# Sign Regulations in Florence, Alabama

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Florence, Alabama, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Florence, Alabama (AL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/alabama/florence
- **Data last verified:** 2025-03-31
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AL/Florence/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH5BU_ARTVIIPEFESCCOINREBUPLGAELSI)

## At a glance

Florence, Alabama regulates 5 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Surface Projected Signs in the SD, Sweetwater district zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall, 12 sq ft, and 4 ft wide (Sec. Sec. IV(C)(10)). Most commercial signs in Florence require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, single-family residential/conventional lots zone | 2 | 6 ft | 4 sq ft for residential; 36 sq ft for other uses | — |
| R-2, single-family residential/small lots zone | 2 | 6 ft | 4 sq ft for single-family; 36 sq ft for other uses | — |
| R-3, multi-family residential zone | 2 | 6 ft | 4 sq ft for single-family; 36 sq ft for other uses | — |
| R-B, residence-business zone | 2 | 6 ft | 1 sq ft per building front foot; max 200 sq ft | — |
| B-1, neighborhood business zone | 2 | 18 ft with 8 ft clearance | 1.5 sq ft per building front foot; max 200 sq ft | — |
| B-1 H, neighborhood business/high impact zone | 2 | 18 ft with 8 ft clearance | 1.5 sq ft per building front foot; max 200 sq ft | — |
| B-2, general business zone | 2 | 25 ft with 8 ft clearance | 2 sq ft per building front foot; max 200 sq ft | — |
| B-3, central business zone | 2 | 16 ft with 8 ft clearance | 200 sq ft or 15% of building surface | — |
| H-1, Florence Harbor District | 2 | 18 ft with 8 ft clearance | 1.5 sq ft per building front foot; max 200 sq ft | — |
| SD, Sweetwater district | 3 | 18 ft with 8 ft clearance | 12 sq ft | — |
| FAR, floodway-agricultural-recreational zone | 2 | 6 ft | 2 sq ft for residential; 36 sq ft for other uses | — |
| I-1, light industrial zone | 2 | 25 ft with 8 ft clearance | 2 sq ft per building front foot; max 200 sq ft | — |
| I-2, heavy industrial zone | 2 | 25 ft with 8 ft clearance | 2 sq ft per building front foot; max 200 sq ft | — |
| Planned unit development districts | 1 | Reviewed for compatibility | Reviewed for compatibility | — |
| Conditional overlay districts | 1 | Reviewed for compatibility | Reviewed for compatibility | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 50% of total sign area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### R-1, single-family residential/conventional lots zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Supported Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft for residential; 36 sq ft for other uses | — | — | 1 per site | Per site | — | Sec. IV(C)(1) |
| Surface Mounted Sign | Not above roof or parapet | 4 sq ft for residential; 36 sq ft for other uses | — | — | 2 per site | Per site | — | Sec. IV(C)(1) |

### R-2, single-family residential/small lots zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Supported Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft for single-family; 36 sq ft for other uses | — | — | 1 per site | Per site | — | Sec. IV(C)(2) |
| Surface Mounted Sign | Not above roof or parapet | 4 sq ft for single-family; 36 sq ft for other uses | — | — | 2 per site | Per site | — | Sec. IV(C)(2) |

### SD, Sweetwater district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Supported Sign | 18 ft with 8 ft clearance | 1.5 sq ft per building front foot; max 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | Per site | — | Sec. IV(C)(10) |
| Surface Mounted Sign | Not above roof or parapet | 1.5 sq ft per building front foot | — | — | 2 per establishment; 1 per street front for corner lots | Per site | — | Sec. IV(C)(10) |
| Surface Projected Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per site | Per site | — | Sec. IV(C)(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Florence

- Signs on public rights-of-way.
- Obstructions to public signs.
- Simulation of traffic signs.
- Abandoned signs.
- Roof-mounted signs.
- Wall-painted signs.
- Portable signs.
- Snipe sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Florence

- Banner.
- Construction signs.
- Flags.
- Real estate signs.
- Political campaign signs.
- Window display signs.
- Marquees.
- Subdivision entrance identification signs.
- Public signs.
- Institutional.
- Integral.
- On-premises directions.
- Official historical signs.
- Vehicles.
- Non-electric chalkboard or daily-special-type sign in the B-3 Central Business District.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all dynamic signs provided for under the conditions of this section.
- Additions of dynamic signage to any existing, conforming sign shall be considered the same as new signage.
- Dynamic signs permitted prior to the adoption of the ordinance shall be granted a grace period of sixty (60) days from the date of the adopting resolution by the city council to comply with the requirements.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 16 zoning districts in Florence — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Florence+AL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-florence

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