Signage in Markham's heritage conservation districts is regulated by the City's Sign By-law. See section 10.0- Special Sign Districts (Thornhill, Unionville, Markham Village, and Buttonville District).
The Sign By-law limits the size of signs, placement, materials and illumination methods in heritage areas. This helps ensures that signs are compatible with the heritage character of these areas.
Old signs that pre-date the Sign By-law and in some cases, the Heritage Conservation District designations, are 'grandfathered' and in a number of instances, do not comply with the Sign By-law. This explains why there are still some large signs and some back-lit signs in our heritage areas. To encourage the installation of new appropriate signage, the City provides grant assistance for commercial signage replacement.