Tenant Signage Approval
Getting Signage Approved Against a Plaza's Sign Criteria
Before a municipal sign permit ever gets submitted, most shopping centres and plazas require tenant signage to be approved against the landlord's own sign criteria package — a separate, often stricter, layer of approval.
What a Sign Criteria Package Usually Covers
Landlord sign criteria typically dictate allowable sign types, maximum letter height, placement on the fascia, colour and illumination restrictions, and sometimes even approved fabricators — all intended to keep a plaza's storefronts visually consistent.
Why This Trips Up New Tenants
A sign design that would otherwise meet a municipality's bylaw can still be rejected by a landlord's property management team if it doesn't match the plaza's criteria — meaning tenant signage often needs two rounds of approval, not one, before installation.
How Urban Facade Group Helps
We review the landlord's sign criteria package alongside the municipal bylaw up front, so the sign design submitted for approval is built to satisfy both at once — avoiding a rejected submission and a second design round.
Frequently Asked
Where do I get a copy of my plaza's sign criteria?
Usually from the landlord or property management office — it's often included in a commercial lease's exhibits, or available on request from the leasing/property management team.
What happens if my sign design doesn't match the criteria?
Property management typically requires a revised design before it will sign off, which can delay the municipal permit application behind it. Reviewing the criteria before finalizing a design avoids that back-and-forth.
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