Miami sign permit requirements

Permit required for all signs except exempted classes (e.g. address, notice/directional/warning signs up to 2 sq ft, flags, vehicle signs, changeable copy). No permit for routine change of copy or maintenance.

“Except for classes of Signs exempted from permit requirements as specified in Section 10.1.3, all Signs shall require permits.”

Single establishment in T5/T6: 1.5 sq.ft. per linear frontage; 300 sq.ft. max per frontage (40 sq.ft. max for T5-R and T6-R). Wall sign shall not exceed 60% of Aggregate Area.

“(total linear building Frontage) x (aggregate area ratio); 300 sq.ft. max per Frontage (40 sq.ft. max for T5-R and T6-R)”

Monument sign in T5, T6, D and C zones: 40 sq.ft. max per Display Surface; total Sign Area not to exceed 100 sq.ft. excluding embellishments. (T3/T4: 40 sq.ft. total; T3 Display Surface 15 sq.ft.)

“Total Sign Area shall not exceed forty (40) square feet for T3 and T4 Transect Zones and one hundred (100) square feet for T5, T6, D and C Transect Zones excluding embellishments.”

Monument signs placed in the First Layer shall respect a clearance of 10 feet from back-of-curb; shall not be located in public right-of-way unless permitted by Public Works.

“Signs that are located in the First Layer shall not disrupt pedestrian activity and shall respect a clearance of ten (10) feet from back-of-curb.”

Projecting sign in T5/T6 (single establishment): 25 sq.ft. max, included in total Aggregate Area; 4 ft. max projection. Secondary frontage shall not exceed 50 sq.ft.

“25 sq.ft. max; Included in total 6 sq.ft. max per frontage; Included in”

Signs may be internally or indirectly (externally) illuminated. Animated/flashing illuminated signs prohibited. Internally illuminated signs max 0.3 foot candles above ambient light. No illuminated sign within 100 ft of T1/T3/T4-R/T5-R/T6-R property unless by Warrant. Illumination in T1/T3/T4/T5-R/T6-R/CS reviewed by Warrant.

“Signs that are Internally Illuminated may not exceed a maximum brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light as measured at a preset distance depending on Sign size.”

Class A temporary signs must be removed within timeframes noted (e.g. real estate signs within 30 days of sale/rental; political signs no earlier than 3 months before election and removed within 15 days after). Celebratory flags/banners removed within 30 days of event. Fluttering banners/streamers prohibited as attention devices.

“For the purposes of this Article, Class A Signs shall be removed from the event or location to which they are related in a timeframe described below, unless otherwise specified.”

Prohibited: animated illuminated signs; blinking/flashing lights, streamer lights, pennants, banners, balloons, streamers, fluttering/spinning devices; portable signs; roof signs (no sign above roof line or parapet).

“Roof Signs shall be prohibited in all Transects. No Sign shall extend above the roof line or parapet wall.”

Miami 21 is a form-based code; sign standards vary by Transect Zone (T3, T4, T5, T6, C-Civic, D-Districts) and by Restricted/Limited/Open category. Values reported are for T5 Urban Center / T6 Urban Core (general commercial) zones, which share one Table 15 column.

“The following tables illustrate Sign design standards for specific Sign types allowed within Restricted(R), Limited(L) and Open(O) categories of specified Transect Zones.”