# Sign Regulations in Key Biscayne, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Key Biscayne, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/key-biscayne
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Key_Biscayne/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH30ZOLADERE_ARTVIIISI)

## At a glance

Key Biscayne, Florida regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Development Identification Sign - Wall Signs in the Multi-Family Residential District, Residential-Office District, Residential District zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall, 24 sq ft, and 8 ft wide, with a 5 ft from right-of-way, 15 ft from side property line setback (Sec. Sec. 30-194(1)). Most commercial signs in Key Biscayne 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 | 13 | 10 inches | 40 sq in (residential); 4 sq ft (nonresidential) | — |
| Multi-Family Residential District, Residential-Office District, Residential District | 2 | 4 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential District, C-1 Light Intensity Commercial District, O-1 Low Intensity Office District, Office District, Hotel or Motel | 8 | 2 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Low Density Multiple Family (RM-10), Medium Density Multiple Family (RM-16), High Density Multiple Family (RM-30), Ocean Club (PUD-1), Grand Bay (PUD-2), Key Colony (PUD-3) | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Grand Opening or Seasonal Banner Sign | 4 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per project (Residential), 1 per establishment (Nonresidential) | Not permitted within public rights-of-way | — | Sec. 30-196(b)(1) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate Sign | 4 ft | 40 sq in (residential); 4 sq ft (nonresidential) | — | — | 2 per lot (residential), 1 per lot (nonresidential) | Not within public rights-of-way. | — | Sec. 30-196(b)(2) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Not permitted within public rights-of-way. | — | Sec. 30-196(b)(3) |
| Temporary Sign - Model Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | See 'additional_requirements' | Not permitted within public rights-of-way. | — | Sec. 30-196(b)(4) |
| Temporary Sign - Garage Sale Sign (Residential Only) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Not permitted within public rights-of-way. | — | Sec. 30-196(b)(6) |
| Temporary Sign - Political Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | Nonresidential: one per candidate/issue/establishment | Not permitted within public rights-of-way. | — | Sec. 30-196(b)(7) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate Open House Sign | 1.5 x 2 ft | 6 sq ft | 1.5 x 2 ft | — | 1 per property (res), 3 per property (nonres) | Not permitted within public rights-of-way. | — | Sec. 30-196(b)(8) |
| Golf Cart Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per golf cart | Attached to golf cart, below the roof. | — | Sec. 30-197(h) |

### Multi-Family Residential District, Residential-Office District, Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Identification Sign - Wall Sign | 4 ft | 24 sq ft | 8 ft | 5 ft from right-of-way, 15 ft from side property line | 1 per street frontage, 2 if attached to symmetrical entrance feature, +1 for parcels with 300+ ft frontage and 2+ access points | One per street frontage; may be two if attached to symmetrical entrance feature; one additional sign on parcel with 300 ft+ street/building frontage and 2+ access points. | — | Sec. 30-194(1) |
| Instructional Sign | 2 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | To be approved as part of Site Plan | To be approved as part of Site Plan. | — | Sec. 30-194(2) |

### Nonresidential District, C-1 Light Intensity Commercial District, O-1 Low Intensity Office District, Office District, Hotel or Motel

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Retail Use Only) | — | — | — | — | 1 per ground or second floor establishment with own frontage/entrance | Only on buildings where majority of floor area is retail. 1 per ground or second floor establishment with own frontage and entrance facing public street or courtyard/parking court. | — | Sec. 30-195(1), Sec. 30-197(a,d) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | One per establishment, attached as per Florida Building Code | — | Sec. 30-195(2) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per establishment | One per establishment. | — | Sec. 30-195(3) |
| Directory Sign (Building Entrance) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | On building wall or freestanding within internal courtyard; 1 per entrance into multitenant building, in addition to other permitted signs. | — | Sec. 30-195(4) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | 4 per establishment | On window | — | Sec. 30-195(5) |
| Instructional Sign (Nonresidential) | 2 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | To be approved as part of site plan | To be approved as part of site plan. | — | Sec. 30-195(6) |
| Wall Sign (Office District Only) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | One per building, mounted on wall facing the street | — | Sec. 30-195(7) |
| Directory Sign (Office District Only) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | One per building located at the entrance to the building | — | Sec. 30-195(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Key Biscayne

- No abandoned signs are permitted.
- No animated signs are permitted.
- No balloon signs are permitted.
- No box wall signs are permitted.
- No buntings are permitted.
- No bus bench signs are permitted.
- No flags are allowed other than one United States flag and one other noncommercial flag together on a pole not to exceed 20 feet in height; only one pole each permitted per building.
- No neon signs (other than reverse channel and wall signs where permitted) or neon building trim are permitted.
- No off premise signs/billboards are permitted.
- No pole signs are permitted.
- No movable signs are permitted.
- No projecting signs are permitted, except canopy signs.
- No roof signs are permitted.
- No snipe signs are permitted.
- No swinging signs are permitted.
- No signs are permitted on public property except those placed by governmental agencies.
- No sign is permitted on a utility pole except for utility identification.
- No sign is permitted that could be confused with a traffic signal or traffic sign.
- No sign is permitted that, in the opinion of the Village Manager, constitutes a safety hazard.
- No sign may extend over or be located within a public right-of-way, other than those required to be posted to ensure traffic safety or otherwise pursuant to law.
- Logos may not be used as the main permitted sign; as secondary signage the area may not exceed 144 square inches per establishment.
- No monument signs are permitted.
- No V-signs are permitted.
- All signs except those placed by governmental agencies located on public property are prohibited.
- No person shall permit to be maintained on any premises any sign that is in a dangerous or defective condition.
- No person shall erect any sign that does not comply with this ordinance or that has not received a valid permit (unless specifically exempted).
- No temporary sign of any type or size shall be placed within any public right-of-way or property owned/leased by the Village, unless authorized.
- No temporary sign may be erected in a manner that precludes or limits visibility for drivers.
- No externally or internally illuminated sign shall cause unreasonably excessive glare intensity in an adjacent residential district.
- Any sign that becomes abandoned (property vacant 90+ days or purpose no longer applies) is prohibited and must be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Key Biscayne

- Signs not visible from another property or from public access areas are not regulated.
- Signs posted by the Village, including traffic signs and legal notices, are exempt from regulation.
- Government instructional signs do not require a permit.
- Temporary holiday decorations that carry no advertising matter, provided they are not in place more than seven days prior to a holiday and are removed within seven days after the holiday ends (not applicable from November 1 through January 15 each year), do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs for special events by nonprofit entities, subject to approval by the Village Manager, do not require a permit.
- No-trespassing and no-dumping signs (not to exceed 1.5 square feet per sign and four per lot, unless special permission is granted) do not require a permit.
- Political signs do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs and real estate open house signs do not require a permit.
- Garage sale signs do not require a permit.
- Safety/fire safety markings as prescribed by fire authorities are required.
- House numbers (address numerals) in minimum sizes as detailed are required.
- Handicapped parking and access signs as required by state and federal laws are required.
- Instructional signs in multifamily residential and nonresidential districts: while a permit is not required, number and location must be approved as part of a Site Plan.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan/uniform sign graphics criteria is required for Multitenant Centers. The owner must submit a written statement of the uniform sign graphics criteria for review and approval by the Village Council upon recommendation by the Village Manager. Once approved, it applies to all tenants and remains in effect unless amended.
- A sign application for any portion of a Multitenant Center must include a description and sketch of the approved uniform sign graphics criteria, plus written consent of the owner.
- Instructional signs in both multifamily residential and nonresidential districts do not require a sign permit, but their number and location must be reviewed/approved as part of the Site Plan.
- A permit is required for display or installation of any sign unless specifically exempted.
- Applications for permit must comply with structural requirements and, where applicable (Multitenant Center), must receive Village Council approval.
- Any request for a variance or appeal related to signs must follow the procedures set forth in Article IV.

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

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