# Sign Regulations in Fort Myers, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fort Myers, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/fort-myers
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-12
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/fl/fort_myers/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADECO_CH126SI)

## At a glance

Fort Myers, Florida regulates 37 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Ground or Monument)s in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 90 sq ft, with a Min 5 ft from all property lines (general minimum setback applies) setback (Sec. Sec. 126-20(1)a; Sec. 126-14(7), (10)). Most commercial signs in Fort Myers require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 35 ft | 400 sq ft (copy area) | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | 9 | 15 ft | 90 sq ft | — |
| Commercial General (CG) (Businesses not located in a commercial center) \| Commercial Intensive (CI) (Businesses not located in a commercial center) \| Industrial Light (IL) (Businesses not located in a commercial center) \| Industrial Heavy (IH) (Businesses not located in a commercial center) | 15 | 35 ft (general maximum for freestanding signs) | 250 sq ft | — |
| Commercial General (CG) (Businesses located in commercial centers) \| Commercial Intensive (CI) (Businesses located in commercial centers) \| Industrial Light (IL) (Businesses located in commercial centers) \| Industrial Heavy (IH) (Businesses located in commercial centers) | 13 | 35 ft (general maximum for freestanding signs) | 250 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) \| Mixed Use (MU) | 2 | — | If frontage ≥200 linear ft: total 64 sq ft (no single banner >32 sq ft). If frontage <200 ft: total ≤32 sq ft. | — |
| Master Development Plan (MDP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Edison-Ford Cultural (EFC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Single-Family - 6 (RS-6) (Churches, schools and public facilities) \| Residential Single-Family - 7 (RS-7) (Churches, schools and public facilities) | 3 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Multifamily - 12 (RM-12) (Churches, schools, public facilities and other permitted uses) \| Residential Multifamily - 16 (RM-16) (Churches, schools, public facilities and other permitted uses) | 3 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Neighborhood Commercial (NC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Monument) | 15 ft | 90 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from all property lines (general minimum setback applies) | 1 per parcel | Per parcel | — | Sec. 126-20(1)a; Sec. 126-14(7), (10) |
| Building Sign (Wall/Building) | — | 45 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Attached to building façade | — | Sec. 126-20(1)b; Sec. 126-14(3); Sec. 126-10(n) |
| Bulletin Board (Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of the institution | — | Sec. 126-20(1)c |
| Directional Sign (Non-residential Use Specific) | 2.5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | No setback required | 1 per entrance/exit | At each entrance or exit to a business | — | Sec. 126-20(4)a |
| Drive-Through/Walk-Up Menu Sign (Use Specific) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive-up lane and 1 per walk-up window | At each drive-up lane and walk-up window | — | Sec. 126-20(4)b |
| Feather Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft (including support) | 25 sq ft (sign area) OR 15 ft overall height (including support), whichever reached first | — | Min 5 ft from any property line | Max 1 per every 50 ft of road frontage | Along roadway where the primary business sign is located | — | Sec. 126-20(3)b.2(a)–(d) |
| Portable Sign - Option 1 (In lieu of permanent sign for new business) | — | — | — | Special setbacks may be imposed by Director for safety; otherwise general setbacks apply. | Per Sec. 126-20(3)a.7, one per parcel for 30-day portable sign periods (not applicable to 6-month in-lieu permit). | On private property; not within required parking space; corner lots must meet Ch. 134 requirements. | — | Sec. 126-20(3)a.1–4, 6(a), 7 |
| Portable Sign - Option 2 (30-day portable sign) | — | — | — | Special setbacks may be imposed by Director; otherwise general setbacks apply. | 1 per parcel during 30-day period | On private property; not within required parking space; corner lots meet Ch. 134. | — | Sec. 126-20(3)a.1–4, 6(b), 7 |

### Commercial General (CG) (Businesses not located in a commercial center) | Commercial Intensive (CI) (Businesses not located in a commercial center) | Industrial Light (IL) (Businesses not located in a commercial center) | Industrial Heavy (IH) (Businesses not located in a commercial center)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft (general maximum for freestanding signs) | 250 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from property lines (general) | 1 per business | Per business | — | Sec. 126-20(2)a.1(a); Sec. 126-14(2), (7), (10) |
| Building Signs (Per Facade Facing Public ROW) | — | 125 sq ft per qualifying façade | — | — | As needed within the per-facade area cap | On each façade facing a dedicated public right-of-way adjacent to the property | — | Sec. 126-20(2)a.2(a); Sec. 126-14(3); Sec. 126-10(n) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Mounted under canopy/marquee/awning | — | Sec. 126-20(2)a.2(b) |
| Directional Sign (Non-residential Use Specific) | 2.5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | No setback required | 1 per entrance/exit | At each entrance or exit to a business | — | Sec. 126-20(4)a; Sec. 126-30(2) |
| Drive-Through/Walk-Up Menu Sign (Use Specific) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive-up lane and 1 per walk-up window | At each drive-up lane and walk-up window | — | Sec. 126-20(4)b |
| Hospital Signs (Campus Use) - Building Sign (Primary) | — | 250 sq ft (one per building) | — | — | 1 per building | On hospital building | — | Sec. 126-20(4)c.1 |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) - General Advertising | — | If frontage ≥200 linear ft: total 64 sq ft (no single banner >32 sq ft). If frontage <200 ft: total ≤32 sq ft. | Single banner ≤32 sq ft | — | Within total area cap | On business property in CG/CI/IL/IH | — | Sec. 126-20(3)b.1(a)–(c) |
| Feather Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft (including support) | 25 sq ft (sign area) OR 15 ft overall height (including support), whichever reached first | — | Min 5 ft from any property line | Max 1 per every 50 ft of road frontage | Along roadway where the primary business sign is located | — | Sec. 126-20(3)b.2(a)–(d) |

### Commercial General (CG) (Businesses located in commercial centers) | Commercial Intensive (CI) (Businesses located in commercial centers) | Industrial Light (IL) (Businesses located in commercial centers) | Industrial Heavy (IH) (Businesses located in commercial centers)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Primary (Commercial Center) | 35 ft (general maximum for freestanding signs) | 250 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from property lines (general) | 1 per commercial center | One per commercial center; along primary frontage | — | Sec. 126-20(2)b.1(a), (c); Sec. 126-14(2), (7), (10) |
| Freestanding Sign - Additional Frontage (Commercial Center) | 35 ft (general maximum for freestanding signs) | 125 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from property lines (general) | 1 per additional frontage | For each additional publicly dedicated right-of-way frontage adjacent to the property | — | Sec. 126-20(2)b.1(b) |
| Building Signs (Primary Facade per Tenant) | — | 250 sq ft on primary façade (per current tenant) | — | — | As needed within the area cap | On the primary façade of each tenant | — | Sec. 126-20(2)b.2(a); Sec. 126-14(3); Sec. 126-10(n) |
| Building Signs (Additional Facades per Tenant) | — | 125 sq ft per additional façade facing a dedicated public right-of-way | — | — | As needed within the per-facade cap | Each additional façade facing a dedicated public ROW adjacent to the property | — | Sec. 126-20(2)b.2(b); Sec. 126-14(3) |
| Under-Canopy Sign (Per Tenant) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | Mounted under canopy/marquee/awning | — | Sec. 126-20(2)b.2(c); Sec. 126-14(3) |
| Directional Sign (Non-residential Use Specific) | 2.5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | No setback required | 1 per entrance/exit | At each entrance or exit to a business/center | — | Sec. 126-20(4)a; Sec. 126-30(2) |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) - General Advertising | — | If frontage ≥200 linear ft: total 64 sq ft (no single banner >32 sq ft). If frontage <200 ft: total ≤32 sq ft. | Single banner ≤32 sq ft | — | Within total area cap | On center/business property in CG/CI/IL/IH | — | Sec. 126-20(3)b.1(a)–(c) |
| Feather Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft (including support) | 25 sq ft (sign area) OR 15 ft overall height (including support) | — | Min 5 ft from any property line | Max 1 per every 50 ft of road frontage | Along roadway where the primary business sign is located | — | Sec. 126-20(3)b.2(a)–(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Fort Myers

- Signs that block or restrict free ingress or egress from doors, windows, fire escapes, or roof access; no sign (other than a safety sign) may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape
- Flashing or strobe lighting with intervals less than eight seconds, or signs giving the illusion of flashing, except electronic message signs as regulated
- Beacon lighting or strings of lights used as attention-getting devices or advertising
- Signs attached to natural vegetation (trees or shrubs), rocks, utility poles, or other structures, and signs placed on, in, or across any public right-of-way
- Inflatable or balloon signs or devices
- Mechanically moving signs (including revolving or swinging), except where specifically allowed (e.g., barber pole conditions)
- Obscene signs (e.g., crude language, depictions of nudity or sexual conduct)
- Private signs on publicly owned property or within public rights-of-way unless explicitly permitted in the chapter
- Roof signs
- Trailer-based portable signs with wheels removed and chassis permanently attached to the ground
- Signs that create traffic hazards by obstructing vision or that imitate, resemble, interfere with, or obstruct official traffic control devices, or use words like “stop,” “look,” or “danger” in a manner that misleads or confuses traffic
- Any sign prohibited by this chapter or by state or federal law
- Signs on vehicles conspicuously parked near rights-of-way primarily to advertise to passing motorists or pedestrians
- Wall (building) signs that wrap around to another side of a building (each building face is treated separately)

## Signs exempt from permit in Fort Myers

- Address numbers meeting Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code size requirements (residential minimum 3 inches; non-residential minimum 6 inches unless a higher FFPC minimum applies)
- Signs on scoreboards, fences, and walls at athletic fields/arenas/stadiums oriented toward the playing area and away from rights-of-way
- Barber pole style building signs that may revolve if no more than 3 feet high and projecting no more than 18 inches into/over the right-of-way
- Temporary business identification/access signs placed within a right-of-way when necessitated by road construction and authorized by the applicable government entity
- Development signs: up to two temporary signs per property under active development, each up to 32 sq ft, visible from the right-of-way, removed after final certificate of occupancy
- Flags: one each of federal, state, local government flags and one corporate or government agency flag per parcel (government properties are not subject to number limits); flagpoles require a permit
- Seasonal or holiday decorations (not considered signs)
- Signs required by law and governmental signs (e.g., legal notices, traffic control, warning signs, and signs erected by federal/state/county/city for essential operations and public safety/health/welfare)
- Interior signs not intended to be viewed from outside the building or public places (excluding window signs and individual business signs within a commercial center/unified development)
- Murals, mosaics, and other works of art not related to advertising a product or service or identifying a business (subject to additional review if in historic districts)
- Memorial building signs or tablets up to 4 sq ft cut into masonry or made of bronze/cast material
- Private drive signs: up to two signs, each up to 2 sq ft, indicating a private street or drive
- Residential for-sale or for-rent signs: one temporary sign up to 6 sq ft and 6 ft high per residential property (including model homes)
- Sandwich board/A-frame signs on public sidewalks in downtown and midtown, subject to placement, size (max 6 sq ft per face), number (one per storefront), and removal (daily and during inclement weather) conditions
- Security and premises-regulation signs such as “no trespassing,” “no hunting,” “no soliciting,” or alerting to a security system
- On-site signage for special events or temporary outdoor activities for the duration of the event/activity per applicable regulations (note: over-the-road banners for non-city events require a permit and specific installation/removal conditions)
- Window signs up to 25% of the window area per building face; open/closed/hours/menu signs do not count toward the 25% and are limited to 2 sq ft per occurrence
- Vehicle signs on operable, licensed vehicles used in the course of business and parked in lawful on-site spaces, provided the vehicle’s primary use is not advertising and sign application/placement complies with safety and location conditions
- Political campaign signs regulated by Florida Statutes 106.1435: in residential districts treated as yard signs; in non-residential districts limited to 32 sq ft per sign and 100 sq ft combined
- Residential yard signs: up to 24 sq ft total per parcel with no individual sign exceeding 8 sq ft, located on private property

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Unified sign plan required in Commercial General (CG), Commercial Intensive (CI), and all Industrial districts when multiple on-premises signs are proposed for a single site or development, or for shopping centers/multiple-occupancy complexes (including outparcels under unified control); permit applications must include a graphic representation of each sign, a narrative explanation, and a location map; the plan must use minimum uniform elements (colors, materials, architectural design)
- Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) must include provisions for sign design and regulations consistent with Chapter 126; where deviations from Chapter 126 are requested as part of a PUD, a uniform master sign plan must be submitted per section 118.5.1-C.2
- Mixed Use (MU) districts follow PUD signage requirements, including reliance on PUD sign plan standards where applicable
- Historical and Cultural (Edison-Ford Cultural, EFC) district signage is regulated through a unified signage plan
- Administrative deviations: the Community Development Director may approve deviations (e.g., additional freestanding signs on parcels ≥10 acres or with ≥1,000 feet of frontage, or changes to size/number/location of specific-use signs) when hardship and negligible impacts are shown; applications for such deviations must include a graphic representation of each sign, a narrative, and a location map, with uniform elements (colors, materials, architectural design); decisions may be appealed to the Board of Adjustments
- Variances: relief from Chapter 126 may be requested under section 98.3.5 upon findings of unique site characteristics reducing sign visibility, no resulting hazards or detriment, and consideration of alternative locations; note that no variances are allowed for billboard location and spacing limits in section 126-23(1)–(9)

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

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