# Sign Regulations in Longwood, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Longwood, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/longwood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/fl/longwood/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIILODECO_ARTVISIRE)

## At a glance

Longwood, Florida regulates 34 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Non-Residential, Mixed-Use, and Multi-Family Properties) - Portable Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall, 32 SF (not to exceed 6 ft height or 10 ft length), and 10 feet wide, with a 10 feet from side property lines. Cannot be placed in required parking space. setback (Sec. Sec 6.6.3 Table 6.6.3 (A)). Most commercial signs in Longwood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 48 inches (4 feet) | 64 SF (or two 32 SF signs) | — |
| Commercial (COM) Land Use and Industrial (IND) Land Use | 17 | May exceed roofline by 25% of building height when attached to parapet wall | 150 SF per sign; 350 SF per development | — |
| Station Core (STA) Land Use and Neighborhood Commercial Zoning | 13 | May exceed roofline by 25% of building height when attached to parapet | 150 SF | — |
| Downtown Historic (DH) Future Land Use | 10 | 8 feet | 75 SF | — |
| Residential (LDR, Country Estates, MDR, MDR-15) | 6 | 8 feet | 32 SF per sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Non-Residential, Mixed-Use, and Multi-Family Properties) - General Temporary Sign | 15 feet for ground sign (temporary general standard) | 32 SF for ground or banner sign; Up to 2 windfeather signs, combined not to exceed 32 SF | — | 5 feet from right-of-way; see LDC 6.6.2(H) | 1 standard per parcel (ground or banner); up to 2 windfeather signs | On-site; no closer than 5 feet from any right-of-way or public property unless otherwise identified. | — | Sec 6.6.3 Table 6.6.3 (A); Sec 6.6.1; Sec 6.6.2; Sec 6.3.3 |
| Temporary Sign (Non-Residential, Mixed-Use, and Multi-Family Properties) - Additional Temporary Sign (Property for Sale/Lease) | 15 feet | 32 SF (ground or banner) | — | 5 feet from right-of-way | 1 additional | On-site | — | Sec 6.6.3 Table 6.6.3 (A) |
| Temporary Sign (Non-Residential, Mixed-Use, and Multi-Family Properties) - New Business or Grand Opening | 15 feet (ground sign standard) | 32 SF max ground sign; 32 SF max building banner; 1 windfeather sign per 50 LF of business frontage (max 3 per parcel/development) | — | 5 feet from right-of-way | 1 ground; 1 banner; up to 3 windfeather | On-site | — | Sec 6.6.3 Table 6.6.3 (A) |
| Temporary Sign (Non-Residential, Mixed-Use, and Multi-Family Properties) - Application/Permit Pending | 15 feet | 64 SF (or two 32 SF signs) | — | 5 feet from right-of-way | 1 (or 2 @32 SF) | On-site | — | Sec 6.6.3 Table 6.6.3 (A) |
| Temporary Sign (Non-Residential, Mixed-Use, and Multi-Family Properties) - Election Period Option | 15 feet | 32 SF | — | 5 feet from right-of-way | 2 additional | On-site | — | Sec 6.6.3 Table 6.6.3 (A) |
| Temporary Sign (Non-Residential, Mixed-Use, and Multi-Family Properties) - Portable Sign | 6 feet | 32 SF (not to exceed 6 ft height or 10 ft length) | 10 feet | 10 feet from side property lines. Cannot be placed in required parking space. | 1 per parcel (2 on multi-unit center, min 200 ft apart) | — | — | Sec 6.6.3 Table 6.6.3 (A) |
| A-Frame Sign | 48 inches (4 feet) | — | 24 inches | Maintains ADA clearance; must observe clear sight triangle. | 1 per business; 3 max per property (with exceptions); up to 4 in the historic district variant | On sidewalk immediately adjacent to business; may be in public right-of-way with ADA clearance (44" clear); 18 inches from curb; in historic district, up to 4 allowed within 1000 ft of business w/owner permission. | — | Sec 6.4.4.G |
| Flag | 35 ft mixed-use or industrial property; 20 ft residential | Flag not longer than 1/3 of pole height | — | — | 4 (mixed-use/industrial); unlimited (residential) | On-site; flag pole | — | Sec 6.4.4.F |

### Commercial (COM) Land Use and Industrial (IND) Land Use

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 15 feet (10 feet if clear area included in design); external support structure may be 25% more than copy area | 150 SF per sign; 350 SF per development | — | 5 feet from right-of-way | 1 per frontage; max 3 per development | No closer than 5 feet from any right-of-way or public property unless otherwise stated | — | 6.4.3(A); Table |
| Projecting Sign | 8 feet clear from grade | 16 SF per sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | 6.4.3(A); Table |
| Suspended Sign | 8 feet clear from grade | 8 SF per sign | — | — | 1 per tenant | Underneath overhang or similar structure adjacent to tenant | — | 6.4.3(A); Table |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign - Monument | 8 feet | 32 SF per sign | — | — | 2 per subdivision or commercial entrance | Subdivision or commercial entrance | — | 6.4.3(A); Table |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign - Incorporated into Wall | 8 feet | 32 SF per sign | — | — | 2 per subdivision or commercial entrance | Subdivision or commercial entrance | — | 6.4.3(A); Table |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign - Freestanding Hanging Sign | 8 feet | 32 SF per sign | — | — | 2 per subdivision or commercial entrance | Subdivision or commercial entrance | — | 6.4.3(A); Table |
| Canopy Sign for Service Station Islands - Cabinet | May not exceed canopy | 16 SF per sign | — | — | 2 per canopy | On service station islands w/gas pumps (on canopy) | — | 6.4.3(A); Table |
| Entryway Signage | 3.5 ft | 6 SF | — | Within 5 feet of a driveway or accessway | 4 per development | Within 5 feet of a driveway or accessway | — | 6.4.3(A); Table |

### Station Core (STA) Land Use and Neighborhood Commercial Zoning

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft or up to 15 ft when adjacent to a major corridor where 15 ft is allowed on the opposite ROW | 100 SF per sign | — | 5 feet from right-of-way | 1 per development | No closer than 5 feet from any right-of-way or public property | — | 6.4.3(B); Table |
| Ground Sign - Freestanding Hanging Sign | 8 feet | 16 SF | — | 5 feet from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | Minimum 5 feet setback from right-of-way; per street frontage | — | 6.4.3(B); Table |
| Projecting Sign | 8 feet clear from grade | 16 SF per sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | 6.4.3(B); Table |
| Suspended Sign | 8 feet clear from grade | 8 SF per sign | — | — | 1 per tenant | Underneath overhang or similar structure adjacent to tenant | — | 6.4.3(B); Table |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign - Monument | 8 feet | 32 SF per sign | — | — | 2 | Subdivision/commercial entrance | — | 6.4.3(B); Table |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign - Incorporated into Wall | 8 feet | 32 SF per sign | — | — | 2 | Subdivision/commercial entrance | — | 6.4.3(B); Table |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign - Free-Standing Hanging Sign | 8 feet | 32 SF per sign | — | — | 2 | Subdivision/commercial entrance | — | 6.4.3(B); Table |
| Entryway Signage | 3.5 ft | 6 SF | — | Within 5 feet of a driveway or accessway | 4 per development | Within 5 feet of driveway or accessway | — | 6.4.3(B); Table |

## Prohibited signs in Longwood

- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign not expressly authorized by or exempted from the Code.
- Signs in violation of the building code or electrical code as adopted by the City.
- Any sign that constitutes a safety hazard as determined by the city representative.
- Portable signs, blank or otherwise, not authorized by a current sign permit, and portable signs prohibited as permanent type sign.
- Signs with visible flashing, moving, revolving, or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic, or mechanical means, as authorized by this code (exceptions for certain authorized signs).
- Signs with the optical illusion of movement or designs capable of giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy.
- Signs with lights or illuminations that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, or vary in intensity or color except as authorized by code.
- Strings of light bulbs on commercially developed parcels for commercial purposes, except when permitted through an outdoor seating permit, for traditional seasonal decorations, or integral to the primary structure or for landscaping enhancement.
- Wind signs, consisting of flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers or captive balloons, or other objects/material fastened to move by wind, as permanent signs.
- Signs that incorporate projected images or emit any sound, odor, or visible matter, such as smoke or steam, or involve the use of live animals.
- Signs attached to the roof of any building or attached to the building which project above the roof or are suspended above the roof, except for mansard signs.
- Signs or structures that interfere with the free use of fire escapes, emergency exits, or standpipes, or block windows so that security visibility is hampered.
- Signs that resemble any official sign or marker by a governmental agency, or by position/shape/color could be confused with traffic-control devices, or that may be confused with traffic signals (including red or green lights near traffic lights).
- Signs that obstruct the vision of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists, are of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or impair the vision of users of public ways, or that are a hazard or nuisance to occupants of property.
- A sign that contains lighting or control mechanisms that cause unreasonable interference with radio, television, or other communication signals.
- Signs painted, pasted, or printed on any curbstone, flagstone, pavement, sidewalk, or street (except house numbers and traffic control signs).
- Signs on benches, bus shelters, or waste receptacles, except as authorized by city or Florida statutes.
- Signs erected on public property or on private structures located on public property, except those erected by public authority or authorized by law.
- Signs erected over, on or across any public street except as expressly authorized by code or by order of the city manager.
- Nongovernmental signs in public right-of-way indicating an activity at another location, unless approved by the city manager.
- "A-frame" (sandwich board) or sidewalk type signs when legible from a public street, unless otherwise authorized.
- A sign displaying copy "harmful to minors."
- Snipe signs.
- Pole signs.
- Neon lighting on signs or buildings, except “open” signs.
- Balloon or inflatable signs as permanent signs.
- Strip lighting (LED, neon, or similar) used to outline roofs or windows, except when a permanent integral design element of the building per code.
- All signs must adhere to visibility, location, height, and setback standards as described throughout the Code.
- No sign may exceed the size limitations set forth in the Code.
- Signs that violate general design/construction standards or are not professionally prepared/neatly maintained.
- Signs that encroach on public right-of-way unless specifically permitted.
- Signs that impede fire escapes, emergency exits, or standpipes.
- Signs over pedestrian ways lower than 7 feet above walkway.
- Signs over vehicular ways lower than 17 feet above grade.
- Any sign in violation of the sign permit requirements or that is erected, maintained, or altered without a required permit is illegal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Longwood

- Signs not designed or located to be visible or read from any street or adjoining property.
- Signs of four square feet or less, and signs where letters/symbols/logos/designs do not exceed two inches in vertical or horizontal dimension, provided they are not otherwise prohibited.
- Signs necessary to promote health, safety and welfare, and other regulatory, statutory, traffic control, or directional signs erected on public property with appropriate governmental consent.
- Legal notices and official instruments.
- Merchandise displays behind storefront or store display windows (provided no part of display moves or contains flashing lights visible from the street).
- Signs incorporated into machinery/equipment by a manufacturer/distributor that identify only the product/service dispensed (e.g. vending machines, newspaper racks, telephone booths, gasoline pumps).
- Seasonal decorations (incidental and customary, displayed for no more than 60 consecutive days or 90 days in a year, and setback 10 feet from lot boundaries with sight clearance maintained).
- Public warning signs indicating dangers (e.g., trespassing, swimming, animals), not exceeding four square feet.
- Works of art placed under a city-approved art program.
- Public utility signs identifying underground utilities/high voltage lines/etc., no more than three feet high and with sign face not exceeding one-half square foot.
- Traffic control devices/signs erected on public property by government agencies with permission (regulatory, warning, guide signs meeting size/placement standards).
- Identification signs at entrance/drive of single-family residences/estates, not exceeding two square feet.
- Bench/bus shelter signs authorized by the city’s agreement with the Jaycees dated February 4, 1991.
- Public announcement or public information signage, including wayfinding and gateway signage, when erected or approved by city.
- Signage integrated into a construction fence for an active construction project.
- Repainting or changing the message of a changeable copy sign or sign panel of a permitted sign is not considered substantial alteration and does not require a permit.
- Maintenance of certain sign components (lamps, ballasts, transformers, etc.) does not require a permit, except for electrical service/structural changes requiring compliance with building code.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs for multiple-unit centers or subdivisions constructed or remodeled after the effective date of this Code shall conform to an approved master sign plan either as part of a site development plan or sign permit.
- The sign plan (for multiple-unit centers/subdivisions) must specify types of signs/dimensions, common design elements (placement, color, style, etc.), and must be on file with the community development department.
- The sign format for such centers may be modified only with community development department approval upon submittal of a revised plan.
- A master sign plan for a development or subdivision may exceed the number of monument signs per development, so long as total sign square footage is not exceeded by more than 25%.
- A development not required to submit a master sign plan may elect to do so and receive a 25% bonus in total sign square footage and ability to transfer copy area from one façade to another.
- Master sign plans are referenced under pole/banner sign regulations (6.4.4.A.2) for permanent use.
- Site plans, site plan amendments, or variances may trigger loss of legal nonconforming status for an existing sign (which would require compliance with current sign code, possibly including sign plan).

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

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