Sign Regulations in Coral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables, Florida has specific sign regulations covering 21 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Real Estate Sign, Temporary Noncommercial Sign, Temporary Paper Sign in Window. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: August 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Coral Gables, Florida
Sample Sign Requirements in Coral Gables
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 feet | 40 square inches | At least 5 feet from front property line or on building if building is less than 5 feet from property line |
| Temporary Noncommercial Sign | — | 22" x 28" | 5 feet from public right-of-way |
| Security and Alarm System Sign | 3 feet | 63 square inches | 5 feet from front property line (unless main building less than 5 feet) |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Coral GablesFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
21
- Temporary Real Estate Sign
- Temporary Noncommercial Sign
- Temporary Paper Sign in Window
- Temporary Construction Sign / Professional Affiliation Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Coral Gables
Other Cities in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Coral Gables 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 Coral Gables, 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 Coral Gables, regulated sign types include Temporary Real Estate Sign, Temporary Noncommercial Sign, Temporary Paper Sign in Window, Temporary Construction Sign / Professional Affiliation 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 Coral Gables 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 Coral Gables are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Coral Gables has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
AI-Powered Research
Ready to Research Coral Gables Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Coral Gables, Florida sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Coral Gables, Florida Sign Rules at a Glance
Coral Gables, Florida regulates 21 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Awning or Canopy Signs in the Mixed Use 1 (MX1), Mixed Use 2 (MX2), Mixed Use 3 (MX3) zoning district are capped at 12 ft max to top; max 6 inch letters (max 60% of valance height) tall, 4 sq ft per awning; max 60% height of valance, and 50% of awning/canopy width wide, with a Min 3 feet from curb/property line/ROW setback (Sec. Section 11-104). Most commercial signs in Coral Gables require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Coral Gables, Florida
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Coral Gables (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Family Residential (SFR) | 5 | 6 feet | 250 square inches | — |
| Multi-Family 1 Duplex (MF1), Multi-Family 2 (MF2), Multi-Family 3 (MF3), Multi-Family 4 (MF4) | 7 | 9 feet (standard), 12 feet (for those on US 1 or SW 8th St) | 250 square inches | — |
| Mixed Use 1 (MX1), Mixed Use 2 (MX2), Mixed Use 3 (MX3) | 13 | 30 inches for lettering; sign up to 25 ft above ceiling of top floor, min 97 ft above grade. | 250 square inches | — |
| Special Use (S) | 3 | 12 inches for letters; top of sign not more than 12 ft above grade | 40 sq in (if S is predominantly residential or multifamily); if S is nonresidential, see monument/other signs for commercial districts | — |
| Preservation (P) | 2 | 6 ft | 40 square inches | — |
| Planned Area Development (PAD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Central Business District Overlay (CBD), Zain/Friedman Miracle Mile Downtown District Overlay (DO), Giralda Plaza District Overlay, North Ponce Neighborhood Conservation District Overlay (NPCO), Residential Infill Regulations Overlay District (RIR), Design & Innovation District Overlay, North Ponce Mixed Use District Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 250 square inches | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Coral Gables(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
Single-Family Residential (SFR)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 feet | 40 square inches | — | At least 5 feet from front property line or on building if building is less than 5 feet from property line | 1 per site (plus one for waterway/golf course if applicable) | Must be placed at least 5 feet from front property line unless main building is less than 5 feet from property line, in which case window, door or wall placement allowed. Supporting member min. driven to allow top of sign max. 4 feet above finished grade. | — | Unlock | Section 11-107, Real estate signs |
| Temporary Noncommercial Sign | — | 22" x 28" | — | 5 feet from public right-of-way | Max 1, or 3 per election period | Min. 5 feet from ROW; may be in window or on wall/door if building is less than 5 feet from front property line | — | Unlock | Section 11-109, Temporary noncommercial signs |
| Security and Alarm System Sign | 3 feet | 63 square inches | — | 5 feet from front property line (unless main building less than 5 feet) | 2 per property (1 per side) | At least 5 feet from front property line (unless main building less than 5 feet, then can be on building) | — | Unlock | Section 11-113, Security and alarm system signs |
| Temporary Construction Sign / Professional Affiliation Sign | 6 feet | 40 square inches | — | — | 1 per site | Same as Temporary Real Estate Sign; freestanding or mounted on fence or building | — | Unlock | Section 11-104, Table: Temporary real estate/construction |
| Temporary Paper Sign in Window | — | 250 square inches | — | — | 1 per window, 2 per business establishment | Inside window/display window/door; interior | — | Unlock | Section 11-101.C.8 and Section 11-108 |
Multi-Family 1 Duplex (MF1), Multi-Family 2 (MF2), Multi-Family 3 (MF3), Multi-Family 4 (MF4)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 feet | 40 square inches | — | 5 feet from property line (see above for exception) | 1 per premises, 2 for waterway/golf course | At least 5 feet from front property line unless main building less than 5 feet from property line, then may be placed in/on window/door/wall | — | Unlock | Section 11-107 |
| Temporary Construction Sign / Professional Affiliation Sign | 6 feet | 40 square inches | — | — | 1 per site | Same as real estate sign, on fence/building or freestanding | — | Unlock | Section 11-104 (Temporary signs in MF districts) |
| Temporary Noncommercial Sign | — | 22" x 28" | — | Min. 5 ft from ROW | 1 (max 3 per election period) | Min. 5 feet from ROW; or wall/door/window if bldg less than 5 ft from property line | — | Unlock | Section 11-109 |
| Security and Alarm System Sign | 3 feet | 63 square inches | — | 5 feet from property line | 2 per property | At least 5 feet from front property line (unless main building less than 5 ft, then allowed on building) | — | Unlock | Section 11-113 |
| Detached Sign (Apartment, Apartment Hotel, Hotel, Motel) - Standard | 9 feet (standard), 12 feet (for those on US 1 or SW 8th St) | 6 square feet (standard)/32 square feet (motel)/24 square feet (parking lot) | — | Monument/detached: Minimum 5 feet from front/side property line | 1 per entity | On-premises only for permitted uses. 1 per building entity. | — | Unlock | Section 11-105.B.1, B.3 |
| Historic Marker | 7.5 feet | State of Florida historic marker standard (not specified but see Section for details) | — | 5 feet (front), 15 feet (side), 15 feet (corner intersection) | — | Min. 5 feet from front property line, 15 feet from side property line, 15 feet from ROW intersection | — | Unlock | Section 11-105.B.5 |
| Temporary Paper Sign in Window | — | 250 square inches | — | — | 1 per window, 2 per business | In show/display window or door | — | Unlock | Section 11-101.C.8, Section 11-108 |
Mixed Use 1 (MX1), Mixed Use 2 (MX2), Mixed Use 3 (MX3)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Mounted Sign (Building 45 ft or less) | 18 inches for lettering; sign max 25 ft above grade | 150 sq ft (primary), side max varies; see formula | 50% of lineal building frontage | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street right-of-way frontage, attached to building | — | Unlock | Section 11-104, Table |
| Wall Mounted Sign (Building 45.1 - 97 ft) | 24 inches for lettering; sign min 35 ft - max 97 ft above grade | 150 sq ft (primary), see formula for side | 50% of lineal building frontage | — | 1 per street frontage | As above | — | Unlock | Section 11-104, Table |
| Wall Mounted Sign (Building 97.1 ft or more) | 30 inches for lettering; sign up to 25 ft above ceiling of top floor, min 97 ft above grade. | 200 sq ft (primary), 150 sq ft (side) | 50% of lineal building frontage | — | 2 per building | Max 2 per building; attached to building | — | Unlock | Section 11-104, Table |
| Tenant Signage (Street Level) | 12 inches or 18 inches if design sign | 18 sq ft | 50% of tenant frontage | — | 1 per street level tenant per frontage | Wall, street level; attached to wall | — | Unlock | Section 11-104 |
| Projection Sign (Street Level) | 10 ft max to top; 6 inch max letters | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street level tenant (corners allowed 2) | At street level, meets projection/encroachment rules | — | Unlock | Section 11-104 |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | 12 ft max to top; max 6 inch letters (max 60% of valance height) | 4 sq ft per awning; max 60% height of valance | 50% of awning/canopy width | Min 3 feet from curb/property line/ROW | 1 per awning/canopy | On awning/canopy valance | — | Unlock | Section 11-104 |
| Directory Sign | 8 feet | Buildings <4 floors: 15 sq ft; >=5 floors: 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | At street level, at building entrance | — | Unlock | Section 11-104 |
| Detached/Monument Sign (for permitted property locations, i.e., US1/SW 8th; see code for details) | 6 ft (monument); 9-12 ft (monument/motel depending on location) | 32 sq ft (monument); 32 sq ft (motel on permitted locations); 24 sq ft (parking lot over 10,000 sq ft) | — | 5 ft from ROW, sidewalk, or drive | 1 per parcel | Min 5 ft from ROW; landscaped, minimum 5 ft from right-of-way/sidewalk/driveway | — | Unlock | Section 11-105 |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Coral Gables — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Coral Gables — start freeProhibited Signs in Coral Gables
- Signs shall not disfigure or conceal architectural features or details of a structure.
- The size and location of signs shall be proportional to the scale of the related structure and compatible with adjacent signage.
- The use of lettering and sign design shall enhance the architectural character of the related structure, and if the sign is an attached sign, the particular facade on which the sign is located.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited (owner or lessee identification signs advertising a commodity or service associated with a premises that is still in place more than sixty (60) days from the date the premises are vacated and such activity has ceased to exist on the premises).
- Bare bulb signs are prohibited.
- Box signs are prohibited.
- Cabinet signs are prohibited.
- Diagonal lettering is prohibited, except with respect to temporary noncommercial signs or as otherwise permitted.
- Exposed neon tubing is prohibited.
- Pennants, banners, streamers, balloons, blinking and flashing lights, streamer lights, flags (except as provided), and any other fluttering, spinning, rotating or similar type attention attractors and advertising devices are prohibited.
- Portable commercial message signs designed to be transported on a vehicle or worn on a person (like signs mounted on bike trailers, vehicle trailers, truck beds, or human signs) are prohibited—except certain business identification uses specified.
- Temporary lettering or graphics are prohibited, except for temporary noncommercial signs or as otherwise permitted.
- Signs attached to or placed on vehicles parked on public or private property for advertising purposes (not for business identification) are prohibited—some exceptions apply.
- Vertical lettering is prohibited, except with respect to temporary noncommercial signs or as otherwise permitted.
- Animated or flashing signs are prohibited, except temporary ones as part of City-authorized events.
- Electronic signs are prohibited.
- No signs shall be erected so as to obstruct any door, window, or fire escape and any building or structure, or so as to obstruct the visibility of any traffic control sign or traffic control signal.
- No person may post, display, or distribute any signs, advertisements, circulars, handbills, or printed or written matter relating to any business or commercial activities on any property or facilities owned or operated by or for the City without first obtaining written authorization from the City Commission or City Manager’s designee or unless otherwise authorized by law.
- Nothing in the code authorizes any sign displaying an image or message not within First Amendment or Florida Constitution protection, including obscene messages or those violating valid laws (e.g., libel).
- No advertising sign exposed to view from public streets, highways, thoroughfares, waterways, or public places is permitted on lots zoned or deed-restricted for residential purposes only, except as otherwise specifically permitted in the sign code.
- No intermittent or flashing illumination will be permitted.
- Wooden signs shall not have electric lights or fixtures attached to them in any manner.
- Signage that is not permitted as part of this Article shall not be permitted.
- Signs permitted as temporary noncommercial signs shall not be pasted, glued, printed, painted, affixed, or attached by any means to vacant lots, utility poles/supports/guy wires, trees, light poles, rights-of-way signage, public rights-of-way or surfaces, sidewalks, paving surfaces, swales, curbs, or any other government property without written authorization.
- Temporary noncommercial signs (Section 11-109) shall not be illuminated, constructed of reflective material, or feature flags, streamers, movable items, fluttering, spinning, rotating, or similar attention attractors or advertising devices.
- Banners, flags, cloth, or signs constructed of other similar materials are prohibited as temporary noncommercial signs.
- Signs permitted only for identification, informational, or directional purposes cannot be used for advertising.
Exempt Signs in Coral Gables
- Permitting requirements do not apply to: temporary signs authorized by this Article (including temporary noncommercial signs, real estate signs, going-out-of-business signs, certain temporary window/display signs, and decorative signs for citywide celebrations/conventions/commemorations authorized by the City Commission or designee).
- Signs not visible from public rights-of-way, public waterways, or neighboring properties are exempt from permitting.
- Signs less than one-half (½) of one (1) square foot in area that are incorporated into machines or equipment are exempt.
- Signs affixed to merchandise, provided they comply with Section 11-108.C, are exempt.
- Signs identifying the entrance or exit of parking lots and garages with no commercial advertisements, subject to Section 11-104 requirements, are exempt.
- Flags meeting Section 11-102 standards are exempt (criteria for size, number, use, and no commercial message), with district-specific area and pole limitations.
- Signs affixed to merchandise not larger than six (6) square inches and not prohibited by Section 11-102 are exempt.
- Paper or temporary signs attached to/within glass display windows (no more than 1 per window, 2 per establishment, max 250 square inches) are exempt.
- Temporary window wraps covering ground floor windows and doors of unoccupied/vacant retail spaces, if preapproved or reviewed 180 days prior to business opening/reopening, are exempt (must be removed within 72 hours after opening).
- Signs erected and maintained under discharge of governmental functions or required by law/ordinance/government regulation or to effectuate legal right are exempt.
- No permit or Board of Architects approval is required for real estate signs as specified (must still meet area, placement, construction, and content rules; see Section 11-107).
- Security and alarm system yard signs (meeting size, construction, and location conditions) are allowed by right—no permit or Board of Architects approval required (see Section 11-113).
- Historical plaques (up to 18”x18”) on designated landmarks, as approved by the Historic Preservation Board, are permitted.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Coral Gables
- Applicants requesting site plan review from the Planning and Zoning Division may request review of signage as part of the site plan review process. The Planning Director may require applicants undergoing site plan review to secure sign review and approval in association with site plan review. Applies to mixed-use developments, PADs, Special Use Districts, conditional uses, and subdivisions for residential uses with a minimum of 50 homes and 5 acres.
- Applicants must apply as a total signage package, requiring design review and recommendation before the Planning and Zoning Board and final approval by the City Commission.
- Signage that is not permitted as part of the Sign Article shall not be permitted—even through the sign plan/site plan process.
- Applicants requesting signage for existing developed properties in Special Use Districts or residential subdivisions with at least 50 homes and 5 acres may request sign review; these applications require design review and final approval by the full Board of Architects.
- In cases where the sign plan or signage for multiple properties or larger projects (e.g., alterations, expansions, renovations, projects with multiple ownership) is submitted (such as properties with over 20,000 sq ft or 200’ of frontage in certain overlays), signs and sign location/design may be subject to additional site plan review, Planning and Zoning Board recommendation, and City Commission approval.
- Variances to sign regulations may be applied for by property owners if special circumstances exist. The application is reviewed by the Development Services Department and Board of Adjustment against stated criteria (Section 11-118).
Source: other municipal code