Lake County has become a recognized tourist and economic growth center in Florida. With rolling hills, lakes, state parks and rural landscapes, Lake County has much to offer visitors, new residents and businesses. Sign regulation is needed to encourage a visually pleasing environment in order to attract residential construction, tourist activity, business and industrial development. Lake County also views sign regulation as a method of protecting the public investment, ensuring pedestrian and traffic safety, promoting the effectiveness of advertising, discouraging over-concentration, unsuitable location, and excessive height, bulk and area. It is the intent of this chapter to provide signage regulations to preserve scenic, economic and aesthetic values including the special character and attractiveness of Lake County communities.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § 3, 3-21-17)

11.01.01 Administration. Where the provisions of this chapter are in conflict with any other regulations or parts of codes, the more stringent shall apply.

11.01.02 Permits Required. Unless otherwise provided by this Chapter, all Signs shall require permits and payment of fees as adopted by the Lake County Board of County Commissioners. The issuance of sign permits shall be governed by Chapter XIV, Land Development Regulations.

11.01.03 Relationship to Building and Electrical Codes. These sign regulations are intended to complement the requirements of the building and electrical codes adopted by Lake County. Wherever there is an inconsistency between these regulations and the building or electrical code, the more stringent requirement shall apply.

11.01.04 Signs shall be an accessory use. Signs, except Signs located on a property classified as agricultural by the Lake County Property Appraiser pursuant to Chapter 193, Florida Statutes, as amended, shall be an accessory to a permitted use or structure.

(Ord. No. 2022-59, § 3, 12-20-22)

11.01.05 Prohibited Signs. The following types of Signs are prohibited in all zoning districts within Lake County:

A.

Abandoned Signs.

B.

Beacons or flashing lights.

C.

Pole Signs.

D.

Unsafe Signs.

E.

Snipe Signs.

F.

Portable Signs.

G.

Any Sign which obstructs visibility at an intersection according to the Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways, as amended, and as determined by the County Department of Public Works.

H.

Signs imitating or resembling Government Signs or signals, that are not erected by a Governmental or Public Agency or not erected under the direction of a Governmental or Public Agency.

I.

Roof Signs.

J.

Signs placed on vehicles or trailers, which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said signs. This does not apply to buses, taxicabs, and similar common carrier vehicles.

K.

Signs that create traffic or pedestrian hazards.

L.

Signs constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, paper, plywood, or other light material which are not intended or designed for permanent display unless those signs meet the criteria set forth in section 11.01.06(H).

11.01.06 Exempt Signs. The following types of signs are exempt from the permitting requirements of this chapter:

A.

Any Government Sign.

B.

Signs or nameplates that do not exceed two (2) square feet of Sign Copy Area.

C.

Window Signs.

D.

Any Sign carried by a person.

E.

Decorations.

F.

House identification/address numbers.

G.

Farm Sign as defined under Section 604.50, Florida Statutes, as amended.

H.

Signs constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, paper, plywood, or other light material which are not intended or designed for permanent display provided the following standards are met:

1.

For properties or parcels up to and including one acre, a single sign less than or equal to sixteen (16) square feet of sign copy area and greater than three (3) square feet of sign copy area, may be displayed on said property or parcel. Properties or parcels exceeding one acre may have one (1) additional sign as described in this subsection for each additional acre. For instance, if a parcel is 1.5 acres, a maximum of two (2) signs would be permitted. The following additional criteria shall apply to signs under this subsection:

i.

Minimum sign separation of two hundred fifty (250) feet.

ii.

Each sign shall be a maximum of six (6) feet in height.

iii.

Electric or illuminated signs are prohibited.

iv.

Each sign shall not obstruct the visibility of a permanent sign.

v.

Each sign shall be located a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the edge of pavement and a minimum of ten (10) feet from side property lines.

vi.

Each sign shall be kept in a good and safe condition and not permitted to deteriorate to a point of decay as evidenced by, but not limited to, corrosion, rust, peeling paint, etc.

2.

For parcels or lots that front on a four (4) or more lane roadway, a single sign less than or equal to thirty-two (32) square feet of sign copy area and greater than three (3) square feet of sign copy area, may be displayed on said property or parcel. The following criteria shall apply:

i.

Minimum sign separation of two hundred fifty (250) feet.

ii.

Each sign shall be a maximum of six (6) feet in height.

iii.

Electric or illuminated signs are prohibited.

iv.

Each sign shall not obstruct the visibility of a permanent sign.

v.

Each sign shall be located a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the edge of pavement and a minimum of ten (10) feet from side property lines.

vi.

Each sign shall be kept in a good and safe condition and not permitted to deteriorate to a point of decay as evidenced by, but not limited to, corrosion, rust, peeling paint, etc.

3.

For any sign less than or equal to three (3) square feet of Sign Copy Area in size the following criteria shall apply:

i.

Each sign shall be a maximum of six (6) feet in height.

ii.

Electric or illuminated signs are prohibited.

iii.

Signs are prohibited on vacant property unless associated with a temporary vendor's permit.

iv.

Each sign cannot obstruct the visibility of a permanent sign.

v.

Each sign shall be located a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the edge of pavement and a minimum of ten (10) feet from side property lines.

vi.

Each sign shall be kept in a good and safe condition and not permitted to deteriorate to a point of decay as evidenced by, but not limited to, corrosion, rust, peeling paint, etc.

(Ord. No. 2022-59, § 4, 12-20-22)

11.01.07 Reserved.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2022-59, § 2, adopted Dec. 20, 2022, repealed subsection 11.01.07, which pertained to temporary signs.

11.01.08 Digital Signs. Digital Signs Shall display static messages for a period of at least eight (8) seconds. The Digital Sign shall remain blank for at least one (1) second between displays. The messages and displays shall not be animated, appear in incremental stages or move across the changeable Sign Copy Area.

11.01.09 Maintenance. All Signs shall be erected, maintained, in good repair, treated and/or painted so as to always be safe, clean, reasonably rust-free or termite-free, and free of debris.

11.01.10 Enforcement.

A.

Prohibited signs on public property or rights-of-way shall be removed immediately, and may be removed by the County or its agents without notice.

B.

A right-of-way utilization permit is required to place a Sign within the County right-of-way.

C.

Abandoned Signs shall be removed by the owner or agent.

D.

It shall be a violation of this section for any person, organization or entity to erect or display a Sign that is prohibited, unpermitted and/or otherwise not in compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Chapter shall be subject to the code enforcement procedures in Chapter 8 of the Lake County Code.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § 3, 3-21-17; Ord. No. 2018-49, § 2, 10-9-18)

Signs shall meet the height, square footage, Sign Copy Area, setbacks and other requirements set forth in this Chapter. Signs shall not be joined together to create a larger sign than allowed.

11.02.01 Residential Districts. The following provisions govern signage in residential districts. Signs shall not be joined together to create a larger sign than allowed.

A.

Signs owned or controlled by a homeowners' association or other similar entity and located at the entrance of a subdivision or development.

1.

A maximum of two (2) Ground Signs, Wall Signs, or gate signs may be located at the main entrance to a subdivision or development. The maximum allowable Sign Copy Area for each sign shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet.

a.

The Sign Copy Area shall not exceed the height or length of the wall or gate upon which it is located. The Ground Sign shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height.

b.

Setbacks. Signs shall maintain a fifteen (15) foot setback from all property and right-of-way lines, with the exception of Signs which are part of a wall, which may be located along the property lines.

c.

Maintenance. The County shall not accept any liability or responsibility for maintenance of decorative entrances, structures or landscaping features. Sign construction and maintenance shall be at the expense of the developer or the homeowners' association and their successors, assigns and heirs.

d.

Sign Illumination. Ground Signs may be illuminated internally or externally. The source of externally illuminated signs shall be installed so that it is arranged or screened as to not shine, glare or adversely impact adjacent properties or roadways.

2.

One (1) Sign at each secondary entrance of a subdivision or development, which shall be restricted to a Ground Sign, not to exceed twenty (20) square feet in area and the height shall be limited to four (4) feet.

B.

Bed and Breakfast Home and Inn Sites.

1.

On a parcel where a bed and breakfast home is located a Sign not exceeding four (4) square feet is allowed to be attached to the home and a permit is not required. A free standing sign not exceeding six (6) square feet is also allowed; a permit is required.

2.

On a parcel where a bed and breakfast inn is located a Sign not exceeding four (4) square feet is allowed to be attached to the home and a permit is not required. A free standing sign not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet is also allowed; a permit is required.

C.

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 2022-59, § 2, 12-20-22)

11.02.02 Residential Professional Districts. The following provisions govern signage in residential professional districts. Signs shall not be joined together to create a larger sign than allowed.

A.

Ground Signs.

1.

All Signs shall be Ground Signs.

2.

One (1) Ground Sign per parcel for each primary street frontage shall be permitted. The maximum allowable Sign Copy Area is twenty-four (24) square feet.

3.

Height of Sign.

a.

Signs fronting on two lane highways shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.

b.

Signs fronting on four or more lane divided highways shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height

4.

Setbacks. The minimum setbacks shall be:

a.

Five (5) feet from any right-of-way line.

b.

Twenty (20) feet from any side or rear property line.

5.

Corner Lots Visibility Triangle. No part of a Sign may be located within a triangular area formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points twenty-five (25) feet from the right-of-way intersection.

6.

Sign Illumination. Ground Signs may be illuminated internally or externally. The source of externally illuminated signs shall be installed so that it is arranged or screened as to not shine, glare or adversely impact adjacent properties or roadways.

B.

Wall Signs are permitted with a maximum allowable Sign Copy Area of twenty-four (24) square feet.

C.

Projecting Signs may be substituted for Wall Signs and shall:

1.

Not project more than four (4) feet from the building wall on which the sign is attached.

2.

Be a minimum of twelve (12) feet above ground level.

3.

Not project above the roofline of the building to which it is attached.

D.

Awning Signs. The Sign Copy Area placed on an awning shall be counted toward the total wall sign area allowed for the single occupancy site.

E.

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 2022-59, § 2, 12-20-22)

11.02.03 Commercial Districts. The following provisions govern signage in commercial districts.

A.

Commercially Zoned Single-Occupancy Sites.

1.

Ground Signs.

a.

All Signs shall be Ground Signs.

b.

One (1) Ground Sign per parcel for each primary street frontage shall be permitted. The maximum allowable Sign Copy Area is:

i.

Sixty (60) square feet per face on sites fronting an arterial roadway.

ii.

Forty-eight (48) square feet per face on sites fronting a collector roadway.

iii.

Thirty-two (32) square feet per face on sites fronting on an internal roadway.

c.

If a parcel has multiple frontages, an additional Ground Sign shall be permitted with a maximum square footage of up to fifty percent (50%) of that allowed on the primary frontage.

d.

Height of Sign.

i.

Signs fronting on two lane highways shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.

ii.

Signs fronting on four lane or more divided highways shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height

e.

Setbacks. The minimum setbacks shall be:

i.

Five (5) feet from any right-of-way line.

ii.

Twenty (20) feet from any side or rear property line.

f.

Corner Lots Visibility Triangle. No part of a Sign may be located within a triangular area formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points twenty-five (25) feet from the right-of-way intersection.

g.

Sign Illumination. Ground Signs may be illuminated internally or externally. The source of externally illuminated signs shall be installed so that it is arranged or screened as to not shine, glare or adversely impact adjacent properties or roadways.

2.

Wall Signs are permitted with a total of one (1) square foot of Sign Copy Area for signage allowed for each linear foot of right-of-way frontage, up to one hundred and fifty (150) square feet. Single-occupancy businesses with multiple frontage may be permitted an additional sign area of one (1) square foot for each linear foot of secondary building frontage, up to one hundred and fifty (150) square feet; provided that the same or similar facade treatment is used on both front and side.

3.

Projecting Signs may be substituted for wall signs and shall:

a.

Not project more than four (4) feet from the building wall on which the sign is attached;

b.

Be a minimum of twelve (12) feet above ground level; and

c.

Not project above the roofline of the building to which it is attached.

4.

Awning Signs. The Sign Copy Area placed on an awning shall be counted toward the total wall sign area allowed for the single-occupancy site.

B.

Commercially Zoned Multiple-Occupancy Sites.

1.

All signs shall be Ground Signs.

2.

Maximum Sign Copy Area for the Ground Sign. Sign Copy Area shall be in addition to the wall sign copy area allowed for the individual occupants and shall be based on the gross leasable areas (GLA).

a.

Centers of seventy-five thousand (75,000) square feet or more shall be a maximum of one hundred and twenty (120) square feet.

b.

Centers of ten thousand (10,000) square feet to seventy-five thousand (75,000) square feet shall be a maximum of seventy-five (75) square feet.

c.

Centers up to ten thousand (10,000) square feet shall be a maximum of sixty (60) square feet.

3.

One (1) additional Ground Sign, not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet may be permitted for the use of the major tenant provided that there is a minimum six hundred (600) foot separation between the Signs.

4.

If the building has multiple frontage with an architectural design indicating front street orientation to both frontages, an additional Ground Sign for use by the center shall be permitted with a maximum square footage of up to fifty (50) percent of that allowed on the primary frontage.

5.

Height of Sign. The maximum height for any Ground Sign located at a commercial center shall be twenty (20) feet.

6.

Setbacks. The minimum setback shall be:

a.

Fifty (50) feet from any side lot lines, or equidistant from side lot lines.

b.

Ten (10) feet from any right-of-way.

7.

Wall Signs for individual businesses at a multiple-occupancy site.

a.

Individual businesses shall be allowed one (1) Wall Sign area of one (1) square foot for each linear foot of building front not to exceed one hundred and fifty (150) square feet per building front.

b.

Individual businesses with multiple frontage may be permitted an additional wall sign area of one (1) square foot for each linear foot of building frontage, up to one hundred and fifty (150) square feet; provided that the same or similar facade treatment is used on both the front and side/rear.

C.

Signs on Commercial Sites, not previously covered by this Chapter.

1.

Theaters. In addition to the Signs permitted by this Chapter, a theater shall be permitted a changeable message sign, the Sign Copy Area of which shall not exceed one hundred and fifty (150) square feet.

2.

Reserved.

3.

Seawall Signs. Signs may be placed upon seawalls on commercial establishments or private marina sites. The maximum allowable Sign Copy Area shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet.

(Ord. No. 2022-59, § 2, 12-20-22)

11.02.04 Industrial Districts. The following provisions govern signage in industrial districts. Signs shall not be joined together to create a larger sign than allowed.

A.

Ground Signs.

1.

All Signs shall be Ground Signs.

2.

One (1) Ground Sign per parcel for each primary street frontage shall be permitted. The maximum allowable Sign Copy Area is:

a.

Sixty (60) square feet per face on sites fronting an arterial roadway.

b.

Forty-eight (48) square feet per face on sites fronting a collector roadway.

c.

Thirty-two (32) square feet per face on sites fronting an internal roadway.

3.

Height of Sign.

a.

Signs fronting on two (2) lane highways shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.

b.

Signs fronting on four or more lane divided highways shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height

4.

Setbacks. The minimum setback shall be:

a.

Five (5) feet from any right-of-way line.

b.

Twenty (20) feet from any side or rear property line.

5.

Corner Lots Visibility Triangle. No part of a Sign may be located within a triangular area formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points twenty-five (25) feet from the right-of-way intersection.

6.

Sign Illumination. Ground Signs may be illuminated internally or externally. The source of externally illuminated signs shall be installed so that it is arranged or screened as to not shine, glare or adversely impact adjacent properties or roadways.

B.

Wall Signs are permitted with a total of one (1) square foot of Sign Copy Area for signage allowed for each linear foot of right-of-way frontage, up to one hundred and fifty (150) square feet.

C.

Projecting Signs may be substituted for Wall Signs and shall:

1.

Not project more than four (4) feet from the building wall on which the Sign is attached;

2.

Be a minimum of twelve (12) feet above ground level; and

3.

Not project above the roofline of the building to which it is attached.

D.

Awning Signs. The Sign Copy Area placed on an awning shall be counted toward the total wall sign area allowed.

E.

Directory signs for Industrial Parks. For multiple occupancy complexes, in addition to ground and wall signage, one (1) sign per street frontage, which is accessed by the park, shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Sign Copy Area shall be limited to forty-eight (48) square feet;

2.

Maximum height of sign shall be limited to twelve (12) feet; and

3.

There shall be a minimum setback of ten (10) feet from the road right-of-way.

F.

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 2022-59, § 2, 12-20-22)

11.02.05 Agricultural Districts. The following provisions govern signage in agricultural districts. Signs shall not be joined together to create a larger sign than allowed.

A.

Ground Signs.

1.

All Signs shall be Ground Signs.

2.

One (1) Ground Sign per parcel for each primary street frontage shall be permitted. The maximum allowable Sign Copy Area is twenty-four (24) square feet.

3.

Height of Sign.

a.

Signs fronting on two lane highways shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.

b.

Signs fronting on four or more lane divided highways shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height

4.

Setbacks. The minimum setback shall be:

a.

Five (5) feet from any right-of-way line.

b.

Twenty (20) feet from any side or rear property line.

5.

Corner Lots Visibility Triangle. No part of a Sign may be located within a triangular area formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points twenty-five (25) feet from the right-of-way intersection.

6.

Sign illumination is not permitted.

B.

Reserved.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § 3, 3-21-17; Ord. No. 2022-59, § 2, 12-20-22)

Any change in the use of the property, whereby a change from one (1) specific use classification, as identified in Chapter III of the Land Development Regulations, to another use classification constitutes a change in the use of the property. Upon a change in use, on-site signage shall be brought into full compliance with this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § 3, 3-21-17)

Should any addition be made to a structure or parking area that exceeds a twenty-five (25) percent increase in the size of the structure or parking area, the on-site signage shall be brought into full compliance with this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § 3, 3-21-17)