Apply for private commercial signs

Land owner permission must be obtained before a sign can be installed on private property.

Depending on the classification of highway where you wish to install your sign, different regulations will apply.

To install a sign on a major highway, also known as level I and level II controlled access highways, formatted sign templates and specifications need to be used. These signs are referred to as private formatted signs.

Private signs are allowed one metre outside the right-of-way on highways other than level I and level II controlled access highways, such as arterial highways, collector highways, local highways and named roads if the business operation being signed meets the eligibility criteria. Formatted signs are not a requirement on these other highways, though the department still regulates factors like the message, size, location, spacing, and the distance from the sign to the business operation being signed.

Before installing a sign on any highway, approval from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is required. Permits are also required and will be issued by the department for signs located on level I and level II, arterial and collector highways. The fee for a commercial sign permit is $75 plus tax.

Information required on the permit:

• parcel identifier number (PID#)
• land owner
• business to be signed
• sign manufacturer

The following tools will help identify possible location and land owners:

• Google Maps is beneficial at showing exit numbers, street views and distances. 
• GeoNB is a website offered through Service New Brunswick and houses important information regarding geographic data in New Brunswick, such as parcels of land, as well as municipal, counties and crown land maps. 

Formatted signs apply to level I and level II controlled access highways and are to be installed outside the highway right-of-way (ROW). Formatted signs can advertise one or two specific interests. The operator is responsible for the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of the sign. Finding land for the placement of the sign is also the operator’s responsibility. The operator must have their application approved by the commercial sign coordinator and the sign face and location must be approved by the department before the manufacture of the commercial sign.

• Find out if you’re eligible
• Determine location(s)
  • Research desired locations and note coordinates, closest highways, exit numbers, etc.
  • Obtain permissions from land owner.
• Apply to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Complete the Application for private commercial signage and submit with the fee of $75 plus tax for approval.
• Design sign
  • Select a sign manufacturer to design, manufacture and install the formatted sign.
  • Consult Formatted sign templates and specifications (publication).
• Submit design to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Complete in full the Formatted sign design application form (PDF 56.1 KB). It must be completed in full or it will be returned. The design must be submitted in colour and electronically.
  • Email the form and sign design in colour to [email protected]
  • There is no fee associated with this submission.
• Approval by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
  • The department is responsible for approving the design and location of the sign before the sign is fabricated and a letter of approval will be issued.
  • The department can approve, reject or return an application for more information.