Short answer. Yes. North Cowichan requires a sign permit for any sign, applied for through a building permit application. Signs for commercial, industrial or multi-family projects may also need a Development Permit, and the design guidelines do not support internally lit box signs.
What needs a permit
- A person must not erect a sign without first obtaining a permit (section 2).
- No permit for: window signs covering no more than 25% of the window, small real estate and contractor signs, parking entrance or exit signs under 0.57 m2, and a few others.
- Signage for industrial, commercial or multi-family projects may need a Development Permit, decided during review.
Key rules
- Fascia and canopy signs: at least 2.7 m clearance, at least 0.6 m from the curb line, and no more than 0.3 m2 of sign area per lineal metre of building frontage.
- Freestanding signs: no higher than 8 m and no larger than 18 m2 or 0.63 m2 per metre of street frontage, whichever is smaller.
- No sign on or above a roof, eave or parapet. No flashing signs in the C1 zone, and no more than one flashing sign per lot elsewhere.
- Development permit guidelines: internally lit box signs are not supported, but box signs where only the letters are lit are acceptable. Large neon or flashing signs over 1 m2 are not supported. Chemainus and Crofton favour carved or hand-painted hanging signs.
How to apply
- Email a completed Building Permit application (tick the sign permit box) to [email protected] and request a ShareLink to upload the documents.
- Include a Planning Compliance Form, the Sign Permit Checklist, a letter of rationale, a title search dated within 30 days, a scaled site plan and sign drawings with lighting details, and the installer's business licence.
- Fee per the checklist: $150 plus 1% of construction value, due when the permit is approved. A Development Permit fee is extra if one is needed.
Lit signs and electrical approval
The District of North Cowichan sign permit covers size, placement and appearance. Electrical safety is a separate approval. In BC, the Electrical Safety Regulation does not allow electrical equipment to be used or sold unless it carries an accredited certification mark. For an electric sign the Canadian standard is CSA C22.2 No. 207, and the mark goes on the finished sign. The connection is made by a licensed electrician under an electrical permit. More in our guide to cUL certified signs.
Sources
This page summarizes official District of North Cowichan sources. Bylaws and fees change, so confirm with the municipality before you order or install a sign.