If you’re opening a business or refreshing your storefront in Surrey, signage will be one of your first priorities. But before you start production, you need to know what Surrey’s Signage Bylaw allows. Missing key requirements can cause delays, fines, or even the removal of your sign.
Here’s what every business should know about Surrey’s 2025 signage bylaw—and how to avoid the most common pitfalls.
Prohibited Sign Types in Surrey
According to the City of Surrey’s Signage Bylaw, several sign types are banned citywide, including:
- Flashing signs (unless in Special Sign Areas)
- Roof signs and billboards
- Inflatable signs, flags used as signs, and streamer flags (outside of temporary events)
- Murals that function as advertising
- Painted window signs or window signs above the ground floor
- Electronic message board signs
Why it matters: Installing a prohibited sign often means forced removal at your cost.
???? Compare this to the Vancouver Signage Bylaw, which has its own restrictions on illumination and placement.
Signs That Require a Permit
To install common business signs like fascia, freestanding, or awning/canopy signs, you’ll need a permit from the City. See the official Surrey Sign Permit page for details.
Tip: Always confirm both landlord approval and city permits before starting fabrication. For example, we’ve seen this process play out in KPU’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic project, where both cultural alignment and compliance were essential.
Design & Material Considerations
Even with permits, your signage needs to follow design and material rules:
- Signs should avoid visual clutter and remain legible.
- Durable, weatherproof materials are essential for Surrey’s climate.
- Illumination is regulated to reduce glare and maintain community standards.
???? The City provides a Sign Bylaw Summary Guide for Sign Shops (PDF) that outlines requirements in plain language.
Temporary & Event Signage
Banners and temporary graphics are allowed, but they must follow specific timelines for installation and removal. Failing to take them down on time is one of the most common mistakes businesses make.
Example: Our corporate event backdrops show how temporary signage can be impactful, compliant, and easy to remove.
Common Mistakes Businesses Make in Surrey
- Skipping landlord approval before applying for permits
- Ordering prohibited sign types without checking the bylaw
- Using the wrong materials for Surrey’s rainy climate
- Forgetting about illumination rules
- Leaving temporary signage up past deadline
???? For comparison, see our Burnaby Signage Bylaw 2025 guide to understand how nearby cities regulate signs differently.
Conclusion
Surrey’s signage bylaw is designed to keep the city’s streetscapes clear, safe, and visually consistent. For businesses, that means planning ahead—balancing branding goals with compliance requirements.
At Can-Design, we help businesses navigate landlord approvals, permits, and design choices so their signage works the first time.
???? Explore our signage & graphics projects