The Difference Between a Sign Permit and a Building Permit (And Why It Matters)

Sign company PMs deal with both regularly - but they're not the same thing, they don't go

through the same process, and confusing them is a reliable way to delay a project.

Here's the practical distinction and when each applies:

What a Sign Permit Covers

A sign permit authorizes the installation of a specific sign at a specific location. It confirms

the sign complies with the applicable sign code: type, size, placement, height, illumination,

and any applicable Master Sign Program or overlay district requirements. Sign permits are typically issued by a planning or zoning department, though in larger cities,

they may go through a building department or require multi-department review.

What a Building Permit Covers

A building permit authorizes structural and electrical work. For sign installations, a building

permit is typically required when:

•  The sign structure involves footing, foundation, or structural attachment to a building.

•  The sign is illuminated (electrical permit component).

•  The sign exceeds a certain size threshold (varies by jurisdiction — often 32 sq ft).

•  The sign is in a jurisdiction that has combined sign and building permits into a single

• application.

In many jurisdictions, large illuminated ground signs require both a sign permit AND a

building permit - processed through different departments simultaneously.

Where It Gets Complicated

The lines blur in several common scenarios:

• Some municipalities have combined their sign and building permit into a single

  application processed by one department.

• Some jurisdictions require an electrical permit separate from both the sign permit and

  building permit.

• Some states require a licensed electrical contractor to pull the electrical permit - the

  sign company cannot pull it themselves.

• Structural engineering or wind load calculations may be required for the building

  permit component but not referenced in the sign code at all.

  
  

Know When to Outsource the Research

Permit type requirements are one of the more jurisdiction-specific aspects of sign

permitting. What's true in one city may be completely different in the next county. If you're

working in an unfamiliar market or managing a multi-site rollout across multiple

jurisdictions, this is exactly the kind of research that's worth outsourcing.

At Easy Code Checks, we identify all required permits for your sign type in any U.S.

jurisdiction - flat rate, fast turnaround, direct PM contact.

Flat rate. No surprises. Every jurisdiction.

Learn more at easycodechecks.com →