non-
Illuminated
or Externally
Illuminated
Minimum
clearance
of
2.40 m above
average grade.
On the second
Storey:
Maximum 1.83
m
vertical
dimension and
0.50
m
horizontal
dimension
and
the
maximum
Sign Area of
1.00 m2.
On the first
Storey, second
Storey
of
a
Premises or a
combination
thereof.
Window Sign
One (1) per
Premises.
Maximum 25%
of the window,
window section
or window pane
or
1.50m2,
whichever
is
lesser.
-
-
Non-
Illuminated
only
(b)
Any Wall Sign located, erected, or displayed on a Public Property upon which the
Town's Civic Centre is situated upon shall have a maximum Sign Area 15.00 square
metres per Sign provided the aggregate of Sign Areas shall not exceed 0.80 square
metres per linear horizontal metre of the Premises wall.
(c)
Any Ground Sign located, erected, or displayed on a Public Property upon which
the Town's Civic Centre is situated upon shall have a maximum Sign Area of
10.00 square metres and a maximum Height of 5.00 metres.
9.2
Headford Special Signage Area
9.2.1 General Provisions
(a)
A Sign located, erected, or displayed in the Headford Special Signage Area as
outlined in Schedule "D" shall, in addition to all other applicable provisions of this
by-law, conform to the following provisions of this subsection 9.2.1, including
those set out in Table G - Provisions for Signs in Headford Special Signage Area.
(b)
A Digital Display, Mobile Sign or Portable Sign shall not be located, erected, or
displayed on any Property or Premises within the Headford Special Signage Area.
(c)
Any Wall Signs within the Headford Special Signage Area shall:
(i)
be located, erected, or displayed on a Premises wall that abuts a Street;
(ii)
not be located, erected, or displayed on single-detached, semi-detached,
townhouse or apartment dwellings; and
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 32 of 44
(iii)
not be located, erected, or displayed on a Premises wall that abuts a single-
detached, semi-detached, or townhouse dwelling except where it is
separated from the dwelling by a Street, and said Wall Sign shall be
Externally Illuminated or Non-Illuminated.
(d)
The following additional provisions in Table G - Provisions for Signs in Headford
Special Signage Area shall apply to any Property in Headford Special Signage
Area.
Table G - Provisions for Signs in Headford Special Signage Area
Sign Type
Maximum
Number
Maximum
Sig Area
Maximum
Height
Location
Illumination
Awning
Sign
or Wall Sign
One (1) Awning
Sign or one (1)
Wall Sign per
Premises.
Awning Sign:
0.15m2 per
linear
horizontal
-
Only on the first
Storey
of
a
Premises.
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Wall Sign:
0.10 per linear
horizontal
metre of the
wall or 5.00
m2, whichever
is lesser, with a
maximum
vertical
dimension of
0.80 m.
Wall Sign shall
not be located,
erected, or
displayed less
than 0.30 m
from:
a) below the top
of parapet of
the wall in a
single Storey
Premises;
b) below top of
first Storey in
a multi-Storey
Premises;
c) any side of the
Premises
wall, and
d) any other
existing Sign.
Charity Sign
Repealed (By-law
25-26, 8 April,
2026)
Pursuant to Section 7.4.
Non-
Illuminated
only
Entrance
Feature Sign
Pursuant to Section 7.5.
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Ground Sign
One (1) per
Property.
1.00 m2.
2.10 m
Minimum
setback of 1.50
m from Street
Line.
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Mural Sign
Pursuant to Section 7.8.
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Projecting
Sign
One (1) per
Premises.
Maximum
1.00 m
vertical and
horizontal
-
Maximum
extension of
1.00 m from the
Premises wall.
Non-
Illuminated or
Externally
Illuminated
Maximum
Sign Area of
1.00 m2.
Minimum
clearance of
2.40 m above
average grade.
Only on the first
Storey of a
Premises.
Window Sign
One (1) per
Premises.
On first
Storey:
M
i
Non-
Illuminated
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 33 of 44
Table G - Provisions for Signs in Headford Special Signage Area
Sign Type
Maximum
Number
Maximum Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Location
Illumination
of window,
window pane,
window
section, or 0.75
m2, whichever
is less.
-
-
9.3
Conflict Between Other By-law Provisions and Area-Specific Provisions in Part 9.0
9.3.1 In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the area-specific provisions in this
Part 9.0 and any other provisions of this by-law, the provisions of this Part 9.0 shall
take precedence and govern.
10.0
CONDITIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT SIGNS REQUIRING A PERMIT
10.1
General Provisions for Development Signs
10.1.1 The provisions in this Part 10.0 shall apply to Signs located, erected, or displayed
within any Property that is to include a Development.
10.1.2 In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the provisions in this Part 10.0
and any other provision in this by-law, the provisions of this Part 10.0 shall take
precedence and govern.
10.1.3 A Development Sign shall only be in the form of a Ground Sign, except as otherwise
expressly set out in this Part 10.0.
10.1.4 A Development Sign shall only be located, erected, or displayed on a Property
where approvals pursuant to the Planning Act have been granted.
10.1.5 The following provisions in Table H - Provisions for Development Sign shall apply
to a Development Sign located, erected, or displayed on any Property in all Zones.
Table H - Provisions for Development Sign
Sign Type
Maximum Number
Maximum Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Illumination
Development
Sign
One (1) Development Sign
per Street Line of a Property
with an approved
development.
9.30 m2 with a
maximum
horizontal
dimension of
6.00 m.
6.10 m
Non-Illuminated
or Externally
Illuminated
One (1) additional
Development Sign shall be
permitted where a minimum
separation distance of 300 m
is maintained between each
permitted Development Sign
located, erected, displayed
along any one (1) Street Line
of a Property with an
approved development.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
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Page 34 of 44
Two (2) additional off-site
Development Signs shall be
permitted on a Property not
related to a Property
approved for Development,
but no more than three (3)
Development Signs may be
located, erected or displayed
on said Property at any one
time.
Non-Illuminated
only
10.1.6 The Sign Owner shall remove any Development Sign(s):
(a)
for a Development related to a site plan approved pursuant to the Planning Act,
within 28 days after the Certificate of Occupancy has been issued; and
(b)
for a Development related to a registered plan of subdivision, after building permits
have been issued on 75% of the Lots within the Registered Plan of Subdivision.
10.2 Signs for New Development Sales Pavilion and Sales Trailer
10.2.1 The following provisions in Table I - Provisions for Signs for New Development
Sales Pavilion and Sales Trailer shall apply to Signs for a sales pavilion and sales
trailer related to any Development in all Zones.
Table I - Provisions for Signs for New Development Sales Pavilion and Sales Trailer
Sign Type
Maximum Number
Maximum Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Illumination
Flag Sign
Thirty (30) per sales trailer or
sales pavilion.
1.40 m2
6.00 m
including
supporting
structure
Non-Illuminated
only
Ground Sign
Two (2) per sales trailer or
sales pavilion, or
9.30 m2 for two
Ground Signs, or
6.10 m
Non-Illuminated
or Externally
Illuminated
One (1) per sales trailer or
sales pavilion.
18.6 m2 for one
(1) Ground Sign.
Portable Sign
Two (2) per sales pavilion or
sales trailer.
0.60 m2.
0.90 m
Non-Illuminated
only
Wall Sign
Shall only be permitted on a
maximum of three (3) sides
of a sales trailer or sales
pavilion.
0.75 m2 per linear
horizontal metre
of wall up to
maximum of
25.00 m2 per
wall, whichever
is lesser.
-
Non-Illuminated
or Externally
Illuminated
10.3
Signs for Model Homes
10.3.1 The following provisions in Table J - Provisions for Signs for Model Homes shall apply
to Signs for model homes in all Zones.
Table J - Provisions for Signs for Model Homes
Sign Type
Maximum Number
Maximum Sign
Area
Maximum
Height
Illumination
Ground Sign
One (1) per model home.
3.70 m2 .
2.00 m
Non-Illuminated
or Externally
Illuminated
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 35 of 44
Portable Sign
Two (2) per model home.
0.6 m2
0.90 m
Non-Illuminated
10.4
Construction Signs
10.4.1 A maximum of one (1) Construction Sign in the form of a Ground Sign may be
located, erected, or displayed on a Property only after the construction it advertises
has commenced, and provided that it shall:
(a)
have a Sign Area of 0.25 square metres per linear metre of Street Line up to a
maximum of 7.00 square metres;
(b)
have a maximum Height of 6.00 metres, and
(c)
be Non-illuminated or Externally illuminated.
10.4.2 Where a Construction Sign in a form of Ground Sign cannot be located, erected or
displayed on a Private Property in accordance with the provisions in this by- law,
a maximum of one (1) Construction Sign in the form of a Wall Sign per Street
Line may be permitted only after the construction it advertises has commenced,
which shall:
(a) have a maximum Sign Area of 2.0 square metres; and,
(b) only be Non-illuminated or Externally illuminated."
(By-law 45-2013, 28 October, 2013)
10.4.3 The Sign Owner shall remove such a Construction Sign within 28 days from when
the Certificate of Occupancy has been issued in relation to the Development.
11.0
ADMINISTRATION OF AUTHORITY - DELEGATED TO COMMISSIONER
11.1
The Commissioner is responsible for the administration of this by-law and is hereby
delegated the authority, subject to the applicable provisions of this By-law, to:
(a)
receive Permit and Variance applications and fees ;
(b)
issue Permits for Signs that conform to the requirements of this By-law;
(c)
refuse to issue Permits for Signs that do not conform to the requirements of this
By-law;
(d)
approve or deny Variances;
(e)
revoke Permits;
(f)
issue orders, including an order to remove a Sign; and
(g)
remove Signs.
12.0 PERMITS
12.1
A Permit is required for any Sign erected, located or displayed within the Town with the
exception of those Signs that strictly conform to the provisions of Part 6.0 of this By-law.
12.2
The Commissioner shall only issue a Permit for a Sign pursuant to this By-law if the said
Sign conforms with and satisfies any and all requirements of the Ontario Building Code.
12.3
Any Permit issued under Part 12.0 of this By-law shall expire:
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 36 of 44
(a)
immediately upon the removal of the Sign;
(b)
upon the expiry of any display period specified under this By-law or pursuant to
the terms of a Permit;
(c)
in all other instances, within six (6) months from the date of issuance, unless the
Sign has been erected for its intended purpose.
12.4
An application may be made in writing to the Commissioner to extend the Permit for a
further six (6) months, provided the Sign continues to conform to all requirements of this
By-law and any other Corporation By-laws and other provisions existing at the time of
renewal.
12.5
The Commissioner may revoke a Permit under the following circumstances:
(a)
the Permit for a Sign has been issued in error;
(b)
the Sign does not conform to this By-law or any conditions of approval of a
Variance pursuant to this By-law, the Ontario Building Code or any other
applicable provision of any By-law, or legislation; or
(c)
the Permit for a Sign has been issued as the result of false, mistaken, incorrect or
misleading statements, information or undertakings on the Permit application.
13.0
APPLICATION FOR PERMIT
13.1
An applicant for a Permit shall submit the following to the Community Standards Division
of the Corporation or to any successor department or division:
(a)
a completed application form as prescribed by the Commissioner, including the
following details:
(i)
the municipal address and legal description of the Lot on which the
proposed Sign is to be located, erected, or displayed;
(ii)
the full names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Property Owner,
the Sign Owner, the applicant, the designer and, if known, the constructor.
If the constructor is a corporate body, the address of the head office of the
corporation and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of such
officers of the corporation as may be required.
(c) a scaled site plan;
(d) elevation and specification drawings of the Sign including all dimensions of the Sign;
(e) details of the method of construction and attachment to ground or structure;
(f) drawings showing the proposed location of the Sign within a Lot or a structure and
the relationship of the Sign to parking areas, driveways, structures and building
openings.
(g) the written authorization of the Property Owner;
(h) where applicable, proof of approval for the proposed Sign from all other
governmental authorities having jurisdiction;
(i) an approved Comprehensive Signage Design Plan:
(i)
for any Awning Signs, Canopy Signs, Menu Board Sign, Mural Sign, Wall
Signs, Ground Signs, Projecting Signs, Window Signs, or a combination
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 37 of 44
thereof to be located, erected, or displayed on all newly constructed
Premises located on Property which is subject to site plan control pursuant
to Section 41 of the Planning Act.
(ii)
at the discretion of the Commissioner, for any Signs on a Premises
undergoing enlargements or alterations located on Property which is subject
to site plan control pursuant to Section 41 of the Planning Act;
(h)
the applicable Permit fee set out in Schedule "E";
(i)
the applicable approval pursuant to Part 14.0; and
(j)
any other documentation or information that the Commissioner may require in order
to determine if a Sign conforms to the requirements of this by-law.
13.2
In the case of an Election Sign Permit, an applicant shall submit the form as prescribed by
the Commissioner, providing all information requested thereon, including payment of the
fee as outlined in the Tariff of Fee By-law, as amended. By-law 126-23, 13 December,
2023.
13.3
The Commissioner shall issue a Permit if, upon receipt of the applicable application
documentation, the Commissioner is satisfied that the requirements for the proposed Sign
as set out in this By-law for the issuance of such Permit have been met.
14.0
VARIANCE
14.1
A Variance may be authorized by the Commissioner if in the Commissioner's opinion the
general intent and purpose of this By-law are maintained.
14.2
Any application to vary from this By-law shall be made by completing and submitting:
(a)
the application form prescribed by the Commissioner;
(b)
the applicable drawings, plans or specifications for the proposed Sign(s);
(c)
the applicable application fees as set out in Schedule "E"; and
(d)
the applicable administrative fee as set out in Schedule "E" for any Sign erected,
located, or displayed on a Property or Premises prior to obtaining a Permit in
accordance with this By-law.
14.3
In considering the application for a Variance, the Commissioner shall have regard for:
(a)
special circumstances or conditions applying to the land, building, or use referenced
in the Variance application;
(b)
whether strict application of the provisions of this By-law in the context of special
circumstances applying to the land, building, or use would result in practical
difficulties or unnecessary and unusual hardship for the applicant that is
inconsistent with the general intent and purpose of this By-law;
(c)
whether such special circumstances or conditions are pre-existing and not created
by the Property Owner or applicant, and
(d)
whether the Sign that is subject of the Variance application will alter the essential
character of the general area or Premises in which the Sign is proposed to be
located, erected, or displayed.
15.0
ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
15.1
Every Person who contravenes any provision of this by-law or any order issued under this
by-law is guilty of an offence and upon conviction is liable to a fine as provided for in the
Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 33, as amended. (By-law 37-21, 24 March,
2021)
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 38 of 44
15.2
All By-law Enforcement Officers are authorized to enforce the provisions of this by-law.
15.3
Where a Sign does not comply with this By-law or a Permit issued under Part 13.0 of this
By-law, a By-law Enforcement Officer may issue a notice to order the Sign Owner to
remove or bring the Sign into conformity in the manner and within the time specified in
the notice.
15.4
Any notice given under Part 15.3 may be given:
(a)
by personal service upon the Sign Owner; or
(b)
by pre-paid registered mail sent to the last known address of the Sign Owner, or as
shown on the most recent records of the Corporation, or
(c)
by prominently posting a copy of the notice either on the Sign in respect of which
the order is made, or on the Premises upon which the Sign is located, erected, or
displayed.
15.5
Where a notice is given under Part 15.3 it is deemed to have been issued and received by
the Sign Owner being served upon the personal service, mailing or posting of the order.
15.6
The Commissioner, a By-law Enforcement Officer or any other Person designated by them
for such purpose, may enter onto a Property or Premises at any time and/or may remove a
Sign immediately without notice or compensation to the Sign Owner if such Sign:
(a)
is not brought into conformity as required by an order pursuant to Part 15.3
within the time specified;
(b)
is located, erected, or displayed on, over, partly on, or partly over any Public
Property owned by or under the jurisdiction of the Corporation and does not
conform to the provisions of this By-law;
(c)
constitute a safety hazard or a concern, which shall be determined in the
Commissioner's sole discretion;
(d)
is any one (1) of a group of the same type of Signs of which the maximum
permitted number has been exceeded. (By-law 37-1, 24 March, 2021)
15.7
Any Sign removed by the Corporation shall be stored by the Corporation for 30 days,
during which time the Sign Owner may redeem such Sign upon payment of any applicable
fees.
15.8
Where a Sign has been removed by the Corporation and has been stored for a period
exceeding 30 days and has not been redeemed by the Sign Owner under Section 15.7 to
this By-law, said Sign may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the Corporation
without notice or compensation.
15.9
The cost incurred by the Corporation in removing or disposing of a Sign is deemed to be
municipal taxes and may be added to the Collector's Roll and collected in the same manner
as municipal taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the costs incurred by the Corporation
are a debt payable to the Corporation and may be recovered in any court of competent
jurisdiction.
15.10 All contraventions of this By-law or notices issued under this Part 15.0 are designated as
multiple offences and continuing offences. A multiple office is an offence in respect of two
or more acts or omissions each of which separately constitutes an offence and is a
contravention of the same provision of this By-law. For the purposes of this By-law, an
offence is a second or subsequent offence, if the act giving rise to the offence occurred after
a conviction had been entered at an earlier date for the same offence.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 39 of 44
15.11 On contravention of an offence under this By-law, a Person is liable to a fine in accordance
with Section 429 of the Municipal Act, 2001 and the following rules made pursuant to
Section 429 of the Municipal Act, 2001:
(a)
a minimum fine of $500.00 and a maximum fine which shall not exceed
$100,000.00 for a contravention of this By-law;
(b)
in the case of a continuing offence, for each day or part of a day that the offence
continues, a minimum fine of $500.00 and a maximum fine of $10,000.00, the total
of which, notwithstanding Section 15.11(a), may exceed $100,000.00, and
(c)
in the case of a multiple offence, for each offence included in the multiple office, a
minimum of $500.00 and a maximum fine of $10,000.00, the total of which,
notwithstanding Section 15.11(a), may exceed $100,000.00.
15.12 On conviction of an offence under this By-law a Person is, in addition to the fine provided
for in Section 15.11 of this by-law, liable to a special fine in accordance with subsection
429(2)(d) of the Municipal Act, 2001. The amount of the special fine will be the minimum
fine as provided for in Section 15.11 of this By-law to which may be added the amount of
economic advantage or gain that Person has obtained or can obtain from the contravention
of this By-law, order pursuant to this Part 15.0, or a combination thereof. Pursuant to
subsection 429(3)(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 a special fine may exceed $100,000.00.
15.13 Where a Person has been convicted of an offence, the court in which the conviction has
been entered and any court of competent jurisdiction thereafter may, in addition to any
other remedy or penalty provided for by law, make an order prohibiting the continuation
or repetition of the offence by the Person convicted.
15.14 In lieu of laying a charge under the Provincial Offences Act for a breach of any provision
of this by-law, a By-law Enforcement Officer may issue a penalty notice to the Person who
has contravened this by-law in accordance with the service requirements of the
Corporation's Administrative Penalty By-law. For greater certainty, the By-law
Enforcement Officer has the discretion to either proceed by way of an administrative
penalty or a charge laid under the Act, if an administrative penalty is issued to a Person for
the breach, no charge shall be laid against that same Person for the same breach. (By- law
37-21, 24 March, 2021)
15.15 A Person served with a penalty notice shall be liable to pay to the Corporation an
administrative penalty in the amount specified in Schedule "A" of the Administrative
Penalty By-law. An administrative penalty for a contravention of this by-law that is not
paid within 15 days after the day it becomes due and payable, constitutes a debt of the
Person to the Corporation and may be added to a municipal tax roll and collected in the
same manner as municipal taxes. (By-law 37-21, 24 March, 2021)
15.16 A Person who is issued a penalty notice shall be subject to the procedures as provided for
in the Corporation's Administrative Penalty By-law. (By-law 37-21, 24 March, 2021)
16.0
PRESUMPTION
16.1
Where an unlawful Sign is found on Private Property, the Property Owner or any occupant
of the Property or Premises shall be presumed to have been the Person who unlawfully
placed or erected the unlawful Sign, which presumption may be rebutted by evidence to
the contrary, on a balance of probabilities.
16.2
Where an unlawful Sign is found on Public Property, any Person named on the unlawful
Sign and any officer or director of the Person, or any partner of the Person where the
Person is a partnership, or any proprietor of the Person where the Person is sole
proprietorship shall be presumed to have been the Person who placed or erected; and where
no name appears on the unlawful Sign, but a telephone number appears, any Person whom
the phone number is listed according to a telephone directory, shall be
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 40 of 44
presumed to have been the Person who located, erected, or displayed the unlawful Sign, or
to have caused or permitted the unlawful Sign to be located, erected, or displayed. The
presumption herein may be rebutted by evidence to the contrary, on a balance of
probabilities.
17.0
INTERPRETATION
17.1
Words importing the singular number or the masculine gender only include more persons,
parties or things of the same kind than one, and females as well as males and the converse.
17.2
A word interpreted in the singular number has a corresponding meaning when used in the
plural.
17.3
The word "shall" is mandatory and the word "may" is permissive.
17.4
Any reference to any statute shall include a reference to any act or statute that has the effect
of amending or superseding such statute, and shall include all regulations thereto.
17.5
In the event that any particular provision or part of a provision of this By-law is found to
be invalid or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, then the particular provision or
provisions or part of the provision shall be deemed to be severed from the remainder of this
By-law and all other provisions shall remain in full force and shall be valid and enforceable
to the fullest extent permitted by law.
18.0
CONFLICT
18.1
Where a provision of this By-law conflicts with a provision of any applicable government
legislation, the provision that establishes the higher standard to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the general public shall prevail.
18.2
Where a provision of this By-law conflicts with any other Corporation By-law, it is the By-
law which carries the higher standard that shall prevail. Where a provision of this By- law
conflicts with any Corporation Zoning By-laws, it is the provision of this By-law that shall
prevail. (By-law 45-13, 28 October, 2013).
19.0
APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS
19.1
The issuance of a Permit does not relieve the applicant of the responsibility of obtaining
all other approvals that may be required by the Corporation or any other level of
government and agencies thereof or compliance with any other by-law, legislation or
obligation.
20.0
EFFECTIVE DATE
20.1
This By-law comes into force and effect on November 9, 2009
20.2
The Corporation will commit to a comprehensive review of this By-law as deemed
necessary by the Commissioner.
21.0
EXCEPTIONS (By-law 74-11, 11 July, 2011)
21.1
SITE SPECIFIC SIGNAGE PROVISIONS - Lots 37, 38 & Block E, Judge's Plan 10030,
10355 Yonge Street (2130447 Ontario Limited). (By-law 74-11, 11 July, 2011)
Notwithstanding the provisions of By-law No. 52-09, as amended, to the contrary, on those
lands shown on Schedule "A" to By-law 74-11 and denoted by a bracketed (1), the
following, as shown on Schedules "B" and "C" shall be permitted:
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 41 of 44
i.
One (1) additional wall sign (Sign 1) with a maximum height of 0.46m, a maximum
aggregate width of 7.17m and a maximum aggregate area of 3.29m2 , located on
the second storey of the north elevation;
ii.
One (1) additional wall sign (Sign 2) with a maximum height of 0.46m, a maximum
aggregate width of 14.61m and a maximum aggregate area of 6.72m2 , located on
the first storey of the north elevation;
iii.
One (1) additional projecting sign (Sign 3) with a maximum height of 0.62m, a
maximum width of 0.64m and a maximum area of 0.4m2 , located on the second
storey of the north elevation;
iv.
One (1) additional projecting sign (Sign 4) with a maximum area of 0.21 m2 ,
located on the first storey of the north elevation;
v.
One (1) additional wall sign (Sign 5) with a maximum height of 0.46m, a maximum
aggregate width of 5.89m and a maximum aggregate area of 2.71 m2 , located on
the second storey of the east elevation;
vi.
One (1) additional wall sign (Sign 6) with a maximum height of 0.46m, a maximum
aggregate width of 5.08m and a maximum aggregate area of 2.34m2 , located on
the first storey of the east elevation;
vii.
One (1) ground sign (Sign 7) with a maximum height of 3.15m, a maximum width
of 1.6m and a maximum sign area of 2.63m2, located on the east side of the existing
building;
viii.
One (1) electronic Read-0-Gram, located on Sign 7;
ix.
One (1) additional wall sign (Sign 8) with a maximum height of 0.27m, a maximum
width of 2.06m and a maximum area of 0.56m2, located on the second storey of the
south elevation;
x.
One (1) additional wall sign (Sign 9) with a maximum height of 2.03m, a maximum
width of 3.66m and a maximum area of 7.43m2 , located on the second storey of
the south elevation;
xi.
One (1) additional wall sign (Sign 10) with a maximum height of 0.46m, a
maximum aggregate width of 5.89m and a maximum aggregate area of 2.71m2 ,
located on the second storey of the west elevation;
xii.
One (1) additional wall sign (Sign 11) with a maximum height of 2.24m, a
maximum width of 4.47m and a maximum area of 10.01m2 , located on the second
storey of the west elevation;
xiii.
One (1) additional wall sign (Sign 12) with a maximum height of 0.46m, a
maximum aggregate width of 5.08m and a maximum aggregate area of 2.34m2 ,
located on the first storey of the west elevation;
xiv.
One (1) additional projecting sign (Sign 13) with a maximum height of 0.64m, a
maximum width of 0.81m and a maximum area of 0.52m2 , located on the first
storey of the west elevation;
xv.
One (1) additional projecting sign (Sign 14) with a maximum height of 0.64m, a
maximum width of 0.81m and a maximum area of 0.52m2 , located on the first
storey of the west elevation;
xvi.
One (1) additional projecting sign (Sign 15) with a maximum height of 0.64m, a
maximum width of 0.81 m and a maximum area of 0.52m2, located on the first
storey of the west elevation;
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 42 of 44
xvii.
One (1) additional projecting sign (Sign 16) with a maximum height of 0.64m, a
maximum width of 0.81m and a maximum area of 0.52m2, located on the first
storey of the west elevation;
xviii.
One (1) additional projecting Sign (Sign 17) with a maximum height of 0.48m, a
maximum width of 2.48m and a maximum area of 1.19m2 , located on the second
storey of the west elevation; and,
xix.
That Signs "1"~ "2'', "3'', "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "10", "12", ''13", "14", "15", "16"
and "17" be internally illuminated. "
(By-law 74-11, 11 July, 2011)
21.2
SITE SPECIFIC SIGNAGE PROVISIONS - Block A, Registered Plan 5151, and Block D,
Registered Plan M-816, Municipal Addresses: 10488 and 10520 Yonge Street (Sitzer
Group Holdings No. 1 Limited). (By-law 110-12, 12 November, 2012).
Notwithstanding the provisions of By-law No. 52-09, as amended to the contrary, on those
lands shown as "Area 1" on Schedule "A" to By-law 110-12 ("Area 1 "), a permit for a
Roof Sign may be issued and the following provisions shall apply to a Roof Sign located,
erected or displayed within Area 1:
i. no Roof Signs shall be permitted on the building elevation of a Premises located on
the Property which abuts Levendale Road, Jacey Ann Drive and Trayborn Drive;
ii. a maximum of one (1) Roof Sign shall be permitted per Premises, iii) the maximum
vertical dimension of a Roof Sign shall be 0.9 metres (2.95 feet) for a logo that forms
part of the sign;
iii. the maximum vertical dimension of the Roof Sign shall be 0.6 metres (2 feet) for
the lettering that forms part of the sign;
iv. the maximum horizontal dimension of the Roof Sign shall be a maximum of 90% of
the width of a Premises, and,
v. the maximum Sign Area of a Roof Sign shall be 25.0 square metres (269 square
feet)."
(By-law 110-12, 12 November, 2012).
21.3
SITE SPECIFIC SIGNAGE PROVISIONS - Part of Lots 2 to 10 inclusive, Plan 1923,
Municipal Addresses: 9600, 9608, 9610 and 9618 Yonge Street (Grand Palace Inc.)
Notwithstanding the provisions of By-law No. 52-09, as amended to the contrary, on those
lands shown on Schedule "A" to By-law 78-13, a permit for a maximum of one (1)
Inflatable Sign may be issued and shall be permitted for a period not exceeding one year
from the date on which this by-law is adopted by Council and shall:
a. be limited to the times between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday of each
week;
b. be tethered to the ground;
c. be non-illuminated;
d. have a maximum height of 9.14 metres (30 feet);
e. have a maximum Sign Area of 83.61 square metres (900 square feet);
f. be a minimum of 15 metres (49.21 feet) from a traffic control device;
g. be a minimum of 1.5 metres (4.92 feet) of any Street Line, private driveway or
Premises; and,
h. be a minimum of 1.5 metres (4.92 feet) or a distance equal to 75% of the height of the
Inflatable Sign, whichever is greater, from any Lot Lines."
(By-law 78-13, 8 July, 2013)
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 43 of 44
21.4
SITE SPECIFIC SIGNAGE PROVISIONS -- Block 39, Registered Plan 65M-2079 and
Part of Block 3, Registered Plan 65M-2368 (Municipal Addresses: 9750 and 9760 Yonge
Street)
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of By-law No. 52-09, as amended to the contrary, the
following signage shall be permitted on lands shown on Schedule "A" to By-law No.
55-16:
i. three (3) Externally-Illuminated Wall Signs with a maximum combined Sign Area
of 29.54 square metres (317.98 square feet) on the east elevation of the sales
trailer constructed on the subject property;
ii.
one (1) Non-Illuminated Wall Sign with a maximum Sign Area of 4.34 square
metres (46.72 square feet) on the north elevation of the sales trailer constructed
on the subject property;
iii.
two (2) hoarding signs with a maximum Sign Area of 5.59 square metres (60.17
square feet) per sign and a maximum Height of 2.44 metres (8.0 feet);
iv.
one (1) hoarding sign with a maximum Sign Area of 2.72 square metres (29.28
square feet) and a maximum Height of 0.67 metres (2.2 feet);
v. two (2) hoarding signs with a maximum Sign Area of 30.56 square metres (328.95
square feet) per sign and a maximum Height of 6.25 metres (20.51 feet); vi) four
(4) hoarding signs with a maximum Sign Area of 11.18 square metres (120.34
square feet) per sign and a maximum Height of 2.29 metres (7.51 feet);
vi.
one (1) hoarding sign with a maximum Sign Area of 1.6 square metres (17.22
square feet) and a maximum Height of 0.67 metres (2.2 feet);
vii.
two (2) hoarding signs with a maximum Sign Area of 2.55 square metres (27.45
square feet) per sign and a maximum Height of 0.67 metres (2.2 feet);
viii.
one (1) hoarding sign with a maximum Sign Area of 2.18 square metres (23.47
square feet) and a maximum Height of 0.67 metres (2.2 feet); and,
ix.
one (1) hoarding sign with a maximum Sign Area of 2.04 square metres (21.96
square feet) and a maximum Height of 0.67 metres (2.2 feet).
2. Information displayed on the signage described in accordance with items 1 (i) through
(x) above shall relate solely to a proposal for Development on lands shown on Schedule
"A" permitted pursuant to Sections 34 (1), 41, 45, and/or 51 of the Planning Act."
(By-law 55-16, 24 May, 2016)
21.5
SITE SPECIFIC SIGNAGE PROVISIONS -- Block N, Plan M-1436 (Municipal Address:
9350 Yonge Street)
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of By-law No. 52-09, as amended to the contrary, an
Internally-Illuminated Wall Sign having a maximum Sign Area of 40.6 square metres
(437 square feet) shall be permitted on the south and west elevations, respectively, of
the commercial addition constructed on the lands shown on Schedule "A" to By-law
No. 59-16.
2. Information displayed on the signage described in accordance with Item 1 above shall
relate solely to the retailer, Sporting Life, and their proposed products to be sold at their
retail location on the lands shown on Schedule "A" hereto.
City of Richmond Hill Sign By-law
By-law No. 52-09
Page 44 of 44
3. The signage described in accordance with Item 1 above shall be extinguished at the end
of business day in accordance with the daily operations of the retail development
(Hillcrest Mall) located on the lands shown on Schedule "A".
(By-law 59-16, 11 July, 2016)
22.0
REPEALED BY-LAWS
22.1
By-law 258-90, as amended, is hereby repealed in its entirety.