Building Signs in Peterborough

Name: FASTSIGNS® of Peterborough, ON
Address: 280 Perry Street, Unit 7, Peterborough, ON, K9J 2J4, CAN
Telephone: (705) 996-5959

Custom exterior signage designed, produced & installed locally

We design, produce, and install custom building signs for businesses throughout Peterborough, ON. Our team includes visual communication professionals, graphic designers, and project managers who handle every step in-house, so you’re working with one team from first conversation to final installation, not coordinating between a Toronto office and a local crew.

We work with businesses of all sizes across retail, healthcare, education, hospitality, restaurants, and more. We treat building signs the way they deserve to be treated: as part of your broader visual communications strategy, not a standalone product to be sold and shipped.

Ready to put your business on the map? Call us at (705) 996-5959 to talk through your building sign project with our Peterborough team.

Full-Service Building Signs From One Local Team

What we offer isn’t just fabrication. Our process covers Content Development, Graphic Design, Project Management, and Installation Services, all managed under one roof. Before we recommend anything, we take time to understand your business, your location, your customers, and what your brand needs to communicate. The sign recommendation follows from that conversation, not the other way around.

That’s what makes us a strategic partner in visual communications rather than a sign fabricator. The global FASTSIGNS network has more than 750 centres across nine countries, with roots going back to 1985. It gives us access to resources and production capabilities that can handle projects of any scale. The Peterborough location means you get that reach with personalized local service from a team that knows your market.

Building Signs & Peterborough’s Sign Regulations

Before any permanent sign goes up in Peterborough, the City requires a permit. Permanent sign applications are submitted to Municipal Law Enforcement Services, and the approval process depends on sign type, size, and location.

If your business is in the downtown Central Area, a separate Downtown Sign By-law applies. Internally lit sign boxes and electronic signs aren’t permitted downtown. Signs must sit below the second storey, and swing-type signs extending no more than 1 m from the building face are specifically encouraged and commonly used. External lighting such as gooseneck fixtures is permitted. Free-standing signs 7.5 metres or taller require a Structural Engineer’s stamp and Letters of Assurance.

These rules matter before you choose a sign type. A channel letter sign that works perfectly in a commercial corridor may not meet downtown requirements. We’re familiar with Peterborough’s sign environment and factor local regulatory context into every project recommendation. Permit applications are submitted by the business or property owner through Municipal Law Enforcement Services. Our role is to help you make informed sign decisions before you get to that stage.

Building Sign Types We Offer

Our range includes a variety of exterior signage formats. The right choice depends on your building, your brand, your budget, and where you’re located in Peterborough. Here’s a breakdown of common options:

Channel Letters
Individually fabricated, three-dimensional letters or shapes mounted directly to your building facade. Channel letters can be front-lit, back-lit (halo-effect), or combination-lit using LED lighting, making them one of the most visible and recognizable formats for retail and commercial storefronts.

Dimensional Letters
Non-illuminated raised letters or logos mounted to a wall or facade. Available in metal, acrylic, foam, and other materials, dimensional letters suit professional and corporate environments where a clean, architectural look is the goal.

LED Lit Signs
Energy-efficient LED technology can illuminate an entire sign cabinet or individual channel letters, keeping your business visible after dark without the operating cost of older lighting systems.

Neon Signs
Gas-filled glass tubes that produce a distinctive glowing effect. A good fit for businesses seeking a retro aesthetic or high-visibility presence, particularly in entertainment and hospitality settings.

Monument Signs
Low-profile, free-standing structures typically placed at a property entrance. Commonly used by office parks, healthcare facilities, and multi-tenant buildings to identify the property from the road.

Wayfinding Signage
Exterior wayfinding signage directs visitors through a property or campus using clear, consistent visual cues, particularly useful for facilities with large footprints or multiple entry points.

Wall Wraps & Large Format Signs
High-impact graphics applied across broad exterior surfaces. Wall wraps turn a building face into a branding canvas and work well for businesses that want maximum visual impact.

Banners
A flexible option for seasonal promotions, grand openings, or events. Banners can be temporary or semi-permanent and are one of the fastest ways to add exterior visibility.

Why Building Signs Work for Local Businesses

Unlike digital advertising that requires ongoing spend and precise targeting, a well-placed building sign reaches anyone who passes your location, at any time of day. It’s always on.

Passive awareness: Every person who drives or walks past your location sees your sign. No campaign management required.
Wayfinding: With customers increasingly navigating to unfamiliar addresses by map app, a clear exterior sign reduces friction right at the moment it matters most.
Brand identity: A fully branded storefront sign communicates permanence and professionalism before a customer ever steps inside.
Long-term advertising value: A building sign is a one-time investment that can generate impressions for the life of the sign, an always-on advertising asset rather than a recurring expense.

Some businesses install coordinated signs on multiple sides of a building to capture traffic from more than one direction. We can advise on placement as part of the project planning process.

Common Questions About Building Signs in Peterborough

Do I need a permit to install a building sign in Peterborough, ON?
Yes. The City of Peterborough requires a permit before any permanent sign is installed. Applications are submitted to Municipal Law Enforcement Services, and sign type, dimensions, and location all affect the approval process.

What sign types work for a downtown Peterborough location?
The Downtown Sign By-law restricts internally lit boxes and electronic signs. Permitted options include externally lit signs, signs positioned below the second storey, and swing-type signs extending no more than 1 m from the building face. Gooseneck lighting is a popular and compliant choice for downtown storefronts.

Can my logo be incorporated into a custom building sign?
Yes. We can incorporate your company logo and brand design elements into a custom building sign. Bring us your brand guidelines and we’ll work from there.

Does FASTSIGNS® of Peterborough, ON handle design and installation, or just the sign itself?
We manage the full project: Graphic Design, Content Development, Project Management, and Installation Services, so you don’t need to coordinate multiple vendors.