Signs

A sign is any structure, device, light, or fixture intended to be seen and used to identify, advertise or attract attention to any person, object, product, event, place, organization, institution, development, business, group, profession, enterprise or industry and is intended to be seen from on or off the site where the sign is located.

Below is a list of steps required to construct a sign.

Step 1: Establish Requirements

Depending on the scope of your project, you will require a variety of permits.

Development Permit

A development permit is required for most signs within the City of Grande Prairie.

Land use Bylaw C-1260, Schedule B outlines our bylaw requirements for signs. Please note:

Portable signs do not require a development permit, but they must meet the requirements of Schedule B., Section 4.10
Digital signs (Electronic Message Display signs) are permitted but must meet the requirements for the type of sign (fascia, freestanding or billboard) as well as the requirements under Section 5.2 of Schedule B. All digital signs are discretionary use.

Lot Grading Permit

A lot grading permit is not required for this work.

Building and Subtrade Permits

Depending on the scope of the sign, an electrical permit may be required.

Step 2: Apply for Required Permits

Below are the steps to apply for the required permits. To minimize wait time, we suggest you apply for all permits at the same time.

Development Permit

Apply by e-mail or in-person for your sign permit. An application includes:

A completed application form and the applicable fee (each fascia sign requires a separate application page 1)
A Certificate of Title dated no more than 6 months before the date of the permit application
A right of entry and authorization form signed by the property owner
A copy of the real property report or site plan indicating the proposed location of the sign and measurements (ie. for freestanding signs the distance to the property line(s), for fascia signs the distance to the ground, dimensions of the building etc..).
Elevation drawings
Please see the first page of the permit application for a complete list of requirements.

Building and Subtrade Permits

Apply by email or in-person for an electrical permit.

An electrical permit application includes:

A completed application form

Permit Fees

Development Permitting

Freestanding signs - $300.00
Fascia Signs - $100.00 per sign
Billboards - $600.00
Digital or Electronic message display signs - fee for type of sign plus $400.00 discretionary use fee
Variance to bylaw standard over 1% - $600.00

Safety Code Permits

Electrical Permit Fee: $89.50

Safety Code Permits include a Safety Code Levy remitted to the Province.

Step 3: Receive Permits

Below is a list of approximate timelines based on the type of permit. The timeline begins once a complete application package is received.

Type of Permit	Processing Time	Notes
Development Permit	Usually within 10 days by email	Variances and discretionary use may extend the processing time
Subtrade Permits	Two business days by email	Cannot be issued before a building permit (if required)