Sign variance application form

Request a variance when a proposed sign would not comply with Sign By-law 2016-050 based on the sign zone.

Before you start:

• view the signage web page on the City of Waterloo website for the Permanent Sign Guide, the fee and how applications for a variance are reviewed
• know your sign zone which can be found on the Sign bylaw page or search by address in the city's interactive map (click the Find sign bylaw button on the top ribbon menu and enter the address)
• signs must comply with the Ontario Building Code and the Zoning bylaw
• the combined file size of all submitted files cannot exceed 15 MB for this application

The Sign Variance Committee reviews all variance applications to make sure they meet the intent of the sign bylaw and comply with the zoning bylaw. They also must comply with the Ontario Building Code.. The Sign Variance Committee meets once a month. Refer to the Sign Variance Committee Calendar for the dates. The committee may grant or refuse any application for a sign variance and may impose conditions before approval.  You can appeal committee decisions to city council within 21 days.

Section 1 - Applicant information

Provide your contact information as the applicant

Authorization from the owner of the property is required to apply for an amendment or variance to Sign By-law 2016-050. If you are not the property owner, a letter of authorization from the property owner including their contact information and signature must be attached to this application. Unless otherwise noted, all communications will be sent to the agent or tenant if the applicant is not the property owner.

Consent must include the following text: I hereby authorize the City of Waterloo and each of its directors, officers, employees, solicitors and agents to enter onto the above noted property(ies) for the purpose of evaluating the merits of this/these application(s) or request(s) over the time this/these application(s) or request(s) is/are under consideration by the City of Waterloo.

Section 2 - Location of sign

Section 3 - Details of the variance request

Section 4 - Existing sign information

Section 5 - Proposed sign information

This section is for all proposed signs. Include information even for signs where a variance to the Sign bylaw is not required.

For each new sign answer the following questions. Click the button "Add details for another new sign" to add fields for additional signs.

Section 6 - Upload documents

Provide the following documents in PDF or high resolution JPG format for each proposed sign. The size of the files cannot exceed 15 MB for all files combined. This includes images already uploaded.

1. A Site Plan, indicating location of existing and proposed signs
2. One drawing per proposed sign of the sign copy indicating height, width and area of the sign
3. One detailed elevation drawing per façade indicating location of the proposed signs on the building façade and the clearance from grade to the bottom of each sign
4. One photograph/rendering per proposed sign

View examples of required drawings in the sign guide (PDF)

All plans must include:

• dimenions to be provided in metres
• scale of the drawing of plan
• north symbol
• municipal address
• names of adjacent streets
• project name
• applicant name
• name of the firm preparing the plans (if applicable)
• electronic file number