Sign Permits in Montreal: What You Need to Know
Published July 6, 2026
In Montreal, the right to put a sign on your building is governed by the borough (arrondissement), not the central city. That means the rules, fees, and timelines for a sign in the Plateau are different from one in Saint-Laurent or Ville-Marie. Here is what every business owner should know before ordering a sign.
Why the borough matters
Montreal delegates signage regulation to its 19 boroughs. Each has its own by-law covering allowed sign types, maximum dimensions, illumination limits, projection over the sidewalk, and how many signs a single business may display. A projecting blade sign that is routine in one borough may be restricted in another.
Heritage sectors add another layer. Old Montreal, parts of the Plateau, and other protected districts require signs that fit the architectural character, which can mean specific materials, muted illumination, or a design review.
What the permit application needs
A typical application includes scaled drawings of the sign, an elevation showing exactly where it sits on the facade, the dimensions and materials, the illumination method, and often a photo of the existing building. Illuminated and freestanding signs usually need more detail — sometimes stamped structural or electrical drawings.
Missing or incorrect drawings are the number one cause of delay. This is the part we handle for our clients: we prepare the drawings to the borough's specification and submit the application on your behalf.
How long it takes
Permit timelines vary widely by borough and season — anywhere from two to six weeks is normal, and busy periods run longer. Because the permit runs in parallel with fabrication, it usually does not add to your total project time if it is started early. It becomes a problem only when a sign is fabricated first and the permit is treated as an afterthought.
The cost of skipping it
Installing a sign without a permit risks a stop-work order, fines, and — in the worst case — being forced to remove a sign you already paid for. Boroughs do inspect, especially for illuminated signs and anything projecting over public space. The permit fee is small next to that risk.
We manage the entire permit process as part of our service, for Montreal boroughs and for the surrounding municipalities of Laval, Longueuil, Gatineau, and beyond. You approve the design; we handle the paperwork.