A sign permit is required for specific signs in the community whether placed on your own property, municipal property or a third party owners property.  

A Sign Permit is require for any sign or advertising device, including:

  • Ground signs
  • Wall signs
  • Awning and projecting signs
  • Pole signs
  • Temporary mobile signs

A sign permit is required prior to erecting any sign and must be applied for, approved and paid for at the Mississippi Mills Building Department. 

SIGN BY-LAW - Please click here to review the 16-22 Sign By-Law.

SIGN APPLICATION - Please click here to find a fill out PDF for your sign permit application.

Sign Permit FAQ's

Here are the most commonly asked questions about sign permits.

I am replacing a sign face on an existing sign, do I need a permit? 

The answer is yes, the current by-law requires that any alteration to a sign including the refacing of a sign requires a permit.  This includes lit signs on building fascia, pole advertising signs with multiple tenants, single ground sign changes and billboard advertising sign changes. 

I live in a residential area and I am having a yard sale, do I need a permit to advertise my sale?

No, a permit is not required but you should be aware that signs on power poles are prohibited in the municipality.  Additionally any sign you place cannot be placed on Municipal road allowances without permission from the Municipality and a Hold Harmless Agreement.  We suggest that all signs be placed on private property and if you are having difficulty determining private property from municipal property then you can contact the office for assistance at (613)-256-2064 x508.

I have a store downtown and I want to put out a sandwich board sign to advertise during business hours, is this permitted?

Yes, a sandwich board sign is permitted in the downtown area.  You are permitted one sandwich board sign per business front.  But please be aware that a permit is required with the following information:

- Location of the sign (must be at least 5' of clear sidewalk area and only in front of the business it is advertising)
- Hold Harmless Agreement (see main page for link)
- Proof of insurance naming the Municipality as additionally insured (see main page for link)
- Sign must meet dimensions permitted in the by-law
- Must be removed when not open and during major weather events 

As long as all these criteria are met, then a sign can be applied for and permit issued.  Please be aware that proof of insurance is required by no later than Jan 4th of every year or the sign must be removed and a new sign permit will be required.

I do not have frontage on a main road and I'm not located in the downtown but I want my sandwich board sign to be placed offsite on private property or offsite on Municipal property, does the by-law allow this?

No, sandwich board signs (not located in the downtown) must be located in one of two places

1. On the property they are located on
2. On the non-traveled portion (nowhere a vehicle can physically travel) of the road allowance placed directly in front of the property frontage where the business is located.  

Signs located on private property need only get a permit and meet size requirements and be fully contained on the property.  Signs on the non-traveled portion of the road must provide:

- Location of the sign (must be at least 5' of clear sidewalk area and only in front of the business it is advertising)
- Hold Harmless Agreement (see main page for link)
- Proof of insurance naming the Municipality as additionally insured (see main page for link)
- Sign must meet dimensions permitted in the by-law 
- Must be removed when not open and during major weather events 

Whats the maximum time a temporary commercial advertising sign can be placed on a property in one calendar year?

The maximum amount of time in any calendar year is two 60 day periods (separate permit required for each 60 day period).  Beyond that any further temporary commercial advertising sign placement must be attained via a Minor Variance from the Committee of the Whole.

Can signs being placed on private property be anywhere on the property?

Not always, new ground signs, portable signs, sandwich board signs and other signs must meet setbacks depending on the sign type.  additionally a sign is not permitted in a required driveway site line triangle or a street site line triangle.  Signs being placed temporarily are not permitted to be placed in any required parking spaces, fire lane, or aisle required for driving on a commercial property.  Please see by-law for more information or contact the Building Department at (613)-256-2064 x508. 

If I place a sign without a permit is there a penalty?

Yes, if placed without a permit a ticket may be issued for $100 per day until such time the sign is removed or permit is approved and attained.