Short answer. Yes. No sign may be erected, placed, relocated or altered in Saanich without a sign permit or a development permit amendment that authorizes it. A change of copy or lettering counts as an alteration. Projecting and roof signs are not permitted.
What needs a permit
- A permit is needed to erect, place, construct, relocate or alter any sign (section 4). Changing the copy or lettering is an alteration; routine maintenance is not.
- In Sign Districts C and D, no permit is issued for an external sign until a Comprehensive Sign Plan for the property has been submitted.
- A wall sign painted on an exterior wall needs a Sign Permit and may cover no more than 15% of the wall.
Key rules
- Permitted sign types: fascia, freestanding, canopy, marquee and temporary. Not permitted: roof, projecting, rotating, animated, third party and portable signs.
- Within 5 km of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, advertising signs must meet lighting standards: internally lit translucent signs and neon-type tubes are allowed, and external fixtures must be mounted on top of the sign and shielded.
- Fascia sign copy area in Sign District B is up to 0.6 m2 per metre of building face. Signs over a sidewalk need 2.5 m clearance.
- Sizes and the number of signs depend on the sign district.
How to apply
- Submit a signed sign permit application to the Planning Department with scaled drawings showing dimensions, materials, colours and lighting, and, for fascia, wall or canopy signs, a drawing or photo of the whole building face with all existing and proposed signs.
- The application form lists fees of $30 per sign up to 0.4 m2, $60 per sign up to 2 m2, and $100 per sign over 2 m2. Fees are set in the Fees and Charges Bylaw and are doubled for a sign erected without a permit.
- Planning Department: [email protected].
Lit signs and electrical approval
The District of Saanich 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 Saanich sources. Bylaws and fees change, so confirm with the municipality before you order or install a sign.