Opening a Business in Toronto? Your Storefront Sign Checklist
Quick answer: Signage is one of the longest lead-time items in any business opening in Toronto. Between landlord approval, permits, fabrication, and installation, plan for six to ten weeks from first conversation to a sign on your wall. This checklist walks through every step in order so nothing stalls your opening date.
Most business owners think about their sign last, after the lease is signed and the build-out is underway. That is understandable, but it is also the most common cause of opening delays. A sign is not something you buy off a shelf. It is designed, permitted, fabricated, and installed specifically for your building. Here is the full checklist.
Your Storefront Sign Checklist
1. Read your lease's signage clause before anything else
Commercial leases almost always include signage terms. Some restrict sign size or illumination, some require landlord approval for the design, and some specify which part of the facade you may use. Know these limits before you fall in love with a design.
2. Get written landlord approval early
Even where the lease is flexible, landlords usually need to sign off on the sign design and consent to the permit application. Get this in writing early. A landlord who takes three weeks to respond can push back your entire timeline.
3. Set a signage budget
Decide what you can spend before you start collecting quotes. For most Toronto storefronts, a complete illuminated sign project lands between $2,500 and $6,000, with simple non-illuminated signs costing less. Our guide on storefront sign costs in Toronto breaks down the numbers by sign type.
4. Understand what your location allows
Sign rules in Toronto depend on your zoning, your street, and your building. An illuminated channel letter sign that is fine on a Dundas Street storefront may face different rules elsewhere. A sign company can check this for your specific address before you commit to a design.
5. Choose your sign type
For a new business, the common options are:
- Channel letters: individually lit 3D letters, the most popular choice for retail and restaurants
- Lightbox sign: a lit panel with your logo and name, clean and cost-effective
- Non-illuminated panel sign: flat signage for daytime-only visibility
- Window graphics: vinyl decals for glass, often combined with the above
Not sure which fits? Our comparison of channel letters vs. lightbox signs walks through the trade-offs.
6. Prepare your logo files
Send your designer or sign company your logo in the highest quality format you have. Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) work best for sign design. A low-resolution logo pulled from your website limits what a fabricator can build.
7. Order the permit as soon as the design is set
Most permanent signs in Toronto need a permit before installation. The permit needs drawings, dimensions, and your landlord's consent, which is why steps 1, 2, and 6 come first. Ask your sign company to confirm what your sign requires and handle the application.
8. Approve final design and fabrication
Once the design is finalized, the sign goes into fabrication. Quality fabrication takes days to weeks depending on the sign type, so factor this into your timeline. This is not the stage to make changes, as redesigns reset the clock.
9. Plan the electrical connection
Illuminated signs need power at the mounting location. If your unit has never had a sign, or the old connection was removed, an electrician needs to run power. Raise this with your sign company early so it is handled alongside installation rather than after it.
10. Schedule installation for the right moment
Ideally, your sign goes up just before your opening so customers see an finished storefront, not an empty wall or a taped-off install for weeks. Coordinate the install date with your build-out crew so scaffolding or hoarding is out of the way.
11. Plan for night visibility
If your business operates evenings, or competes on a busy commercial strip, illuminated signage is usually worth it. Your sign works every night after dark, which is when many customers are walking by.
How Long Does a Storefront Sign Take?
From first conversation to installed sign, plan for six to ten weeks. Permit review typically takes one to four weeks, fabrication takes another one to three weeks, and installation itself is usually a single day. The safest approach is to start as soon as your lease is signed.
Common Mistakes New Business Owners Make
- Ordering too late. The permit and fabrication lead times are fixed. Start six to ten weeks out at minimum.
- Skipping landlord sign-off. It stalls permits more often than anything else.
- Choosing a sign type before checking rules. The bylaw may limit what fits your facade.
- Underestimating night visibility. A beautiful sign no one sees after 6 pm is half a sign.
- Not budgeting for electrical work. Illuminated signs need power, and older units may need new wiring.
People Also Ask
How early should I order a sign before opening?
Six to ten weeks is a safe window for a typical Toronto storefront sign. That covers design, landlord approval, permitting, fabrication, and installation. Rush timelines are possible but cost more and carry more risk.
Can I put up a temporary sign while I wait for my permit?
Sometimes. Small banners and window signs may fall under temporary sign exemptions, but the rules are specific about size and duration. Ask your sign company before putting anything up.
What is the first thing I should do about signage?
Read your lease's signage clause and contact a sign company with your address and logo. That one conversation tells you what your location allows, what it will likely cost, and how long it will take.
Ready to Check Signage Off Your List?
If you are opening a business in Toronto or the GTA, BestSigns has helped owners go from empty unit to grand opening for over 40 years, handling design, permits, fabrication, and installation under one roof. Get a free sign quote or contact our team with your address and opening date. Want a closer look at what we build? Browse our storefront signs.