St Petersburg sign permit requirements

Permit required for all signs except exempt and prohibited signs; replacement of a sign face of equal size and material in a lawful sign structure requires no permit; window signs under 50% window area and various small signs are exempt

“No person shall install, erect or create any sign without first obtaining a permit for the sign, except for exempt signs and prohibited signs, and except as may otherwise be provided specifically herein.”

For CCT/CCS/RC-EC-IC (Suburban Center)/DC/IS: 1.75 sq. ft. per linear front foot up to a maximum of 150 sq. ft.; NT/NS group and IT: 1.75 sq. ft. per linear front foot up to a maximum of 48 sq. ft.

“1.75 sq. ft. per linear front foot up to a maximum of 150 sq. ft.”

Varies by district: CCT 64 sq. ft. per sign face; CCS 1 sq. ft. per linear ft. up to 64 sq. ft.; Suburban Center (RC, EC, IC) 1 sq. ft. per linear front foot up to 150 sq. ft.; DC up to 48 sq. ft.; IS up to 150 sq. ft.; IT up to 64 sq. ft.

“One square foot per linear front foot up to a maximum of 150 sq. ft. per sign face.”

0 ft. for signs 6 ft. or less; 3 ft. for signs over 6 up to 10 ft.; 5 ft. for signs over 10 up to 15 ft.; 10 ft. for signs greater than 15 ft.

“(1) Zero feet for signs that are six feet in height or less. (2) Three feet for signs that are ten feet in height or less, but greater than six feet in height. (3) Five feet for signs that are 15 feet in height or less, but greater than ten feet in height. (4) Ten feet for signs that are greater than 15 feet in height.”

A projecting sign shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above the ground (in DC or CCT districts where extension over right-of-way is allowed with easement permit)

“A projecting sign shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above the ground.”

Non-illuminated window signs max 50% of total window pane area; illuminated window signs count against allowable wall signage

“The maximum cumulative area of non-illuminated signs in a window shall be 50 percent of the total window pane area.”

Signs may be illuminated; no wall or freestanding sign within 50 ft. of a single-family use/zone may be internally illuminated; no unshielded illumination viewable from off premises; no blinking/flashing/changing-intensity lights except as allowed

“No wall or freestanding sign located within 50 feet of a property with a single-family use or zoned for a single-family use shall be internally illuminated.”

Digital/EMC signs permitted in all districts; max 50% of overall sign area and not to exceed 32 sq. ft.; dwell time at least one minute with instantaneous change and no special effects; static images only; max brightness 0.2 foot candles with light-sensing device

“A digital or electronic message center sign shall comprise no more than 50 percent of the overall sign area of the sign structure and shall not, in any case, exceed 32 square feet in area.”

Up to two banner signs per site/business in any zoning district (except small residential); max 48 sq. ft. each; display up to 30 days per permit; temporary signs limited to four times per calendar year per site/business

“Up to two banner signs per site or business shall be permitted in any zoning district, except at residential uses having ten dwelling units or less. The maximum area of each banner shall not exceed 48 square feet. The maximum period for display shall not exceed 30 days per permit.”

Prohibited signs include off-premises signs (except as allowed), portable signs, portable trailer signs, pennants, streamers, snipe signs, abandoned signs, bus shelter/bench signs (except approved), cold air inflatables (except temporary), roof/animated/revolving/flashing/beacon signs, vehicle signs, signs emitting sound/vapor, and any sign not specifically allowed

“Signs that move, revolve, twirl, rotate, or flash , including, but not limited to: animated signs, multiprism signs, and beacon lights except when required by the Federal Aviation Administration or other governmental agency.”

Regulations vary materially by zoning district. General commercial figures cited are for Corridor Commercial Suburban (CCS): freestanding 1 sq ft/linear ft up to 64 sq ft, 20 ft height; wall 1.75 sq ft/linear ft up to 150 sq ft. CCT allows freestanding 64 sq ft at 15 ft.

“It is the intent of the City Council to regulate signs consistent with the zoning designation which establishes the character of the area in which the signs are located.”