City of St. Thomas

The City of St. Thomas Sign By-Law 10-2018 which was updated in 2018 through a detailed public, stakeholder, and council engagement process. Permanent signs are governed by the zoning bylaw and building code.

Yes, properties that fall in the inclusion zone of “The Downtown Development Board Area” are permitted to use A frame signs during business hours. They are permitted to have permanent signs as limited by site plan agreements, zoning, and building code. They are not permitted to have temporary signs.

No signs are to be attached municipal fences, utility poles, posts, trees or official signs and will be removed at the cost of the sign owner. Signs may not be placed on or adjacent to any City park land or City owner open spaces.

Yes. A single real estate sign can be placed on the property in question and one real estate sign for an open house is permitted to be placed on city property but may only be done so 48 hours in advance of the open house and must be taken down immediately after the open house is completed. There are some more detailed provisions for new subdivision model homes.  

A permit or a fee is not required for temporary signs, but a permit is required to be obtained from Building Services for permanent ground signs.

One sign is permitted per commercial property that has not been limited by a site plan agreement, by the schedule in the bylaw, or is within the DDB area.

Home based businesses are not permitted to have signs on residential properties.