Bed and Breakfast sign on building facade

Looking to advertise your business or service? The Municipality of Port Hope's Sign By-law regulates the size, location, and maintenance of signs and advertising.

Signs located within heritage districts

If your premises is designated under Part IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act, you require Heritage approval from Heritage Port Hope prior to applying for a sign permit. 

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

Application

Refer to types of signs for definitions, fees, inspection requirements and what to include with your application. 

Before submitting an application review the Sign By-law to ensure your proposed sign complies.

Complete sign permit application

 Types of signs

 Billboard sign

Billboard signs refer to a self-supporting sign structure with an area of 70 ft2 (6.5m2) or greater. 

Sign permit fee is $125 each

What to include with the completed application:

  • Drawings of the sign, including dimensions, color(s) and material of sign
  • Information on how the sign will be constructed and mounted in the ground
  • Site plan showing location of sign on property
Canopy sign

Canopy signs refer to any sign on a building other than a projecting sign, soffit sign, or wall sign, and includes signs on awnings or similar projections. 

Sign permit fee is $125 each

What to include with the completed application:

  • Drawings of the sign, including dimensions, color(s) and material of sign
  • Information on how the sign will be constructed and mounted to the building

Inspections required:

  • Sign connection to building or projection

 
Ground sign

Ground signs refer to any sign that is supported from the ground and not attached to any part of a building. This includes pylon signs, but not include portable or real estate development signs.

Sign permit fee is $125 each

What to include with the completed application:

  • Drawings of the sign, including dimensions, color(s) and material of sign
  • Information on how the sign will be constructed and mounted in the ground
  • Site plan showing location of sign on property

Inspections required:

  • Once the footings have been excavated
  • Once the sign has been completed
Portable sign

Portable signs refer to a one or two-sided sign which is specifically designed or intended to be readily moved from one location to another and does not rely on a building or fixed foundation for its structural support.

Portable signs are permitted for a single period of no more than sixty (60) days. 

Sign permit fee is $125 each

What to include with the completed application:

  • Drawings of the sign, including dimensions, color(s) and material of sign
  • Information on how the sign will be constructed and secured to the ground
  • Intended location of sign

 
Projecting sign

Projecting signs refer to a permanent sign which projects perpendicularly from a wall, pole or spar of a building to which the sign is secured to. 

Sign permit fee is $125 each

What to include with the completed application:

  • Drawings of the sign, including dimensions, color(s) and material of sign
  • Information on how the sign will be constructed and mounted to the building

Inspections required:

  • Once the sign has been completed
Roof sign

Roof signs refer to a permanent sign, the face of which is above the roof level or parapet of the building upon which the sign is secured to.

Sign permit fee is $125 each

What to include with the completed application:

  • Drawings of the sign, including dimensions, color(s) and material of sign
  • Information on how the sign will be constructed and mounted to the building

Inspections required:

  • Once the sign has been completed

 
Sandwich board sign

Sandwich board signs refer to a self-supporting on-grade sign constructed of substantive weather-resistant materials, typically forming the shape of an 'A'.

Sign permit fee is $50 for the year, renewable for $10 

What to include with the completed application:

  • Drawings of the sign, including dimensions, color(s) and material of sign
  • Proof of third-party liability Insurance in the amount of 2 million dollars 
Soffit sign

Soffit signs refer to a sign that is mounted to the underside of a projecting canopy or soffit. 

Sign permit fee is $125 each

What to include with the completed application:

  • Drawings of the sign, including dimensions, color(s) and material of sign
  • Information on how the sign will be constructed and mounted to the soffit

Inspections required:

  • Once the sign has been completed
Wall sign

Wall signs refer to a permanent sign, parallel to the building wall to which it is attached.

Sign permit fee is $125 each

What to include with the completed application:

  • Drawings of the sign, including dimensions, color(s) and material of sign
  • Information on how the sign will be constructed and mounted to the building

Inspections required:

  • Once the sign has been completed

Patios

Looking to extend your restaurant by adding an outdoor or sidewalk patio? The Municipality of Port Hope requires you to complete a patio permit application in accordance with By-Law 90-2015.

Application

Please review the by-law to ensure you are in compliance prior to submitting an application.

You must submit a site plan illustrating the intended size and location of your patio, and the location of parking, signage and refuse containers. 

You must provide proof of liability and property damage insurance in the minimum amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000). 

Complete patio permit application

Fee

$50 new, $10 for renewal

Payment

Complete the application online and attach all required documents to the application form. A building official will review your application and confirm your building permit fee.

You may pay by cash, debit or cheque made payable to the "Municipality of Port Hope" and drop it off: 

Development Team Office
5 Mill St. S.
Port Hope, ON L1A 2S6
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.