Jacksonville sign permit requirements
What the Jacksonville sign code and sign ordinance allow, summarised from PART 13. - SIGN REGULATIONS. Every figure below shows the ordinance's own wording, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
Wall sign — maximum area
Sec. 656.1303(c)(3)In CCG, CCBD and CR (general commercial) districts, wall signs are permitted but the code does not state a specific area for a wall sign; instead one street frontage sign per lot is allowed at 1 sq ft per linear foot of street frontage up to 300 sq ft for every 300 linear feet. In CO/CRO districts one wall sign not exceeding 32 sq ft is permitted (5 sq ft with a monument sign, or 32 sq ft in lieu of both).
“One street frontage sign per lot not exceeding one square foot for each linear foot of street frontage, per street, to a maximum size of 300 square feet in area for every 300 linear feet of street frontage or portion thereof is permitted, provided they are located no closer than 200 feet apart.”
Wall sign — % of facade
Sec. 656.1303(j)(3)Wall signs shall not exceed 10 percent of the square footage of the occupancy frontage or respective side of the building abutting a public right-of-way or approved private street.
“Wall signs shall not exceed ten percent of the square footage of the occupancy frontage or respective side of the building abutting a public right-of-way or approved private street.”
Freestanding sign — maximum area
Sec. 656.1303(c)(3)In CCG, CCBD and CR districts, one street frontage sign (which may be a ground, freestanding or roof sign) at 1 sq ft per linear foot of street frontage, up to 300 sq ft for every 300 linear feet of frontage.
“One street frontage sign per lot not exceeding one square foot for each linear foot of street frontage, per street, to a maximum size of 300 square feet in area for every 300 linear feet of street frontage or portion thereof is permitted, provided they are located no closer than 200 feet apart.”
Freestanding sign — setback
Sec. 656.1303(i)(2)No sign within 25 feet of any intersection of two or more right-of-way lines; no sign closer than 10 feet from any street right-of-way.
“no sign shall be located within 25 feet of any intersection of two or more right-of-way lines, nor shall any sign be located closer than ten feet from any street right-of-way”
Illumination
Sec. 656.1303(c)(4)In general commercial districts (CCG, CCBD, CR) signs may be illuminated (only CO and CRO districts prohibit illuminated and changing message device signs). Animated, flashing and revolving signs are prohibited in all districts.
“In CO and CRO Districts changing message devices and illuminated and indirect lighting signs are also prohibited.”
Digital / electronic message centres
Sec. 656.1303(i)(3)Changing message devices are permitted as part of any allowable sign unless otherwise prohibited. Electronic changing message devices must remain static and unchanging for at least 8 seconds, complete a change in a maximum of one second, change simultaneously, and have a default no-flash design. Prohibited in CO and CRO districts and in residential districts.
“Changing message devices are permitted as part of any allowable sign unless otherwise prohibited.”
Prohibited sign types
Sec. 656.1303(l)(5)Prohibited in all districts: mobile billboards; unlawful signs under Sec. 326.104/614.142/656.1320; animated, flashing and revolving signs; remote controlled blimps containing commercial advertising. (In residential districts also roof signs, neon signs, changing message devices and strip lighting.)
“Animated, flashing and revolving signs are prohibited in all districts.”
Set out in a table in the ordinance
These limits depend on street type, lot size or building frontage, and the ordinance expresses them as a table. We'd rather send you to the real table than reproduce it wrongly.
- • Freestanding sign — maximum height Sec. 656.1303(i)(1)
Not covered in the sign chapter we read: is a permit required?, projecting sign — maximum area, projecting sign — clearance, window signs — maximum coverage, temporary signs and banners, which zoning district this describes. That doesn't mean the city has no rule — it may sit elsewhere in the code.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us — corrections from local sign shops are how this stays accurate.
Common questions
- How big can a wall sign be in Jacksonville, FL?
- In CCG, CCBD and CR (general commercial) districts, wall signs are permitted but the code does not state a specific area for a wall sign; instead one street frontage sign per lot is allowed at 1 sq ft per linear foot of street frontage up to 300 sq ft for every 300 linear feet. In CO/CRO districts one wall sign not exceeding 32 sq ft is permitted (5 sq ft with a monument sign, or 32 sq ft in lieu of both).
- What percentage of a building facade can a sign cover in Jacksonville, FL?
- Wall signs shall not exceed 10 percent of the square footage of the occupancy frontage or respective side of the building abutting a public right-of-way or approved private street.
- How big can a freestanding sign be in Jacksonville, FL?
- In CCG, CCBD and CR districts, one street frontage sign (which may be a ground, freestanding or roof sign) at 1 sq ft per linear foot of street frontage, up to 300 sq ft for every 300 linear feet of frontage.
- How far back from the road must a sign sit in Jacksonville, FL?
- No sign within 25 feet of any intersection of two or more right-of-way lines; no sign closer than 10 feet from any street right-of-way.
- Can a sign be illuminated in Jacksonville, FL?
- In general commercial districts (CCG, CCBD, CR) signs may be illuminated (only CO and CRO districts prohibit illuminated and changing message device signs). Animated, flashing and revolving signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Are digital or electronic message signs allowed in Jacksonville, FL?
- Changing message devices are permitted as part of any allowable sign unless otherwise prohibited. Electronic changing message devices must remain static and unchanging for at least 8 seconds, complete a change in a maximum of one second, change simultaneously, and have a default no-flash design. Prohibited in CO and CRO districts and in residential districts.
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