# Sign Regulations in Delray Beach, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Delray Beach, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/delray-beach
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Delray_Beach/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT7TRCO_CH71PARE_PARE_S71.015OBSIPRPA)

## At a glance

Delray Beach, Florida regulates 10 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the Residential Zoning Districts (R-1 Districts, PRD, RL, RM, RR and AG Districts) zoning district are capped at 20 square feet, with a Min. 10' from property line setback (Sec. Table 4.6.7(A) (Residential Zoning Districts)). Most commercial signs in Delray 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 | 4 | — | — | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (R-1 Districts, PRD, RL, RM, RR and AG Districts) | 3 | 8 inches | 36 square feet per sign | — |
| CF, Historic Districts, OS, OSR, OSSHAD, RO | 4 | 8 feet | 30 square feet | — |
| GC, AC, NC, PC, CBD, MIC, MROC, I, POD, POC, LI | 7 | 14 feet | 160 square feet | — |

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

### Residential Zoning Districts (R-1 Districts, PRD, RL, RM, RR and AG Districts)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | Min. 10' from property line | One per lot or parcel | Minimum of 10 feet from property line (Table 4.6.7(A)) | — | Table 4.6.7(A) (Residential Zoning Districts) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 inches | 20 square feet per face | — | — | — | — | — | Table 4.6.7(A) (Residential Zoning Districts) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 36 square feet per sign | — | At least 10' from paved roadway or 5' from paved roadway if within median. | One double-faced or two single-faced signs if two walls at entrance | At entrance to subdivision; may be within right-of-way/median with permission. | — | Sec. 4.6.7(F)(3)(g) |

### CF, Historic Districts, OS, OSR, OSSHAD, RO

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 square feet | — | — | Up to two per lot, parcel or development | On building face | — | Table 4.6.7(A) (applies to CF, all Historic Districts, OS, OSR, OSSHAD, RO) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 30 square feet per face | — | — | — | From building or under canopy | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | 30 square feet per face | — | — | — | May be in front yard setback | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |
| Under Canopy Sign | — | 4 square feet per face | — | — | — | Under canopy | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |

### GC, AC, NC, PC, CBD, MIC, MROC, I, POD, POC, LI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Facing Street) | 12 feet (for calculation only) | 160 square feet | — | — | One per business per frontage | Facing each dedicated street frontage | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |
| Wall Sign (Rear of Building Not Facing Street) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | One per building | On rear of building not facing street | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |
| Wall Sign (Facing I-95) | 12 feet (for calculation only) | 160 square feet | — | — | One per business | Facing I-95 | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |
| Directory Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | One per building | On building face | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 30 square feet | — | — | One per business | From building or under canopy | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |
| Under Canopy Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | One per business | Under a canopy | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |
| Free-standing Sign (Primary Frontage) | 14 feet | 160 square feet (main sign), 50 square feet (each additional sign) | — | — | One per frontage | — | — | Table 4.6.7(A) |

## Prohibited signs in Delray Beach

- It shall be unlawful for any person to post, display, change, or erect a nonexempt sign or a sign structure that requires a permit without first having obtained a permit.
- All signs not expressly allowed by these Land Development Regulations (LDRs) are prohibited.
- Signs shall not obscure or be obscured by another sign, structure, or existing vegetation.
- Signs shall not create a hazard to automotive or pedestrian traffic.
- A sign shall not involve intermittent lighting, animation, motion or rotation of any part of a sign structure or display, except for governmental traffic signals, traffic devices, and traffic signs as required by law.
- A sign shall not produce noise or sounds.
- A sign shall not exhibit thereon any lewd, lascivious, or obscene character, or illustration.
- A sign shall not produce or emit smoke, vapor, particles, or odor.
- Banners and wind signs are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs (signs advertising establishments, merchandise, or services sold at a place other than where the sign is located) are prohibited, except for non-commercial messages.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising matter erected at intersections or in the right-of-way that obstructs vision or creates confusion with traffic signs, signals, or devices are prohibited.
- Vehicular signs placed on vehicles or trailers that are parked for the primary purpose of advertising are prohibited.
- Commercial signs in public rights-of-way are prohibited, except as specified in Section 4.6.7(E)(3).
- Waterborne signs and advertising displayed on vessels plying waterways are prohibited, excluding vessel identification.

## Signs exempt from permit in Delray Beach

- ATM panels that are physically constructed within and integral to an ATM, bearing the name of the ATM system.
- Directional signs not extending more than five feet from the ground and not greater than four square feet in area.
- Flags are allowed according to specified size and number limitations for residential and nonresidential parcels.
- Hours of operation signs, non-illuminated and not more than one square foot, located close to the entry.
- Instructional signs conveying premises instructions (e.g., 'no trespassing', 'danger'), not extending more than five feet from the ground and not greater than three square feet.
- One nameplate sign per building, noncommercial, not exceeding three square feet, bearing principal occupant name or street address.
- Non-residential real estate signs: one freestanding sign per frontage, not exceeding 16 square feet and limited to seven feet in height.
- Residential real estate signs: one per lot (three square feet); for lots bordering more than one street, one per street; additional nine-square-foot sign along waterway if applicable; all are non-illuminated; additional three-square-foot rider sign may accompany.
- Window signs: plastic or painted signs up to 20% of the aggregate glass area per tenant/main use; paper signs two feet or more from glass up to 20% of aggregate area.
- Temporary non-commercial signs: may be placed with contiguous property owner's permission; maximum 12 square feet per sign face on private property; maximum three square feet in right-of-way; must not be in a location that constitutes a safety hazard or hindrance.
- Sponsorship signs attached to inside fence face surrounding sports fields, not visible outside the field; up to 32 square feet per sign.
- Tenant panel changes in a directory or permitted sign are exempt if there is no change in colors or letter style.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for all signs unless specifically listed as exempt or prohibited.
- A Blanket Sign Program may be required for commercial properties with multiple tenants to establish font, color, size, and locations of signs. Approval is by the Site Plan Review and Appearance Board (SPRAB) or Historic Preservation Board (HPB) for historic sites. After approval, individual signs that conform to the plan are administratively approved.
- A Master Sign Program is required when project development is of such scale or character that exceeds normal design/aesthetic standards and more permissive signing is necessary. Approval is by SPRAB or HPB, as applicable. Approval may include waivers/adjustments from standard design/aesthetic requirements, provided the code's intent and character are maintained. After approval, individual signs consistent with the plan are administratively approved.
- Individual signs must obtain a permit unless exempt under the code or specifically prohibited.
- If a sign requires a permit and is located within easement or right-of-way, an agreement acceptable to the City Attorney is required between the property owner and the City. A performance bond or guarantee may be required.
- Permit submittals for signs over 32 square feet must be sealed by a registered engineer or architect certifying compliance with wind load requirements. Signs 32 square feet or less require a signed contractor certificate for wind loading.
- Permits for certain special purpose signs (e.g., gasoline pricing, grand opening banners, drive-thru window signs, subdivision identification, special event banners) can be issued administratively if criteria are met.
- For historic/nostalgic signs, approval from the Historic Preservation Board and City Commission may exempt from removal requirements, subject to specific criteria.
- Projecting signs extending into the right-of-way more than two feet or larger than five square feet in CBD/OSSHAD districts require approval by SPRAB or HPB.
- Some sign types or waivers may involve appeals or variances handled by SPRAB, HPB, or the City Commission.

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

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