Illuminated Signs & LED Neon Signs in Toronto

In Toronto, signs are regulated by the City's Sign By-law (Municipal Code Chapter 694) and handled by Toronto Building. According to the City:

• A sign permit is required: no one may erect, display, modify or restore a sign without a sign permit from the Chief Building Official (§ 694-5). A sign installed on a building or into the ground needs a Sign and Building Permit. A permit is only issued once any required approvals are in place, for example from the City's Heritage Preservation Services.
• Window signs: a window sign does not need a sign permit as long as it does not display copy electronically (such as LED signs), does not exceed 25% of the window area, shows only first party copy and is not above the second storey. Otherwise a Sign Variance is needed first, followed by a permit. Ask Express Services how your sign is classified.
• Fees and timing: the minimum fee for a sign permit is $334.53, and the standard turnaround is 10 business days. Applications are electronic only, by email to expressservices@toronto.ca or at the front counter.
• Sign district: each property has a Sign District with its own rules – you can look up your address in the City's SignView mapping tool.
• Illumination (§ 694-18): a sign may not be up-lit and its light may not project onto adjacent premises in residential, residential apartment, commercial residential, institutional or open space districts. Brightness is limited to 5,000 nits from sunrise to sunset and 300 nits from sunset to sunrise.
• Night-time hours (§ 694-18): signs may not be illuminated between 11 pm and 7 am, except a first party sign of a lawful business that is operating, and only while it is open. In residential districts and within 30 m of them the limit starts at 9 pm. The Downtown Yonge Street and Dundas Square special sign districts are exempt from this rule.
• Over the public sidewalk: a sign that sits in whole or in part in a public right of way needs the written approval of the General Manager, Transportation Services.
• Electrical work: in Ontario almost all electrical work requires a notification of work (often called a permit) to the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), filed before the work starts.

Sources: City of Toronto – General Sign Inquiries, Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 694, Signs, General, ESA – notification of electrical work, as of October 2026. This is not legal advice – the local authority makes the final decision.

A sign permit application needs clear drawings of the proposed sign. With your free design preview you get:

• your sign shown on a photo of your storefront
• dimensions, materials and light colour
• which elements light up and which are printed

You or your sign installer submit the application.

• Indoor LED neon signs come with fixings and a plug-in power supply – hang it up and plug it in, step by step in our installation guide.
• Outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs should be connected by a qualified electrician. Toronto has plenty of sign installers who also fit signs made by others.

Tell us where the sign will go and we will tell you what you need for installation.

• LED neon signs – for bars, cafés, salons and shop windows on Queen West, Ossington or in Kensington Market
• Back-lit acrylic letters – a soft halo glow for boutiques in Yorkville and the Distillery District
• Channel letters – illuminated letters for the storefront on Yonge, King or the Danforth
• Projecting signs – visible along the street; they need approval if they extend over the public right of way

All sign types at a glance

1. Send your logo, sketch or text – ideally with a photo of your storefront
2. Receive your free digital design preview
3. After your approval, production takes about 2–3 weeks
4. Insured delivery to your address in Toronto

Every sign is dimmable and comes with a remote control and a 24-month warranty. Shipping is included to Toronto – nothing extra to pay when it arrives.

Do I need a permit for an illuminated sign in Toronto?
Yes, in general. No sign may be erected, displayed, modified or restored without a sign permit from the Chief Building Official, and a sign on a building also needs a building permit. The minimum permit fee is $334.53 and the standard turnaround is 10 business days.

Until what time can an illuminated sign stay on in Toronto?
Signs may not be illuminated between 11 pm and 7 am, except a first party sign of a business that is operating, and only while it is open. In residential districts and within 30 m of them the limit starts at 9 pm.

Do you install signs in Toronto?
Indoor LED neon signs come with fixings and a plug-in power supply, so you can hang them yourself. For outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs we recommend a local electrician or sign installer.

Can I see the sign on my storefront before ordering?
Yes. Send us a photo of your storefront and we will show you a free design preview with your sign in place.