# Sign Regulations in Longboat Key, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Longboat Key, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/longboat-key
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Longboat_Key/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT15LADECO_CH156SICO)

## At a glance

Longboat Key, Florida regulates 10 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the OI, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1 zoning district are capped at 6 ft (measured from grade) tall and 32 sq ft per sign face, with a 8 ft from property line, not within intersection visibility triangle (158.117). setback (Sec. Per Ch. 156 and 158.030(B), 158.100, 158.103; reflected in commercial/marine/commercial services districts.). Most commercial signs in Longboat Key require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1IP, R-1SF, R-2SF, R-3SF, R-4SF, R-6SF | 1 | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — |
| R-3MX, R-4MX, R-6MX | 1 | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — |
| OI, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1 | 2 | Not to exceed 30 ft in OI and C-1; 40 ft in C-2, C-3 and M-1 | 32 sq ft per sign face | — |
| T-3, T-6 | 2 | 50 ft in T-3, 50 ft in T-6 (building height; sign cannot extend above roof/parapet) | 32 sq ft | — |
| MUC-1, MUC-2, MUC-3 | 2 | 50 ft (building height, sign may not extend above), | 32 sq ft per sign face | — |
| OS-A, OS-P, OS-C | 1 | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| INS | 1 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| CORD | 1 | As permitted by underlying district | As permitted by underlying district | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — |

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

### OI, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Principal Use) | Not to exceed 30 ft in OI and C-1; 40 ft in C-2, C-3 and M-1 | 1.5 sq ft per lineal foot of principal building frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Mounted on principal building wall. | — | 158.068(B), 158.069(B), 158.070(B), 158.071(B), 158.072(B); see also Lot, Yard, and Bulk, plus sign code Ch. 156, notably 158.030(B)(5). |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft (measured from grade) | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | 8 ft from property line, not within intersection visibility triangle (158.117). | 1 per primary entrance | Front yard, subject to setback; at entrance to business or institution. | — | Per Ch. 156 and 158.030(B), 158.100, 158.103; reflected in commercial/marine/commercial services districts. |

### T-3, T-6

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Tourist Accommodation) | 50 ft in T-3, 50 ft in T-6 (building height; sign cannot extend above roof/parapet) | 1.5 sq ft per lineal foot of principal building frontage | — | — | 1 per frontage | On primary building facade facing principal street or entry drive. | — | 158.073(B), 158.074(B); maximum sign area and height limitations per Table and 158.030(B),(5). |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per principal entrance | Front yard at principal driveway or entrance, subject to zoning. | — | 158.073(C), 158.074(C) |

### MUC-1, MUC-2, MUC-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Mixed Use Community) | 50 ft (building height, sign may not extend above), | 1.5 sq ft per lineal foot of building frontage for each permitted use | — | — | 1 per permitted use per street frontage | Façade of building, facing street or parking lot | — | 158.075(B),(C); 158.076(B),(C); 158.077(B),(C); also see 158.036(E) and Ch. 156 |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per entrance | Project entrance, subject to site plan | — | 158.036(E), 158.075(C), 158.076(C), 158.077(C), sign code Ch. 156 |

## Prohibited signs in Longboat Key

- No building shall be erected, and no existing building shall be moved, altered, added to, or enlarged, nor shall any land or building be designed, used, or intended to be used for any purpose or in any manner other than as permitted in the district in which the building or land is located. (158.004)
- All regulations shall be uniform throughout each district, but regulations in one district may differ from those in other districts. (158.002(D))
- Land or lot coverage by principal and accessory buildings on each lot, excluding roof overhangs not to exceed two feet, shall not be greater than is permitted in the district. (158.093)
- No part of a required yard shall be obstructed from the ground upward, except as specifically permitted. (158.094(A))
- No structure, building, parking area, or other facility required under this Chapter may encroach into required yards except as provided. (158.094)
- No commercial accessory use will be permitted in a Residential District except in accordance with Section 158.109 (home occupations). (158.095)
- No accessory structure shall exceed 25 percent of the floor area of the principal use or building, or contain dwelling units. (158.096(B))
- Accessory uses and structures in Residential Districts shall not be located in any required street, required waterfront, or required side yards except as provided for certain elements such as fences. (158.096(C))
- No increase in nonconformance with present site development plan performance standards or district regulations is permitted unless specifically provided in the Code. (158.131(A))
- Nonconformities shall not be expanded, enlarged upon, intensified, or extended, except as provided. (158.131(A))
- No temporary use may be allowed without a permit. (158.097(A))
- Outdoor storage and display of goods is not permitted in required yards. (158.094(A), 158.102)
- No signs, nameplates, display or advertising device of any kind, except as provided by the sign code, may be inscribed on or attached to structures above the roof or height of the building, except certain religious symbols. (158.098(C)(4))
- Tourism use of property for remuneration is expressly prohibited except in designated districts or as approved. (158.104(A)(4))
- Time-share uses are prohibited unless conforming to all requirements of the Zoning Code. (158.104(5))

## Signs exempt from permit in Longboat Key

- Essential services are permitted uses in all districts, either as a principal or accessory use, and may be exempted from certain regulations by determination of the Planning and Zoning Official. (158.068, 158.095, 158.116)
- Upon determination by the Planning and Zoning Official, administrative exemptions may be granted for repair, replacement, relocation, addition, or alteration to an existing essential services facility required by Town, State, or Federal regulations if not contrary to the Comprehensive Plan or Zoning Code. (158.116(A))
- Site Development Plan submission requirements do not apply to minor development proposals or changes as determined by the Planning and Zoning Official under section 158.026. (158.026)
- Applicants submitting alteration plans under Commercial Revitalization (158.046) are exempt from certain Site Development Plan submittal requirements and from certain Site Development Plan performance standards as listed in Section 158.047.
- Temporary uses and structures are permitted in any district if a permit is obtained from the Town and standards are met. (158.097)
- Accessory uses customarily incidental to a permitted use, use permitted with Site Development Plan review, or Special Exception use are allowed in any district. (Multiple references through zoning tables in Article IV).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Site Development Plan is required for all applications for permitted uses with Site Development Plan review, unless exempted by Section 158.026 (minor development proposals or changes). (158.025, 158.028, 158.029)
- A Site Development Plan (which may function as a master sign plan) must be submitted and approved prior to issuance of a Building Permit for any construction or development requiring such review. (158.025, 158.028, 158.029)
- Minor development proposals or changes may be exempt from full Site Development Plan submittal at the determination of the Planning and Zoning Official but require submission of a Site Development Plan sketch and preapplication conference at the Official’s discretion. (158.026)
- Alterations utilizing the Commercial Revitalization Waiver processes require submission of a Site Development Plan meeting the criteria established in the Section but are exempt from several specific submittal elements as described in 158.047.
- Planned Unit Developments require submission of a binding concept plan and, ultimately, a Final Site Development Plan, either at the time of Outline Development Plan (ODP) or subsequent to approval of the ODP. (158.034, 158.036)
- Projects within the Conformance Overlay Redevelopment District (CORD) require submission and approval of a Site Development Plan in conjunction with a CORD Zoning Map Amendment. (158.084, 158.086)
- Any changes or amendments to an approved Site Development Plan require resubmission and approval as per the standard procedures. (158.029(F))
- Special Exception applications for use or Variances which trigger Site Development Plan review must comply with Site Development Plan processes. (158.019, 158.020, 158.030, 158.114(C)(2))
- Sign plan (Site Development Plan) exemption applies for very limited ‘minor’ cases (see 158.026) or as otherwise stated for certain Commercial Revitalization or essential service activities.
- The Planning and Zoning Official may require additional materials for Site Development Plan review, including sign plans, depending on the application. (158.028(T))

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

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