Sign By-law
Sign By-law 2021-24 was approved by Council on February 9, 2021. The Sign By-law prohibits or regulates the placing or erecting of signs, notices, and advertising devices on public and private property within the City of Niagara Falls.
Sign Permit Application
Sign Permit applications are made online using the City’s portal and are submitted to the Building Department.
It is checked for completeness and compliance with the Sign By-law and other regulatory agencies.
Examples of other regulatory agencies include but are not limited to: Niagara Escarpment Commission, Niagara Parks Commission, Niagara Peninsula Energy/Ontario Hydro, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ministry of Transportation and other Ministries. It is recommended that all necessary approvals from other regulatory agencies be completed prior to applying for a Sign Permit, since they may delay or prevent permit issuance.
If the Sign Permit application is not accepted due to non-compliance with the regulations of the Sign By-law, a sign variance or amendment would need to be granted before the Sign Permit application can be processed and the sign installed.
Sign Permit Fees
Payment is required at the time of application.
| Sign Type | 2025 Permit Fee | Performance Security Deposit | Total |
|---|
| Signs Under 10m2 | $232.00 | $0 | $232.00 |
| Signs 10m2 or more | $361.00 | $0 | $361.00 |
Debit or cash payment can be made in-person at the Building Department at 4343 Morrison Street. Cheques made payable to the City of Niagara Falls can be received in-person or by mail. Please indicate the address of the sign permit on the cheque. Credit card payments are not accepted.
Sign By-law Variance and Amendment
Sign By-law variance and amendment applications are made online using the City’s portal.
An application for a Sign By-law variance or amendment is submitted to the Planning Department.
Once an application is received, it is checked for completeness before being sent to internal departments and relevant agencies for comments. Public notice is given, and comments may be received prior to a report being drafted for consideration by the Director of Planning, in the case of a variance application, or by Council, in the case of an amendment application.
The Sign By-law outlines the process followed for each type of application:
- Sign By-law variance examples include, but are not limited to: slight increases in the dimensions of a sign, to permit an additional sign, to amend the location of the sign on the building and/or property than what is permitted.
- Sign By-law amendment examples include, but are not limited to: permitting a sign in an area where it is not permitted, large increases in the dimensions of a sign, multiple additional signs, and multiple signs on the building and/or property than what is permitted.
Planning staff may provide guidance in advance of an application being made, or upon review of an application, and advise the applicant accordingly.
Contact [email protected] or 905-356-7521 ext. 4330 for assistance.
Sign By-law Variance and Amendment Fees
Payment is required after an online application is made, and the fee is based on the type of application submitted.
