# Sign Regulations in Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Belleair Bluffs, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/belleair-bluffs
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Belleair_Bluffs/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIGELE_CH102LADE_ARTXVIIISIRE)

## At a glance

Belleair Bluffs, Florida regulates 21 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Residential Identification)s in the Residential Low District (RL), Residential Urban District (RU), Residential Medium District (RM), Residential High District (RH) zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and See Sec. 102-133.6(18)-(b); up to 50 sq ft or 1 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage faced (whichever is less), with a 1 ft minimum from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 102-133.6(18); Sec. 102-133.8.1; 102-133.6(19)(f)). Most commercial signs in Belleair Bluffs require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Low District (RL), Residential Urban District (RU), Residential Medium District (RM), Residential High District (RH) | 6 | 25 ft (flagpole) | See Sec. 102-133.6(18)-(b); up to 50 sq ft or 1 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage faced (whichever is less) | — |
| Residential/Office General District (ROG), Residential/Office/Retail District (ROR), Commercial General District (CG), Institutional District (I) | 17 | 25 ft | 50 sq ft per side OR 1 sq ft per linear foot of street frontage faced by the sign, whichever is less | — |
| Recreation/Open Space District | 4 | 25 ft | 48 sq ft per flag | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Low District (RL), Residential Urban District (RU), Residential Medium District (RM), Residential High District (RH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ingress and Egress Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance(s) or exit(s) to parcel | — | Sec. 102-133.6(13); Sec. 102-133.8.1 |
| Street Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Visible from street/right-of-way | — | Sec. 102-133.6(14); Table 102-133.8.1 |
| Flagpole Sign (Flags) | 25 ft (flagpole) | 48 sq ft per flag (one side) | — | — | Up to 3 flags | On parcel; stanchions or brackets allowed on structures | — | Sec. 102-133.6(15); Table 102-133.8.1 |
| Monument Sign (Residential Identification) | 12 ft | See Sec. 102-133.6(18)-(b); up to 50 sq ft or 1 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage faced (whichever is less) | — | 1 ft minimum from property line | At each entrance | At entrance(s) to planned unit developments or neighborhood entrances | — | Sec. 102-133.6(18); Sec. 102-133.8.1; 102-133.6(19)(f) |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft each (max), aggregate 64 sq ft per parcel | — | 3 ft from property line, 5 ft from street/road edge | 8 per parcel | On private property; setback 3 ft from property line, 5 ft from edge of paved street/road | — | Sec. 102-133.7.1, Table 102-133.7.1b |
| Temporary Banner, Feather, or Flutter Sign (Residential) | 11 ft for feather/flutter signs | 15 sq ft (max allowed); banners, feather, or flutter signs over 15 sq ft not permitted in residential | 3 ft for feather/flutter signs | — | 1 at a time (practically most likely) | On property, not right-of-way/public property | — | Sec. 102-133.7.1(D); Table 102-133.7.1b |

### Residential/Office General District (ROG), Residential/Office/Retail District (ROR), Commercial General District (CG), Institutional District (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flagpole Sign (Flags) | 25 ft | 48 sq ft per flag | — | — | Up to 3 | On parcel; flagpole or stanchion | — | Sec. 102-133.6(15); Table 102-133.8.2 |
| On-Site Parking Space Sign (Noncommercial) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per space | At each parking space | — | Sec. 102-133.6(16); Table 102-133.8.2 |
| Signs at Service Station Islands | 8 ft | 4 sq ft per side (per island sign) | — | — | 1 per island plus canopy | Mounted on or under service island or canopy | — | Sec. 102-133.6(17); Table 102-133.8.2 |
| Monument Sign | 12 ft | 50 sq ft per side OR 1 sq ft per linear foot of street frontage faced by the sign, whichever is less | — | 1 ft minimum from property line | 1 per building (possible 2 per rules) | On-site, min 1 ft from property line | — | Sec. 102-133.6(18); Table 102-133.8.2 |
| Wall Sign | Not higher than building wall | 50 sq ft (unless less by formula) | — | — | 1 per wall façade | On exterior wall(s), face(s) of building | — | Sec. 102-133.6(19); Table 102-133.8.2 |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft (freestanding); 15 ft (wall/window) | 16 sq ft (individual), 128 sq ft aggregate per parcel | — | 3 ft from property line and street edge; 15 ft from other temp sign | 4 per parcel (up to 2 commercial) | Setback min 3 ft from property line, 3 ft from edge of paved street, 15 ft separation from other temporary ground sign | — | Sec. 102-133.7.1(B), (D), Table 102-133.7.1b |
| Temporary Banner, Feather, or Flutter Sign (Nonresidential) | 11 ft for feather/flutter signs | 24 sq ft (max allowed) | 3 ft for feather/flutter signs | — | Likely 1 at a time | On private property, not right-of-way | — | Sec. 102-133.7.1(D); Table 102-133.7.1b |
| Restaurant Wall Sign (where restaurant allowed use) | Not higher than building wall | 50 sq ft (or less, if wall area limit) | — | — | 1 per wall face | On exterior wall, as allowed for other wall signs | — | Table 102-133.8.2 |

### Recreation/Open Space District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ingress and Egress Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrances/exits | — | Sec. 102-133.6(13); Sec. 102-133.8.1 |
| Street Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft (if residential use); 4 sq ft (if public facility) | — | — | — | At entrance to park or facility | — | Sec. 102-133.6(14); Sec. 102-133.8.1, 8.2 |
| Flagpole Sign (Flags) | 25 ft | 48 sq ft per flag | — | — | Up to 3 | At park/facility | — | Sec. 102-133.6(15) |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft if residential/open space; 6 ft if nonresidential | 4 sq ft if residential/open space; 16 sq ft if considered nonresidential | — | — | If residential: 8; if nonresidential: 4 | On property, per applicable setback rules | — | Sec. 102-133.7.1; Table 102-133.7.1b |

## Prohibited signs in Belleair Bluffs

- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Attached signs that are taller than the wall of the building to which the sign is attached are prohibited.
- Attached signs that exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area per sign face are prohibited.
- Billboards and off-site commercial signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs (signs tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or attached to or placed on public property, utility poles, street signs, etc.) are prohibited.
- Bus bench advertising signs and bus shelter advertising signs are prohibited.
- Commercial mascot signs and commercial message signs that are carried, waved, or otherwise displayed by persons on public rights-of-way or visible from public rights-of-way are prohibited (except non-commercial speech).
- Discontinued signs (blank signs, signs for non-existent businesses or unlicensed businesses, or signs not maintained/operated for 60 days or more) are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Floodlights and beacon lights are prohibited, except when required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Freestanding or ground signs (monument or pole signs) higher than twenty (20) feet are prohibited.
- Freestanding or ground signs that exceed one hundred (100) square feet per sign face are prohibited except as specifically allowed for shopping centers.
- Holographic display signs are prohibited.
- Moving, twirling, or swinging signs, including multi-prism and tri-vision signs are prohibited.
- Pavement markings as signage are prohibited, except for official traffic control markings and building address markings required by law.
- Commercial flutter signs, feather signs, streamers, balloons, wind signs, wind activated banners, cold air inflatables, pennants and other fixed aerial signage are prohibited (except as expressly allowed for temporary use and as specified for feather and flutter signs).
- More than one permanent pole sign on a parcel is prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except for specific temporary A-Frame signs as allowed.
- Revolving or rotating signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs within a sight visibility triangle that obstruct a clear view of pedestrian or vehicular traffic are prohibited.
- Signs attached to a seawall, dock, buoy, tie pole, or pier are prohibited, except for warning signs and safety signs.
- Signs in, on, or over the public right-of-way are prohibited, except for government, warning, or safety signs.
- Signs in or upon a river, bay, lake, or body of water are prohibited, except for official government regulatory, warning, or safety signs.
- Signs located on property without the consent of the property owner are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to or painted on any tree or other vegetation are prohibited.
- Signs that use the word 'stop' or 'danger', or imitate official traffic control signage are prohibited adjacent to road rights-of-way.
- Signs not effectively shielded to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at public rights-of-way or which interfere with official traffic devices are prohibited.
- Signs containing food or substances that attract animals or birds and cause their congregation are prohibited.
- Signs emitting sound, vapor, smoke, odor, or gaseous matter are prohibited.
- Signs that obscure or obstruct any traffic control device sign or official traffic signal are prohibited.
- Wall wrap signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle sign or signs with a total area in excess of twenty (20) square feet on any vehicle are prohibited if the vehicle is not regularly used in the conduct of business, is parked within 100 feet of a street right-of-way for more than two consecutive hours in a 24-hour period, and is used primarily for advertising (not regular business transport).
- Projecting signs are prohibited.
- T-Frame signs are prohibited.
- Obscene signs (as defined under Florida Statutes Ch. 847) are prohibited.
- Signs nailed, fastened, or affixed to or painted on any tree (living or dead) or vegetation are prohibited.
- No sign may be displayed without the consent of the owner of the property on which the sign is displayed.
- A sign shall not be erected so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening intended as a means of egress.
- A sign shall not be erected to interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- Signs must maintain minimum required clearance from utilities and shall not interfere with surface and underground water or drainage.
- Signs shall not be attached to standpipes, gutters, drains, or fire escapes, or so as to impair roof access.
- Any structurally unsafe or structurally insecure sign presenting an immediate peril to public health or safety may be ordered removed without notice.
- Placement of any sign in a manner that violates the general criteria or limitations of the sign code is prohibited.
- Business of outdoor advertising is a prohibited use in all districts.
- No more than the allowed number, size, height, location, and type of signs as set forth in applicable tables and code sections shall be permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Belleair Bluffs

- Signs, other than window signs, located entirely inside the premises of a building or enclosed space are exempt from regulation.
- Signs on cars (other than prohibited vehicle sign or signs as defined) are exempt.
- Statutory signs (signs required by state or federal statute) are exempt.
- Government signs are exempt.
- Traffic control device signs are exempt.
- Any sign not visible from a public street, sidewalk or right-of-way, or from a navigable waterway or body of water, except when the sign for a commercial use is visible from an abutting residential use, is exempt.
- Temporary signs do not require a sign permit (except as otherwise required for specific types, such as banners/feather/flutter signs exceeding size limits).
- Temporary government signs do not require a permit and are allowed on public property and rights-of-way, unless specified otherwise.
- Permanent ingress and egress signs (4 sq ft max, 3 ft max height) do not require a permit.
- Permanent street address signs (max 2 sq ft for residential, 4 sq ft for nonresidential) do not require a permit.
- Flagpoles and flags (as regulated in code) do not require a permit.
- Flag brackets or stanchions and flags (as regulated) do not require a permit.
- Onsite parking space signs (max 2 sq ft per sign, noncommercial) are allowed without a permit.
- Umbrella signs for legal outdoor eating, drinking establishments, push-carts, sidewalk cafes (made of lightweight fabric or similar material) do not require a permit.
- Window signs (subject to coverage maximums) do not require a permit.
- Door signs (subject to coverage maximums and illumination restrictions) do not require a permit.
- Change of sign copy (where no structural/sign area/height/location alteration occurs) does not require a permit.
- Changeable copy on changeable copy signs does not require a permit for copy change.
- Signs for public safety or traffic direction required by law are exempt.
- Nothing in the sign code affects rights to substitute noncommercial for commercial message/copy (viewpoint neutrality and substitution clause).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit 'master sign plan' or 'sign plan' requirement is stated for general compliance; instead, all permanent signs (unless explicitly exempted) require a sign permit and may also require a building permit depending on size, structure, or electrical components.
- A detailed sign permit application is required for permanent signs (see section 102-133.10(5)), including site plans or elevation drawings for wall or freestanding signs.
- Freestanding signs, including monument signs, require an accurate boundary survey signed and sealed by a licensed land surveyor or engineer showing the proposed sign location.
- Site plan review (Article XXV) is required for: (1) all development or redevelopment of 0.5 acre or more, (2) any change of use from residential to office use, or from residential or office to personal service use in Residential/Office General and Residential/Office/Retail Districts, (3) any change of use to retail use in Residential/Office/Retail District; and (4) any development or subdivision for townhouses. During site plan review, sign location, type, and size may be reviewed as part of the development.
- Any change of use from residential to office/personal service/retail use in the mixed-use districts triggers site plan review (which may include signage as part of the required submissions).
- No stand-alone 'master sign plan' or sign package is mentioned; however, individual site plans required as part of building/development applications may need to show/propose signage.
- Variances from the sign code are only permitted for: (a) amount of sign area devoted to changeable copy (not total area), (b) required sign setback/location (not in visibility triangle), (c) sign height if necessary to clear an obstruction not created by current sign.
- Variances are not granted for nonconforming, obsolete, or abandoned signs, or to allow prohibited signs/types, increase number of allowable signs, increase area, or change definitions.
- Any sign requiring a sign permit (i.e., non-exempt permanent signs) must comply with individual plan and application requirements set forth in section 102-133.10.

## 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 4 zoning districts in Belleair Bluffs — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Belleair+Bluffs+FL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-belleair-bluffs

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