Sign Regulations in Hawthorne, Florida
Hawthorne, Florida has specific sign regulations covering 37 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include On-site Sign, Subdivision/Multiple-Family Development Entrance Sign, Institutional and Non-Residential Uses Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Hawthorne, Florida
Sample Sign Requirements in Hawthorne
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subdivision/Multiple-Family Development Entrance Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per side | — |
| Institutional and Non-Residential Uses Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per side | — |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft. (for freestanding) | 6 sq. ft. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for HawthorneFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
37
- On-site Sign
- Subdivision/Multiple-Family Development Entrance Sign
- Institutional and Non-Residential Uses Sign
- Temporary Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Hawthorne
Other Cities in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne, regulated sign types include On-site Sign, Subdivision/Multiple-Family Development Entrance Sign, Institutional and Non-Residential Uses Sign, Temporary 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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Hawthorne has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
AI-Powered Research
Ready to Research Hawthorne Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Hawthorne, Florida sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Hawthorne, Florida Sign Rules at a Glance
Hawthorne, Florida regulates 37 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (RW 0-75 ft)s in the Commercial, neighborhood (CN), Commercial, general (CG), Commercial, central business district (C-CBD), Commercial intensive and warehousing (CIW), Industrial, light (IL), Industrial (I) zoning district are capped at 8 ft. tall and 32 sq. ft. per face, with a 10 ft. from property line fronting ROW (Sec 4.2.20.8.E) setback (Sec. Sec. 4.2.20.11.B.1.b). Most commercial signs in Hawthorne require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Hawthorne, Florida
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Hawthorne (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation (CSV) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Agricultural (A) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential, single-family (RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3), Residential, (mixed) single-family/mobile home (RSF/MH-1, RSF/MH-2, RSF/MH-3), Residential, mobile home (RMH-1, RMH-2, RMH-3), Residential, mobile home park (RMH-P), Residential, multiple-family (RMF-1, RMF-2) | 5 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per side | — |
| Residential/office (RO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial, neighborhood (CN), Commercial, general (CG), Commercial, central business district (C-CBD), Commercial intensive and warehousing (CIW), Industrial, light (IL), Industrial (I) | 13 | 55 ft. | 650 sq. ft. per face | — |
| Planned unit development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | 40 ft. | 32 sq. ft. (non-residential), 6 sq. ft. (residential), see per use | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Hawthorne(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
Residential, single-family (RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3), Residential, (mixed) single-family/mobile home (RSF/MH-1, RSF/MH-2, RSF/MH-3), Residential, mobile home (RMH-1, RMH-2, RMH-3), Residential, mobile home park (RMH-P), Residential, multiple-family (RMF-1, RMF-2)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subdivision/Multiple-Family Development Entrance Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 1 at entrance; 1 for additional entrance; 2 attached allowed if wall/fence | At entrance to subdivision or multi-family development | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.9.A |
| Institutional and Non-Residential Uses Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 1 | At site of institutional/non-residential use in residential district | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.9.B |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft. (for freestanding) | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 3 per dwelling | On residential property | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.10 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On principal building, at entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.29(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Option: Real Estate, Sale or Lease, Occasional Sale) | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 3 per dwelling; at most 2 may be commercial | On the property for sale, lease, or occasional sale | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.10 |
Commercial, neighborhood (CN), Commercial, general (CG), Commercial, central business district (C-CBD), Commercial intensive and warehousing (CIW), Industrial, light (IL), Industrial (I)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (RW 0-75 ft) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per face | — | 10 ft. from property line fronting ROW (Sec 4.2.20.8.E) | 1 per street frontage (may have up to 2 on site under frontage rules, see below). | At site frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.11.B.1.b |
| Freestanding Sign (RW 76-120 ft) | 12 ft. | 64 sq. ft. per face | — | 10 ft. from property line fronting ROW | 1 per street frontage (may have 2 if over 400 ft of frontage) | At site frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.11.B.1.b |
| Freestanding Sign (RW >120 ft) | 14 ft. | 128 sq. ft. per face | — | 10 ft. from property line fronting ROW | 1 per street frontage (may have 2 if over 400 ft of frontage) | At site frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.11.B.1.b |
| Attached/Wall Sign (Single-tenant Building) | — | 150 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per facade length formula, plus up to 4 attached (see above). | Building facade | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.11.B.2.a |
| Directional Sign (U.S. 301 and S.R. 20 Corridors) | 8 ft. | 20 sq. ft. per face | — | — | — | On site, for direction | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.11.C.2 |
| Freestanding On-site Identification Sign (U.S. 301 and S.R. 20 Corridors) | 55 ft. | 650 sq. ft. per face | — | 10 ft. from front property line | 1 per lot/parcel | On site, per lot or parcel on corridor | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.11.C.1, C.5, C.6 |
| Menu Board (Drive-thru Restaurant - U.S. 301 and S.R. 20 Corridors) | — | 60 sq. ft. face | — | — | up to 2 | Adjacent to and oriented toward drive-through | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.11.C.3 |
| Truck Scale Sign (U.S. 301 and S.R. 20 Corridors) | 24 ft. | 80 sq. ft. per face | — | — | — | Truck scale | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.11.C.4 |
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.6.B |
| Flag | 40 ft. | 20 sq. ft. per flag, 3 allowed | — | — | up to 3 | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.6.D |
| Unlit Occupational Sign for Home Occupation | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Building | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.6.I |
| Menu Board (restaurant entry, wall mounted) | — | Standard size | — | — | — | Restaurant entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.6.J |
| Menu Board (Drive-thru Facilty) | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | up to 2 | Adjacent to drive-thru | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.6.K |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.6.N |
| Temporary Sign (General) | 8 ft. (non-res), 4 ft. (res), see per use | 32 sq. ft. (non-residential), 6 sq. ft. (residential), see per use | — | — | 1 during construction; 1 other per building/storefront; 3 per dwelling in residential | On building or freestanding | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.12 |
| Off-premises Sign (Non-Billboard, Not Residential) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from right-of-way line | 2 per business/institution | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 4.2.20.13.B |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Hawthorne — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Hawthorne — start freeProhibited Signs in Hawthorne
- Animated signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Flashing signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Snipe signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Sandwich signs and portable signs are prohibited except as specifically permitted.
- Beacon lights are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Signs located or attached to trash receptacles are prohibited except as specifically permitted by the city commission.
- Signs on public property are prohibited.
- Any sign which displays any statement, word, character, or illustration of an obscene, indecent or immoral nature is prohibited.
- Any sign erected in a manner that would impede ingress and egress through any door or emergency exit of any building or any sign erected on a fire escape or any other public safety device is prohibited.
- Signs which emit smoke, vapor, particles, odor or sounds are prohibited.
- Parasite signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Illegal signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Fence signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Revolving signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Bench signs are prohibited except as provided for in these regulations.
- Gutter signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- No illuminated sign may be placed within 30 feet of any residential zoning district.
- No sign shall be erected in the clear sight triangle which will impair visibility at a street intersection or driveway entrance.
- Signs shall not be located within any public easement, construction easement or similar easement.
- All signs must comply with the Florida Building Code.
- No sign shall be constructed, erected, or structurally altered without a sign permit except as specifically exempted.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or replaced without first securing a sign permit unless specifically exempted.
- Advertising flags are prohibited within the city.
Exempt Signs in Hawthorne
- Public safety signs that comply with regulations are allowed without a permit in all zoning districts.
- Memorial signs not exceeding six square feet in area are allowed without a permit.
- Instructional signs are allowed without a permit.
- Up to three flags up to 20 square feet in area and up to 40 feet tall on any premise are allowed without a permit.
- Membership signs not exceeding one-half square foot of area are allowed without a permit.
- Building address numbers are allowed without a permit.
- Open and closed signs not to exceed four square feet in area are allowed without a permit.
- Signs within buildings which are not visible from a public street or sidewalk are allowed without a permit.
- Unlit occupational signs for home occupations, up to three square feet, attached to the building, are allowed without a permit.
- Standard sized menus mounted on the wall in cabinets at restaurant entrances are allowed without a permit.
- Up to two menu boards of no more than 20 square feet each located at drive-through facilities are allowed without a permit.
- Signs required by an authorized governmental entity including decals affixed to fuel pumps are allowed without a permit.
- Change of copy on a permitted changeable copy or electronic message center sign is allowed without a permit; message changes no more than once in 24 hours.
- Directional signs not to exceed four feet in height and six square feet are allowed without a permit.
- Signs carried by an individual bearing no advertising are allowed without a permit.
- Sandwich signs or portable signs by food, drink, or retail establishments, when displayed only during business hours, are allowed without a permit.
- Holiday lights, decorations, or displays that are clearly incidental and customary for any national, local, or religious holiday are allowed without a permit.
- Temporary signs allowed in accordance with the article are allowed without a permit.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Hawthorne
- Except as provided for in these regulations, all new, reconstructed, or replaced signs require a permit issued by the city demonstrating compliance.
- An application for a sign must be accompanied by detailed drawings showing scale, dimensions, design, structure, colors, elevation, and location of each sign; one application/permit may include multiple signs on the same development site.
- A plan must be submitted with every application for a building permit for any building or use that is required to provide off-street parking; the plan must designate required parking spaces, access aisles, driveways, and their relation to the uses/structures served.
- For off-street loading, a plan shall be submitted with every application for a building permit for any use or structure required to provide off-street loading facilities; the plan shall designate the required off-street loading spaces, access thereto, dimensions, and clearance.
- Comprehensive sign programs (sometimes called master sign plans) may be applied for by any developer; approval is by the planning and zoning board. A comprehensive sign program must present a coordinated design theme and include all signs on the premises.
- Every sign permit application must be reviewed for completeness and compliance within stated timeframes by the land development regulation administrator.
- A new permit is required for any modification to the type, size, location, content, or character of a sign.
- Sign permit applications must be submitted to the land development regulation administrator in accordance with city specifications, accompanied by applicable fees and (if applicable) permission from property owner.
- Comprehensive sign program applications must include design theme, encompass all signage, and demonstrate listed flexibility criteria (see ordinance section 4.2.20.14).
- Comprehensive sign programs are an alternative to minimum standard signage and are subject to unique flexibility criteria including limits on height and area, requirement of an integrated design, and approval by the planning and zoning board.
Source: municode municipal code