# Sign Regulations in Cocoa Beach, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cocoa Beach, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/cocoa-beach
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Cocoa_Beach/codes/Land_Development_Code?nodeId=APXBLADECO_CHVSIDI)

## At a glance

Cocoa Beach, Florida regulates 25 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Sign - Single Tenant Site (100 ft frontage or greater)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 84 sq. ft., with a 25 ft (or if <100 ft frontage, 5 ft or 20% of frontage); 15 ft from any other ground sign (10 ft if lot <100ft wide) setback (Sec. Section 5-12). Most commercial signs in Cocoa Beach require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 22 | 15 ft | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential | 2 | If ground sign, max 4 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| Non-residential | 2 | If ground sign, max 4 ft | 9 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned development | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign - Single Tenant Site (100 ft frontage or greater) | 15 ft | 84 sq. ft. | — | Front: 5 ft; Side: 25 ft (or if <100 ft frontage, 5 ft or 20% of frontage); 15 ft from any other ground sign (10 ft if lot <100ft wide) | 1 primary ground sign; 2nd ground sign allowed for second frontage | At least 5 ft from front property line; 25 ft side setback; properties <100 ft frontage: 5 ft or 20% of frontage, whichever greater | — | Section 5-12 |
| Ground Sign - Single Tenant Site (Frontage <100 ft) | 8 ft | 48 sq. ft. | — | Front: 5 ft; Side: 5 ft or 20% of frontage (whichever greater); 10 ft from any ground sign due to narrow lot | 1 primary ground sign; 2nd ground sign allowed for second frontage | At least 5 ft from front property line; 5 ft or 20% of property frontage side setback, whichever greater | — | Section 5-12 |
| Ground Sign - Single Tenant Site (Second Frontage) | 8 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | Front, side, and separation per 5-12 | Second sign | Second frontage; all setback requirements apply | — | Section 5-12 |
| Ground Sign - Multi-Tenant Site (Primary) | 15 ft | 100 sq. ft. | — | Front: 5 ft; Side: 25 ft (or if <100 ft frontage, 5 ft or 20% of frontage, whichever greater); 15 ft from other ground sign | 1 primary; 2nd allowed for second frontage | 5 ft front setback, 25 ft side setback, 15 ft from any other ground sign (or 10 ft on <100 ft wide lots) | — | Section 5-12 |
| Ground Sign - Multi-Tenant Site (Second Frontage) | 8 ft | 48 sq. ft. | — | Front, side, and separation per 5-12 | Second sign | Second frontage; setbacks per code | — | Section 5-12 |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Use) | If ground sign, max 4 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from side and rear property lines | No more than 2 per residential property | At least 5 ft from right-of-way, at least 10 ft from side/rear property lines | — | Section 5-10 |
| Temporary Sign (Non-residential Use) | If ground sign, max 4 ft | 9 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from side and rear property lines | No more than 2 per non-residential property | At least 5 ft from right-of-way, at least 10 ft from side/rear property lines | — | Section 5-10 |
| Temporary Off-site Sign | 4 ft | Residential: 6 sq. ft.; Nonresidential: 9 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from side and rear property lines | No more than 2 per property | Must be within 1 mile of promoted event, activity or place; not in ROW; comply with setbacks | — | Section 5-10.I |

### Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Residential) | If ground sign, max 4 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft from side/rear property lines | Max 2 per property | At least 5 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from side/rear property lines | — | Section 5-10.D-G |
| Address Identification Sign (Residential) | — | 3 sq. ft. (dwelling entrance); up to 4 in. number height (curb/drive) | — | — | — | On mailbox, curb, or posted at/near entrance | — | Section 5-03.F, G; Section 5-20.C |

### Non-residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Non-residential) | If ground sign, max 4 ft | 9 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from right-of-way; 10 ft from side/rear property lines | Max 2 per non-residential property | At least 5 ft from right-of-way, 10 ft from side/rear property line | — | Section 5-10.E-G |
| Address Identification Sign (Non-residential) | — | 8 in. high characters (in permitted signage) | — | — | — | Incorporated in permitted signage | — | Section 5-20.B |

## Prohibited signs in Cocoa Beach

- No sign is permitted to interfere with sight visibility at intersections.
- No sign shall in any way resemble a traffic signal or emergency vehicle light, including any rotating or flashing signal lamps of any color.
- No sign shall use words of warning such as 'STOP,' 'LOOK,' 'DANGER,' or any word, phrase, symbol, or character that interferes with, distracts, or confuses motorists.
- No sign shall interfere with the free use of any fire escape, emergency exit, or standpipe, or obstruct any window so that light or ventilation is below code requirements.
- No sign shall have lights that are flickering or sparkling.
- Signs are prohibited on the public sidewalk or right of way, unless otherwise provided.
- Signs above pedestrian walkways or parking areas must have a minimum clearance of eight feet from the bottom edge of the sign.
- All sign construction must comply with these land development codes and the Florida Building Code.
- Blinking or flashing signs not approved by FDOT or not conforming to the MUTCD are prohibited.
- Signs on seawalls, docks, or retaining walls are prohibited except for specified informational noncommercial signs (e.g., No Wake sign).
- Signs on fences or free standing walls are prohibited.
- Snipe signs and any sign attached to trees, utility poles, or other structures not intended to support signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except by a government agency for public safety messages.
- Obscene signs are prohibited.
- Signs on public property are prohibited except those erected by governmental agencies.
- Backlit awning signs are prohibited.
- Discontinued signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited, except as allowed under section 5-15.
- Signs that emit sound, odor, or visible materials (such as smoke or steam) are prohibited.
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs are prohibited.
- Signs in violation of the Florida Building Code are prohibited.
- Flag signs, pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, balloons, or inflatable signs are prohibited, except as permitted for special events.
- Signs with optical illusions of movement are prohibited.
- Any sign located, constructed, or maintained in a way that may be confused with or interfere with official traffic signs or obstruct a driver's view is prohibited.
- Signs or displays within the right of way are prohibited.
- Signs on vehicles which project from the vehicle are prohibited.
- Temporary signs made of cardboard or paper-faced material are prohibited unless securely fastened to an approved backing.
- A nonconforming sign shall not be expanded or altered to increase its nonconformity.
- A nonconforming sign shall not be moved or relocated unless the nonconformity is corrected.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cocoa Beach

- Traffic control message signs installed in accordance with FDOT provisions.
- Signs wholly within a building or enclosed space, excluding window signs.
- Noncommercial message signs, provided they comply with temporary sign regulations.
- One sign or cornerstone per building, when cut into masonry or constructed of noncombustible materials and incorporated into the building.
- Window signs not interfering with visibility and not exceeding 25% of total window glass area per side.
- Signs identifying the address of a property, clearly visible from the right of way.
- Address identification on a private driveway or curb face with letter/number height no greater than four inches.
- Legal notices required by law.
- Signs incorporated into machinery, equipment, or products by the manufacturer.
- Hanging or shingle signs, one per business, not exceeding two square feet and at least eight feet above walkway.
- Door signs identifying the business, maximum one square foot per exterior access door.
- Signs affixed to vehicles (painted on, magnetically attached, etc.) on properly licensed and operable vehicles.
- Temporary signs that comply with section 5-10 requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All building permit applications for signs must include a detailed sketch with dimensions, building dimensions, and sign location. For ground signs, a property survey with sign location and setback measurements is required. For wall signs, an elevation sketch drawn to scale is required. Certified engineered drawings may be required by the chief building official.
- Signage within a planned development (see section 2-26) requires a common architectural integrity and city commission approval. Approved signage requirements must be detailed in the development agreement.
- A roof sign may only be permitted upon approval of a variance and demonstration that it is the only viable identification option.

## 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 Cocoa Beach — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Cocoa+Beach+FL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-cocoa-beach

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