# Sign Regulations in Melbourne, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Melbourne, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/melbourne
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Melbourne/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIILADERE_APXDLADECO_CH11SIAD)

## At a glance

Melbourne, Florida regulates 35 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Street Frontage 50-99 ft)s in the Nonresidential Zoning Districts (C-1, C-1A, C-2, C-3, C-P, C-E, M-1, M-2, R-P, C-1A, C-1, C-E, C-P) zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a 10 ft from any property line abutting ROW, 5 ft from any other property line setback (Sec. Sec. 11.20.B.1.a.ii, 11.20.B.1.c). Most commercial signs in Melbourne require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonresidential Zoning Districts (C-1, C-1A, C-2, C-3, C-P, C-E, M-1, M-2, R-P, C-1A, C-1, C-E, C-P) | 13 | Two signs up to 20 ft, two signs up to 30 ft | Total 800 sq ft, no single sign > 200 sq ft | — |
| Community Redevelopment Areas | 1 | — | — | — |
| Institutional District (I-1) | 10 | Up to 15 ft above roofline if on parapet/wall | 300 sq ft (total) | — |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Single-family Residential Lot | 1 | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| Multi-family Residential Project | 2 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Individual Multi-family Residential Dwelling Unit | 1 | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| Single-family Residential Subdivision | 1 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per face | — |
| Institutional Uses Granted Conditional Use in Residential District | 1 | 12 ft | 72 sq ft per face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Nonresa: 12 ft; Res: 3 ft | Nonresa: 72 sq ft; Res: 6 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Nonresidential Zoning Districts (C-1, C-1A, C-2, C-3, C-P, C-E, M-1, M-2, R-P, C-1A, C-1, C-E, C-P)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Street Frontage 50-99 ft) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any property line abutting ROW, 5 ft from any other property line | 1 | Lot with street frontage of 50-99 linear feet | — | Sec. 11.20.B.1.a.ii, 11.20.B.1.c |
| Ground Sign (Street Frontage >100 ft) | 12 ft | 72 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any property line abutting ROW, 5 ft from any other property line | 1 | Lot with street frontage greater than 100 linear feet | — | Sec. 11.20.B.1.a.iii, 11.20.B.1.c |
| Ground Sign (Street Frontage >600 ft) | 12 ft | Total 144 sq ft, no single sign > 72 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any property line abutting ROW, 5 ft from any other property line | 2 | Lot with street frontage greater than 600 linear feet | — | Sec. 11.20.B.1.a.iv, 11.20.B.1.c |
| Ground Sign (Street Frontage >1000 ft) | Two signs up to 12 ft, one sign up to 20 ft | Total 250 sq ft, no single sign > 160 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any property line abutting ROW, 5 ft from any other property line | 3 | Lot with street frontage greater than 1000 linear feet | — | Sec. 11.20.B.1.a.v, 11.20.B.1.c |
| Ground Sign (Community Shopping Center, Street Frontage >1500 ft) | Two signs up to 20 ft, two signs up to 30 ft | Total 800 sq ft, no single sign > 200 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from other property line | 4 | Community shopping center (gross floor area >200,000 sq ft, 15 units, 1,500+ ft frontage on 2 arterials) | — | Sec. 11.20.B.1.a.vi, 11.20.B.1.c |
| Building Signs | Up to 15 ft above roofline if on parapet/wall | 300 sq ft (total) | — | — | Up to 10 per occupancy/unit | On exterior building walls or parapet | — | Sec. 11.20.B.2 |
| Directional Signs | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | Equal to number of vehicular entrances/exits | At each vehicular ingress/egress point | — | Sec. 11.20.B.3 |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Nonresidential, Option 1) | 12 ft | 72 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Entrance to nonresidential platted subdivision, on tract jointly owned/maintained by all lots | — | Sec. 11.20.B.4.b.i |

### Institutional District (I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Street Frontage <50 ft) | — | Not permitted | — | — | 0 | Property with street frontage <50 ft | — | Sec. 11.20.D.1.a.i |
| Ground Sign (Street Frontage 50-99 ft) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from other lots | 1 | Property with 50–99 ft street frontage | — | Sec. 11.20.D.1.a.ii |
| Ground Sign (Street Frontage >100 ft) | 12 ft | 72 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from other lots | 1 | Property with >100 ft street frontage | — | Sec. 11.20.D.1.a.iii |
| Ground Sign (Street Frontage >600 ft) | 2 signs up to 12 ft | 144 sq ft (total); at least 150 ft separation between ground signs | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from other lots | 2 | Street frontage >600 ft | — | Sec. 11.20.D.1.a.iv |
| Ground Sign (Street Frontage >1000 ft) | 1 sign may be up to 20 ft, 2 signs up to 12 ft | 250 sq ft (total), max 160 sq ft per sign; at least 150 ft separation | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from other lots | 3 | Street frontage >1000 ft | — | Sec. 11.20.D.1.a.v |
| Ground Sign (Changeable Copy) (Arterial/Collector/Local Roadway) | — | See underlying ground sign max | — | — | See underlying ground sign rules | Along arterial, collector, or local roadways; not to face single-family dwellings on local | — | Sec. 11.20.D.1.d |
| Building Signs (I-1 or Institutional Use) | Up to 15 ft above roofline if on parapet/wall | 300 sq ft (total) | — | — | Up to 10 per occupancy/unit | Exterior building walls or parapet | — | Sec. 11.20.D.2 |
| Directional Sign (I-1 or Institutional Use) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft (entry/exit), 16 sq ft (internal) | — | — | — | Ingress/egress and internal | — | Sec. 11.20.D.3 |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-family Residential Lot Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On lot | — | Sec. 11.20.C.1 |
| Multi-family Residential Project Sign (Building sign) | Not to exceed building height | Up to 10% of wall, max 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 or 2 (see above) | On exterior walls; projects >48 ft high | — | Sec. 11.20.C.2.b.i |
| Multi-family Residential Project Sign (Ground sign) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from other property lines | Max 2 per entry | At each entry from arterial/collector street | — | Sec. 11.20.C.2.b.ii |
| Individual Multi-family Residential Dwelling Unit Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 11.20.C.2.c |
| Single-family Residential Subdivision Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per face | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from other property lines | 2 per entrance max | Within a tract jointly owned and maintained by subdivision | — | Sec. 11.20.C.3 |
| Temporary Noncommercial Signs (Residential) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per sign, 30 sq ft aggregate | — | 10 ft from lot line | — | — | — | Sec. 11.20.C.8 |

## Prohibited signs in Melbourne

- Any sign not expressly permitted by the sign ordinance is prohibited.
- Animated and flashing signs (other than changeable copy signs) are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Signs that rotate are prohibited.
- Signs on public property except signs erected by a governmental agency having jurisdiction are prohibited.
- Banners, banner signs, pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, 'A' frame, sandwich board signs, sidewalk or curb signs, and inflatable signs are prohibited except as may be expressly permitted pursuant to the special activity permitting procedures, outdoor display or seating area procedures, or when utilized as temporary window signs/service bay opening signs.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or steam are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Signs in violation of the Florida Building Code are prohibited.
- Signs which face contiguous residential property are prohibited.
- Signs with optical illusion of movement by means of a design that presents a pattern capable of giving the illusion of motion are prohibited.
- Signs or sign structures that interfere in any way with the free use of any fire escape, emergency exit, or standpipe, or that obstruct any window to such an extent that the light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by any provision of this code or other ordinances of the city are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Any sign which is located, constructed, or maintained in such a way that such sign may be confused or interfere with official traffic signs, signals, or devices placed by any governmental agency having jurisdiction of the right-of-way, or which may obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic is prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as expressly permitted.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited.
- Balloons are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape or any window or door or opening used as a means of egress or so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof.
- A sign shall not be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape, nor be placed in such manner as to interfere with any opening required for legal ventilation.
- Signs projecting from a building or extending over public property shall maintain a clear height of ten feet above grade and maintain a minimum of 24 inches of clearance from the edge of pavement.
- All permanent signs must comply with the Florida Building Code.
- No sign may be structurally altered to prolong its nonconformity; only reasonable repair and maintenance are permitted, not enhancements or structural changes.
- A nonconforming sign damaged more than 50% of its value cannot be reconstructed except in conformance with the code (subject to exceptions for Acts of God/tortious conduct).

## Signs exempt from permit in Melbourne

- Signs required by law or ordinance to be erected within the public right-of-way.
- Flags.
- Signs of six square feet or less.
- Signs erected on public property by governmental agencies having jurisdiction.
- One sign or tablet per building, of four square feet or less, when cut into any masonry surface, or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible material, and attached to the surface of a building or erected on a post or pedestal with a total height not to exceed four feet in height.
- Signs incorporated into machinery, equipment or other products by the manufacturer of same.
- Signs carried by a person.
- Temporary noncommercial signs.
- Construction signs.
- Real estate signs.
- Temporary window signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan is required for all permanent ground and building signs. The sign plan must include: a summary table listing existing and proposed signs (location, type, area), fully dimensioned and scaled elevation drawing(s) of any proposed sign (showing sign type, height, structure and area), for building signs: elevation of the building showing placement, electrical information if applicable, construction/support/electrical details, and wind load/footer details as required by the Florida Building Code.
- All sign permit applications shall be filed on forms supplied by the administrator and require inclusion of a sign plan.
- All permanent ground and building signs shall have a sign plan prepared in compliance with the Florida Building Code.
- A certificate of architectural appropriateness is required prior to issuance of a sign permit for all signs (including murals) within a community redevelopment area and for all murals outside a community redevelopment area.
- For sign variance requests (height and setback only), applications are heard by the zoning board of adjustment under established procedures in the code.

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

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