Sign Permit Drawings: Elevation, Sizes, Mounting and Electrical

Most cities want to see drawings before they issue a sign permit. The permit counter needs to know how big the sign is, where it goes on the building, what it is made of, how it is fastened and how it is powered. This package puts that on paper in the form plan reviewers are used to.

The drawings include:

• The sign on a photo or an elevation of your building, so the reviewer sees its size and position on the facade.
• Overall sign size and letter heights.
• The sign area.
• Materials: 304 stainless steel letters, faces and finishes.
• The mounting method and fasteners, flush to the wall or on a raceway.
• Electrical notes: 12 V LEDs with a UL-listed power supply and LED modules, and where the power connects.

The package is based on your approved sign drawing, so the permit set matches what we build. You or your installer file the permit with the city. We do not file permits, and we do not provide engineer-stamped drawings. Some cities ask for a stamp on larger signs or on projecting and pole signs; ask your permit office early, and tell us if yours does.

Cities measure sign area in different ways. Some draw one rectangle around the whole sign, some add up a box around each word or letter group, and a sign on a panel is usually measured by the whole panel. If you know your city's method, tell us so the drawing shows the area that way.

A lit sign often needs an electrical permit as well, usually pulled by the licensed electrician who connects it, and many landlords want to approve the drawings before you apply. Check both with your city and your building manager.

The price is given on request with your sign quote. Ask for it when you approve your drawing, or at any time before you file.

Call or visit your city's permit office before you order and ask three questions: what drawings they need for a wall sign, how they measure sign area, and whether they require an engineer's stamp. Many cities also post a sign permit checklist online.

If you lease, ask your landlord for the sign criteria too. Shopping centers often set the letter height, color, lighting style and mounting method, and want to approve the drawings first.

If your city's list matches what this package covers, it saves your installer from drawing the sign again. If the city asks for structural calculations or a stamp, you will need a local engineer as well; tell us and we send the drawings they need to start from.