Over the weeks before installation, you should survey the site, check local permits, locate underground utilities, assess mounting surfaces and load requirements, plan equipment and access, confirm electrical hookups if needed, coordinate with contractors and stakeholders, and schedule inspections to ensure compliance.
Key Takeaways:
- Conduct a site survey and accurate measurements-confirm location, sightlines, clearances, mounting substrate, and document with photos and drawings.
- Verify permits, zoning and building-code requirements, and obtain utility locates (call 811) for underground and overhead hazards.
- Prepare foundations and mounting points per engineering specs-set and cure concrete footings or secure anchor bolts and verify load calculations.
- Stage materials and equipment on site-have sign components, hardware, lifts/cranes, tools, and PPE ready with clear access and vehicle routes.
- Implement a safety and installation plan-traffic control, site-specific hazard controls, electrical hookups for illuminated signs, and a coordinated installation schedule with stakeholders.
Understanding Local Regulations
Before ordering materials, check municipal codes, state DOT rules, and any HOA covenants that affect sign size, illumination, and placement. Permit timelines typically span 2-12 weeks; fines for noncompliance can reach $1,000 or force removal within 30 days. You should also verify utility easements and call 811 for underground locates to avoid delays or safety hazards.
Permitting Requirements
Apply for building, electrical, and sign permits well before installation; many cities require stamped engineering and site plans. Fees vary widely-$50 to $1,000 depending on size-and review often takes 2-6 weeks. You’ll need proof of property ownership, contractor license, and lighting specs; plan inspections for footing, wiring, and final approval into your schedule.
Zoning Laws
Zoning dictates sign type, height, setbacks, and allowable area-commercial zones might allow up to 300 sq ft for pole signs while neighborhood commercial often caps wall signs at 32 sq ft. Setbacks from property lines or residential zones commonly range 10-50 feet. Before design, review the specific zoning district code for numeric limits and prohibited sign types.
If your sign exceeds zoning limits, you must apply for a variance or conditional use permit; hearings generally take 30-90 days and require mailed notices to nearby property owners. Bring scaled drawings, photomontages, and a lighting spill analysis-cities like Seattle and Austin often reject applications without visual simulations-so prepare a fallback design to expedite approval.
Site Assessment
Begin by mapping property lines, easements, and utility locations so you know exactly where signs can sit; measure clearances, access for cranes or lifts, and note nearby traffic patterns. Include soil borings to at least 5-8 feet on questionable fill, photograph existing conditions, and collect permit history-these steps reduce surprises and keep scheduling accurate.
Location Evaluation
Evaluate setbacks and sightlines against local code-many municipalities cap freestanding signs between 12-25 feet and require 5-10 ft setbacks from property lines. Check visibility triangles at driveways and intersections (often 10-30 ft minimum), confirm ADA clearance of 36-48 inches where pedestrian routes pass, and call 811 to mark underground utilities before any excavation.
Environmental Considerations
Assess floodplain status via FEMA maps, prevailing wind zones (design to ASCE 7 wind speeds-commonly 90-150 mph depending on region), and proximity to salt spray or industrial emissions that accelerate corrosion. Also review tree canopy, seasonal bird nesting windows (typically April-July), and local erosion or stormwater controls that could constrain installation timing and foundation design.
Dig deeper by ordering a geotechnical report when soils are sandy, silty, or made ground; you might need 6-10 ft deep piers or micropiles instead of shallow footings. In coastal or high-sulfate soils plan for stainless or hot-dip galvanized anchors and protective coatings, and schedule work outside nesting seasons to avoid mitigation delays-these measures often save weeks and additional retrofit costs.
Design Considerations
When finalizing design choices you need to balance brand legibility, local code limits and site sightlines; factor in typical viewing distances, facade area caps (commonly 10-25% of frontage), illumination type, and material longevity so the finished sign reads clearly day and night while complying with setbacks, easements and historic-district guidelines.
Size and Scale
Scale the sign to viewing distance using the 1 inch of letter height per 10 feet of legibility rule – for a 150 ft approach make letters ~15″ high; choose storefront panels around 2-4 ft tall, pylon/monument signs 12-20 ft high where permitted, and always verify local max height and area limits before final artwork.
Aesthetic Integration
Tie materials, color temperature, and mounting to your building’s architecture so signage complements cornices, window lines, and finishes; prefer matte metal or routed wood in historic areas, 2700-4000K LEDs for appropriate warmth, and limit sign area to the percentage your municipality allows to avoid redesigns.
For deeper guidance, evaluate materials by lifespan and maintenance – powder-coated aluminum often endures 20+ years, acrylic faces typically need renewal in 8-12 years, and quality LED modules commonly rate 50,000+ hours. You should specify mounting that follows facade lines (flush vs. raceway) and weatherproofing to NEMA 3R or better for exterior cabinets. In practice, swapping a backlit plastic cabinet for routed, halo-lit channel letters can cut illumination energy use by roughly 60-80% and improve perceived quality; submit mockups showing scale against elevation drawings and a photometric for night appearance to speed approvals with planning or design-review boards.
Logistics and Planning
Coordinate permits, site access hours, staging zones (allocate a 20×30 ft area for materials), and traffic control with the contractor; confirm delivery windows (typical lead times: 7-14 days) and on-site contacts, and review the installer checklist in Before the Install: Key Responsibilities of a Sign Installer so you can assign permit holders, define crane paths, and avoid last-minute delays.
Timeline for Installation
Set a clear schedule: small wall-mounted signs often install in 2-6 hours, pole or pylon signs can take 1-3 days, and complex illuminated installs may require 3-7 days including electrical hookup; plan a 48-72 hour dry-weather window and a two-week buffer for permits, inspections, and material delays so you won’t compress critical tasks.
Equipment and Material Needs
List required gear up front: boom or scissor lift (30-60 ft reach depending on mounting height), crane (3-10 ton for heavy pylons), concrete anchors, EMT conduit, GFCI-protected circuits, and fasteners specified to torque and pullout values; verify vendor cut lists to avoid on-site fabrication.
Detail specifics: specify anchor type (epoxy-set M12 or M16 for winds over 90 mph), concrete strength (minimum 3,000 psi, cured 7 days), cable size (12-14 AWG for LED runs under 50 ft), and PPE; pre-stock spare LEDs, power supplies, and 10% extra mounting hardware to keep installation moving without downtime.
Safety Protocols
Establish a site-specific safety plan that assigns responsibilities, sets PPE requirements, and defines exclusion zones and emergency procedures; for example, reserve your 20×30 ft staging area for materials and expand exclusion zones to match equipment swing radii (typically 10-30 ft) during lifts to protect crew and public.
On-Site Safety Measures
Require ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 high-visibility apparel, hard hats, steel-toe boots, and gloves, enforce 100% fall-arrest tie-off when working above 6 ft, perform daily 10-minute toolbox talks, use certified rigging rated for the load, designate trained ground guides for traffic control, and inspect lifting gear before each shift.
Compliance with OSHA Standards
Follow OSHA 29 CFR 1926 for construction-notably 1926.501 (fall protection at heights over 6 ft), 1926.451 (scaffolding), Subpart CC for cranes-and apply 1910 standards for electrical work and lockout/tagout; document compliance and ensure supervisors and riggers complete OSHA outreach training (10- or 30-hour as appropriate).
Conduct a written job hazard analysis (JHA) before mobilizing, schedule pre-lift meetings to review load weights and crane charts, keep inspection logs for harnesses, slings and hoists, and maintain training records for personnel. On a recent multi-day install, enforcing daily JHAs and pre-lift checks eliminated equipment-related near-misses and kept the project on schedule.
Engaging Professionals
Engage licensed contractors, structural engineers, and electricians once your site survey and permit check are done so you avoid rework; permits often take 1-6 weeks, installers typically work with 2-4 person crews, and complex installs may need cranes rented at $150-$500/hour. You should request references, review past projects of similar scale, and schedule professional input before ordering materials to lock costs and timelines.
Contractors and Installers
You should hire sign contractors with documented experience in your sign type: wall, awning, channel letter, or pylon. Ask for portfolios, proof of general liability and worker’s compensation, and local licenses. Expect small wall signs to install in 2-8 hours, ground-mounted pylons to take 1-3 days, and factor in site prep, traffic control, and utility locates when comparing bids.
Design and Engineering Support
You’ll often need a structural engineer for wind and seismic calculations (ASCE 7 referenced), stamped shop drawings, and foundation designs-commonly required for signs over ~20 ft or in high-wind zones; typical fees range from $800-$2,500 depending on complexity, and turnaround is usually 1-3 weeks once you provide site plans and soil info.
Engineers will size foundations (3-6 ft depths common for ground signs), specify anchor-bolt patterns, and provide bolt sizes and embedment lengths for contractor use; they can also coordinate electrical load calculations with your electrician for illuminated signs and compile a permit-ready package with drawings, load tables, and calculations so inspections pass on first visit.
Final Words
To wrap up, you prepare for sign installation by conducting a site survey to confirm measurements and mounting surface, securing permits and utility clearances, and clearing and leveling the area for safe access. You should verify structural supports, arrange proper equipment and qualified installers, set a weather-appropriate schedule, and establish traffic and pedestrian controls. Final walkthroughs and documented approvals ensure your installation proceeds on time and to spec.
FAQ
Q: What pre-installation site survey steps should I take?
A: Conduct precise measurements of the proposed sign location, assess sightlines from key approaches, photograph existing conditions, document nearby structures and landscaping, check ground conditions and slope, locate potential mounting points, and collect as-built drawings or plans. Confirm load-bearing capacity for mounting hardware and note any obstructions that could affect installation or visibility.
Q: Which permits, approvals, and code checks are required?
A: Verify local zoning and sign ordinances, obtain building and electrical permits if required, secure landlord or property-owner approval, consult historic-district or HOA rules when applicable, and submit engineered drawings when asked. Confirm setbacks, height limits, illumination restrictions, and permit timelines and fees to avoid project delays.
Q: How do I verify utilities and underground services before digging or mounting?
A: Notify utility-locate services (call 811 or local equivalent) to get marked underground lines, review site utility maps, and coordinate with utility owners for pole or transformer clearances. If exact locations are critical, arrange pot-holing or daylighting. Also check for overhead power lines and ensure adequate clearance for lifts and signage.
Q: What site access, staging, and traffic-control preparations should be made?
A: Plan vehicle and crane or lift access routes, reserve staging and material-storage areas that do not block egress, obtain street or lane-closure permits if needed, and prepare a traffic-control plan for pedestrian and vehicle safety. Schedule deliveries during low-traffic periods, notify tenants or neighbors in advance, and verify ground surfaces can support equipment weight.
Q: What safety, electrical, and foundation preparations are required prior to installation?
A: Ensure electrical supply is available and sized for the sign, confirm conduit runs and termination points, and coordinate with a licensed electrician for connections and metering. Prepare foundations per engineer specifications-excavation, rebar, and concrete strength-and verify anchor bolt layout. Develop a site-specific safety plan including PPE, fall protection, lockout/tagout procedures, and inspection checkpoints for lift operations and post-install testing.