# Sign Regulations in Keystone Heights, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Keystone Heights, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/keystone-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Keystone_Heights/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH17LADERE_ARTXIXSI)

## At a glance

Keystone Heights, Florida regulates 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Sandwich Signs in the Central Business (CB), Mixed Use (MU), Downtown core sign district zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall, 6 sf (max 3 ft ht, 2 ft width), and 2 feet wide, with a No part in right-of-way except as permitted for sandwich signs/real estate directional signs; must not block sight triangles or pedestrian/vehicular visibility triangles. setback (Sec. Sec. 17-211(5), Table 1-A; Sec. 17-208(l); Sec. 17-207). Most commercial signs in Keystone Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Central Business (CB), Mixed Use (MU), Downtown core sign district | 8 | 8 feet | 40% of awning fascia | — |
| Industrial (IND), Public Land and Institutional (PLI), Industrial and PLI sign district | 8 | 8 feet | 40% of awning fascia | — |
| Commercial General (CG), Commercial sign district | 11 | See Section 208(7): max 2 ft projection above roof, may not exceed roof height. | 200 sf | — |
| Residential sign district, Residential General (RG) | 5 | 6 feet | 32 sf per sign, max 2 entrances | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 4 ft (residential), 6 ft (commercial/industrial) | 25 sf (Primary frontage most districts, except 32 sf commercial) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Central Business (CB), Mixed Use (MU), Downtown core sign district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary Frontage, Not Alley) | 8 feet | 20 sf | — | Must comply with Section 17-210(e)(1)-(2): 5 ft from right-of-way unless special frontage. | 1 per premises | Primary frontage, not alley | — | Sec. 17-211(5), Table 1-A; Sec. 17-208(j), Sec. 17-218 |
| Banner (Special Event, Primary Frontage, Not Alley) | — | 25 sf | — | — | 1 per premises | Primary frontage, not alley | — | Sec. 17-211(5); Table 1-A; Sec. 17-213(d) |
| Projecting Sign (Primary Frontage, Not Alley) | 5 feet (min. 7 foot clearance) | 10 sf | — | — | 1 per premises | Primary frontage, not alley, may be at building corner when two frontages exist | — | Sec. 17-211(5), Table 1-A; Sec. 17-218 |
| Swing Sign | — | 2 sf (max 1 foot ht, 2 foot width) | 2 feet | — | 1 per public entry | At or near public entry; can be on awning or underside | — | Sec. 17-211(5), Table 1-A; Sec. 17-218 |
| Sandwich Sign | 4 feet | 6 sf (max 3 ft ht, 2 ft width) | 2 feet | No part in right-of-way except as permitted for sandwich signs/real estate directional signs; must not block sight triangles or pedestrian/vehicular visibility triangles. | 1 per occupied business unit | Displayed on public sidewalk. Must leave 5' clear pedestrian path, 5' from driveways. | — | Sec. 17-211(5), Table 1-A; Sec. 17-208(l); Sec. 17-207 |
| Awning Sign | — | 40% of awning fascia | — | — | 1 per frontage | Awning fascia only, primary frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(5), Table 1-A; Sec. 17-218 |
| Wall Sign (Combined with Window) | — | 25 sf combined wall & window | — | — | — | On structural wall, primary frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(5), Table 1-A; Sec. 17-208(k); Sec. 17-218 |
| Window Sign (Combined with Wall) | — | 25 sf combined wall & window | — | — | — | In/affixed to window/glass door, primary frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(5), Table 1-A; Sec. 17-210(a)(12) |

### Industrial (IND), Public Land and Institutional (PLI), Industrial and PLI sign district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary Frontage) | 8 feet | 32 sf | — | Must comply with Section 17-210(e): 5 ft from right-of-way unless otherwise specified. | 1 per premises | Primary frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(6), Table 1-E |
| Light Pole Banner | — | — | — | — | — | Private parking lot light poles, primary or secondary frontage; max 2 per pole, 1 pole/2,500 sf VUA, poles 100 ft apart. | — | Sec. 17-211(6)(b) |
| Projecting Sign (Primary Frontage) | 5 feet (min. 7 foot clearance) | 10 sf | — | — | 1 per premises | May be at corner if two frontages; otherwise primary frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(6), Table 1-E |
| Swing Sign | — | 2 sf (max 1' ht, 2' width) | 2 feet | — | 1 per public entry | Primary frontage, at public entry | — | Sec. 17-211(6), Table 1-E |
| Sandwich Sign | 4 feet | 6 sf (max 3' ht, 2' width) | 2 feet | No part in right-of-way except as permitted. | 1 per occupied business unit | Primary frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(6), Table 1-E; Sec. 17-208(l) |
| Awning Sign | — | 40% of awning fascia | — | — | 1 | Awning fascia only, primary frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(6), Table 1-E |
| Wall Sign (Combined with Window Sign) | — | 25 sf combined wall and window | — | — | — | Primary frontage, structural wall | — | Sec. 17-211(6), Table 1-E |
| Window Sign (Combined with Wall Sign) | — | 25 sf combined wall and window | — | — | — | Primary frontage window/glass door; includes posters >2 sf. | — | Sec. 17-211(6), Table 1-E; Sec. 17-210(a)(12) |

### Commercial General (CG), Commercial sign district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary Frontage North of SR 100, >150 ft) | 25 feet | 200 sf | — | — | 1 per premises | Primary frontage north of SR 100, >150 ft frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(7), Table 1-G |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary Frontage North of SR 100, <150 ft) | 15 feet | 100 sf | — | — | 1 per premises | Primary frontage north of SR 100, <150 ft frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(7), Table 1-G |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary Frontage South of SR 100, >400 ft) | 25 feet | 200 sf | — | — | 1 per premises | Primary frontage south of SR 100, >400 ft frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(7), Table 1-H |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary Frontage South of SR 100, <400 ft) | 15 feet | 100 sf | — | — | 1 per premises | Primary frontage south of SR 100, <400 ft frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(7), Table 1-H |
| Banner (Special Event, Primary Frontage) | — | 32 sf | — | — | 1 per premises | Primary frontage (allowed for special event) | — | Sec. 17-211(7), Table 1-G; Table 1-H |
| Projecting Sign (Primary Frontage) | 5 ft, min 7 ft clearance | 10 sf | — | — | 1 per premises | Primary frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(7), Table 1-G, Table 1-H |
| Roof Sign | See Section 208(7): max 2 ft projection above roof, may not exceed roof height. | 16 sf | — | — | 1 per roof | One per roof | — | Sec. 17-211(7), Table 1-G, 1-H, Sec. 17-208(h) |
| Sandwich Sign | 4 feet | 6 sf (max 3 ft ht, 2 ft width) | 2 feet | — | 1 per occupied business unit | Primary frontage | — | Sec. 17-211(7), Table 1-G, Table 1-H |

## Prohibited signs in Keystone Heights

- It shall be unlawful to erect, cause to be erected, maintain or cause to be maintained anywhere in the City a sign that violates the general restrictions in Sec. 17-208.
- No sign shall obstruct ingress or egress through any door or window required or designed for access to any building, nor shall any sign obstruct or be attached to a fire escape.
- No sign other than a city, county or state sign of a public nature will be allowed on any city property or public right-of-way; nor on the grounds of any school or property owned by a public agency, except as authorized.
- Handheld signs may not be left unattended, may not block or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or access to buildings, or be displayed in the right-of-way or on private property without written consent.
- Commercial temporary banner signs are not permitted except in conjunction with a business grand opening.
- All signs must comply with construction, maintenance, locational standards, setbacks, and visibility standards.
- Signs shall not obstruct the sight visibility triangle at intersections or driveways.
- No part of a sign other than permitted real estate directional or sandwich signs may be located within the public right-of-way.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign described as prohibited in Sec. 17-210(b), including: signs within 50 ft of residential zones (unless otherwise allowed), signs causing traffic hazard, signs attached to trees, hedges, unauthorized poles/fences, advertising vehicles parked to act as signage, privately constructed signs in public rights-of-way, combustible materials near escapes/equipment, off-premises/off-site signs, painted roof signs, abandoned signs, unauthorized banners, changeable copy areas not on allowed sign types, electronic signs displaying more than two colors at a time or changing more than once per 30 seconds, changeable copy area exceeding 50% (CB/MU/IND/CG) or 75% (PLI) of sign area, signs not specifically permitted or exempted, obscene signs, excessively large vehicle signs located for advertising, non-compliant yard sale or real estate signs, flashing/revolving/strobe lights, signs attached to most fences >4 sq ft, beacon signs, bandit signs, unauthorized portable signs, decorative flags, fascia signs, animated signs, rope lights (except holiday), prohibited signs in CB and MU including monument signs, internally illuminated signs except as allowed, and roof signs.
- Posting any bills or advertising on any permanent or temporary structure, building, pole, or tree on street, park, or public way is unlawful except legal window signs.
- It is unlawful to distribute handbills so as to constitute litter, or to place handbills on/in vehicles.
- It is unlawful to extend any banner or sign across any public street or park, or public way/property, except by administrative permission.
- It is unlawful to operate sound trucks or amplifying devices for advertising without permission.
- It is unlawful to place any advertisement on bus benches or shelters.

## Signs exempt from permit in Keystone Heights

- "No Trespassing" or "No Dumping" signs of two square feet or less.
- Directional or instructional signs of four square feet or less and less than three feet in height, or located within a window.
- Governmental signs for traffic control, street designation, directions to public facilities, any public sign deemed necessary by a public official, or as approved by city council.
- Memorial signs or tablets cut into masonry or made of noncombustible material.
- Governmental flags or insignia except when used for commercial promotion.
- Holiday decorations incidental to the business, for up to six weeks.
- A maximum of two menu boards/price lists for drive-thrus up to 24 sq ft each, adjacent and oriented to the drive-thru.
- Standard-sized menus mounted at restaurant entrances.
- Signs required or authorized by federal, state, or county law.
- Yard sale signs as to number/area/duration in Table 1-J; includes one on property and up to three off-premises signs (w/ owner consent), meeting display/date rules.
- One real estate sign and two real estate directional signs per property, as to placement/size/duration in 17-210(a)(11).
- Up to three handbills, flyers, posters per business unit within window, aggregate six sq ft, each not over two sq ft, area included within window sign limits.
- Within CG and PLI, posters <24 sq ft each in window (subject to frontage/window area limits and number).
- Sponsor ID labels on public benches and planters, max six sq inches, only within community redevelopment agency boundary.
- The portion of an out of store marketing device as defined in Sec 17-208.
- One double-sided, non-illuminated, gas pump sign per pump, max 12x18 in, text too small to be legible from the road.
- Hand held signs as defined in Section 17-208 (area and location controls apply).
- School/amateur athletic field sponsor signs facing inward, on fencing, not above fence, max four ft above ground, max 25 sq ft per sign, not advertising alcohol/tobacco/drugs, no illumination but field lighting; number limited by fence length.
- Athletic field scoreboards, including electronic/changeable copy, as to scores/stats during events.
- Political campaign signs as regulated within Section 17-213.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A plan/sketch/blueprint drawn to scale showing structural details and compliance with design criteria is required as part of sign permit applications (Sec. 17-209(c)(6)-(7), 17-209(c)(8)-(9)).
- For all signs within the downtown core sign district, all permit applications must include: photographic documentation, scaled drawings depicting sign design and location, materials description, and scaled facade drawings (Sec. 17-218(a)).
- Applications for properties with more than one business unit must include a sketch generally depicting the location of each business unit within the building(s) (Sec. 17-209(c)(8)).
- Design review and a sign design review fee are required for downtown core sign district sign permit applications (Sec. 17-218(a)).
- Subdivision signs require evidentiary documentation from a homeowner's association for maintenance responsibility prior to sign permit issuance (Sec. 17-211(8)(c)).
- If a particular sign type is neither expressly allowed nor prohibited, the city shall review the application based on the most similar sign type that is regulated (Sec. 17-206(h)).
- Application for variance or appeals regarding sign code are heard by the sign code board of adjustment (Sec. 17-217(2)).

## 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 6 zoning districts in Keystone Heights — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Keystone+Heights+FL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-keystone-heights

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