This chapter establishes regulations for the fabrication, erection and use of signs and other outdoor advertising displays within the city.

(Code 2001, § 110-1; Ord. No. O-01-2000, § 8.00.00, 6-6-2000; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Abandoned sign means a sign on which a business advertised on that sign is no longer licensed, no longer has a certificate of occupancy or is no longer an ongoing business at that location for a period of six months.

Accessory sign means a permanent ground or building sign that is permitted under this subpart as incidental to an existing or proposed use of land, identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, goods, product, commodity, service or entertainment located on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained.

Administrator means the city manager or planning and zoning director as his designee.

Advertising message means that copy on a sign describing products or services being offered to the public or describing matters related thereto.

Animated message sign means any sign which includes action or motion, excluding flashing, changing, or indexing, as otherwise defined herein.

Apartment means a building or portion thereof used to provide three or more separate dwelling units which may share means of ingress/egress and other essential facilities and which are usually renter-occupied rather than owner-occupied.

Architectural blade means a roof sign or projecting sign lacking a stand or brace lying entirely above the lowest eaves elevation of the building to which it is attached, and designed as or appearing to comprise a part of the structural facade of the building.

Area of building face or wall means all window and wall area of a building in one plane or elevation.

Area of copy means the entire area contained within a rectangle, the length and width of which correspond to the maximum horizontal length and vertical height of the advertising message, announcement, or decoration on a single face of a fascia or wall sign, exclusive of any illuminated background.

Area of sign means the entire area contained within a rectangle, the length and width of which correspond to the maximum horizontal length and vertical height of the largest single face of the sign, including any frame which forms an integral part of the display, excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed, and including only one face of any double-faced projecting sign, or the larger face of two poster panels or bulletins installed back-to-back.

Awning means an architectural projection that provides weather protection, identity or decoration and is wholly supported by the building to which it is attached and may also be retractable. An awning is comprised of a lightweight, rigid skeleton structure over which a rigid covering is attached.

Background area means the entire area of a sign on which copy could be placed, as opposed to the copy area, when referred to in connection with fascia or wall signs, computed in the same manner as copy area.

Back-to-back sign means a sign constructed as a single device or on a single sign structure with two faces of substantially the same size oriented in generally opposing directions and at no point more than four feet apart.

Banner sign means any sign composed of lightweight material either enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid frame, secured or mounted so as to allow movement of the sign caused by movement of the atmosphere, possessing characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to paper, flexible plastic, or fabric of any kind. National flags and flags of political subdivisions shall not be considered banners for the purpose of this Code.

Bench sign means a sign attached or applied to a seat or bench intended for human occupancy.

Billboard means any off-premises sign, as defined in this chapter, and not otherwise exempted or accepted from regulation hereunder.

Building frontage means the linear length of the side of the principal building on a premises, which faces the frontage of that premises, measured in a straight line, and excluding any canopy or other portion of the building extending beyond its foundation.

Building glass area means an opening in a building, typically, but not necessarily, covered by transparent or translucent material, as a window or glass door. The term "building glass area" includes an open door, passage, window or similar opening in a building.

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.

Bunting means any festive decorations made of fabric, or of plastic, paper or even cardboard in imitation of fabric. Typical forms of bunting are strings of colorful triangular flags and lengths of fabric in the colors of national flags gathered and draped into swags or pleated into fan shapes.

Cabinet sign means a sign which may be multi-sided incorporating a rigid frame, which supports and retains the removable sign face panel(s) and/or background constructed of plastic or similar translucent materials and which has an internal light source. Cabinet signs do not include signs composed of individually mounted and individually illuminated letters or logos no larger than the lettering to which they relate.

Canopy means a permanent roof-like shelter extending from part or all of a building face and constructed in conformity with the standard building code, as adopted by the city council and as amended from time to time.

Canopy sign means a sign painted, sewn or attached to, or supported by, a covered structure, which structure projects horizontally from and is supported, at least in part, by a building.

Changeable copy sign means a sign on which a message is periodically changed mechanically or manually in the field through utilization of mechanical devices, attachable letters, numbers or symbols, or other similar characters or changeable pictorial panels.

Changing sign (automatic) means any sign mechanically, electronically or electrically controlled to display time, temperature, date or public service announcements.

Chief building official means the official or other designated authority appointed by the city manager, or their duly authorized representative, charged with the administration and enforcement of the building code.

Comprehensive design plan means an architectural plan, otherwise complete in building, structural and electrical requirements, which integrates any sign as a part thereof.

Construction sign means any sign located on premises upon which construction is commencing or has commenced pursuant to a valid identification of the contractor, the subcontractors, the owners, the project name, and any financing information.

Copy (permanent and temporary) means the text, graphics and/or logo depicted on a sign face either permanently or otherwise.

Corner premises means a premises with an improved street bordering at least one side and intersecting its frontage street.

Credit card sign means any sign identifying the availability of any credit card services provided on the premises in connection with the commercial.

Detached sign. See "ground sign."

Dilapidated sign means any sign which is structurally unsound, fails to meet applicable building, electrical and safety codes, has defective parts or is in need of painting or maintenance.

Directional sign means any sign which serves solely to designate the location of, or directions to, any place or area.

Directly illuminated sign means any sign designed to provide artificial light either through exposed lighting on the sign face or through transparent or translucent material from a light source within the sign.

Double-faced sign means a sign with two or more adjacent sign faces on a single sign structure or separate structures with such faces oriented in one point, and not more than ten feet apart at the nearest point between the two faces. A double-faced sign may be referred to as a side-by-side or stacked sign. A double-faced sign shall constitute one sign.

Electrical sign means any sign containing electrical wiring which is attached or intended to be attached to an electrical energy source.

Electronic sign or reader board means an electrical sign on which stationary symbols are displayed by non-flashing lights or other electrical impulses forming alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations and periodically changed electronically.

Embellishment means letters, figures, characters, or representations in cut-outs or irregular forms or similar ornaments attached to or superimposed upon the sign.

Erect means to attach, alter, build, construct, reconstruct, convert, enlarge or move any sign, or to paint any wall sign; provided, however, the term "erect" shall not include the simple changing of moveable copy.

Exempt sign means any sign exempted from permit requirements hereunder.

Facade means the entire front of a building, including wall face and parapet, fascia, soffit, mansard, roof, windows, doors and canopy, as would be shown on any complete elevation drawing, which faces the frontage of the premises on which the building is situated. Every building has only one facade.

Fascia sign or wall sign means any sign attached to or erected against a wall of a building, with the face in a parallel plane to the building wall.

Fence sign means that portion of any fence containing a sign face which is attached to the fence; provided that the fence is intended and used primarily to enclose or screen real property, and the fence length is greater than the horizontal dimension of the sign face, including the cabinet or any structure in which the sign is located.

Flag means a flexible, graphic device representing a government, business or other identifiable entity.

Flashing sign means any illuminated sign on which the artificial source of light is not maintained stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is illuminated. Illuminated signs which indicate the time and/or temperature shall not be considered flashing signs, provided that the total area of the sign so used shall not exceed ten square feet in size. For the purposes of this definition, any moving illuminated sign affected by intermittent lighting shall be deemed a flashing sign.

Free-oriented sign means any sign identifying premises where food, lodging, or places of business are located that engage in supplying goods and services essential to a controlled access highway travel and normal operation of motor vehicles, whereby such places are directly dependent upon the adjacent public right-of-way for business.

Freestanding sign means a sign supported by a sign structure secured in the ground and which is essentially structurally independent of any building, structure or vehicle, excluding a monument sign.

Frontage means the linear length of a property line of any one premises abutting a street, or public right-of-way and parallel to and along each public right-of-way it borders.

Fuel pump signs means signs placed on or above a fuel pump providing information to the public regarding safety, the generic type of fuel, self- or full-service, self-service instructions, price, octane rating, additives, or other similar information relating only to safety or method of delivery, and excluding any advertising material.

Future-site sign means any sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area designating any premises as a future site or declaring that facilities are to be constructed on the premises, and the like.

Ground level means street grade.

Ground sign means a sign that is movable or permanently erected on a freestanding frame, mast, or pole and not attached to any building with a surface area of less than 100 square feet per side, exclusive of base, but including ornamentation.

Height of sign means the vertical distance measured from the adjacent street grade or upper surface of the nearest street curb or shoulder other than an elevated roadway, which permits the greatest height to the highest point of said sign.

Identification sign means a sign which is limited to the name, address, and/or number of a building, institution, or person, and to the activity carried on in the building or institution or the occupancy thereof.

Illegal sign means a sign erected, attached, placed, or situated in violation of this Code.

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, incandescent lights, and backlighting, and also includes signs with reflectors that depend upon automobile headlights for an image.

Illuminated sign, external, means any sign which is directly lighted by an external source.

Illuminated sign, internal, means any sign which generates or transmits light either by means of exposed tubing or lamps on its surface or light is generated between and transmitted through any portion of its sign face.

Indexing means turning and stopping action of the triangular vertical sections of a multi-prism sign designed to show three messages in the same area.

Indirectly illuminated sign means any sign which reflects light from a source intentionally directed upon it, for example, by means of floodlights, gooseneck reflectors, externally-mounted fluorescent light fixtures, and the like.

Individual letter sign means any sign comprised solely of letters without background that are mounted or located on the face of a building, top of a parapet, roof edge of a building, or on top of or below a marquee.

Inflatable sign means a sign or sign statuary that is either expended to its full dimensions or supported by gases contained within the sign, or sign parts, at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

Interior property line means any property line other than one fronting on a public right-of-way.

Legal sign means a sign which meets the standards and criteria specified in this Code.

Lintel means the line above the display windows and below the transom window, if any, on a commercial building.

Mailbox sign means a sign attached or applied to a United States mailbox which serves a residence.

Maintain means to cause or allow any sign, structure, or any part of either to continue in existence, or to repair or refurbish any sign, sign structure, or any part of either.

Marquee. See "changeable copy sign."

Marquee sign means a roof like structure, often bearing a signboard, projecting over an entrance, as to a theater or hotel.

Message. See "copy."

Mobile sign means any sign which is not permanently attached to a ground location or a structure and is capable of moving or being moved.

Monument sign means any freestanding, essentially solid monument structure containing a sign face which is supported solely by its own ground-mounted base and which is not attached or affixed in any way to a building, fence, or other structure, provided that the ground-mounted base is substantially equal to or greater than the horizontal dimension of the sign face, including any cabinet or any structure within which the sign face is located.

Multi-prism sign means any sign made with a series of triangular vertical sections that turn and stop, or index, to show two or more different sets of pictures, messages or copy in the same area.

Nameplate means any nonelectric sign identifying only the name and occupation or profession of the occupant of the premises on which the sign is located. If any premises includes more than one occupant, the term "nameplate" refers to all names and occupations or professions, as well as the name of the building and directional information.

Nonelectrical sign means any sign that does not contain electrical wiring or is not attached or intended to be attached to any electrical energy source.

Nonconforming sign means any sign or structure related thereto which was lawfully erected in 2000 and maintained prior to the adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived and which fails to conform to all applicable regulations and restrictions of this chapter.

Off-premises sign means any sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, goods, product, commodity, service, or entertainment not related to the premises on which the sign is located, or to a business, person, activity, goods, product, commodity, service, or entertainment which is conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than on the premises on which the sign is located, e.g., billboards or outdoor advertising. For purposes of this definition, easements and other appurtenances shall be considered to be outside such premises, and any sign located or proposed to be located in an easement or other appurtenance shall be considered an off-premises sign, specifically including, but not limited to:

(1)

Poster panels or bulletins normally mounted on a building wall or freestanding structure with advertising copy in the form of pasted paper.

(2)

Multi-prism signs, as defined herein.

(3)

Painted bulletins, whereby the message is painted directly on the background of a wall-mounted or freestanding display area.

(4)

Billboards.

Onsite sign. See "accessory sign."

Owner means a person who, or entity which, alone, jointly or severally with others, or in a representative capacity (including, without limitation, an authorized agent, attorney, executor, personal representative or trustee) has legal or equitable title to any property in question, or a tenant, if the tenancy is chargeable under his lease for the maintenance of the property.

Panel sign means a type of sign that is affixed to an external wall of a building, used for commercial, office, industrial or entertainment purposes. It consists of a panel or sheet on which copy and/or art is present.

Parapet or parapet wall means a false front or wall extension of a building that extends or rises above the lowest level of the eaves or the roof of a building.

Pennant, streamer or balloon means any fluttering or nonstationary device made of flexible materials designed, intended or used primarily to attract attention.

Permit means an authorization issued by the city and required by this Code in order to erect, display, relocate or alter a sign.

Person means any individual, association, partnership, firm or corporation and the like, singular or plural, and includes any officer, employee, department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, the state, or any political subdivision thereof.

Pole sign. See "ground sign."

Political sign means a sign identifying and urging voter support for or opposition to a particular issue, political party or candidate for public office, not exceeding 32 square feet in sign area and four feet in sign height.

Portable sign means any sign which is not permanently affixed to a building, structure or the ground, or which is attached to a vehicle or, whether on its own trailer, wheels, or otherwise, is designed or intended to be transported from one place to another. It is characteristic of a portable sign that the space provided for advertising messages may be changed at will by the replacement of lettering or symbols.

Premises means any lot, plot, parcel or tract of land described in a deed or plat appearing in the public records as of the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived. The subdivision of any such lot, plot, parcel or tract by lease, sale or conveyance subsequent to the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived shall not result in separate premises for purposes of this chapter, if the results thereof exceed the limitations set forth in this chapter.

Project sign means any temporary sign erected and displayed on premises then under construction and advertising an architect, contractor, developer, financial organization, subcontractor or materials vendor furnishing labor, services or materials for such construction.

Projection sign means any sign affixed to the wall of any building or structure and extending beyond the building wall, structure, building line or property line more than 12 inches, and a surface area of less than six square feet.

Push-through sign means a sign where the letter, logo or shape is routed out of a solid surface and thick acrylic and routed to match and pushed through to make it dimensional.

Real estate sign means any temporary sign erected by the owner, or his exclusive agent, advertising that the real property upon which the sign is located, or any portion thereof, is for sale or for rent and not located within the public right-of-way.

Roof means the exterior covering of the top of a building.

Roof sign means a sign erected over or on, and wholly or partially dependent upon, the roof of any building for support, or attached to the roof in any way.

Sandwich board means a type of advertisement composed of two boards, holding a message or graphic set up next to a business, restaurant or store advertising its goods or services in a triangle shape, hinged along the top.

Shopping center means two or more retail, service, professional, or other commercial establishments with separate external entrances which share the same parking facilities or other common areas and frequently which, taken separately, would not all meet the minimum parking requirements established by law.

Sidewalk or sandwich sign means a movable sign not secured or attached to the ground or any building or structure and displayed in or proximate to areas of pedestrian traffic. Sign means any letter, number, symbol, figure, character, mark, plane, point, design, stroke, strike, line, illuminated surface, light, string of lights, graphic, picture, mural, or any random or ordered variation of colors or dimensional textures, which shall be so constructed, placed, attached, painted, erected, or fastened in any manner whatsoever so that the same shall be used or intended to either convey information or attract the attention of the public to any place, item or idea, and which is visible by a pedestrian at ground level on any street, or water's edge of the St. Johns River, Governors Creek, or any adjoining premises; provided, however, that nothing in this definition shall be construed to make unlawful one or more dimensional architectural components or dimensional architectural details constructed as an integral part of a building and not used or intended to convey any information or depict any item or idea, or any such dimensional architectural component or dimensional architectural detail being consistently colored a color that is different from the color of such building or the color of another such component or detail (for example, roof versus fascia, fascia versus soffit, soffit versus wall, wall versus trim, trim versus window, window versus door). Signs consisting of a group of detached letters, or two or more panels on the same support presented as a single advertisement, shall be considered as one sign.

Sign face area means the area of any regular geometric shape which contains the entire surface area of a sign upon which alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations may be placed.

Sign height means the vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the ground to the top of the sign face or sign structure, whichever is greater.

Sign statuary means any three dimensional, manmade representation of a plant, animal, or other thing, intended primarily to attract attention, and not intended and used primarily to entertain or amuse customers of the business of which the statuary forms a part.

Special event sign means an event sign of special significance usually intended to attract large numbers of people and which is held for a specified (usually one week or less) duration of time. Temporary holiday and seasonal decorations are also included in this definition.

Snipe sign means a sign of any material that is attached in any way to a utility pole, tree, fence post, or other similar object, located on public or private property. The term "snipe sign" shall not include small directional signs and "No Trespassing," etc., signs exempted from this law.

Street means a public thoroughfare that affords principal means of access to abutting property.

Swinging sign means a sign installed on an arm, mast, or spar, in which the sign is not permanently fastened to an adjacent wall or upright pole to prevent movement.

Temporary sign means a sign intended to display either commercial or noncommercial messages of a transitory or temporary nature. A portable sign or any sign not permanently embedded in the ground, or not permanently affixed to a building or a sign structure that is permanently embedded in the ground, is considered a temporary sign, excluding a window sign.

Vehicle sign means a permanent or temporary sign affixed, painted on or placed in or upon any parked vehicle, parked trailer, or other parked device capable of being towed, which is displayed in public view under such circumstances as to location on the premises, time of day, duration, availability of other parking space on the premises and the proximity of the vehicle to the area on the premises where it is loaded, unloaded or otherwise carries out its principal function, which circumstances indicate that the primary purpose of said display is to attract the attention of the public rather than to serve the business of the owner thereof in the manner which is customary for such a vehicle.

Wall sign means any outdoor advertising display sign painted on or erected parallel to and not more than 12 inches from the wall or facade or any building to which it is attached, with surface area of less than 100 square feet, and supported throughout its entire length by the facade of the building and not extending above or beyond the building facade, excluding window signs.

Window sign means any opaque or translucent sign of any material which is painted on, applied to, attached to or projected upon or within the exterior or interior of a building glass area, or located within two feet of the interior side of a building glass area and displayed under circumstances indicating that the primary purpose of such sign is to attract the attention of the public through the window, whose alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations are visible by a pedestrian at ground level on any street, the water's edge of the St. Johns River, Governors Creek, or any adjoining premises.

(Code 2001, § 110-1.1; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011; Ord. No. O-13-2024, § 6, 5-21-2024)

These sign regulations are intended to complement the requirements of the state building code. Wherever there is inconsistency between these regulations and the building code, the more stringent requirement shall apply.

(Code 2001, § 110-2; Ord. No. O-01-2000, § 8.00.01, 6-6-2000; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

(a)

License. No person, other than property owner or tenant of the premises on which any sign is located or to be located, shall perform any work or service in connection with the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, relocation, improvement, maintenance, conversion, or manufacture of any sign on such premises in the city unless such person or firm is a licensed contractor.

(b)

Insurance. All contractors must maintain current general liability insurance, workers' compensation or provide a workers' compensation exemption certificate.

(Code 2001, § 110-2.1; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

Compliance with the requirements of this chapter shall not constitute a defense to an action brought to abate a nuisance under the common law.

(Code 2001, § 110-3; Ord. No. O-01-2000, § 8.00.02, 6-6-2000; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

Any sign owned, kept, displayed, or maintained within the city in violation of the provisions of this chapter is hereby declared to be unlawful and subject to the provisions of section 125-7.

(Code 2001, § 110-3.1; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

(a)

Signs subject to abatement and removal. All signs located on private property which are abandoned, as herein defined, or unlawful under the terms of this chapter shall be subject to abatement and removal in the manner hereinafter provided.

(b)

Notice. The administrator shall notify the owner of record, according to the most recent ad valorem tax roll, of the property on which the sign is situated by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice shall identify the sign, shall state the status of the sign as contemplated herein, and shall advise that the owner shall have a period of 90 days from the date of mailing to remove the sign or bring the sign into compliance with this chapter, else the sign shall be subject to abatement and removal, and the owner to a civil penalty not to exceed $500.00 each day of violation.

(c)

Abatement; fine. Should the owner fail to remove the sign or return the sign to a lawful status within the 90-day notice period, the sign shall be subject to abatement, and the owner to a civil penalty not to exceed $500.00 each day of violation by the code enforcement special magistrate. The code enforcement special magistrate shall further be empowered to order the removal of the sign and enter a judgment for the recording of a lien against the owner for the expense to the city of removal thereof.

(d)

Lien. The recording of the judgment of the fine, expenses and costs, or a certified copy thereof, in the public records shall constitute a lien upon the real property of the owner described therein. Said lien shall be subject to foreclosure in priority to all other liens of record, except ad valorem tax liens, within a period of two years thereafter.

(e)

Removal of signs on city owned property. The code enforcement officer shall be authorized to remove, without notice, any sign on or partly on city-owned property which is unlawful hereunder.

(f)

Street improvement projects. Any sign projecting over a public right-of-way at the time of the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived shall be removed by the owner or altered at the owner's expense to comply with the regulations of this chapter if, as the result of, or after completion of a street improvement project, the sign does not or would not comply with the provisions of this chapter if erected new. Compliance with this subsection may be enforced in the same manner as provided in the foregoing subsections (a) through (e) of this section, inclusive, subject to the same procedure, penalty and lien.

(Code 2001, § 110-3.2; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

(a)

In determining which of two particular signs is lawful and which is, therefore, nonconforming on account of proximity to each other, the sign erected first in time shall have lawful status, and the other shall have nonconforming status.

(b)

The administrator may, but shall not be required to, send a notice to the sign owner, identifying the issue of nonconformity by proximity and inviting the submission of proof within 30 days therefrom concerning the issue. A failure to respond within the 30-day period by the owner shall result in a determination that the owner's sign is nonconforming without recourse.

(c)

The burden of disproving nonconformity shall be on the sign owner.

(Code 2001, § 110-3.3; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

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 Florida Building Code, and shall present a neat and clean appearance. The vegetation around, in front of, behind, and underneath the base of ground signs 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.

(Code 2001, § 110-4; Ord. No. O-01-2000, § 8.00.03, 6-6-2000; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

The following signs are exempt from the operation of the sign regulations of this chapter, and from the requirement in this subpart, 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)

Identification signs of two square feet or less.

(3)

Legal notices.

(4)

Decorative flags, bunting and other types of signs to not exceed 12 square feet for a celebration, convention, or commemoration of significance to the entire community when authorized by the city manager or his designee for a prescribed period of time.

(5)

Religious displays.

(6)

Governmental signs for traffic control, street designation or directions to public facilities.

(7)

Under canopy signs less than four square feet.

(8)

Menu boards for drive-in facilities less than two in number for commercial enterprise.

(9)

Memorial signs or tablets when cut into masonry.

(10)

Murals approved by the city council, which do not propose a commercial transaction, but instead involve only the expression of ideas and beliefs.

(Code 2001, § 110-5; Ord. No. O-01-2000, § 8.01.00, 6-6-2000; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011; Ord. No. O-04-2017, § 1, 5-16-2017)

(a)

Appointment of enforcement officer. The city manager will appoint an individual to be called the code enforcement officer to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(b)

Duties of code enforcement officer. If the code enforcement officer shall find that any sign has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation with the provisions of this chapter, he is empowered to remove such from public property.

(c)

Notification. Upon receipt of a written notice of violation of this Code by the code enforcement officer, the owner, his agent or landowner shall disassemble, remove or modify a sign found not in conformance within three business days from receipt of the notice.

(d)

False or fraudulent information. It shall be unlawful to knowingly provide false or fraudulent information to any official of the city charged with the implementation and enforcement of this chapter for the purposes of inducing the official to take or refrain from taking any particular action or making any particular determination under its terms and provisions. Violation thereof shall be a misdemeanor, punishable as provided by general state law.

(e)

Variance and appeals. Variances from the interpretation of this subpart will be heard by the planning and zoning board.

(Code 2001, § 110-6; Ord. No. O-01-2000, § 8.05.00, 6-6-2000; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

(a)

Generally. It is the intent of this chapter to allow nonconforming signs permitted before the adoption of the land development code to continue until they are no longer used or become hazardous, but not to encourage their continued survival. All signs not in conformance with the land development code at the time of its adoption are considered nonconforming for the purpose of this section.

(b)

Removal. All nonconforming, non-permitted or abandoned signs, except as provided in this section, shall be removed in accordance to the conditions and times as stated in section 125-2.

(c)

Continuance of nonconforming signs. All signs that do not meet the land development code requirements are nonconforming signs and may continue, subject to the following:

(1)

A nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged or increased in any way.

(2)

Repairs, maintenance and improvements to the nonconforming sign in any given year shall not exceed 50 percent of the replacement value of the sign.

(3)

Reconstruction after any fire, collapse, wind damage or hurricane damage shall not exceed 50 percent of the replacement value of the sign.

(Code 2001, § 110-7; Ord. No. O-01-2000, § 8.04.00, 6-6-2000; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

(a)

Sign types allowed. A permanent sign may be a ground or building sign. A permanent sign may not be a roof sign.

(b)

Content. A permanent sign may display any message so long as it is not harmful to minors as defined by F.S. § 847.001(6).

(c)

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

(1)

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

_____

GROUND SIGNS
FRONTAGE ON RIGHT-OF-WAY

¹ Measured in linear feet.
² Measured in square feet.

_____

(2)

Building signs.

a.

Subject to the design criteria in this chapter, the maximum height of a building sign shall be 18 feet, except that on a building of more than two stories, a single building sign is allowed above 18 feet on each side of the building.

b.

Each multiple occupancy complex may display one permanent accessory building sign on each side of the principal building in which the complex is located, not to exceed a sign area of up to ten percent of the facade area of each building side or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller.

c.

Each occupant of a multiple occupancy complex may display three permanent accessory building signs on any exterior portion of the complex that is part of the occupant's unit (not including a common or jointly-owned area). The total combined sign area shall not exceed 15 percent of the facade area or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller.

d.

Each occupant not located in a multiple occupancy complex may display three permanent accessory building signs on each side of the principal building in which the occupancy is located, not to exceed a total combined sign area for each building side of 20 percent of the facade of the building side or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller.

e.

Building address numbers for residential structures shall be at least four inches tall, be a contrasting color of building and visible from the street, and for commercial structures shall be at least six inches tall and be visible from the street for emergency services identification.

(3)

Multiple frontages. If a building has frontage on two or more streets, each frontage shall be separately considered for the purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of these regulations, but the permitted sign area for one frontage may not be combined with that permitted on another frontage to increase the permitted sign area on one frontage.

(d)

Signs at entrances to residential developments.

(1)

Generally. A permanent sign may be displayed at the entrance to residential developments.

(2)

Restrictions. One sign is permitted at each entrance into the development from each abutting street. The sign may be a single sign with two faces of equal size or may be two single-faced structures of equal size located on each side of the entrance. No face of the sign shall exceed 32 square feet in size, and may be illuminated in a steady light only.

(e)

Offsite signs.

(1)

Subject to constitutional limitations, offsite signs are prohibited to be located in the city.

(2)

Nonprofit organizations may place a directional sign not to exceed 14 square feet offsite.

(Code 2001, § 110-8; Ord. No. O-01-2000, § 8.02.00, 6-6-2000; Ord. No. O-09-2008, § 1, 5-20-2008; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

(a)

Sign area. The area of a sign shall be the area within the smallest square, rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, circle or semicircle, the sides of which touch the extreme points or edges of the sign face.

(b)

Number of signs. In general, the number of signs shall be the number of noncontiguous sign faces. Multiple noncontiguous sign faces may be counted as a single sign if all the sign faces are included in the geometric figure used for determining the sign area.

(c)

Sign height. The height of a sign shall be measured as the vertical distance from the finished grade at the base of the supporting structure to the top of the sign, or its frame or supporting structure, whichever is higher.

(d)

Prohibited signs. Certain signs are prohibited in the city, specifically: projecting signs, roof signs, signs located on trees, snipe signs within rights-of-way, on telephone poles, temporary flashing lighted signs, offsite signs, and abandoned signs.

(e)

Special conditions for signs.

(1)

Special conditions for signs within the form based code area are found in chapter 117, article XIV.

(2)

Special conditions for signs within the gateway corridor neighborhood (GCN) and gateway corridor commercial (GCC) areas are found in article IX, division 9.

(f)

Sandwich board signs. Sandwich board signs shall be permitted in the form based code, gateway corridor neighborhood and gateway corridor commercial areas between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Sandwich board signs shall be permitted only on the sidewalks in front of the business and may not be larger than 12 square feet and may contain two sign fronts.

(g)

Temporary banners and special signs.

(1)

Temporary banners and special signs, not specifically provided for herein, may be erected noting public parade, public event, or public celebration of a period not to exceed 14 days; provided, however, the erection of such banner or special sign shall be approved by the administrator with a permit and displayed only at areas designated by the city manager or his designee under the following terms and conditions:

a.

Only county-based nonprofit organizations approved as section 501(c)(3) organizations under the Internal Revenue Code, county governmental entities and recognized churches located within the city limits may be allowed to erect temporary banners and special signs.

b.

An administrative fee must be paid to the city before erecting a temporary banner or special sign.

c.

The size, shape and material of the banner or special sign shall not exceed 32 square feet for signs, and banners shall comply with current FDOT standards.

d.

Temporary banners and special signs may be displayed for no longer than 14 days.

e.

The applicant must sign a hold harmless agreement with the city for any and all damages related to the banner or special sign.

f.

While the banner or special sign is installed, displayed and removed, the city shall be named as an additional insured on any general liability insurance policy held by the applicant.

g.

The city reserves the right to limit the number of banners and special signs displayed at one time.

h.

Acceptance of applications for the display of banners and special signs shall be first-come, first-served.

i.

If banner or special sign are not picked up by the owner within 14 days, the banner or special sign will be destroyed.

(2)

Temporary banners or special signs for city sponsored activities may be located in any city right-of-way.

(h)

Electronic reader board (ERB) signs. Electronic reader board (ERB) signs shall be permissible, provided that they conform to the following standards:

(1)

Interference. They do not interfere with the effectiveness of or obscure an official traffic sign, device or signal.

(2)

Duration of message on-time. The duration of a message on-time shall not be shorter than ten seconds, and scrolling or flashing shall not be permitted.

(3)

Luminance. Luminance of the sings shall be as follows: Day 600—1,000 cd/m2; night 100—350 cd/m2.

(4)

Animation. Signs which convey the appearance of movement or animation in any form shall not be permitted, and scrolling or flashing shall not be permitted. The message shall only consist of words and static logos.

(5)

Maintenance. ERB signs shall be maintained in good repair at all times. When any part of the message display is not working properly, the use of the electronic reader board sign will be discontinued until the repairs are made.

(6)

Contrast and contrast orientation. ERB sign displays shall have a black on white or white on black background.

(7)

Height. ERB signs shall be limited to 12 feet in height.

(8)

Facade. ERB signs shall be designed so that the sign pole assemblies and supports are not visible and must be screened with brick, masonry or stucco.

(9)

Size. ERB signs shall be limited to 25 square feet of display area.

(10)

Color. ERB signs shall be limited to one of the following colors: red, orange or yellow.

(11)

Separation. ERB signs shall have a minimum separation distance of 100 linear feet from any other ERB sign located along the same street right-of-way.

(Code 2001, § 110-9; Ord. No. O-01-2000, § 8.03.00, 6-6-2000; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011; Ord. No. O-13-2024, § 7, 5-21-2024)

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful to erect or maintain any sign in the corporate limits of the city, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a valid permit for each such sign from the city building department as required by this chapter; provided that no permit shall be requested for a change of copy on any sign nor for the repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued, so long as the sign or sign structure is not modified in any way.

(1)

Building permit required. It shall be unlawful for any person or business or the person in charge of the business to erect, construct, alter or maintain an outdoor advertising display sign, as defined in the state building code, without first obtaining a building permit from the city in accordance with the provisions of the state building code and applicable law. Permit fees shall be paid in accordance with the applicable city fee schedules. The requirement of a building permit under the state building code is separate and independent of the requirements for a sign permit under this chapter.

(2)

Sign permit application and issuance of sign permit. A sign permit application for a permanent sign shall be made upon a form provided by the city. The sign permit application is in addition to any building permit application required by the state building code. The sign permit application shall be accompanied by plans and specifications drawn to scale, together with any site plan required by this chapter or this Code. The applicant shall furnish the following information on or with the sign permit application form:

a.

The legal description of the real property where the sign is proposed to be located.

b.

The zoning district for the real property on which the sign will be located.

c.

The name, mailing address and telephone number (where available) of the owner of the real property where the sign is proposed to be located.

d.

A notarized statement of authorization signed by the owner consenting to the placement of the proposed sign on the real property.

e.

The name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address of the sign contractor.

f.

Type of proposed sign (e.g., attached wall sign, freestanding monument sign, and freestanding pole sign).

g.

The square footage of the surface area of the proposed sign.

h.

The setbacks for the proposed sign.

i.

The approximate value of the proposed sign.

j.

If the proposed sign is a freestanding sign:

1.

The lot frontage on all adjacent street rights-of-way.

2.

The height of the proposed freestanding sign.

k.

If the proposed sign is an attached sign, the building frontage for the building to which the attached sign shall be affixed.

l.

The applicant shall provide a drawing or rendering of sign face.

m.

Fees. See the schedule of fees established by ordinance and codified in section 14-24.

(Code 2001, § 110-10; Ord. No. O-14-2007, § 1, 8-21-2007; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

(a)

Upon receipt of a properly completed and submitted permit application, the building official shall review the same for compliance with this chapter. If after such review, which shall be performed within a reasonable time, it shall appear that the sign proposed in the application will meet the standards, qualifications and restrictions of this chapter, a sign permit shall be issued to the applicant authorizing the construction and/or erection of the sign.

(b)

Within 30 days after issuance of the permit, the permit holder shall cause a true copy thereof to be posted at the construction location, but in no event later than the actual commencement of construction.

(c)

Actual construction shall have been commenced no later than 45 days after issuance of the permit, evidenced by completion of a foundation within said time which is approved upon foundation inspection.

(d)

All construction shall have been completed no later than 90 days after the issuance of the permit, except that the city manager or his designee may grant one extension of 90 days upon written request of the permit holder received prior to the expiration of the initial 90-day period, for good cause shown.

(e)

A failure to comply with the time limits provided in this section shall invalidate and void the permit, and any construction or improvements at the previously permitted site shall be deemed unlawful and shall be subject to immediate abatement and removal pursuant to section 125-7 without compensation.

(Code 2001, § 110-11; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

No permit for a sign issued hereunder shall be deemed to constitute permission or authorization to maintain an unlawful sign, nor shall any permit issued hereunder constitute a defense in an action to abate an unlawful sign.

(Code 2001, § 110-12; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

Any permit issued hereunder must be validated prior to the expiration thereof by final inspection by the building department, else the erection, alteration, maintenance or relocation thereunder shall be subject to abatement and removal at the owner's expense and, pursuant to the provisions of section 125-7, shall be required as follows:

(1)

Freestanding signs. All freestanding signs shall be subject to a footing inspection pursuant to the Florida Building Code, as adopted and amended from time to time.

(2)

Electrical inspection. All signs with electrical components shall pass electrical inspection under the Florida Building Code and the National Electrical Code, as adopted and amended from time to time.

(3)

Setbacks. No portion of any freestanding sign shall be located within three feet of a property line of the parcel on which it is located. Any such freestanding sign located within 50 feet of any public right-of-way intersection or within 30 feet of any driveway or other point of ingress and egress shall not obstruct vision between the height of three and eight feet above the crown grade of the nearest right-of-way and or driveway.

(Code 2001, § 110-13; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

When a sign permit is denied by the building official, written notice thereof shall be given the applicant of the denial, together with a brief written statement of the reason for the denial, if requested by the applicant within 30 days of denial. Appeals may be under the appeal procedures of the planning and zoning board after payment of the required fee for appeals.

(Code 2001, § 110-14; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

The building official may, in writing to both the owner and the person in possession identified in the application, suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this chapter whenever the permit is issued on the basis of a misstatement of fact or fraud. Any sign erected or maintained to any extent under said permit shall be subject to abatement and removal at the applicant's expense under the provisions of section 125-7.

(Code 2001, § 110-15; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

The following operations shall not require a sign permit, but the signs must be in conformance with all other building, construction, and electrical codes of the city:

(1)

Changing of the advertising copy or message on an existing approved painted or printed sign, marquee, changeable copy sign, or a similar approved sign, whether electrical, illuminated, electronic changing message center, or non-illuminated painted message, which are all specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.

(2)

Painting, repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural changes; replacement of the plastic face is likewise excepted from permitting requirements, provided that it is due to breakage or deterioration of the face, and does not accomplish the substitution of a new or different advertiser.

(3)

Changes in the content of show window displays and permitted temporary signs.

(Code 2001, § 110-16; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

Every sign shall be maintained in good structural condition. It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign, nonconforming or otherwise, that does not continue to meet the requirements of the Florida Building Code or the National Electrical Code, as adopted by the board and as amended from time to time.

(Code 2001, § 110-17; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

(a)

Compliance with building code. All signs shall comply with the most current edition adopted of the Florida Building Code and the National Electrical Code, as adopted from time to time.

(b)

Construction of signs; auxiliary specifications:

(1)

Obstruction to exits. No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening used as a means of egress.

(2)

Obstruction to ventilation. No sign shall be attached in any manner which will interfere with any opening required for ventilation, except that signs may be erected in front of or may cover transom windows when not in violation of the provisions of the standard building code or fire prevention code.

(3)

Clearance from high voltage power lines. Signs shall be located so as to maintain horizontal and vertical clearance of all overhead electrical conductors in accordance with the said National Electrical Code specifications. However, in no case shall a sign be installed closer than seven feet horizontally or vertically from any conduit or public utility guy wire.

(4)

Drainage. The roofs of all marquees shall be properly and adequately guttered and drained.

(c)

Freestanding signs; materials. All freestanding sign structures or poles shall be self-supporting structures erected on or permanently attached to concrete foundations.

(d)

Wind loads. All signs, except those attached flat against the wall of a building, shall be constructed to withstand wind loads as specified by the said Florida Building Code, but in no event less than 36 pounds per square foot on one face of the sign.

(e)

Address numbers. Address numbers for buildings shall be at least six inches tall, be of a contrasting color to the main structure and visible from the street for emergency services identification.

(Code 2001, § 110-18; Ord. No. O-08-2011, § 8, 12-6-2011)

(a)

Any provisions of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, a sign advertising a commercial message on a bus bench or a transit shelter for the free use and accommodation of persons waiting to board public transportation vehicles and located within any city or state road right-of-way shall be permitted, subject to the following requirements:

(1)

A permit for the sign must be obtained as required under section 125-15.

(2)

The bus bench or transit shelter must be installed and maintained in compliance with all applicable regulations of the city, the state, and the federal government, including, but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act.

(b)

Any provisions of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, a sign advertising a commercial message on a recycling station located on city property shall be permitted subject to the requirement that a permit for the sign is obtained as required under section 125-15.

(c)

Signs permitted under subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not exceed 12.5 square feet in size.

(Code 2001, § 110-19; Ord. No. O-14-2014, § 1, 1-13-2015)