# Sign Regulations in Callaway, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Callaway, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/callaway
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Callaway/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH10OFMIPR_ARTIIIGASA_S10-44SI)

## At a glance

Callaway, Florida regulates 21 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the R-MF, R-MFA zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 125 sq ft, with a 25 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #2, Footnotes (e, j, k, p, q, r, u, v)). Most commercial signs in Callaway require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-7, R-7.5, R-9, R-10, R-6, R-6M, R-5, R-5M | 13 | 15 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| R-MF, R-MFA | 12 | 15 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| Institutional Professional | 11 | 15 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| PROF (Professional) | 9 | 15 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| C-C, C-S, C-H | 12 | 25 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| Shopping Centers | 10 | 25 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### R-7, R-7.5, R-9, R-10, R-6, R-6M, R-5, R-5M

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #1, Footnotes (e, g) |
| Contractor Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #1, Footnotes (b) |
| Flat Sign / Wall Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building facade | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #1, Footnotes (e, g) |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft | 125 sq ft | — | 25 ft from R/W, 5 ft from property line | — | 25 ft setback to R/W, 5 ft to property line | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #1, Footnotes (q, r), see also footnote e and q |
| Informational Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #1, Footnote (e, g) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #1, Footnote (a) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 2 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #1, Footnote (d, g) |
| Wall Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Building facade | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #1, Footnote (e, g) |

### R-MF, R-MFA

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #2, Footnotes (e, g, t, w) |
| Contractor Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #2, Footnote (b) |
| Flat/Wall Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Building facade | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #2, Footnotes (g, s) |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft | 125 sq ft | — | 25 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line | 1 per entrance | 25 ft setback to ROW, 5 ft to property line | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #2, Footnotes (e, j, k, p, q, r, u, v) |
| Informational Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #2, Footnotes (e, g, o) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #2, Footnote (a, g) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 2 | — | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #2, Footnote (d, g) |
| Wall Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Building facade | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #2, Footnote (e, g, s) |

### C-C, C-S, C-H

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy Sign | 25 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 25 ft | 1 | 25 ft setback | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #5, Footnotes (e, w, x, y) |
| Contractor Sign | 25 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 25 ft | 1 | 25 ft setback | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #5 |
| Flat/Wall Sign | 25 ft | — | — | 25 ft | 1 | Building facade | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #5, Footnotes (e, g, s, x) |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft | 125 sq ft | — | 25 ft to ROW, 5 ft to property line | 1 | 25 ft setback to ROW, 5 ft to property line | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #5 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 25 ft | 1 per street side (plus 1 for outparcels) | 25 ft setback | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #5, Footnote (u, v) |
| Informational Sign | 25 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 25 ft | 1 | 25 ft setback | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #5 |
| Moveable Sign | 25 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 25 ft | — | 25 ft setback | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #5 |
| Temporary Sign | 25 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 25 ft | 2 | 25 ft setback | — | Sec. 15.765.6, Matrix #5, Footnote (d) |

## Prohibited signs in Callaway

- No sign shall be erected or maintained in violation of the provisions and requirements of this Section.
- Any sign not specifically permitted within a zoning district shall be prohibited within such zoning district.
- No sign shall be permitted to extend into, above, or be placed in or on any portion of a public street, avenue or alley, nor be painted, pasted, posted, printed or nailed to or on any curb, sidewalk, tree, light standard, utility pole, hydrant or bridge, or in any manner displayed within public property or public right-of-way lines, except with written approval of the Director of Public Works.
- No political sign shall be posted in any public right-of-way, public park or on any other public property.
- No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door intended as a means of egress, nor interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- Any private sign located on or over public land or public right-of-way, unless authorized by the City Commission, shall be considered unlawful and subject to immediate removal.
- Signs and supporting structures shall not interfere with surface or underground utilities or drainage.
- No sign shall be erected in or upon East Bay, Callaway Bayou, Doty's Cove, or other body of water within the City limits, unless otherwise provided by law.
- No permit shall be issued for any sign deemed hazardous, dangerous, or a potential impediment to rescue personnel in an emergency, or which constitutes a public nuisance.
- Portable signs, sandwich signs, or snipe signs are prohibited within the City, and no vehicle or trailer shall be parked for the purpose of advertising, except that commercial vehicles may display business identification only.
- No sign employing motion picture projection, moving parts, or giving the illusion of motion (except as permitted) is allowed.
- No person may operate sound amplifying equipment, stationary or vehicle-based, without a permit; loud or raucous sounds that disturb the peace are grounds for permit revocation.
- No sign may emit audible sound, vapor, smoke, odor particles, or gaseous matter.
- No sign may cause radio, television or other communications interference.
- No sign shall display obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.
- No sign shall obstruct sight distance along a public or private right-of-way.
- No sign shall use admonitions such as 'stop', 'go', 'slow', 'danger' that might be confused with traffic direction signs.
- No sign may be erected, due to location, color, or nature, that would tend to be confused with or obstruct sight of traffic signs/signals, or create a hazard.
- No sign may be attached to or placed upon a wall or fence any roofing, beams, lattice work, barbed wire, or similar materials.
- No more than 20% of any building facade may be permanently covered by signs (shopping centers: 20% per business).
- No more than two non-illuminated, non-activated directional signs under 4 sq ft bearing no advertising except logo/business name per location.
- Signs may not encroach upon or extend over any public right-of-way unless otherwise authorized.
- No light provided in conjunction with a sign shall cause glare impairing visibility for vehicular or pedestrian traffic on public or private property.
- No sign shall be erected closer than five (5) feet to any overhead electrical conductor with voltage over 750 volts.
- Signs must comply with all structural and construction requirements of adopted building codes; in the event of conflict, the sign ordinance prevails.
- All signs must be maintained in good repair, clean and neat, not obstructing visibility from the road.
- No unsafe, hazardous, or nuisance sign is permitted and must be promptly removed or altered upon notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Callaway

- No permit is required for the following sign types provided all other provisions are met:
- A non-illuminated, non-activated nameplate not exceeding two (2) square feet attached flat to a building, denoting name, address, and occupation.
- Flags and insignias of any government, except when displayed for commercial promotion.
- Legal notices, identification, information or directional signs erected by governmental entities or in compliance with their regulations.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, excluding letters, logos, insignia, trademarks, moving parts or advertising.
- Not more than two (2) non-illuminated, non-activated directional signs under four (4) sq ft, without advertising except for owner/business logo.
- Non-illuminated, non-reflective memorial signs or building name/date plaques not exceeding twelve (12) sq ft made integral to the building as an architectural feature.
- No more than two (2) non-illuminated, non-activated signs eight (8) sq ft or less, located on public, charitable, or religious institutional property.
- One real estate sign per lot not exceeding six (6) sq ft in residential areas or thirty-two (32) sq ft in commercial areas.
- Signs and required regulatory information that are integral to, and not simply attached to, gasoline pumps or similar servicing devices.
- Signs up to two (2) sq ft advertising accepted credit cards, attached to the commercial building.
- Time or temperature signs not exceeding eight (8) sq ft, containing no advertisement.
- Temporary window signs conforming to related provisions.
- Political signs, provided they meet related requirements (e.g., location, removal, and setback as per 15.765.12)
- Advertising material on vehicles is exempt if limited to business name, type, address, and telephone number as incidental business identification.
- Special events signs or public auction signs are exceptions if permitted through the applicable application/deposit process.
- Atmospheric conditions, or utility, government, or emergency exceptions as otherwise provided.
- Some real estate, construction, and political signs, as specified in the matrices and footnotes.
- Removal or trimming of trees by single-family homeowners on their own lot is exempt from protected tree regulations.
- Certain advertising/handbill activities if permitted by the Department and consistent with related subsections.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for any sign erection, demolition, alteration, rebuilding, enlargement, extension, relocation, attachment to or support by a building or structure, unless specifically exempted.
- Permit applications for signs must include executed forms, suitable drawings, and payment of fees prior to issuance.
- Drawings for certain signs must be certified by a structural design engineer registered in the State of Florida.
- Permission of the property owner must be documented for any sign to be erected on their property.
- Proof of public liability insurance may be required for some permit applications.
- All sign permit applications require payment of specified fees as enumerated in the ordinance.
- If the work authorized under a sign permit is not completed within 90 days of issuance, the permit becomes null and void.
- Electrical permits are required in addition to sign permits for electrically illuminated signs.
- All signs installed by sign erectors or contractors must bear manufacturer's and erector's identification and the city permit number.
- Special event and public auction signs require a permit and additional deposit; time restrictions apply.
- Upon approval of the City Manager, informational and directional signs may be constructed or located within a right-of-way or easement, subject to location and size restrictions.
- Temporary signs related to proposed use, development, or sale of property may be permitted for up to 12 months, upon approval.
- Landscape plans must be submitted and approved prior to the issuance of any permit for development (except single or two-family residential uses) including sign installations.
- Tree plot plans are required for building permit applications for new construction (except SFR), including tree locations, types, and size.
- For major development, site plans and construction drawings must include sign placement and design information as required under Section 15.765.
- Signs for a platted subdivision, non-profit/community/neighborhood center, public facility, or multi-family development require a permit specifically authorizing location, design, materials, lettering, and size of such sign(s).

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

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