# Sign Regulations in Maitland, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Maitland, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/maitland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-31
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/fl/maitland/codes/land_development_code?nodeId=PTIILADECO_ART5DEST_S5.14SI)

## At a glance

Maitland, Florida regulates 61 sign types across 6 zoning districts. A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Signs in the MX: Mixed Multifamily and Office, WS: West Side, GAP: Government, Arts, and Public, NC: Neighborhood Commercial (Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Areas), R-MF: Residential Multifamily (when developed as multifamily project), PD: Planned Development (when using general sign table), General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall, 6 sq ft per face (typical total 6 sq ft as table value), and 24 inches (2 ft) max width wide, with a Cannot be in ROW; must keep clear pedestrian path; maintain sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) setback (Sec. Table 5.14.6(c)(1) – A-Frame). Most commercial signs in Maitland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RSF-1: Residential Single Family 1, RSF-2: Residential Single Family 2, RSF-3: Residential Single Family 3, RSF-D: Residential Single Family and Duplex, R-MF: Residential Multifamily | 17 | 20 ft pole height | 25 sq ft per sign face | — |
| MX: Mixed Multifamily and Office, WS: West Side, GAP: Government, Arts, and Public, NC: Neighborhood Commercial (Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Areas), R-MF: Residential Multifamily (when developed as multifamily project), PD: Planned Development (when using general sign table), General Regulations For All Zones | 25 | 12 ft (no greater than height of structure when within 150 ft of protected residential) | 75 sq ft copy area (reduced to 30 sq ft within 150 ft of protected residential development) | — |
| WS-NM: West Side New Market Subdistrict | 5 | Sign face max 36 in height; width max 36 in | 80 sq ft per individual sign (before 10% increase) | — |
| DM: Downtown Maitland, DM-E: Downtown Maitland Edge Subdistrict (DM-EDGE), DM-PD: Downtown Maitland — Planned Development | 11 | Sign face: max 36 in width × 36 in height | 72 sq ft per face | — |
| PD: Planned Development (Sign Standards via PD Plan) | 2 | — | — | — |
| CHA-O: Culture, History, and Arts Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### RSF-1: Residential Single Family 1, RSF-2: Residential Single Family 2, RSF-3: Residential Single Family 3, RSF-D: Residential Single Family and Duplex, R-MF: Residential Multifamily

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Garage/Yard Sale Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Outside the public right-of-way and outside sight triangles per 5.14.5(a) | 1 per street frontage | On the property where the garage sale occurs; outside the right-of-way; may be in common area of apartments/condos subject to approval by property owners’ association | — | Table 5.14.6(b)(1): Residential Development Sign Standards (No Permit Required) – Garage/Yard sale |
| Open House Sign | 3 ft for wood/steel frame or yard signs; 6 ft for projecting arm-style post signs | 6 sq ft | — | Shall not be placed in the right-of-way or sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | 1 per street frontage | On the subject property; not in the right-of-way | — | Table 5.14.6(b)(1): Residential Development Sign Standards (No Permit Required) – Open house |
| Real Estate Sign | 3 ft for wood/steel frame or yard signs; 6 ft for projecting arm-style post signs | 6 sq ft (includes riders) | — | Outside the right-of-way and sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | 1 per street frontage | On the property being sold/leased; not in the right-of-way | — | Table 5.14.6(b)(1): Residential Development Sign Standards (No Permit Required) – Real estate |
| Flag (Residential Lots) | 20 ft pole height | 24 sq ft per flag | — | Must not obstruct sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | Up to 3 per lot | Attached to a flag pole or mounted hardware permanently affixed to a building, or flag pole anchored in the ground | — | Table 5.14.6(b)(1) – Flag |
| On-Site Construction Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Outside right-of-way and sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | 1 per lot | On lot where construction is occurring | — | Table 5.14.6(b)(1) – On-site construction sign |
| On-Site Free Expression Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Not in right-of-way; outside sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | 1 per lot | On the lot; not in the right-of-way | — | Table 5.14.6(b)(1) – On-site free expression |
| Campaign Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Not in right-of-way; maintain sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | Up to 3 per lot | On lot; not in right-of-way | — | Table 5.14.6(b)(1) – Campaign |
| Non-Commercial Directional Sign (Residential) | Up to 4 ft unless engineering standards require more | 4 sq ft | — | Must respect sight triangle per 5.14.5(a) | Not specified (n/a) | On site; message oriented toward vehicular facilities | — | Table 5.14.6(b)(1) – Non-commercial directional |

### MX: Mixed Multifamily and Office, WS: West Side, GAP: Government, Arts, and Public, NC: Neighborhood Commercial (Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Areas), R-MF: Residential Multifamily (when developed as multifamily project), PD: Planned Development (when using general sign table), General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Single-Tenant and Multifamily) | 8 ft overall, including a minimum 2-ft base | 50 sq ft copy area | — | Must not impede visibility or sight triangle; must be on premises and out of ROW (5.14.5(a)) | 1 per street frontage | On the lot along the public street abutting the property; outside right-of-way; not in sight triangle | — | Table 5.14.6(c)(2) – Freestanding (single-tenant and multifamily); Sec. 5.14.5(a) location rules |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant, Excluding Multifamily) | 12 ft (no greater than height of structure when within 150 ft of protected residential) | 75 sq ft copy area (reduced to 30 sq ft within 150 ft of protected residential development) | — | Outside right-of-way and sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | 1 per street frontage | On multi-tenant nonresidential lot along abutting street; outside right-of-way | — | Table 5.14.6(c)(2) – Freestanding (multi-tenant, excluding multifamily) |
| Wall Sign (Single-Tenant and Multifamily) | May not extend above the wall of the building to which it is attached | 60 sq ft or 50% of building frontage, whichever is less | — | On building; must not cover architectural detailing, windows, or ornamentation (5.14.5(a)(3)) | 1 per building frontage | Mounted flat on building wall | — | Table 5.14.6(c)(2) – Wall (single-tenant and multifamily) |
| Projecting / Blade Sign (Multi-Tenant) | — | 16 sq ft copy area | May extend no more than 4 ft beyond building wall | Must maintain min. 9-ft clearance above sidewalk (5.14.5(f)) | 1 per tenant | Projecting from building wall perpendicular to façade | — | Table 5.14.6(c)(2) – Projecting/Blade (multi-tenant) |
| Freestanding Event Sign (Temporary, Non-Residential/Mixed-Use) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Outside ROW and sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | 1 per lot | On same lot as special event | — | Table 5.14.6(c)(2) – Freestanding event sign (temporary) |
| A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per face (typical total 6 sq ft as table value) | 24 inches (2 ft) max width | Cannot be in ROW; must keep clear pedestrian path; maintain sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | 1 per tenant/storefront | Within 10 ft of storefront; on private property and not blocking sidewalk or right-of-way | — | Table 5.14.6(c)(1) – A-Frame |
| On-Site Free Expression Sign (Non-Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Not in right-of-way; maintain sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | 1 per lot | On the lot; not in right-of-way | — | Table 5.14.6(c)(1) – On-site free expression |
| Campaign Sign (Non-Residential) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Not in right-of-way; respect sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | 3 per lot | On lot; not in right-of-way | — | Table 5.14.6(c)(1) – Campaign |

### DM: Downtown Maitland, DM-E: Downtown Maitland Edge Subdistrict (DM-EDGE), DM-PD: Downtown Maitland — Planned Development

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign – Commercial/Retail/Office (Under 30,000 sf building) (DM Districts) | 8 ft | 36 sq ft per face | — | Outside right-of-way; must not intrude into sight triangle (5.14.5(a)) | One per street front | On site along street frontage in DM districts | — | Table 3.3.5(e)(19)(B)3 – Monument Sign Standards (Commercial, Retail, and Office Uses <30,000 sf) |
| Monument Sign – Commercial/Retail/Office (≥30,000 sf building) (DM Districts) | 12 ft | 72 sq ft per face | — | Outside right-of-way; respect sight triangle | One per street front | Along street frontage for large commercial/office in DM | — | Table 3.3.5(e)(19)(B)3 – Commercial, Retail, and Office Uses – 30,000 sf or more |
| Monument Sign – Residential Uses (<100 dwelling units) (DM Districts) | 8 ft | 36 sq ft per face | — | Outside right-of-way; not in sight triangle | One per street front | At entrance to residential development in DM districts | — | Table 3.3.5(e)(19)(B)3 – Residential Uses – Under 100 dwelling units |
| Monument Sign – Residential Uses (≥100 dwelling units) (DM Districts) | 12 ft | 72 sq ft per face | — | Outside right-of-way; not in sight triangle | One per street front | Entrance to larger multifamily or mixed-use residential in DM | — | Table 3.3.5(e)(19)(B)3 – Residential Uses – 100 or more dwelling units |
| Projecting or Blade Sign (DM / DM-EDGE / DM-PD) | Sign face: max 36 in width × 36 in height | 6 sq ft | 36 in | Must not extend over public ROW (3.3.5(e)(19)(A)4); must keep sight triangle clear | Typically 1 per tenant frontage; limited by Master Sign Plan | Projecting from building façade along street frontage in DM | — | Sec. 3.3.5(e)(19)(B)4.a.i; 3.3.5(e)(19)(B)4.a |
| Wall or Arcade Sign (DM / DM-EDGE / DM-PD) | Copy height between 1 ft and 3 ft | Governed by building-frontage formula: 1 sq ft per linear ft of street frontage, up to 80 sq ft per sign, +10% for buildings >35 ft (by parallel with WS standard) | Maximum width is width of shopfront | On building; cannot cover architectural elements (3.3.5(e)(15) cross-reference and 5.14.5(a)(3)) | Number and allocation governed by Master Sign Plan | On storefront wall or arcade face in DM | — | Sec. 3.3.5(e)(19)(B)4.a.ii |
| Window Sign (DM Districts) | 3 ft | No larger than 5 ft in width and 3 ft in height (15 sq ft); may cover max 25% of required building-window transparency area | 5 ft | — | 1 per storefront | On or in storefront windows | — | Sec. 3.3.5(e)(19)(B)5; 3.3.5(e)(16)(E) |
| A-Frame (Sandwich Board) Sign (DM Districts) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 24 in | Not in ROW; not in sight triangle | 1 per tenant/storefront | Within 10 ft of storefront in activity area or on private frontage; not in public ROW | — | Sec. 3.3.5(e)(19)(B)1 (A-frame allowed); Table 5.14.6(c)(1) – A-Frame |

## Prohibited signs in Maitland

- No sign shall be erected, altered, or relocated without a sign permit, except as specifically exempted in Section 5.14.6 and subject to any required building permit.
- It is unlawful to erect, construct, alter, or maintain any sign that is required to meet the Florida Building Code without first obtaining a building permit.
- Signs may not be placed in any manner that obstructs vehicular or pedestrian visibility or traffic, including within the sight triangle.
- No sign may cover architectural detailing, windows, or building ornamentation.
- Signs must be lighted in compliance with Section 5.9 and may not have exposed light sources visible from abutting roads or properties, may not cause confusion with traffic lights, and may not shine directly onto adjoining properties or into motorists’ eyes.
- Illuminated signs may not exceed a luminance of 300 foot-candles measured one foot from the sign and may not have lighting mechanisms projecting more than 18 inches from any surface.
- Illuminated signs must be constant in intensity and color and may not consist of flashing, animated, or changing lights.
- Any sign hanging over a sidewalk, walkway, or pedestrian pathway must maintain at least nine feet of vertical clearance above finished grade.
- No sign may be erected, maintained, or placed so as to pose a safety hazard.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Electronic changeable signs are prohibited, except when required as traffic control device signs or otherwise specifically allowed by the LDC or City Code.
- Billboards are prohibited, and the City shall not renew any existing lease of City property that allows billboards.
- Off-site signs are prohibited.
- Permanent banners, wind signs, ribbons, spinners, streamers, captive balloons, inflatable signs/devices, and fixed aerial signs are prohibited.
- Any sign, or any part of a sign, in motion by mechanical, electrical, or human-powered means is prohibited.
- Signs displaying flashing, undulating, swinging, rotating, revolving, or scrolling lights, or alternating/intermittent lights, or lights of changing intensity, brightness, or color, or that move or appear to move, are prohibited.
- Any sign that emits sparks, fire, sound, vapor, smoke, odor, particles, or gaseous matter is prohibited.
- Any sign that by size, location, movement, coloring, or illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or that hides a traffic control device from view, is prohibited.
- Any non-government sign erected in, on, or over any public right-of-way or other public property is prohibited, except where otherwise permitted in Section 5.14.
- Any sign located so as to impede traffic on a street, alley, sidewalk, bikeway, or other pedestrian or vehicular travel way is prohibited.
- Any non-traffic-control sign that imitates a traffic control device and is located on or adjacent to a road right-of-way is prohibited.
- Any sign wholly or partially illuminated by flashing or intermittent lights, rotary beacons, strobe lights, or similar devices is prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs the sightline at private drives and/or public rights-of-way is prohibited.
- Temporary signs are prohibited except those specifically allowed by Section 5.14.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Signs displaying obscene content as defined by Chapter 847, Florida Statutes, are prohibited.
- Mobile billboard signs consistently or repeatedly parked for more than 24 consecutive hours at a fixed location on any street or visible within 100 feet of any street are prohibited.
- Signs, other than those erected by federal, state, or local government pursuant to law, within any waterway in the City are prohibited.
- Signs attached to docks, tie poles, or piers, other than address numbering or safety signs, are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited and must be removed when ordered.
- Bench signs larger than 12 square inches are prohibited.
- Pennant strings are prohibited.
- Pole signs that exceed five feet in height are prohibited.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in accordance with Section 5.14, is prohibited and subject to confiscation.
- Signs must be maintained in safe condition and good repair; cracked, peeling, broken, structurally unsound, or partially illuminated signs beyond 14 days are prohibited conditions subject to removal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Maitland

- Signs located entirely inside a building or enclosed space that are not readily visible from outside the enclosed space or premises are allowed and do not require a sign permit.
- Signs on buses, taxis, and similar common carriers licensed or certified by a governmental entity, and vehicle signs (other than prohibited mobile billboard signs), are allowed without a sign permit.
- Signs incorporated onto machinery and equipment by a manufacturer or distributor that identify the manufacturer or the product dispensed are allowed without a sign permit.
- A lawfully displayed sign may be repainted or receive ordinary and customary repairs (including replacement of plastic or glass panels) without a new sign permit, provided it is not relocated, its copy area is not increased, and it is not structurally altered.
- Changing the copy on an existing sign does not require a sign permit if the sign copy area is not increased and no changes are made to height, size, location, structural design, or electrical elements.
- Residential development may display the specific sign types and quantities listed in Table 5.14.6(b)(1) (e.g., garage/yard sale, open house, real estate, address, nameplate, flags, window signs, on-site construction, seasonal/holiday decorations, on-site free expression, campaign signs, parking space numbers, warning/safety, non-commercial directional/directory, home occupation signs) without a sign permit, subject to applicable size, height, location, and duration limits.
- Non-residential and mixed-use development may display the specific sign types and quantities listed in Table 5.14.6(c)(1) that are identified as not requiring a permit (including certain window, A-frame, on-site construction, valet parking, on-site free expression, campaign, parking space numbers, warning/safety, non-commercial directional and directory signs), subject to their dimensional and operational limits.
- Participation in the DICE program itself is voluntary; no applicant is required to participate to obtain base sign entitlements.
- In the WS, DM, and DM-PD districts, sign regulations in Section 5.14 apply only to the extent they do not conflict with the more specific sign standards in Sections 3.3.4(e)(15) and 3.3.5(e)(19) or an adopted PD Plan, effectively exempting those districts from conflicting general sign requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Whenever multiple signs are proposed on a single site or a multi-tenant building in the DM district, the application must include a Master Sign Plan prepared in accordance with the Procedures Manual.
- A required Master Sign Plan in the DM district must identify: (a) the types of signs proposed and their number, size, height, and copy area; (b) the proposed style and color palette for all letter colors, background colors, and text; (c) the proposed general locations for freestanding signs on the lot and building signs on the façade; (d) the type and description of illumination for all signs; and (e) any structure (wall, fence base, etc.) on which a sign face is proposed.
- Development in the DM-PD district is subject to the DM sign standards in Section 3.3.5(e)(19), and any modifications or additional sign standards must be documented in the approved PD Plan and PD Agreement.
- For all Planned Development (PD and DM-PD) zone districts, the PD Plan must explicitly address sign standards when modifying base regulations; Section 5.14 (Signs) is listed as a development standard that may be modified through the PD Plan, and any such modifications must be justified and recorded in the PD Plan and PD Agreement.
- In the WS district, additional sign standards in Section 3.3.4(e)(15) apply to building-mounted signs and must be coordinated with the general sign regulations in Section 5.14; any conflicts are resolved in favor of the WS-specific standards, and sign approvals there must reflect both sets of requirements.
- Applications for development in the DM district that propose multiple signs should anticipate Master Sign Plan review as part of the broader design and form standards review in Section 3.3.5(e).

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

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