The purpose of this article is to promote the aesthetics, safety, health, morals, property values, and general welfare by regulation of the posting, erecting, displaying, use and maintenance of signs.

No sign shall be permitted except in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 12, 3-12-96)

The following words, terms and phrases shall have the meanings herein described unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Accessory sign (aka—on-premise or point-of-sale sign) means a permanent ground or building sign that is permitted under this Code as incidental to an existing or proposed commercial or industrial use of land. Accessory sign face copy and/or images can only reference businesses, organizations or other entities located on the property where the sign is located. Accessory signs cannot have changeable content, graphics or copy.

Advertising means sign copy intended to directly or indirectly promote the sale or use of a product, service, commodity, entertainment, or real or personal property.

Banner means a sign having the characters, letters, or illustrations applied to cloth, paper or fabric of any kind with only such material for backing.

Building sign means a sign displayed upon or attached to any part of the exterior of a building, including walls, windows, doors, parapets, marquees and roof slopes of 45 degrees or steeper.

Commercially developed parcel means a parcel of property on which there is at least one walled and roofed structure used, or designed to be used, for other than residential or agricultural purposes.

Community signs means community signs are signs in which all or part of the sign face is devoted to public information relating to the City of Florida City and which provide a public benefit to the city.

Copy means the linguistic or graphic content of a sign.

Electric sign means any sign containing electric wiring.

Erect a sign means to construct, reconstruct, build, relocate, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw, or in any other way bring into being or establish a sign; but it shall not include any of the foregoing activities when performed as an incident to the change of message, or routine maintenance.

Frontage means the length of the property line of any one parcel along a street on which it borders.

General commercial district as defined by Section 10.C-2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Florida City and any amendments thereto.

Ground sign means a sign that is supported by one or more columns, upright poles, or braces extended from the ground or from an object on the ground, or that is erected on the ground, where no part of the sign is attached to any part of a building.

Highway commercial means the area designated as such on the Future Land Use Map of the City of Florida City.

Illuminated sign means a sign which contains a source of light or which is designed or arranged to reflect light from an artificial source including indirect lighting, neon lighting, incandescent lights or back-lighting, including signs with reflectors that depend upon automobile headlights for an image.

Marquee means a structure projecting from and supported by a building which extends beyond the building line or property line and fully or partially covers a sidewalk, public entrance or other pedestrian way.

Multiple occupancy complex means a commercial use, i.e. any use other than residential or agricultural, consisting of a parcel of property, or parcel of contiguous properties, existing as a unified or coordinated project with a building or buildings housing more than one occupant.

Occupant (occupancy) means a commercial use, i.e. any use other than residential or agricultural.

Outdoor advertising sign (aka—billboard or off-premise sign) means a ground sign with sign face copy and/or images referring to businesses, organizations or other entities not located on the property where the sign is placed. This type of sign must be supported by a single metallic pole attached to which is a sign face the bottom of which is at least 20 feet above the ground and which is at least 200 square feet in size.

Parcel means a unit of land within legally established property lines. If, however, the property lines are such as to defeat the purposes of this article or lead to absurd results, a "parcel" may be as designated for a particular site by the director of building and zoning.

Permanent sign means a sign designed, constructed and intended for more than short term use.

Portable sign means any sign which is obviously designed to be transported by trailer or on its own wheels, including such signs even though the wheels may be removed and the remaining chassis or support structure converted to an A or T frame sign and attached temporarily or permanently to the ground.

Roof line means a horizontal line intersecting the highest point or points of a roof.

Roof sign means a sign placed above the roof line of a building or on or against a roof slope of less than 45 degrees.

Sign means any writing, pictorial presentation, number, illustration, or decoration, flag, banner or pennant, or other device which is used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise, or otherwise make anything known. The term sign shall not be deemed to include the terms "building" or "landscaping", or any architectural embellishment of a building not intended to communicate information.

Sign face means the part of a sign that is or may be used for copy.

Sign face area means the area of any regular geometric shape which contains the entire surface area of the sign upon which copy may be placed. For ground signs, only one side is measured in the determination of sign face area.

Sign height means the vertical distance from the finished grade at the base of the supporting structure to the top of the sign of its frame or supporting structure, whichever is higher.

Sign structure means any construction used or designed to support a sign.

Street means a public or private right-of-way for vehicular traffic, including highways, thoroughfares, lanes, roads, ways, and boulevards.

Temporary means designed, constructed, and intended to be used on a short-term basis not exceeding six months.

Tourist direction sign means a sign to assist the travelling public to locate activities within the City of Florida City.

Unit means that part of a multiple occupancy complex housing one occupant.

Vehicle sign means any sign affixed to a vehicle.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.1, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.1, 3-12-96; Ord. No. 16-06, § 2, 12-27-16)

Street banners are prohibited except with the approval of the city commission.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.2, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.2, 3-12-96)

All signs, including their supports, braces, guys and anchors, electrical parts and lighting fixtures, and all painted and display areas, shall be maintained in accordance with the building and electrical codes adopted by the City of Florida City, and shall present a neat and clean appearance. The vegetation around, in front of, behind, and underneath the base of ground signs for a distance of ten feet shall be neatly trimmed and free of unsightly weeds, and no rubbish or debris that would constitute a fire or health hazard shall be permitted under or near the sign.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.3, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.3, 3-12-96)

It shall be unlawful for any person to post, display, change, remove, repair, replace or in any way alter or erect a sign or sign structure in the city without having first obtained a permit. Permits shall be issued on an annual basis upon proof of compliance with the Code of Ordinances of the City of Florida City and verification by the director of building and zoning that the sign covered by the permit is being maintained in accordance with the requirements of this section.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.4, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.4, 3-12-96)

The following signs are exempt from the requirements of this article and no permit shall be required, provided they are not placed or constructed so as to create a hazard of any kind:

(1)

Signs that are not designed or located so as to be visible from any street or adjoining property.

(2)

Signs of two square feet or less and signs that include no letters, symbols, logos or designs in excess of two inches in vertical or horizontal dimension, provided that such sign, or combination of such signs, does not constitute a sign prohibited by this article.

(3)

Signs necessary to promote health, safety and welfare, and other regulatory, statutory, traffic control or directional signs erected on public property which comply with all governmental requirements.

(4)

Legal notices and official instruments.

(5)

Decorative flags and bunting for a celebration, convention, or commemoration of significance to the entire community when authorized by the city commission for a prescribed period of time.

(6)

Holiday lights and decorations.

(7)

Merchandise displays behind storefront windows so long as no part of the display moves or contains flashing lights.

(8)

Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials and attached to the surface of a building.

(9)

Signs incorporated into machinery or equipment by a manufacturer or distributer, which identify or advertise only the product or service dispensed by the machine or equipment, such as signs customarily affixed to vending machines, newspaper racks, telephone booths, and gasoline pumps.

(10)

Advertising and identifying signs located on taxicabs, buses, trailers, trucks, or vehicle bumpers.

(11)

Public warning signs to indicate the dangers of trespassing, swimming, animals or similar hazards.

(12)

Works of art that do not constitute advertising.

(13)

Signs carried by a person.

(14)

Religious displays.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.5, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.5, 3-12-96)

(a)

All applications, plans and layouts for sign and sign structure permits required in section 62-375 shall be filed by the sign contractor, owner or his agent in the office of the director of building and zoning.

(b)

The application shall be on a form prescribed by the director of building and zoning and shall be signed by a contractor.

(c)

The application shall contain:

(1)

A sketch, blueprint, blueline print, or similar presentation drawn to scale showing all pertinent structural details, the manner of illumination, if applicable, wind loading requirements, and display materials.

(2)

A certificate by a Florida registered engineer certifying that the sign complies with the provisions of the South Florida Building Code.

(d)

All signs except the following shall have affixed thereto the seal of a Florida registered engineer.

(1)

Political signs.

(2)

Real estate signs.

(3)

Temporary signs.

(4)

Signs painted on walls.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.6, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.6, 3-12-96)

(a)

Generally. It shall be unlawful to erect, cause to be erected, maintain or cause to be maintained, any sign not expressly authorized by this article except those signs expressly exempted.

(b)

Specifically. The following signs are expressly prohibited unless exempted by section 62-376 of this Code or expressly authorized by this article:

(1)

Signs that are in violation of the building code or electrical code adopted by the City of Florida City or the County of Dade.

(2)

Any sign that, in the opinion of the director of building and zoning constitutes a safety hazard.

(3)

Blank temporary signs.

(4)

Signs with visible moving revolving, or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic, or mechanical means, except for traditional barber poles.

(5)

Signs with the optical illusion of movement by means of a design that presents a pattern capable of giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy.

(6)

Signs with lights or illuminations that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, or vary in intensity or color except for time-temperature-date signs.

(7)

Strings of light bulbs used on commercially developed parcels for commercial purposes, other than traditional holiday decorations.

(8)

Signs, commonly referred to as wind signs, consisting of one or more banners, flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers or captive balloons, or other objects or material fastened in such a manner as to move upon being subject to pressure by wind.

(9)

Signs that incorporate projected images, emit any sound that is intended to attract attention or involve the use of live animals.

(10)

Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or steam.

(11)

Signs or sign structures that interfere in any way with free use of any fire escape, emergency exit, or standpipe, or that obstruct any window to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by any provision of this Code or other governmental entity or agency.

(12)

Signs that resemble any official sign or marker erected by any governmental agency, or that by reason of position, shape or color, would conflict with the proper functioning of any traffic sign or signal, or be of any size, location, movement, content, color, or illumination that may be reasonably confused with or construed as, or conceal, a traffic-control device.

(13)

Signs that obstruct the vision of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists traveling on or entering public streets.

(14)

Non-governmental signs that use the words "stop," "look," "danger," or any similar word, phrase, or symbol.

(15)

Signs, within ten feet of public right-of-way or 100 feet of traffic-control lights, that contain red, green, or amber lights that might be confused with traffic control lights.

(16)

Signs that are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of any motorist, cyclist, or pedestrian using or entering a public way, or that are a hazard or a nuisance to occupants of any property because of glare or other characteristics.

(17)

Signs that contain any lighting or control mechanism that causes unreasonable interference with radio, television, or other communication signals.

(18)

Searchlights used to advertise or promote a business or to attract customers to a property.

(19)

Signs that are painted, pasted, or printed on any curbstone, flagstone, pavement, or any portion of any sidewalk or street, except house numbers and traffic control signs.

(20)

Signs placed upon benches, bus shelters, or waste receptacles, except as may be authorized in writing pursuant to F.S. § 337.407.

(21)

Signs erected on public property, or on private property (such as private utility poles) located on public property, other than signs erected by public authority for public purposes and signs authorized in writing pursuant to F.S. § 337.407.

(22)

Signs erected over or across any public street except as may otherwise be expressly authorized by this article and except governmental signs erected by or on the order of governmental authorities.

(23)

Vehicle signs with a total sign area on any vehicle in excess of ten square feet, when the vehicle:

a.

Is parked for more than 60 consecutive minutes within 100 feet of any street right-of-way;

b.

Is visible from the street right-of-way that the vehicle is within 100 feet of; and

c.

Is not regularly used in the conduct of the business advertised on the vehicle. A vehicle used primarily for advertising, or for the purpose of providing transportation for owners or employees of the occupancy advertised on the vehicle, shall not be considered a vehicle used in the conduct of the business.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.7, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.7, 3-12-96)

The amount of the security deposit and the sign permit fee shall be set by resolution of the city commission from time to time as needed.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.8, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.8, 3-12-96)

(a)

Residential. A parcel on which are located residential uses may display one temporary sign per unit with no individual sign exceeding six square feet nor exceeding eight feet in height. Temporary signs in residential districts shall only be permitted for sale, lease or rental purposes.

(b)

All other parcels. All other parcels may display one square foot of temporary signage per ten feet of frontage up to a maximum of 100 square feet. No individual sign shall exceed 60 square feet nor exceed ten feet in height. Signs must be spaced at least 100 feet apart.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.9, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.9, 3-12-96)

(a)

Sign types allowed. A permanent accessory sign may be a ground or building sign. A permanent accessory sign may not be a roof sign. Permanent accessory signs are prohibited in residential districts.

(b)

Permissible number, area, spacing and height of accessory signs.

(1)

Accessory signs. The permissible number, area, spacing and height of accessory signs for each multiple occupancy complex and each occupant not located in a multiple occupancy complex shall be determined according to the following tables and text:

All locations except those in the general commercial district:

Multiple tenant commercial centers in the neighborhood commercial district may install an additional ten square feet of accessory building signage, beyond the total sign face area allowed shown above, for each tenant space.

All locations in the general commercial district:

Multiple tenant commercial centers in the general commercial district may install an additional 20 square feet of accessory building signage, beyond the total sign face area allowed shown above, for each tenant space. Outparcels internally-connected to a commercial shopping center may install a maximum of 200 square feet of total sign face area including one stand-alone sign not exceeding 18 feet in height.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.10, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.10, 3-12-96; Ord. No. 16-06, § 2, 12-27-16)

Outdoor advertising signs are allowed only in the general commercial district on parcels with frontage on either U.S. 1 south of Arthur Vining Davis Parkway (SW 336th Street) or the Homestead Extension of the Florida Turnpike. Outdoor advertising signs are not permitted to be installed on any other parcel or property in the city.

(1)

Permissible number, area, spacing and height of outdoor advertising signs:

a.

Maximum size. No outdoor advertising sign may exceed 450 square feet in total sign face area.

b.

Maximum height. No outdoor advertising sign, or combination of signs, may exceed 50 feet in height.

c.

Spacing. Outdoor advertising sign setbacks shall be the same as required under the minimum yard setback requirements of the applicable zoning district in which the proposed sign structure is located as measured from the nearest point of the sign structure, including the elevated sign face and ancillary components, to the relevant property line. The setback to the nearest point of the elevated sign is measured from the property line to an imaginary line drawn vertically congruent and parallel with the subject sign face plane or edge, as appropriate, and extending straight down to the ground. In the case of signs, the adjacent setback standards in the C-2 (general commercial) district of the Florida City Zoning Code for U.S. 1 and S.R. 27 do not apply. Notwithstanding the minimum setback requirements of the Florida City Zoning Code, in no case shall any minimum setback standard for a proposed sign be less than five feet. No outdoor advertising sign may be closer than 2,000 feet from any other permanent outdoor advertising sign on the same side of the thoroughfare. Also, no outdoor advertising sign will be allowed within 600 feet in any direction from any other outdoor advertising sign.

(2)

City commission approval required. All outdoor advertising signs are subject to approval by the city commission. An application must be submitted to the city for the installation of any outdoor advertising sign with the required supporting materials and review fee, including a site plan, certified distance survey, and proposed development agreement. The owner of any existing outdoor advertising sign which is subject to replacement and/or renovation, including conversion to LED digital technology, must obtain city commission approval. In order to approve an application for an outdoor advertising sign, the city commission must find that the proposed sign will have a substantial community benefit which more than offsets the potential adverse aesthetic and economic impacts on the city.

(3)

Fees. The review fee for all outdoor advertising sign applications will be $7,500.00.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.11, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.11, 3-12-96; Ord. No. 16-06, § 2, 12-27-16)

Nonconforming outdoor advertising signs must comply with the provisions of Section 15 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Florida City, except that if the only reason for the nonconformity is a failure to meet the spacing requirement between signs, the sign or signs may remain. If, because of the removal of other signs, a sign comes into compliance with the spacing requirements, the owner of that sign may apply for a permit to maintain the sign as a conforming sign.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.12, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.12, 3-12-96)

All permanent signs must comply with the following design, construction and location standards:

(1)

Compliance with building and electrical codes required. All permanent signs, and the illumination thereof, shall be designed, constructed and maintained in conformity with applicable provisions of the building and electrical codes adopted by the City of Florida City.

(2)

Illumination standards.

a.

Sign lighting may not be designed or located in such a manner as to cause confusion with traffic lights.

b.

Illumination by floodlights or spotlights is permissible so long as none of the light emitted shines directly onto an adjoining property or into the eyes of motorists or pedestrians using or entering public streets.

c.

Illuminated signs shall not have lighting mechanisms that project more than 18 inches perpendicularly from any surface of the sign over public space.

(3)

Over vehicular ways. All signs over vehicular ways shall provide a minimum of 13 feet six inches of clearance.

(4)

Relationship to building features. A building sign shall not extend more than beyond any edge of the surface to which it is attached, nor disrupt a major architectural feature of the building.

(5)

Maximum projection and window coverage.

a.

A building sign may project nor more than four feet perpendicularly from the surface to which it is attached.

b.

The combined area of permanent and temporary signs placed on or behind windows shall not exceed 25 percent of the total window area at the same floor level on the side of the building or unit upon which the signs are displayed.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.13, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.13, 3-12-96)

Building signs for multiple occupancy complexes constructed or remodeled after the effective date of this Code shall conform to an approved sign format. The sign format shall be included as a submittal for authorization to erect such a sign and shall be maintained on file in the department of building and zoning. The format shall be presented in a plan or sketch, together with written specifications in sufficient detail to enable the director of building and zoning to authorize signs based on the specifications. As a minimum, the sign format shall specify the types of signs and dimensions (not to exceed the size limits contained in this article) which will be permitted each occupant within the complex. The sign format shall also contain common design elements, such as placement, color, shape, or style of lettering, which lend a unified appearance to the signs of the occupants within the complex. The sign format may only be modified with the approval of the director of building and zoning upon submission of a revised plan and specifications detailing the revised format.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.14, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.14, 3-12-96)

The following signs shall be designed and certified by a Florida registered engineer:

(1)

Building signs that project perpendicularly from the surface to which they are attached and that are more than 24 square feet in area.

(2)

Ground signs of more than ten feet in height and 100 square feet in area.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.15, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.15, 3-12-96)

Any owner or persons entitled to possession of any vacant store is hereby prohibited from displaying upon the windows of such vacant store any signs, lettering or printed matter except one sign consisting of a maximum of six square feet advertising the availability of the premises.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.16, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.16, 3-12-96)

All community signs must be approved by the city commission and meet the applicable criteria established in this article unless specific variance to the criteria is granted by the city commission.

(Ord. No. 95-08, § 21.17, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 96-01, § 21.17, 3-12-96)

The City of Florida City opts-out of Section 33.121.12 of the Miami-Dade County Code of Ordinances and expressly allows signs within 600 feet of an expressway in accordance with provisions outlined in this article.

(Ord. No. 10-09, § 2, 9-28-10)