February 2009 // Sign Permits: Simplified.

One of the most complicated things about getting a new sign for your building isn’t the material or the design – it’s the city permit. Not to worry, ideation can help!

From photo mockups to structural diagrams and measurements, some cities want a lot of added detail.

For almost any outdoor sign or graphics installation, each city requires a permit. The complication comes in when you consider the sheer number of variables that each city places different values on before permit approval. This can be anything from the city zone your building is in to how far the sign projects from the wall or how tall the lettering is. With all these things to consider and application fees on top of that, it helps to very knowledgeable – or to have a partner who is.

This photo mockup had to show exact placement to scale, with complete measurements to back it up.

In some cities or districts, you may be required to present a signage proposal to a city board. Standard permit approval can take a couple weeks, but a board presentation can take much longer spending on how frequently they meet. In some cases, the city board may only meet once a month, and that makes approval all the more imperative, lest you have to wait another month to present again. Feel to pick our brains and let us help give you the best chance for approval.

Manufacturing details are a must, as many cities place different restrictions on different methods.

Ideation has pulled permits and presented to city boards for dozens of installations in many different cities, and we’ve cultivated a positive reputation and friendly relationships with all of them. Permitting can take time, but it doesn’t have to be painful. Even when you’re designing a sign yourself, we’d be glad to help you figure out what the allowances are in whatever city you’re installing it.

brainspark is a mailing from ideation signs & communications. at ideation, we like to explore new sign applications, concepts and materials, and when we do, we'll share what we think is cool. Whether it's tech specs on a sign material, insight on a tricky sign application, or pics of a fantastic solution we developed - we hope it stimulates your creativity & inspires you with ideas for using signs to grow your business.