Sign Bylaw

The Sign Bylaw applies to all signs on private property, including signs encroaching over a street or lane.

The bylaw doesn't apply to the following:

• Signs located in streets, lanes, or in public parks
• Signs located inside a building that aren't visible or intended to be visible from a street
• Signs required by law

Introductory framework

Part 1: Interpretation

Includes intent statements (or guiding principles) to administer the bylaw, bylaw definitions, and table of contents

Part 1 (50 KB)

Part 2: Application of bylaw

Includes regulations about the scope of the bylaw

Part 2 (10 KB)

Part 3: Authorities and permits

Includes regulations about the sign application and permit process, and the City’s authorities

Part 3 (30 KB)

Part 4: Responsibilities of owner

Includes the responsibilities of owners

Part 4 (20 KB)

Sign regulations

Part 5: General sign regulations

Includes regulations that apply to all signs and sign types across the city

Part 5 (30 KB)

• Sections 5.1-5.9: General sign regulations including sign area calculation, encroachment, and clearances (30 KB)
• Sections 5.10-5.13: Regulations for illuminated and electronic signs (30 KB)
• Sections 5.14-5.17: Regulations for signs with manual changeable copy and advertising (30 KB)
• Schedule 5A: Illuminated sign area map (900 KB)

Part 6: Exemptions

Includes a list of sign types that don't require a sign permit, provided they comply with the bylaw and other applicable regulations

Part 6 (40 KB)

Exempted signs include:

• Sections 6.4-6.7: Address, commemorative, banner and cultural, institutional, and recreational use signs (40 KB)
• Sections 6.8-6.11: Directional, election, floating, and smaller hoarding signs (40 KB)
• Sections 6.12-6.15: Identification, parking, projected image and public bike share signs (40 KB)
• Sections 6.16-6.18: Real estate, temporary, and window signs (40 KB)

Sign district regulations

Part 7: Sign districts

Includes a list of Vancouver's seven sign districts and the areas associated with each district listed below in Parts 8-14

Part 7 (30 KB)

Part 8: Residential Sign District

Includes regulations specific to the Residential Sign District. The district respects the character of residential neighbourhoods by reducing visual clutter and light pollution.

Part 8 (30 KB)

Signs allowed in the district include:

• Sections 8.3-8.4: Fascia signs (30 KB)
• Section 8.5: Free-standing signs (30 KB)
• Sections 8.6-8.7: Large hoarding signs, signs for neighbourhood grocery stores and non-conforming commercial or industrial uses (30 KB)
• Section 8.8: Site-specific regulations (30 KB)

Schedules 8A-8C include maps accompanying the Residential Sign District:

• Schedule 8A: BC Place/Expo District (BCPED) map (1 MB)
• Schedule 8B: Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer District (DEOD) map (200 KB)
• Schedule 8C: False Creek Comprehensive Development District (FCCDD) map (800 KB)

Part 9: Commercial, Mixed-Use, and Industrial Sign District

Includes regulations specific to the Commercial, Mixed-Use, and Industrial Sign District. The district supports and promotes commercial and industrial activities through the appropriate use of business identification and wayfinding signs, while respecting residential uses in mixed-use commercial areas.

Part 9 (90 KB)

Signs allowed in the district include:

• Sections 9.3-9.4: Awning and under-awning signs (90 KB)
• Sections 9.5-9.8: Billboard signs (90 KB)
• Sections 9.9-9.10: Canopy and under-canopy signs (90 KB)
• Sections 9.11-9.14: Fascia signs (90 KB)
• Sections 9.15-9.16: Free-standing signs, free-standing wayfinding signs (90 KB)
• Sections 9.17-9.19: Large hoarding, mansard roof, and moving signs (90 KB)
• Sections 9.20-9.21: Projecting signs, signs in conjunction with a mural (90 KB)
• Sections 9.22-9.24: Electronic message, electronic static image, and electronic video signs (90 KB)
• Section 9.25: Site-specific regulations (90 KB)

Schedules 9A-9F include maps accompanying the regulations in the Commercial, Mixed-Use, and Industrial Sign District:

• Schedule 9A: BC Place/Expo District (BCPED) map (900 KB)
• Schedule 9B: Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer District (DEOD) map (450 KB)
• Schedule 9C: False Creek Comprehensive Development District (FCCDD) map (800 KB)
• Schedule 9D: Downtown Billboard Area map (730 KB)
• Schedule 9E: Burrard and Granville Slopes Billboard Area map (600 KB)
• Schedule 9F: Electronic Static Image and Video Sign Area map (240 KB)

Part 10: Chinatown and Gastown Historic Sign District

Includes regulations specific to the Chinatown and Gastown Historic Sign District shown on Schedule 10A: Chinatown and Gastown Historic Sign District area map  (500 KB). The district supports and encourages a wide variety of authentic sign types that reflect and enhance the historic character of Chinatown and Gastown.

Part 10 (50 KB)

Signs permitted in the district include:

• Sections 10.3-10.4: Awning and under-awning signs (50 KB)
• Sections 10.5-10.6: Canopy and under-canopy signs (50 KB)
• Sections 10.7-10.10: Fascia signs (50 KB)
• Section 10.11: Free-standing signs (50 KB)
• Sections 10.12-10.14: Illuminated, large hoarding, and mansard roof signs (50 KB)
• Sections 10.15-10.16: Projecting signs, signs in conjunction with a mural (50 KB)

Part 11: West End Sign District

Includes regulations specific to the West End Sign District shown on Schedule 11A: West End Sign District area map  (740 KB). The district intends to preserve the West End’s neighbourhood character by regulating signs in residential and mixed-use areas.

Part 11 (50 KB)

Signs permitted in the district include:

• Sections 11.3-11.4: Awning and under-awning signs (50 KB)
• Sections 11.5-11.6: Canopy and under-canopy signs (50 KB)
• Sections 11.7-11.8: Fascia signs (50 KB)
• Section 11.9: Free-standing signs (50 KB)
• Sections 11.10-11.11: Large hoarding and mansard roof signs (50 KB)
• Sections 11.12-11.13: Projecting signs, signs in conjunction with a mural (50 KB)
• Section 11.14: Electronic message signs (50 KB)

Part 12: Granville Street Sign District

Includes regulations specific to the Granville Street Sign District shown on Schedule 12A: Granville Street Sign District map  (730 KB). The district encourages neon signs with animated copy, moving signs, and other signs that reflect the historic role of Granville Street as a vibrant, colourful retail and entertainment centre.

Part 12 (55 KB)

Signs permitted in the district include:

• Sections 12.3-12.4: Awning and under-awning signs (55 KB)
• Sections 12.5-12.6: Canopy and under-canopy signs (55 KB)
• Sections 12.7-12.9: Fascia signs (55 KB)
• Sections 12.10: Free-standing signs (55 KB)
• Sections 12.11-12.13: Large hoarding, mansard roof and moving signs (55 KB)
• Sections 12.14-12.15: Projecting signs, signs with animated copy (55 KB)
• Sections 12.16-12.18: Electronic message, electronic static image, and electronic video signs (55 KB)
• Sections 12.19-12.20: Signs with manual changeable copy, site-specific regulations (55 KB)

Part 13: Rogers Arena Sign District

Includes regulations that apply to Rogers Arena Sign District shown on Schedule 13A: Rogers Arena Sign District map  (300 KB). The district allows for the recognition of corporate sponsors of events, additional wayfinding signs at the arena, and regulates signs on mixed-use and residential towers surrounding the arena.

Part 13 (50 KB)

Signs permitted in the district include:

• Sections 13.3-13.4: Awning and under-awning signs (50 KB)
• Section 13.5: Billboard signs (50 KB)
• Sections 13.6-13.7: Canopy and under-canopy signs (50 KB)
• Sections 13.8-13.12: Fascia signs (50 KB)
• Sections 13.13-13.14: Free-standing and large hoarding signs (50 KB)
• Sections 13.15-13.16: Projecting signs, signs in conjunction with a mural (50 KB)
• Sections 13.17: Electronic message signs (50 KB)

Part 14: International Village Sign District

Includes regulations specific to the International Village marketplace area between Pender, Taylor, Keefer and Abbott streets shown on Schedule 14A: International Village Sign District map  (350 KB)

Part 14 (40 KB)

Signs permitted in the district include:

• Sections 14.3-14.4: Awning and under-awning signs (40 KB)
• Sections 14.5-14.6: Canopy and under-canopy signs (40 KB)
• Sections 14.7-14.9: Fascia signs (40 KB)
• Sections 14.10-14.11: Free-standing and large hoarding signs (40 KB)
• Section 14.12: Projecting signs (40 KB)
• Section 14.13: Electronic video signs (40 KB)

Other administrative provisions

Part 15: Relaxations

Includes the director of Planning’s authority and the process to relax the Sign Bylaw in the case of unnecessary hardship, heritage, special events, and new technology

Part 15 (20 KB)

Part 16: Sign construction

Includes the City of Vancouver’s building and electrical regulations pertaining to signs

Part 16 (30 KB)

Part 17: Offences and penalities

Includes offences and penalties that may be incurred under the Sign Bylaw

Part 17 (10 KB)

General schedules

Schedules that list all the CD-1 zoning districts that have been assigned to a sign district:

• Schedule A: CD-1 zoning districts regulated by Part 9 (150 KB)
• Schedule B: CD-1 zoning districts regulated by Part 10, 12, 13, or 14 (20 KB)

Any CD-1 zone not listed in Schedule A or B is assigned to the Residential Sign District.

Fees

On July 18, 2017, Council approved a new Sign Fee Bylaw. The new fee bylaw is in effect as of January 1, 2018.

Read the Sign Fee Bylaw (224 KB)