Skip to content

AI search tool

Try our new Search AI tool as an alternative to the search below to improve your experience on Alberta.ca using artificial intelligence. See the AISearch fact sheet for more information.

Popular topics:

Part of Roadside development

Installing signs within a highway control zone

You need a permit to install a sign within the highway control zone in Alberta.

Explore pages in:
Roadside development

Overview

Applicants must apply for a permit for all proposed signs, including sign information changes, within:

  • 300m beyond the limit of a provincial highway
  • 800m from the centerline of a provincial highway and public road intersection

In the case of minor highways, a permit is not required outside the highway right-of-way.

Permits are issued and subject to the following:

You cannot install or change a sign by a provincial highway before a permit has been issued.

Prohibited types of signs

Signs with the following characteristics are prohibited:

  • displays an intermittent flashing, rotating or moving light
  • floodlights positioned that could distract drivers
  • have any moving or rotating parts
  • bears a legend that gives a command to stop, stop ahead, look, or exercise caution, or similar command
  • imitates the wording of a standard or commonly used highway traffic signs, such as ‘Stop’, ‘Stop Ahead’ or ‘Yield’
  • imitate or resemble a traffic control device, such as traffic signal or traffic signs

Sign recommendations

Signs should follow these general guidelines to improve their visibility and readability:

  • made of reflective material to help ensure they are visible at night
  • be developed professionally, using conventional exterior sign materials
  • use of readable letter styles for improved legibility

For safety reasons and protection of the natural beauty of rural areas, off-premise advertising billboards are not permitted along high speed highways. High-speed highways should be free of unnecessary distractions. Unnecessary signs and proliferation of signs increase driver’s workload, and it reduces driver’s awareness and comprehension of regulatory signs. 

Exempted signs

The following categories of signs may receive a permit exemption when certain criteria are met. The applicant granted the exemption must comply with all terms and conditions imposed in the exemption requirement. 
 

  • Election signs

    During a government election, election signs do not require a permit but must meet specified criteria. Read the guidelines for the safe installation of election signs along provincial highways. If an election sign does not comply with the criteria, it may, without prior notice or compensation, be removed. See Election Sign Recommended Practice for more information.

  • Temporary signs

    Temporary signage provides direction to temporary event sites or information about events. The following temporary signs do not require a permit but must meet specified criteria in the Temporary Signage Recommended Practice:

    • major event
    • minor event
    • real estate
    • garage sales

  • On-premise identification signs

    In Highways Development and Protection Regulation, Section 11(2), a permit is not required for a sign that meets all 3 of the following criteria:

    • The sign identifies a business activity located on the same parcel of land (on-premise) where the sign is located.
    • A permit has been issued for a business activity the sign relates to.
    • The sign is located closer to a building where primary business activity occurs than a highway. The sign must be placed less than 30 metres from either side of the building.

  • Other exempted signs

    The following categories of signs may receive exemption from the requirement of a permit, as long as certain criteria, terms and conditions are met.

    Submit the sign application through RPATH. If your sign meets the following criteria,  an exemption may be granted. If not, the application will be reviewed through the permitting process. If an exemption is granted, you must comply with the terms and conditions.

    The exemption is valid until December 31, 2026, and may be cancelled without prior notice.

    1. One static, on-premise, non-electronic message sign per parcel of land for the purpose of business and facility identification only:
      • up to 10 m2 in size adjacent to a provincial highway
      • up to 15 m2 in size adjacent to an interchange

    Refer to the On Premise Signs Recommended Practice for technical requirements.

    1. One static, non-electronic message sign per parcel of land, smaller than 3 m2 in size for each of the following purposes:

    Refer to each guideline for technical requirements.

    1. One on-premise digital message sign, per parcel of land, that identifies a business or facility and:
      • is within urban areas (defined as being within the corporate limits of an urban municipality)
      • is within an area with a posted speed limit less than 80 km/h
      • does not contain or display flashing, intermittent or moving lights
      • does not contain animated or scrolling text and video

    Refer to the Electronic Message Signs Recommended Practice for technical requirements.

How to apply

To find out what permits your project will need, you can contact District Offices or submit an inquiry or application through the RPATH Portal.

Ensure you attach:

  • a site plan showing proposed sign setback and distance from the highway see example:
  • a diagram that includes the sign’s:
    • dimensions
    • layout, including wording and lettering
    • background colour

Contact

Connect with the district office for assistance on roadside development permits via RPATH Portal or Contact us.
 

Previous Permits for hay cutting along provincial highways
Next Notification of seismic operations