It is the purpose of this article to allow signs in zoning districts in which they are appropriate uses, and to regulate the size, density, illumination and placement of signs intended to be seen from a public right-of-way in the interest of highway safety, the preservation of property values, the protection of the character of the community and the general welfare.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 1; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

The provisions of this article do not apply to the following:

(1)

Signs required to be posted by law.

(2)

Warning signs and no trespassing signs.

(3)

Signs established by governmental agencies for direction to public facilities, bus stops or other transportation facilities, traffic control, or any other public purpose.

(4)

Identification signs of two square feet or less for residential uses, and four square feet or less for commercial or industrial uses.

(5)

Governmental or religious flags or insignia or memorials, and holiday decorations incidental to the business and customarily associated with any national, religious or local holiday.

(6)

Graphics and trademarks on vending machines, gas pumps and other machinery customarily used for sales outside of buildings.

(7)

Standard size menus mounted at the entrance to restaurants.

(8)

Farm signs allowed by F.S. § 604.50.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 5; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

The following signs are prohibited:

(1)

Any sign which constitutes a traffic hazard or is a detriment to traffic safety by reason of its size, location, movement, content, coloring or method of illumination including, without limitation, any sign that obstructs the vision of pedestrians or vehicles using the public right-of-way; any non-traffic signs that use traffic control symbols, shapes or words, such as "stop," "look," "caution," danger" or "slow"; any sign that obstructs a sign erected by a public authority for the purpose of giving traffic directions or instructions or other public information; and any sign prohibited by F.S. § 479.11.

(2)

Signs attached to trees or utility poles.

(3)

Signs attached to or painted on vehicles not regularly used by the advertised business and are parked in such a way as to advertise to the passing motorist or pedestrian.

(4)

Private signs in public rights-of-way.

(5)

Off-site signs.

(6)

Animated signs and flashing signs.

(7)

Any other signs that are not specifically permitted or exempted by this article.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 12; Ord. No. 2007-07, § 5, 11-20-2007; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except were the context clearly indicates a different meaning.

Abandoned sign means any sign face which advertises a bona fide business no longer conducted or product no longer sold; any previously permitted portable or temporary sign of which permitted time has expired. In making the determination that a sign advertises a bona fide business no longer being conducted, the zoning official shall consider the existence or absence of a utility service deposit on account, use of the premises and relocation of the business; or any sign structure which has not been used for bona fide business purposes for over six months, that is nonconforming as to existing codes regarding height, setback or maintenance.

Banner means any sign with characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentation applied to cloth, paper or fabric of any kind that is not permanently attached to a solid backing of wood, metal or masonry.

Construction sign means a sign announcing and identifying the construction project scheduled or underway on the site where the sign is located. A construction sign must be removed when the project receives a certificate of completion or certificate of occupancy.

Fascia sign means a sign located on the fascia of a roof or canopy including signs that extend the plane of the structural fascia such that the vertical dimension of the sign is no more than one-third the distance from the ground to the bottom of the fascia, and no lateral supports are used.

Freestanding sign means any sign supported by uprights or braces placed upon or in or supported by the ground, a fence or nonstructural wall. This definition shall include signs attached to buildings but supported in whole or in part as described in this definition.

Graphic means any symbol, any syllable or a word, and illustration of a picture.

Height of sign means the distance between the top of the sign and the average ground elevation below it.

Identification sign means a sign that indicates the name and type of business or service, or the name of the development located on the site where the sign is located. Identification signs shall be limited to the name of business or development, type of business or service, street address, phone number and graphic of business logo, except that theaters, concert halls and other entertainment establishments with changing programs may utilize changeable copy to advertise such programs. Identification signs shall not contain lists of specific products and auxiliary services.

Illuminated sign means a sign that uses artificial light, whether internal or external to the sign faces, to draw attention to the sign or otherwise increase its visibility.

Internally illuminated sign means a sign that uses artificial light from behind the sign face to increase its visibility.

Nonconforming sign means a sign permitted in the county before the adoption of the provisions of this article that does not conform to the requirements of this article as to height, size, use, spacing, setback or structural support.

On-site sign means any sign that identifies or advertises only goods, services, facilities, events or attractions available on the premises where the sign is located.

Parasite sign means any sign not exempted by this article, for which no permit has been issued, that is attached to another sign.

Portable sign means a sign that has no permanent attachment to a building or to the ground by means of footing, including but not limited to, an A-frame sign, sign with wheels, pull attachments, search light stands or hot air or gas filled balloons.

Projecting sign means a sign supported by a wall of a building, projecting away from that wall 12 inches or more, designed with a face reading at an angle to that wall.

Property front foot means each foot or major portion thereof, measured along the public right-of-way where the subject property abuts the right-of-way.

Real estate sign means a sign erected by the owner or his agent, advertising the real property where the sign is located for sale, lease or rent.

Roof sign means a sign located on the roof of a building and primarily supported by that roof structure, which extends above the top of the parapet or ridge line on the area where the sign is located, except fascia signs.

Sign means any letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, pictures or figures, or combinations thereof, which are erected, constructed, placed, attached or painted on a structure or the ground which identifies, advertises or directs attention to a product, business, institution, place, person or event which can be seen from the public right-of-way. When not modified by the term "structure" or "face," the term "sign" shall include all parts of the sign and its supporting structure.

Sign area means the total surface of a sign including the background and frame but not structural supporting elements outside of its frame. Where a sign is composed of skeleton letters, characters or symbols applied to a frame to a background which is not a structural part of the sign, the area of the sign shall be the smallest triangle, rectangle or circle which will include the display. Where a sign is built with two faces back-to-back, the area of the sign shall be the sum of the areas of the two faces computed as specified in this section.

Sign setback means the setbacks for signs shall be measured horizontally from the vertical plane of the property line to the closest point of the sign.

Sign structure means the uprights, supports, braces and framework supporting a sign.

Street or road means any street, road, highway, alley, parkway, viaduct, circle, court, terrace, place or other similar designations, or cul-de-sac, or other ways intended for travel by the general public, whether improved or unimproved, but shall not include those accessways such as easements and rights-of-way intended for limited utility purposes such as for electric power lines, gas lines, telecommunications lines, water lines, sanitary sewers or easements for ingress and egress.

Temporary sign means a sign used to advertise or identify transitory events of two weeks or less duration unless specifically permitted for a longer period.

Wall sign means a sign painted on or affixed to a structural wall of a building, with a sign face approximately parallel to the wall perpendicular to the ground and projecting no more than 12 inches from the wall. The term "wall sign" shall also include window signs and fascia signs.

Window sign means a sign affixed to, suspended behind or painted on either face of a window or glass door that reads to the exterior of the building.

(Ord. No. 2022-13, § 4, 6-21-2022; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023; Ord. No. 2023-5, § 4, 3-21-2023)

The zoning official shall administer and enforce this article, with assistance from the building official.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 4; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

(a)

All signs, except exemptions listed in section 50-412 and temporary signs listed in section 50-463, require a permit issued by the building official prior to construction, installation or modification. In addition, signs that front on a state road or federal highway may require a permit from the Florida Department of Transportation. Applicants are advised to contact the Florida Department of Transportation for further information.

(b)

Each application for a sign permit shall be on the form provided by the building official and shall be accompanied by the permit fee specified in appendix b of this code, the plans showing the area of the sign, size and character and method of illumination, if any, the exact location proposed for such sign, and, in the case of a projecting sign, the proposed method of fastening such sign to the building structure, the vertical distance between such sign and the finished grade, and the horizontal distance between such sign and the right-of-way line.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, §§ 4.01—4.03; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

(a)

Unauthorized signs on public property or right-of-way shall be removed immediately upon verbal notice from the county or state to the adjacent property owner or person/business identified in the sign, and/or such signs may be removed by the county, state or their respective agents without notice.

(b)

Temporary signs and parasite signs shall be removed within 48 hours after receipt of written notice from the county to the property owner.

(c)

Abandoned signs shall be removed within 30 days after receipt of written notice from the county to the property owner.

(d)

Should any sign become insecure or in danger of falling, in disrepair, deteriorated or otherwise unsafe in the opinion of the building official upon receipt of written notice from the county to the property owner, the sign shall be removed or repaired immediately, in the case of imminent danger, or within ten days in other instances.

(e)

Signs constructed, installed or modified without a permit shall be removed within 48 hours after receipt of written notice from the county to the property owner.

(f)

If notice from the county is not complied with, the county may remove the sign at the expense of the property owner. If unpaid, the costs shall become a lien after 90 days after the costs of removal are incurred. After one year from the filing of any such lien which remains unpaid, the county commission may authorize foreclosure on the lien.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, § 4.04; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, adopted Jan. 17, 2023, amended § 50-433, and in so doing changed the title of said section from removal of prohibited signs to read as set out herein.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, adopted Jan. 17, 2023, repealed § 50-434, which pertained to illegally erected signs and derived from 1991 LDR ch. 68, § 4.05.

(a)

The board of adjustment is hereby designated as the sign code board of adjustment, and is authorized to:

(1)

Hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirements, decisions or termination made by the building inspector in the enforcement of this article.

(2)

Grant variances to this article in specific cases where such variances will not be contrary to the public interest and where, owning to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of this article would result in unnecessary hardship.

(b)

All requirements, findings, procedures and appeals of variances shall follow those provisions provided for zoning variances.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, § 4.06; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

(a)

It is the intent of this section to allow a nonconforming sign to continue until it is no longer used, but not to encourage its survival. Such signs are hereby declared to be incompatible with the overall intent of this article.

(b)

Nonconforming sign use may be continued, subject to the following provisions:

(1)

Nonconforming signs shall not be enlarged or increased in any way.

(2)

Nonconforming signs or sign structures that are defined as abandoned under this article shall not be permitted for reuse.

(3)

There may be a change of tenancy or ownership of a nonconforming sign when such change is in compliance with the other provisions of this article.

(4)

Repairs and maintenance necessary to keep a nonconforming sign in a safe condition are allowed, but no further improvements (such as increased illumination or replacing the sign structure with more durable materials) is allowed.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 9; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

All signs shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the following standards:

(1)

All signs must be constructed and maintained in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Florida Building Code and National Electrical Code.

(2)

Signs shall be maintained in vertical position unless originally permitted otherwise.

(3)

Signs must be constructed of durable materials, maintained in a safe and good condition and not allowed to become unsafe or dilapidated. Damaged faces, missing sign lettering or structural members shall be replaced in a timely manner.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 6; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, adopted Jan. 17, 2023, repealed § 50-457, which pertained to density and size and derived from 1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 3.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, adopted Jan. 17, 2023, repealed § 50-458, which pertained to height and setback requirements and derived from 1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 7.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, adopted Jan. 17, 2023, repealed § 50-459, which pertained to illumination and derived from 1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 8.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, adopted Jan. 17, 2023, repealed § 50-460, which pertained to off-premises advertising and derived from 1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 10.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, adopted Jan. 17, 2023, repealed § 50-461, which pertained to portable signs and derived from 1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 11.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, adopted Jan. 17, 2023, repealed § 50-462, which pertained to projections and derived from 1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 13.

(a)

The following temporary signs are allowed for the timeframe specified:

(1)

A new business, or a business in a new location with no permanent sign may utilize a portable temporary sign for a period of not more than 60 days or until installation of a permanent sign, whichever shall occur first.

(2)

A new business, including those with a permanent signage, may utilize a portable temporary sign for a maximum of 15 days to announce a grand opening.

(3)

A construction sign may be utilized upon receipt of a building permit and shall be removed within two weeks after issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

(4)

Election signs may be utilized between the first day of the election qualifying period and shall be removed within ten days after the election day.

(5)

Garage sale signs may be utilized for no more than three consecutive days leading up to the sale.

(6)

Temporary real estate signs no greater than four square feet in area and not more than two linear feet in length and two linear feet in height advertising specific property for sale, lease, rent or development on private property.

(b)

The maximum sign area for temporary signs is set forth in section 50-467.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 14; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

The following provisions apply to freestanding permanent signs:

¹ In commercial districts, drive through facilities are allowed a maximum of two menu boards or price lists of no more than 24 square feet each and these shall not count toward the sum of all signs. The menu board or price list signs shall be located adjacent to and oriented toward the drive-through area.

² Square feet or square feet per front foot, whichever is larger.

³ With visual clearance of eight feet or greater from face of sign to ground level.

⁴ With visual clearance less than eight feet from face of sign to ground level.

⁵ Limited to a non-residential permitted use or a special exception use.

⁶ Identification sign only.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, table 68-1; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

The following provisions apply to portable, freestanding signs:

(1991 LDR ch. 68, Table 68-2; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

The following provisions apply to wall or roof signs:

(1991 LDR ch. 68, table 68-3; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

The following provisions apply to temporary signs:

¹ For home occupation only.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, table 68-4; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, adopted Jan. 17, 2023, repealed § 50-468, which pertained to traffic safety and derived from 1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 15.

Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the following provisions:

(1)

Signs in residential districts. The following types of nonilluminated, nonadvertising signs are permitted in all residential districts:

a.

Identification signs. Only one such sign per parcel is allowed, except in the case of corner lots where two such signs (one facing each street) are allowed.

b.

Temporary signs. Signs listed in section 50-467.

c.

Institutional signs. Signs of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, or other public or semi-public institutions are allowed, provided:

1.

The sign area does not exceed 20 square feet; and

2.

Not more than one such sign is placed on a parcel of property, unless such property fronts upon more than one street, in which event two such signs may be erected, one on each frontage.

(2)

Signs in residential districts on parcels that contain commercial, industrial or institutional uses that front on state roads. In all residential districts on parcels that contain lawful, conforming commercial, industrial or institutional uses that front on State Roads 24 and 121 and on Federal Highways 27, Alternate 27, 19/98, 41 and 129, the following signs are permitted:

Permanent, freestanding signs (which may be non-illuminated, illuminated or electronic message signs) that conform to the limitations listed for the C-2 zoning district in section 50-464.

(3)

Signs accessory to parking areas. Signs designating entrances or exits to or from a parking area and limited to one sign for each such exit or entrance and to a maximum size of two square feet each shall be permitted. One sign per parking area and limited to a maximum size of nine square feet shall be permitted, provided that on a corner lot, two such signs shall be permitted, one facing each street.

(4)

General regulations. The following regulations shall apply to all signs:

a.

No two on-site signs which require a permit shall be placed within 50 feet of each other unless attached to a building.

b.

On corner lots, no sign may be located within the triangular area formed by measuring 25 feet from the point of the intersection of the rights-of-way and connecting the points with a straight line.

c.

No sign may project more than four feet from the building wall. Any sign projecting more than 12 inches from any wall must be eight feet or greater above ground level to provide clearance for pedestrians.

d.

No sign or its supporting structure may extend above the top of a parapet wall or a roof where a parapet exists.

e.

External illumination such as, but not limited to, floodlights and spotlights must be placed and shielded to prevent light being directed toward neighboring dwellings and approaching vehicles.

f.

Electronic message signs are subject to the following:

1.

Each sign shall have a light sensing device that automatically adjusts brightness as ambient light conditions change;

2.

No sign shall display light of such intensity to cause glare or otherwise impair the vision of a driver, or interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal or device; and

3.

The sign shall be equipped with a default mechanism or setting that will cause the sign to turn off or show a full black or similar image if a malfunction or failure occurs.

(1991 LDR ch. 68, art. 16; Ord. No. 2007-07, § 6, 11-20-2007; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-17-2023)