Sign Regulations in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida
Bay Harbor Islands, Florida has specific sign regulations covering 23 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Primary Sign, Secondary Sign (Corner Building), Under-Walkway/Canopy Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Bay Harbor Islands, Florida
Sample Sign Requirements in Bay Harbor Islands
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Sign | Top of sign not above 14 ft above grade, except for building identification signs on buildings 3+ stories (see building identification sign); Lettering: max 18 in, min 12 in per line | 30 sq ft | — |
| Secondary Sign (Corner Building) | Up to 14 ft above grade, letter height up to 9 in (50% of primary) | 15 sq ft | — |
| Under-Walkway/Canopy Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
23
- Primary Sign
- Secondary Sign (Corner Building)
- Under-Walkway/Canopy Sign
- Window Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Bay Harbor Islands
Other Cities in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Bay Harbor Islands vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Bay Harbor Islands, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Bay Harbor Islands, regulated sign types include Primary Sign, Secondary Sign (Corner Building), Under-Walkway/Canopy Sign, Window Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Bay Harbor Islands vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Bay Harbor Islands are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Bay Harbor Islands has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Bay Harbor Islands, Florida Sign Rules at a Glance
Bay Harbor Islands, Florida regulates 23 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Primary Signs in the B-1 zone, B-1 Business district, B-1 district, business districts B-1 zoning district are capped at Top of sign not above 14 ft above grade, except for building identification signs on buildings 3+ stories (see building identification sign); Lettering: max 18 in, min 12 in per line tall and 30 sq ft (Sec. Sec. 17-20(a,f,e), Sec. 17-26). Most commercial signs in Bay Harbor Islands require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Bay Harbor Islands, Florida
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Bay Harbor Islands (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 zone, B-1 Business district, B-1 district, business districts B-1 | 19 | Placed at uppermost portion; Letters/logos max 18 in high | 154 sq in per window | — |
| RM1 district, RM2 district | 1 | — | — | — |
| properties outside the B-1 zone | 3 | — | 1 sq ft each | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Bay Harbor Islands
B-1 zone, B-1 Business district, B-1 district, business districts B-1
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Sign | Top of sign not above 14 ft above grade, except for building identification signs on buildings 3+ stories (see building identification sign); Lettering: max 18 in, min 12 in per line | 30 sq ft | — | — | One primary sign per business | Affixed to wall surface or on top of ledge/overhang; not allowed to hang from ledge/overhang or be mounted on its supporting poles/columns without design review board approval | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-20(a,f,e), Sec. 17-26 |
| Secondary Sign (Corner Building) | Up to 14 ft above grade, letter height up to 9 in (50% of primary) | 15 sq ft | — | — | One per eligible corner business | On building facades facing second street (corner buildings) | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-20(a)(6), 17-22(b) |
| Under-Walkway/Canopy Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | One per business | Hung under a covered walkway or canopy, 90 degrees to the street | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-20(a)(7) |
| Window Sign | Top of any sign max 10 ft above grade (unless design review board approves higher) | 25% of total window glass area of business; max letter size: 8 in (primary), 4 in (secondary); one sign per business, or two signs if frontage >50 ft | — | — | One per business, two if frontage >50 ft | Only on windows forming part of the occupied space | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-20(b), (j), (d), (e) |
| Door Sign | — | 25% of total door glass area (if glass); lettering not to exceed 4 in per line; address numbers max 4 in high | — | — | One per business | Door glass area; street-facing or rear (for address numbers) | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-20(c), (e) |
| Credit and Debit Card Decals/Stickers | — | Total area not to exceed 24 sq in | — | — | One per business | Single location on window or door (including windows/doors facing alleys under 17-22(a)) | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-20(b)(1), 17-22(a) |
| Building Identification Sign (Three+ Story Building) | Placed at uppermost portion; Letters/logos max 18 in high | 150 sq ft per sign | — | — | No more than 2 per building, 1 per street frontage | Attached only to building facades facing adjoining street frontage where land across is also B-1 District (not alleys) | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-20(a)(4), 17-20(t) |
| Temporary Banner Sign - Grand Opening | — | 2 ft vertical x 6 ft horizontal | — | — | One per business (one-time) | On premises of the new business | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-20(l) |
RM1 district, RM2 district
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Parking Identification Sign (Freestanding, Unattached) | — | — | — | — | — | On ground, unattached to building, to identify private residential parking | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-23(d) |
properties outside the B-1 zone
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Identification Sign (Non-B-1) | — | — | — | — | — | As approved by town manager/design review board | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-23(a,b) |
| Hotel/Apartment Supplemental Signs | — | 1 sq ft each | — | — | Up to four per hotel/apartment | Affixed to hotel/apartment property | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-23(c) |
| Address Numbers (Business or Residential, Non-B-1) | — | — | — | — | Required | Visible from the street and (if business) from the rear as well | — | Unlock | Sec. 17-23(e) |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Bay Harbor Islands are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Bay Harbor Islands
- No sign may display more than the name of the building, the trade name of the establishment, and the nature of the business, without designation of any particular product or service by trade name.
- Signs may not exceed maximum specified area, height, length, and mounting height unless otherwise approved by the design review board.
- No face jumping or wires visibly connected to individual letters shall be permitted.
- No primary sign may be mounted on poles or columns supporting a ledge or overhang without design review board approval.
- No plastic or similar materials (except the letters themselves) shall be permitted on plaques or similar signage.
- Window signs may not be illuminated from an exterior source.
- Window signs may not state any price or dollar amount.
- Only one sign of each type (primary identification, window, door) shall be permitted for each retail store and business establishment.
- No awning or canopy shall be erected bearing any sign except under specific conditions.
- Box signs and/or signs utilizing flat plastic letters affixed to a flat surface are prohibited for new permits.
- Businesses located on the second floor or higher, and businesses not occupying street-adjacent space, are not permitted any signage other than door signs and building directories.
- No flags or banners shall be displayed in the B-1 Business district except for American, Florida, or Bay Harbor Islands flags, unless authorized by the town council for public events.
- All iridescent or other lighted signs outside the B-1 zone are prohibited.
- Properties outside the B-1 zone may not display any signs except those approved by the town manager or design review board.
- No owner or lessee of unused premises or premises without a valid business tax receipt may permit any business signs to be displayed.
- Handmade 'for sale', 'for rent', 'for lease' signs are prohibited.
- Holiday decorations may not contain any business names or logos, and may not be placed on Town property.
- An unlawful sign is not a nonconforming sign; illegal signs must be removed immediately as required by specific code sections.
- No more than one 'sale' sign per window in interior displays, and it may not be closer than 18 inches to the window.
- No signs on any side of a building other than the side facing the street it abuts, except in limited circumstances outlined for alleys and corners.
Exempt Signs in Bay Harbor Islands
- Credit and debit card signs as decals or stickers are permitted, provided the total area does not exceed 24 square inches, and placement, condition, and number requirements are met.
- Professionally designed window displays are exempt from window sign provisions.
- Non-illuminated signs placed more than five feet from the face of any window surface are exempt from the window sign provisions.
- Religious institutions located on second floor or higher are exempt from the prohibition against upper floor signage (applying only to businesses).
- Holiday decorations may be installed two weeks before and one week after specified holidays, subject to restrictions on content and placement.
- Flags of the United States, Florida, and Bay Harbor Islands are always permitted; other flags and banners may be permitted for public/special events by the town council.
- Sidewalk café/outdoor restaurant menu board/sandwich signs are permitted subject to area and appearance restrictions.
- Building tenant directory signs are required and permitted for all multi-story buildings as specified.
- Address numbers are required and permitted for all properties, with three-dimensional numbers permitted in business districts.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Bay Harbor Islands
- Certain sign applications, modifications beyond standards, and specific sign types (e.g., mounting methods, plaques, building identification signs above 14 feet, etc.) require design review board approval.
- Permit application is required for temporary signs, 'for sale/for rent/for lease/no parking' signs, temporary banners, and property information signs.
- All signs are subject to town approval as to aesthetics, including mounting, materials, illumination, and color choices.
- If design review board varies from standard criteria, a written explanation must be forwarded to town council, and the decision may be appealed for town council action.
- Signage on theaters must be incorporated and approved as a whole with building plans, subject to regular permit and approval requirements.
- Building tenant directory signs are required for multi-story buildings and must comply with section 17-3.
- For sign variances granted by the design review board, written reasons and copies must be forwarded to the town council, with the possibility of appeal and hearing before the council.
Source: municode municipal code