The common question from business owners is how much signage can I use? So, first we check with the owner of the property and then look at the city sign code. The current sign code for Zephyrhills, FL is this. Of course it changes from time to time.
(A) General regulations.
(1) For the purpose of determining the spacing requirement found in this section, distances shall be measured from the leading edge of the sign structure to the property line of the property from which the distance is being measured.
(2) Illuminated signs, including neon signs, shall not produce more than one foot-candle of illumination four feet from the sign, when measured from the base of the sign. Exposed neon tubing shall not be permitted on ground signs.
(3) Signs shall not be placed in the clear site triangle.
(B) Standards for on-site signs in residential districts. The following signs may be erected in residential zoning districts:
(1) One double-faced or two single-faced permanent subdivision sign(s) may be located at each entrance to a platted subdivision provided that all of the following requirements are met:
(a) The sign shall not create a physical or visual hazard for pedestrians or motorists entering or leaving the subdivision and shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the right-of-way line and 20 feet from the intersection of the rights-of-way;
(b) An individual firm, partnership, association, corporation or other legal entity other than the city shall be designated as the person responsible for perpetual maintenance of the subdivision sign;
(c) Each sign surface shall not exceed ten feet in height and 40 square feet in sign surface area;
(d) If single faced, the two signs shall be located on opposite sides of the entry drive;
(e) Signs authorized by this subsection may be located within the rights-of-way provided that the appropriate right-of-way use, maintenance and license agreements and permits are obtained; and
(f) One additional subdivision sign may be placed at each terminus or farthest edge of the subdivision, if located at least 1,000 feet from the main subdivision sign, up to a maximum of two additional signs.
(2) One wall sign or one double-faced or two single-faced ground identification signs may be located at each entrance to a multiple-family residential development or mobile home park, provided that all of the following requirements are met:
(a) The signs shall not exceed two square feet in sign structure area for each dwelling unit up to and including 16 units. In no event shall the sign exceed 32 square feet of sign structure area;
(b) The signs shall not exceed ten feet in height;
(c) The signs shall be set back five feet from the right-of-way line and 20 feet from the intersection of the rights-of-way;
(d) If single faced, the two signs shall be located on opposite sides of the entry drive. Backlighting or interior illumination is prohibited. One projecting sign may be substituted for each wall sign pursuant to this section; and
(e) Signs authorized by this subsection may be located within the rights-of-way provided that the appropriate right-of-way use, maintenance and license agreements and permits are obtained.
(3) One directional sign per subdivision entrance with a maximum height of five feet for the structure, 12 inches for the copy and 32 square feet of sign structure area. The directional sign shall meet the separation and setback requirements of on-site signs. Additional directional signs may be placed where necessary to locate subdivision amenities.
(C) Standards for on-site signs in nonresidential districts. On-site signs on properties in nonresidential districts which abut a residential district shall not be erected closer than ten feet from any residential zoning district. Finishing materials shall be consistent with those used on the structure to which the sign relates.
(1) Regulations for ground signs. Ground signs shall be allowed in nonresidential districts, provided the following specific regulations are met, in addition to the general regulations stated above:
(a) One ground sign is permitted for each parcel having frontage on a public street. If a parcel has public street frontage in excess of 300 feet, one additional ground sign shall be permitted for each additional 300 feet of public street frontage;
(b) The maximum allowable sign structure area for each ground sign shall not exceed one square foot of sign structure area for each lineal foot of frontage along the street the sign faces or 210 square feet in sign structure area, whichever is less;
(c) No ground sign shall exceed 11 feet in height, except as specified below;
(d) If a parcel is entitled to more than one sign as allowed above and is a multiple occupancy parcel, then all allowable ground signs may be combined into a single ground sign not to exceed 300 square feet in sign structure area. Such a combined sign may not exceed 15 feet in height. The combined sign may be divided into two signs, if the frontage of the parcel exceeds 1,500 feet. The total area of the combined signs shall not exceed 300 square feet in sign structure area and the height of each sign shall not exceed 15 feet;
(e) Ground signs shall be placed no closer than 300 feet apart on the same parcel; and
(f) All ground signs shall be set back five feet from the right-of-way line and 20 feet from the intersection of the rights-of-way, except when ground signs are located on one-way streets the setback from the intersection may be 15 feet so long as the sign does not interfere with the clear site triangle.
(2) Regulations for wall signs. Wall signs shall be allowed in nonresidential districts provided the following specific regulations are met, in addition to the general regulations stated above:
(a) The maximum allowable sign structure area for wall signage shall not exceed one and one-half square feet per linear foot of establishment frontage, excluding parking garages, facing a public street. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum total sign structure area shall not exceed 150 square feet for each frontage;
(b) One projecting sign may be substituted for each wall sign, provided that the sign structure area of the projecting sign shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign structure area of the wall sign that the projecting sign replaces;
(c) Wall signs shall not project beyond the roof line or side walls of the establishment to which the wall sign is attached, nor shall the wall sign project more than 12 inches out from the wall to which it is attached; and
(d) One wall sign shall be permitted for each establishment in a multiple-occupancy parcel. Establishments located at a corner shall be allowed one wall sign for each side of the establishment that faces a public street.
(3) Regulations for projecting signs. Projecting signs shall be allowed in nonresidential districts, provided the following specific regulations are met, in addition to the general regulations stated above:
(a) Projecting signs may be substituted for the permitted wall sign referenced above, provided that the sign structure area of the projecting sign is not greater than the maximum sign structure area permitted for a wall;
(b) Projecting signs shall not project more than four feet from the building wall to which the projecting sign is attached;
(c) Projecting signs shall not be located above the roofline of the building nor more than 18 feet above the grade of the street, whichever is less;
(d) The supporting hardware of a projecting sign shall not be visible from the street or sidewalk;
(e) Projecting signs shall not be constructed in violation of the public space encroachment limitations specified in this section;
(f) Projecting signs shall not be erected closer than ten feet from an interior lot line or an adjacent establishment; and
(g) Projecting signs which project over any public or private pedestrian way shall be elevated a minimum of nine feet above the pedestrian way. Projecting signs which project over any public or private street shall be elevated a minimum of 15 feet above the street.
(4) Regulations for marquee, canopy and awning signs. Marquee, canopy and awning signs shall be allowed in nonresidential districts, provided the following specific regulations are met, in addition to the general regulations stated above:
(a) One sign located on a marquee, canopy or awning shall be affixed flat to the surface and shall not rise in vertical dimension above the marquee, canopy or awning;
We frequently need to look at the sign code for up to date information.
