# Sign Regulations in Green Cove Springs, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Green Cove Springs, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/green-cove-springs
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Green_Cove_Springs/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADECO_CH125SI)

## At a glance

Green Cove Springs, Florida regulates 12 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Freestanding Sign)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 12 feet tall and Varies by frontage: 0-25 ft frontage: 28 sq ft; 26-50 ft: 50 sq ft; 51-100 ft: 68 sq ft; 101-200 ft: 136 sq ft; 201-300 ft: 204 sq ft; 301-400 ft: 300 sq ft; >400 ft: 400 sq ft (total for all signs), with a Minimum 3 feet from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 125-13(c)(1), Sec. 125-18(3)). Most commercial signs in Green Cove Springs require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 18 feet (unless building >2 stories, then one sign above 18 ft allowed per side) | 32 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Form Based Code Area, Gateway Corridor Neighborhood (GCN), Gateway Corridor Commercial (GCC) | 1 | — | 12 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding Sign) | 12 feet | Varies by frontage: 0-25 ft frontage: 28 sq ft; 26-50 ft: 50 sq ft; 51-100 ft: 68 sq ft; 101-200 ft: 136 sq ft; 201-300 ft: 204 sq ft; 301-400 ft: 300 sq ft; >400 ft: 400 sq ft (total for all signs) | — | Minimum 3 feet from property line | Varies by frontage: 1 sign (0-200 ft), 2 (201-300 ft), 3 (301-400 ft), 4 (>400 ft) | On-premises, must be set back at least 3 feet from property line | — | Sec. 125-13(c)(1), Sec. 125-18(3) |
| Building Sign - Multiple Occupancy Complex | 18 feet (unless building >2 stories, then one sign above 18 ft allowed per side) | 10% of building side façade area, not to exceed 200 sq ft | — | — | One per building side | Each side of principal building | — | Sec. 125-13(c)(2)a,b |
| Building Sign - Multiple Occupancy Complex Tenant | 18 feet | 15% of tenant façade, not to exceed 200 sq ft | — | — | 3 per occupant | Any exterior portion of occupant's unit (not including common/joint area) | — | Sec. 125-13(c)(2)c |
| Building Sign - Single Occupancy | 18 feet | 20% of façade per side, not to exceed 200 sq ft | — | — | 3 per building side | Each side of principal building | — | Sec. 125-13(c)(2)d |
| Residential Development Entrance Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | — | One per entrance | At each entrance into development from each abutting street | — | Sec. 125-13(d) |
| Directional Sign (Nonprofit Offsite) | — | 14 sq ft | — | — | — | Offsite only for nonprofit organizations | — | Sec. 125-13(e)(2) |
| Electronic Reader Board (ERB) Sign | 12 feet | 25 sq ft display area | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 125-14(h) |
| Temporary Banner or Special Event Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | City may limit the number of such signs shown at one time. | Only at locations designated by city manager (except city-sponsored event banners, which may be in right-of-way) | — | Sec. 125-14(g) |

### Form Based Code Area, Gateway Corridor Neighborhood (GCN), Gateway Corridor Commercial (GCC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Only on sidewalks directly in front of the business | — | Sec. 125-14(f) |

## Prohibited signs in Green Cove Springs

- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign that does not continue to meet the requirements of the Florida Building Code or the National Electrical Code.
- It is unlawful to knowingly provide false or fraudulent information to any city official for the purposes of the sign ordinance; this is a misdemeanor.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be attached in any manner which will interfere with any opening required for ventilation, except that signs may be erected in front of or may cover transom windows when not in violation of the building or fire code.
- No sign shall be installed closer than seven feet horizontally or vertically from any conduit or public utility guy wire.
- Projecting signs, roof signs, signs located on trees, snipe signs within rights-of-way, signs on telephone poles, temporary flashing lighted signs, offsite signs (except certain nonprofit directional signs), and abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Signs which convey the appearance of movement or animation in any form, including scrolling or flashing, are not permitted on electronic reader board signs.
- Signs interfering with the effectiveness of or obscuring an official traffic sign, device, or signal are not permitted.
- No sign may be erected or maintained that obstructs vision between the heights of three and eight feet above the crown grade of the nearest right-of-way or driveway when within 50 feet of a right-of-way intersection or within 30 feet of a driveway or point of ingress/egress.
- Offsite signs are generally prohibited, subject to constitutional limitations.
- Nonconforming signs shall not be enlarged or increased in any way.
- Any sign erected, attached, placed, or situated in violation of this Code is unlawful.
- Signs must not be placed or constructed so as to create a hazard of any kind (for exempt signs).

## Signs exempt from permit in Green Cove Springs

- Signs not designed or located so as to be visible from any street or adjoining property.
- Identification signs of two square feet or less.
- Legal notices.
- Decorative flags, bunting and other types of signs not exceeding 12 square feet for a celebration, convention, or community commemoration when authorized by the city manager or designee for a prescribed time.
- Religious displays.
- Governmental signs for traffic control, street designation, or directions to public facilities.
- Under canopy signs less than four square feet.
- Menu boards for drive-in facilities less than two in number for a commercial enterprise.
- Memorial signs or tablets when cut into masonry.
- Murals approved by the city council which do not propose a commercial transaction, but instead involve only the expression of ideas and beliefs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan may be required as part of the sign permit application as stated in Sec. 125-15(2): 'The sign permit application shall be accompanied by plans and specifications drawn to scale, together with any site plan required by this chapter or this Code.'
- A sign permit application for a permanent sign must include a drawing or rendering of the sign face.
- There is no specific reference to a master sign plan or requirement for a variance meeting for standard sign permits in these general provisions.
- Variances from the interpretation of this subpart will be heard by the planning and zoning board.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Green Cove Springs, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Green+Cove+Springs+FL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-green-cove-springs

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