These sign regulations are intended to complement the requirements of the Florida Building Code. Wherever there is inconsistency between these regulations and the Florida Building Code, the Florida Builidng Code shall apply.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.1.1, 11-16-1992)

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

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.1.2, 11-16-1992)

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

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.1.3, 11-16-1992)

The following signs are exempt from the operation of these sign regulations, and from the requirement in these regulations that a permit be obtained for the erection of permanent signs, provided they are not placed or constructed so as to create a hazard of any kind:

(1)

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

(2)

Signs of two square feet or less and signs that include no letters, symbols, logos or designs in excess of two inches in vertical or horizontal dimension, provided that such sign, or combination of such signs, does not constitute a sign prohibited by section 24-754.

(3)

Signs necessary to promote health, safety and welfare, and other regulatory, statutory, traffic control or directional signs erected on public property with permission as appropriate from the state, the United States, the county, or the city.

(4)

Legal notices and official instruments.

(5)

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

(6)

Holiday lights and decorations.

(7)

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

(8)

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

(9)

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

(10)

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

(11)

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

(12)

Works of art that do not constitute advertising.

(13)

Signs carried by a person.

(14)

Religious displays.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.2, 11-16-1992)

It shall be unlawful to erect, cause to be erected, maintain or cause to be maintained, any sign not expressly authorized by, or exempted from, these regulations.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.3.1, 11-16-1992)

The following signs are expressly prohibited unless exempted by section 24-727 or expressly authorized by divisions 4, 5 or 6 of this article:

(1)

Signs that are in violation of the Florida Building Code.

(2)

Any sign that, in the opinion of the development regulations administrator, does or will constitute a safety hazard.

(3)

Blank temporary signs.

(4)

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

(5)

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

(6)

Reserved.

(7)

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

(8)

Reserved.

(9)

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

(10)

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

(11)

Signs or sign structures that interfere in any way with free use of any fire escape, emergency exit, or standpipe, or that obstruct any window to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by any provision of these regulations or other ordinance of the city.

(12)

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

(13)

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

(14)

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

(15)

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

(16)

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

(17)

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

(18)

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

(19)

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

(20)

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

(21)

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

(22)

Signs erected over or across any public street except as may otherwise be expressly authorized by these regulations, and except governmental signs erected by or on the order of a public officer.

(23)

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

a.

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

b.

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

c.

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

(24)

Signs displaying copy that is harmful to minors as defined by these regulations.

(25)

Portable signs as defined by these regulations.

(26)

Off-site sign(s) as defined by these regulations.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.3.2, 11-16-1992; Ord. No. 2011-01, 4-11-2011; Ord. No. 2020-25, Pt. A, 11-23-2020)

Temporary signs are allowed throughout the city, subject to the restrictions imposed by this division and other relevant parts of these regulations.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.4.1, 11-16-1992)

A temporary sign may be a ground or building sign, but may not be an electric sign.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.4.2, 11-16-1992)

A temporary sign not complying with the requirements of these regulations is illegal and subject to immediate removal.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.4.3, 11-16-1992)

A temporary sign may display any message so long as it is not:

(1)

Harmful to minors as defined by these regulations.

(2)

Advertising as defined by these regulations, except that advertising for the following purposes may be displayed:

a.

To indicate that an owner, either personally or through an agent, is actively attempting to sell, rent or lease the property on which the sign is located.

b.

To indicate the grand opening of a business or other activity. Such message may be displayed for a period not exceeding 14 days within the first three months that the occupancy is open for business.

c.

To identify construction in progress. Such message shall not be displayed more than 60 days prior to the beginning of actual construction of the project, and shall be removed when construction is completed. If a message is displayed pursuant to this section, but construction is not initiated within 60 days after the message is displayed, or if construction is discontinued for a period of more than 60 days, the message shall be removed, pending initiation or continuation of construction activities.

d.

To indicate the existence of a new business, or a business in a new location, if such business has no permanent signs. Such message may be displayed for a period of not more than 60 days or until installation of permanent signs, whichever shall occur first.

e.

To announce or advertise such temporary uses as fairs, carnivals, circuses, revivals, sporting events, flea markets, or any public, charitable, educational or religious event or function. Such message shall be removed within five days after the special event.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.4.4, 11-16-1992)

(a)

One-family and two-family residences. A parcel on which is located a single or one-family or two-family residence may display not more than two temporary signs with an aggregate sign area of not more than ten square feet. No individual sign shall exceed six square feet nor exceed eight feet in height.

(b)

Three-family and four-family residences. A parcel on which is located a single three-family or four-family residence may display not more than four temporary signs with an aggregate sign area of not more than ten square feet. No individual sign shall exceed six square feet nor exceed eight feet in height.

(c)

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

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.4.5, 11-16-1992)

A permanent accessory sign may be a ground or building sign. A permanent accessory sign may not be a roof sign.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.5.1, 11-16-1992)

A permanent accessory sign may display any message so long as it is not harmful to minors as defined by these regulations.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.5.2, 11-16-1992)

(a)

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 tables and text:

(b)

Building signs.

(1)

Subject to the design criteria in division 7 of this article, 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.

(2)

Each multiple occupancy complex may display one permanent accessory building sign on each side of the principal building or buildings in which the complex is located, not to exceed a sign area of up to ten percent of the facade area (see division 6 of this article) of each building side or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller.

(3)

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), not to exceed a total combined sign area of 15 percent of the facade area (see division 6 of this article) of such exterior portion or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller.

(4)

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 area (see division 6 of this article) of the building side or 200 square feet, whichever is smaller.

(c)

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. However, no ground sign on one right-of-way may be closer than 100 feet to a sign on another right-of-way, measured as the sum of distances measured continuously along the rights-of-way through a common point.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.5.3, 11-16-1992)

Time-temperature-date signs are permitted as a permanent accessory sign on commercially developed parcels notwithstanding the general prohibition on changing signs. These signs may only display numerical information in an easily comprehensible way. They may be ground or building signs, and are subject to the regulations applicable to such signs. They shall be counted as part of an occupancy's allowable sign area.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.5.4, 11-16-1992)

Directional signs limited in area to four square feet, giving directions to motorists regarding the location of parking areas and access drives shall be permitted as permanent accessory signs on all parcels and shall not be counted as part of an occupancy's allowable sign area.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.5.5, 11-16-1992)

(a)

Display generally. A permanent accessory sign may be displayed at the entrance to residential developments.

(b)

Restrictions.

(1)

One sign is permitted at only one 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.

(2)

When considering the placement of such signs, the planning and land development regulations commission or city commission, as the case may be, shall consider the location of public utilities, sidewalks and future street widenings.

(3)

The planning and land development regulations commission or city commission shall ensure that such signs shall be maintained perpetually by the developer, the owner of the sign, a pertinent owners' association, or some other person who is legally accountable under a maintenance arrangement approved by the city attorney. If no accountable person accepts legal responsibility to maintain the signs and no other provision has been made for the maintenance of them, the signs shall be removed by the developer or owner.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.5.6, 11-16-1992)

(a)

Number. Not more than three flags or insignias of governmental, religious, charitable, fraternal or other organizations may be displayed on any one parcel of land.

(b)

Size. The maximum distance from top to bottom of any flag shall be 20 percent of the total height of the flagpole, or in the absence of a flag pole, 20 percent of the distance from the top of the flag or insignia to the ground.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.5.7, 11-16-1992)

Public utility signs that identify the location of underground utility lines and facilities, high voltage lines and facilities, and other utility facilities and appurtenances are permitted so long as they do not exceed three feet in height, and so long as the sign face does not exceed one half square foot.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.5.8, 11-16-1992)

The minimum required distance between signs shall be measured along street rights-of-way from the closest parts of any two signs.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.6.1, 11-16-1992)

The facade area shall be measured by determining the area within a two-dimensional geometric figure coinciding with the edges of the walls, windows, doors, parapets, marquees, and roof slopes of greater than 45 degrees that form a side of a building or unit.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.6.2, 11-16-1992)

(a)

Generally. 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)

Special situations.

(1)

Where a sign is composed of letters or pictures attached directly to a facade, window, door, or marquee, and the letters or pictures are not enclosed by a border or trimming, the sign area shall be the area within the smallest rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, circle or semicircle, the sides of which touch the extreme points of the letters or pictures.

(2)

Where two sign faces are placed back to back on a single sign structure, and the faces are at no point more than four feet apart, the area of the sign shall be counted as the area of one of the faces.

(3)

Where four sign faces are arranged in a square, rectangle, or diamond, the area of the sign shall be the area of the two largest faces.

(4)

Where a sign is in the form of a three-dimensional object, the area shall be determined by drawing a square, rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, circle or semicircle, the sides of which touch the extreme points or edges of the projected image of the sign and multiplying that area by two. The term "projected image" means that image created by tracing the largest possible two dimensional outline of the sign.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.6.3, 11-16-1992)

(a)

Generally. 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.

(b)

Special situations.

(1)

Where two sign faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than three feet apart, it shall be counted as one sign.

(2)

If a sign has four faces arranged in a square, rectangle or diamond, it shall be counted as two signs.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.6.4, 11-16-1992)

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.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.6.5, 11-16-1992)

All permanent signs must comply with the design, construction and location standards set forth in this division.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.1, 11-16-1992)

All permanent signs, and the illumination thereof, shall be designed, constructed and maintained in conformity with applicable provisions of the Florida Building Code.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.2, 11-16-1992)

(a)

Sign lighting may not be designed or located to cause confusion with traffic lights.

(b)

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

(c)

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

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.3, 11-16-1992)

(a)

Near street and driveway intersections. Signs located within a clear visibility triangle shall conform to the requirements of section 24-496.

(b)

In right-of-way. Supports for signs or sign structures shall not be placed in or upon a public right-of-way or public easement, except under the terms of a lease between the owner of the easement or right-of-way and the owner of the sign.

(c)

Over right-of-way. No ground sign shall project over a public right-of-way.

(d)

Blocking exits, fire escapes, etc. No sign or sign structure shall be erected that impedes use of any fire escape, emergency exit, or standpipe.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.4, 11-16-1992)

(a)

Over pedestrian ways. All signs over pedestrian ways shall provide a minimum of seven feet six inches of clearance.

(b)

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

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.5, 11-16-1992)

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

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.6, 11-16-1992)

A building sign may project no more than four feet perpendicularly from the surface to which it is attached.

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.7, 11-16-1992)

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

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.8, 11-16-1992)

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

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.9, 11-16-1992)

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

(1)

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

(2)

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

(Ord. No. 93-01, § 10.7.10, 11-16-1992)