These sign regulations are intended to complement the requirements of the adopted building and electrical codes. In case of an inconsistency between these regulations and the building or electrical code, the more stringent requirement shall apply.

(A)

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

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 "projected image" is that image created by tracing the largest possible two- dimensional outline of the sign.

Where a sign is composed of letters or pictures attached directly to a facade or marquess, 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 point of the letters or pictures.

The following signs are exempt from the operation of these sign regulations, and from the requirement 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:

(A)

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

(B)

Signs of two s.f. 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 4.03.00 of this Code.

(C)

Signs necessary to promote health, safety and welfare, and other regulatory, statutory, traffic control or directional signs erected on public property.

(D)

Legal notices and official instruments.

(E)

Holiday lights and decorations.

(F)

Memorial signs or tablets containing names of buildings, dates of erection and other information when inscribed in a masonry surface or metal plaque and permanently affixed to the side of a building.

(G)

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

(H)

Signs carried by a person.

(I)

Religious displays.

(J)

Construction signs not exceeding 16 s.f. in size.

(K)

Real estate yard signs not exceeding four s.f. in size in residential districts or thirty-two (32) s.f. in non-residential zoned districts.

(L)

Signs indicating yard sales or garage sales, provided that such signs are removed within 48 hours.

(M)

Political signs may be placed 60 days prior to election and must be taken down within 15 days after the election. The candidate shall post a bond of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) prior to the posting of signs, which will be returned 30 days after the election, if all the signs have been taken down.

(N)

Sign affixed to a building.

(O)

The Flag of the United States or the State of Florida.

(P)

Signs erected by the Town of Zolfo Springs, signs identifying Pioneer Park and signs erected in Pioneer Park.

(Q)

Signs erected for the event known as Pioneer Park Days. Said signs shall exist for no more than 30 days before nor more than ten days after the official scheduled event. Signs under this item are restricted to that parcel known as Pioneer Park. Said land is contained on the East by U.S. 17 and on the South by S.R. 64.

(R)

Murals containing artwork and no commercial message are exempt within the Main Street Core as identified in Section 2.04.03.01.

The following types of signs are prohibited in all districts:

(A)

Any off-premises sign placed on private property is prohibited.

(B)

Signs which are in violation of the adopted building or electrical codes.

(C)

Any sign that, in the opinion of the Development Director, constitutes a safety hazard.

(D)

Temporary signs, blank temporary signs, or portable signs.

(E)

Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals, such as "stop," "look," "danger," or any similar word, phrase, or symbol.

(F)

Signs attached to or painted on trees, telephone poles, streetlights, benches, bus shelters, or waste receptacles, or signs placed on any public property or public right-of-way.

(G)

Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign (this does not apply to signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating during the normal course of business).

(H)

Any sign obstructing traffic visibility.

(I)

Signs with illuminated, moving, revolving or rotating parts causing traffic hazards, except trademark signs at least 12 feet in height and rotating at no more than two revolutions per minute. Illuminated signs of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians using or entering a public right-of-way, or that are a hazard to occupants of any property because of glare or other characteristics, including signs incorporating projected images.

(J)

Signs emitting odor, smoke, steam, or any sound that is intended to attract attention, or involve the use of live animals.

(K)

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

(L)

Signs consisting of one or more banners, flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers or captive balloons, or other objects or material fastened in such a manner as to move in the wind.

(M)

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

(N)

Signs within five feet of public right-of-way, except for official signs placed by the Town including pennants placed on light poles, welcome signs, and the Town's arch over Main Street.

(O)

Signs within one hundred (100) feet of traffic-control lights, that contain red or green lights that might be confused with traffic control-lights.

(P)

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

(Q)

Signs erected over or across any public street, except for the Town's arch over Main Street.

(R)

Signs placed or constructed within eight feet of a power line in any direction.

(S)

Signs containing an indecent or immoral message or which by its shape, construction, or character is considered to be indecent or immoral.

(T)

Billboards, except those located on the same site as the business being advertised.

The following signs are permitted within the Town of Zolfo Springs, subject to the standards provided in this Section:

4.04.01 Signs in Residential Areas

(A)

Neighborhood Identification Signs. Non-illuminated ground or wall signs identifying a neighborhood for residential areas which include at least five acres of land area shall be allowed. These signs shall only be allowed at major entrance ways and not more than one sign shall be located at each entrance way.

Multi-family housing developments may have one identification sign per street frontage. These signs may be ground or wall signs. The only form of artificial illumination allowed is indirect illumination. Identification signs shall be limited to one square foot of area per dwelling unit up to a maximum of thirty s.f.

(B)

Bed and Breakfast. In residential areas, signs are permitted of four s.f. or less in a window, on the building or freestanding. A setback of ten feet (10') must be maintained from all property lines. Such signs must be unlighted and made of metal or wood. The stand for the sign and the sign itself cannot exceed four feet in height from the ground.

(C)

Churches and religious buildings. On-site commercial signs are permitted accessory to church or religious buildings on property zoned for such use.

(D)

Home Occupation Signs. Only one sign, not exceeding four square feet area, non-illuminated, and mounted flat against the wall or principal building, shall be allowed for home occupations.

4.04.02 On-Site Commercial Signs. On-site commercial signs are permitted accessory to commercial or industrial structures on property zoned for such uses.

(A)

Number of Signs Permitted. No more than two signs shall be permitted for each development site. For lots or parcels situated at intersections, one sign is permitted on a lot or parcel for each frontage of 75 feet or more on a publicly maintained road. For parcels having 250 feet or more of frontage on a single road, an additional sign per entrance shall be allowed and sign shall be located near the entrance.

Commercial signs that are affixed to a building are limited to 36 s.f. in size. No more than one such sign shall be mounted on any structure. No sign protruding above the roof of a structure may extend more than 18 feet above the ground, as measured from the finished grade at the base of the structure to the highest point of the sign, or its supporting structure, whichever is higher.

(B)

Design Standards. Except as otherwise provided, no on-site commercial sign shall exceed 48 s.f. in size and 18 feet in height. On-site commercial signs exceeding 200 s.f. shall be permitted as a conditional use in shopping centers subject to development standards provided in Article 3. Each sign shall be set back from all property lines a distance equal to or greater than its height, however, no sign shall be set back less than ten feet from any property line.

(A)

General maintenance required. All signs, including their supports, braces, guys and anchors, electrical parts and lighting fixtures, all painted and display areas, and all landscaped areas that are part of a sign, shall be maintained in accordance with the building and electrical codes adopted by Zolfo Springs, and shall present a neat and clean appearance.

(B)

Grounds maintenance required. 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.

(C)

60 day Notice. All signs shall be properly maintained. If a sign has not been maintained, the owner shall have 60 days after notification by the building inspector in which to restore the sign to a properly maintained condition. If the owner fails to so restore the sign after said 60 days notice, the Town may, at the owners expense, cause the sign to be removed and disposed of.

(A)

Special Event Signs. All signs concerning civil, religious, education, public, or private events must be removed within ten days after the conclusion of the event.

(B)

Political Signs. All political campaign signs must be removed within fifteen (15) days of the final election for the office for which the candidate shown on the said sign is running.

(C)

Conformance Time Limit. All signs in existence at the time of adoption of this Code shall be considered legal and conforming.

(D)

Closing or Moving of a Business. All on-site premise signs must be removed from the premises within thirty (30) days after the date of the closing or moving of a place of business from the premises.

Variances may be allowed by the Board of Adjustment when, as a result of special conditions, a literal enforcement of these provisions will, in an individual case, result in unnecessary hardship.

(A)

When a Permit is Required. No free standing sign exceeding eight square feet in area or roof sign or projected sign or lighted sign shall be installed or constructed after the passage of this Ordinance until a permit has been obtained from the building inspector, upon payment of the normal fee for building permits as established by the Town of Zolfo Springs.

(B)

Sign Permit Application Content. Applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by an accurate drawing to scale showing: the copy to be displayed, the height, the sign dimensions, the construction details, the electrical plan, and the distance to the property lines and or buildings in respect to the location of the proposed sign.