Sign Permits

You must successfully apply to the Planning and Development Department for a Sign Permit before placing or altering a sign on the exterior of any building or structure, or on any property in the City. This requirement applies to both permanent and time-limited signs. 

Applications for sign permits are reviewed for compliance with the City’s Sign Bylaw:

Please email Sign Permits or call 604-927-3430 for more information, or if you are unsure whether your proposed sign requires a permit.

Emergency Signage Exemptions to Support Businesses During Pandemics and Emergencies

On Jan. 30, 2023, Coquitlam approved permanent signage exemptions to its sign regulations to assist businesses in their recovery from declared pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) and emergencies, while also enabling them to communicate health and safety information essential to keeping their staff and the public safe.

The exemptions mean licensed businesses, excluding home occupation businesses, may have temporary emergency sign(s) in the form of sandwich board signs, time-limited signs (e.g., banner signs), directional signs, and window signs without needing to adhere to the following Sign Bylaw requirements: 

  • Completion of a Sign Permit application and associated fees; 
  • Maximum sign area (excluding sandwich board signs and directional signs); 
  • Maximum time period a time-limited sign can be displayed; and 
  • Maximum number of signs. 

The temporary emergency sign(s) can only be used to communicate essential business or health and safety information related to an emergency or pandemic as declared by the City or the Government of British Columbia, such as:

  • Hours of operation, closures and reopenings;
  • Directional information to ensure physical distancing;
  • Best practices to limit the spread of COVID-19, such as use of masks;
  • Changes of services or inventory; and
  • Phone numbers and website addresses.

The temporary signs may not be used to advertise products, services or pricing, and businesses are expected to keep the signs organized, maintained in a professional manner and installed safely. 

The temporary emergency sign(s) must remain on the business' private property and are not permitted on sidewalks or other public rights-of-way unless approved through a formal sign application.

The new permanent emergency signage exemptions follows and broadens the previous temporary COVID-19 signage exemptions endorsed by Council back in November of 2020 which expired on Dec. 31, 2022.

Comprehensive Sign Plans

Apply for a Comprehensive Sign Plan if the property is a lot where there are multiple tenancies, such as a shopping centre; or where there are joint sign applications for adjoining lots on one side of a street. The owner of the lots, and/or businesses involved with the Comprehensive Sign Plan, will appoint a Sign Coordinator in writing, to oversee and approve the proposed signs. Submit the Sign Coordinator’s Approval Form along with a Sign Permit application: