Sign Regulations in Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach, Florida has specific sign regulations covering 39 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Detached Sign (Monument/Wall/Freestanding). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: February 16, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Miami Beach, Florida
Sample Sign Requirements in Miami Beach
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exempt Signs (Permit Not Required) | — | Official traffic and governmental information signs: N/A; Directional/parking: 2 sq ft; Address: 2 sq ft; Temporary window signs per Sec. 138-131: size by that section. | — |
| Temporary Signs - General | Detached temporary signs: max 5 ft in single-family and multifamily districts; max 12 ft in all other districts; flat signs on building: not above first floor in single-family/multifamily, not above second story in other districts. | Window temporary signs: ≤10% of total window area; Nonwindow: Residential nonconforming business: 4 sq ft; Nonresidential districts: 15 sq ft. Additional limits by district type: single-family 4 sq ft; multifamily district 16 sq ft; all other districts: 1 sq ft per 3 linear feet of frontage, max 75 sq ft. | 10 ft from any property line for detached temporary signs unless affixed to fence/building; height limits as above. |
| Temporary Banners (General) | — | 100 sq ft max area. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Miami BeachFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
39
- Wall Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Detached Sign (Monument/Wall/Freestanding)
- All Signs - General Requirements
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Miami Beach
Other Cities in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Miami Beach vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Miami Beach, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Miami Beach, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Detached Sign (Monument/Wall/Freestanding), All Signs - General Requirements, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Miami Beach vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Miami Beach are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Miami Beach has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Miami Beach, Florida
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Miami Beach (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 29 | General: ground-mounted flagpoles max 50 ft; poles on buildings/structures max 25 ft above main roof deck; single-family districts: attached/detached flagpoles max 30 ft height. | 100 sq ft max area. | — |
| CD-1, CD-2, CD-3; CPS-1, CPS-2, CPS-3, CPS-4; I-1; MXE; TC-C, TC-1, TC-2; RM-3; HD; MR | 7 | Minimum bottom clearance 9 ft above grade (per Sec. 82-411(b)); if projecting more than 36 in above roofline/parapet, becomes roof sign (generally prohibited). | 100 sq ft maximum, regardless of formula calculation. | — |
| RM-1, RM-2; R-PS-1, R-PS-2, R-PS-3, R-PS-4; RO; TC-3; RM-PS1; TH; WD-1, WD-2 | 3 | Minimum 9 ft clearance above grade. | 30 sq ft maximum, regardless of formula. | — |
| RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4; SPE; GC | 3 | — | In GC and SPE: 30 sq ft maximum; in RS (1-4): 2 sq ft maximum. | — |
| CD-1 (Legal Nonconforming Use Signage in Residential Districts) | 1 | — | — | — |
| TC-3 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Lincoln Road Signage District (Overlay within applicable base zones) | 1 | — | 35% of defined facade area. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Miami Beach(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exempt Signs (Permit Not Required) | — | Official traffic and governmental information signs: N/A; Directional/parking: 2 sq ft; Address: 2 sq ft; Temporary window signs per Sec. 138-131: size by that section. | — | — | Address signs: max 1 per street frontage. | As required by agency for official signs; private directional/parking on private property; address signs on premises. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-4(1)-(7) |
| Temporary Signs - General | Detached temporary signs: max 5 ft in single-family and multifamily districts; max 12 ft in all other districts; flat signs on building: not above first floor in single-family/multifamily, not above second story in other districts. | Window temporary signs: ≤10% of total window area; Nonwindow: Residential nonconforming business: 4 sq ft; Nonresidential districts: 15 sq ft. Additional limits by district type: single-family 4 sq ft; multifamily district 16 sq ft; all other districts: 1 sq ft per 3 linear feet of frontage, max 75 sq ft. | — | 10 ft from any property line for detached temporary signs unless affixed to fence/building; height limits as above. | Max 1 temporary sign per street frontage (except election/free speech: 1 per unit); max 2 permits per premises per year. | Only on lot where special use, activity, service, product or sale occurs; may be flat on wall, part of fence, or rigid detached on posts or construction fence. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-131(a)-(c),(e); Sec. 138-132; Sec. 138-133(b)-(j) |
| Temporary Banners (General) | — | 100 sq ft max area. | — | — | Max 1 banner per property per calendar year. | All zoning districts, subject to permit and design review. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-137(a)-(c) |
| Flags and Flagpoles | General: ground-mounted flagpoles max 50 ft; poles on buildings/structures max 25 ft above main roof deck; single-family districts: attached/detached flagpoles max 30 ft height. | Flag size: length = 1/4 of pole length (ground); 1/3 of pole length (roof/structure); width = 2/3 of flag length. Temporary flags for exempt flagpoles: max 3 ft x 5 ft (15 sq ft). | — | Detached flagpoles: 10 ft from any street yard and rear ocean/bay yard; 7.5 ft interior side yard. | Base allowance 1 flagpole per property; more allowed subject to design review. | On private property; detached flagpole setbacks: any yard facing street 10 ft; interior side yard 7.5 ft; rear yard ocean/bayfront 10 ft; projecting over public property requires public works approval. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-60(a)-(e) |
| Window Signs - Operational Info | Address numerals ≤6 in; phone/hours letters/numerals ≤2 in; establishment name letters ≤6 in; open/closed letters ≤12 in. | Aggregate of address/phone/hours/name and open/closed sign ≤5% of total glass window and door area. If used as main permitted sign where no other signs, total aggregate size ≤20 sq ft. | — | — | One operational info sign per establishment (with some additional menu/display/service signs as specified). | On windows or doors of licensed commercial establishments. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-14(a)-(g) |
| Oceanfront Signs | — | Main structure sign: ≤1% of wall area facing ECL, max 75 sq ft; accessory use signs: 20 sq ft each; flat accessory sign at dead-end/parking/park: max 10 sq ft for only one accessory use. | — | Accessory flat sign must be within dune district or 50-ft required rear yard setback at ground level. | Main structure: 1; accessory uses: 1 per accessory use; separate limit of one flat sign for accessory use in dune/50-ft rear yard context. | Between erosion control line (ECL) and main structure; flat accessory sign may be on wall facing extension of dead-end street, municipal lot, or park within dune district or required 50-ft rear yard setback at ground level. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-52(a)(1)-(4) |
| Filling Station Signs - Detached Pole/Monument | Height to top of sign must not exceed 25 ft. | 20 sq ft max for main sign; price sign area no greater than minimum necessary to meet state requirements; aggregate 40 sq ft max for this type. | — | — | 1 fixed pole/monument sign per site. | On site of filling station or other gasoline-selling use. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-56 (table, second row) |
| Vertical Retail Center - Building and Tenant Signs | Project entrance identification signs: overall height ≤10 ft; rooftop project ID sign height controlled via DRB/HPB. | Facade sum (including corners): up to 5% of building facade area; corner signs: up to 5% of smallest adjoining facade; each business identification sign: ≤1% of wall area; additional ground-floor large retail sign: ≤175 sq ft; project directory signs: 18 sq ft per sign face; project entrance signs: 30 sq ft each. | — | — | Max 6 business ID signs per permitted facade/corner; each eligible use max 2 external signs; project may have rooftop project ID sign (1); entrance ID signs at each entry; directory signs near each vehicular/pedestrian entrance. | On only two street frontages chosen for the center; corners; rooftop; at entries; inside center near each entrance (directory); interior walls not visible from ROW for interior business IDs. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-58(a)-(b) |
CD-1, CD-2, CD-3; CPS-1, CPS-2, CPS-3, CPS-4; I-1; MXE; TC-C, TC-1, TC-2; RM-3; HD; MR
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Not above ground floor, except buildings with 2+ floors may place signage above first floor, but those signs cannot exceed ground-floor size limits and require DRB/HPB approval. | 100 sq ft maximum, regardless of formula calculation. | — | — | Baseline: one wall/projecting/detached sign per allowed frontage per use (Sec. 138-13(6)); in this district group, multiple wall signs per frontage may be approved via design review within total area cap. | On exterior walls fronting a street or waterway; may front alleys where alley is public entrance or adjacent to parking/garage; above ground floor limited to building name or largest use per Sec. 138-13(3). | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-16 (Wall Sign chart, left column for these districts); Sec. 138-21; Sec. 138-22 |
| Wall Sign - Accessory Use | Same height/location rules as main wall sign (generally ground floor frontage). | 20 sq ft or 75% of main use sign, whichever is less. | — | — | Counts toward limit of one wall/projecting/detached per frontage per use unless additional allowed via design review. | On building wall of accessory use with direct street/sidewalk access. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-16 (Accessory use row, left column) |
| Wall Sign - Corner Building Combined Sign | Same vertical limits as other wall signs (generally not above ground floor unless allowed with DRB/HPB approval). | 40 sq ft maximum. | — | — | One combined corner sign instead of two separate frontage wall signs. | On building corner, visible from both intersecting streets. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-16 (Special conditions row, left column) |
| Wall Sign - Building Identification | — | No explicit numeric cap beyond 1% of facade area in this section. | — | — | 1 building ID sign per qualifying facade. | On each facade facing a public right-of-way or waterway. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-16 (Building identification row) |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum bottom clearance 9 ft above grade (per Sec. 82-411(b)); if projecting more than 36 in above roofline/parapet, becomes roof sign (generally prohibited). | 15 sq ft maximum (unless special horizontal projection option is used; see additional requirements). | — | — | Base rule: one wall/projecting/detached per frontage per use; in this group, multiple projecting signs allowed via design review within aggregate area cap. | Attached to building wall fronting street/waterway; may front alley where alley is public entrance or abuts parking/garage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-18 (Projecting Sign chart, left column and special conditions) |
| Projecting Sign - Building Identification | Same as other projecting signs (min bottom 9 ft above grade). | — | — | — | 1 building ID projecting sign per qualifying facade. | On facades of hotels, apartment-hotels, and commercial buildings 2+ stories facing ROW/waterway. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-18 (Building identification row, left column) |
| Detached Sign (Monument/Wall/Freestanding) | 5 ft maximum; may exceed 5 ft via design review, but never more than 10 ft total height. | 15 sq ft maximum; if sign is on perimeter wall, max 5 sq ft; all sides with signage count toward max area. | — | Front yard: 5 ft; interior side yard: 7.5 ft; side yard facing street: 5 ft; perimeter wall sign: 0 ft (on property line). | Baseline 1 wall/projecting/detached per frontage per use; multiple detached signs per frontage allowed via design review within max area cap. | Freestanding or attached to surface detached from building (fence/wall) on lots in these zones, excluding MXE where specifically prohibited. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-19 (Detached Sign chart, left column) |
RM-1, RM-2; R-PS-1, R-PS-2, R-PS-3, R-PS-4; RO; TC-3; RM-PS1; TH; WD-1, WD-2
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Same general citywide wall sign rules: typically not above ground floor unless DRB/HPB approves limited upper-floor placement equal to ground-floor size cap. | 30 sq ft maximum, regardless of formula. | — | — | Max 1 wall or projecting or detached sign per frontage per use. | On building facade fronting street/waterway/alley (where public entrance/parking adjacency). | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-16 (Wall Sign chart, middle column) |
| Projecting Sign | Minimum 9 ft clearance above grade. | 15 sq ft maximum. | — | — | 1 wall OR projecting OR detached sign per frontage per use. | On building facade fronting public way/qualifying alley/parking. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-18 (Projecting Sign chart, middle column) |
| Detached Sign (Monument/Wall/Freestanding) | Chart provides no distinct height line here, so general detached sign height from left column applies citywide: 5 ft max, up to 10 ft via design review. | 15 sq ft standard; if sign is setback 20 ft or more from property line, max area may increase to 30 sq ft; perimeter wall sign max 5 sq ft; in RO specifically, max area is 10 sq ft regardless of general 15/30 rules. | — | Same as general detached sign: front yard 5 ft; interior side 7.5 ft; street side yard 5 ft; perimeter wall sign 0 ft. | 1 wall OR projecting OR detached sign per frontage per use. | On lots in these zones as detached monument/freestanding or on perimeter wall. | — | Unlock | Sec. 138-19 (Detached Sign chart, middle column, including Special Conditions for RO) |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Miami Beach — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Miami Beach — start freeProhibited Signs in Miami Beach
- No general advertising sign shall be constructed, erected, used, operated or maintained in the city (Sec. 138-5(a)).
- Pennants, banners, streamers, and all other fluttering, spinning or similar type signs and advertising devices are prohibited, except as specifically permitted in sections 138-137, 138-139, and subsection 82-411(d) (Sec. 138-5(b)).
- Any nonconforming pennant, banner, streamer, fluttering or spinning device, flag or flagpole that is destroyed shall be removed immediately and shall not be replaced with another such nonconforming flag, sign or device (Sec. 138-5(b)).
- No sign may display intermittent lights, or move or revolve (Sec. 138-5(c)).
- No sign may use the word “Stop” or “Danger,” imply a need to stop or the existence of danger, or imitate an official sign, except when those words are part of attraction titles or descriptive advertising lines that do not simulate official traffic warnings (Sec. 138-5(d)).
- No sign may provide a background of colored lights that blend with traffic signals so as to confuse motorists when viewed from 25 to 300 feet (Sec. 138-5(e)).
- No sign may be attached or applied to trees, utility poles, bus benches, trash receptacles, or any other unapproved supporting structures (Sec. 138-5(f)).
- No sign attached to a vehicle may be illuminated when the vehicle is parked in the public right-of-way (Sec. 138-5(g)).
- Signs that are not securely affixed to the ground or permanently affixed to an approved supporting structure are prohibited (Sec. 138-5(h)).
- Except as otherwise permitted, no sign indicating an accessory commercial use in a hotel, apartment-hotel, or apartment building in a residential district may be visible from a public street, walk, or other public way (Sec. 138-5(i)).
- Pole signs and roof signs are not permitted, except for pole signs associated with filling stations; legal nonconforming roof and pole signs may only be repaired as allowed in Sec. 138-55 (Sec. 138-5(j)).
- Freestanding or sandwich signs may not be located outside of a building (Sec. 138-5(k)).
- Signs on umbrellas, tables, chairs or any other furniture or fixtures associated with outdoor/sidewalk cafes are prohibited, except sidewalk cafe umbrella signs as otherwise permitted (Sec. 138-5(l)).
- Televisions or similar devices displaying images are not permitted within the first ten feet of a storefront (Sec. 138-5(m)).
- No sign may be erected, constructed, posted, painted, altered, or relocated without a building or planning permit, unless exempt under Sec. 138-4 (Sec. 138-3(1)).
- No sign may conflict with corner visibility clearance requirements (Sec. 138-3(4)).
- All signs must be located only on the lot on which the business, residence, special use, activity, service, product or sale is located, unless otherwise stipulated (Sec. 138-3(5), 138-132(d)).
- All signs must be maintained in good condition and appearance; noncompliant signs are subject to enforcement (Sec. 138-3(6)-(7)).
- No sign shall be approved for use unless inspected and found in compliance with land development regulations and applicable technical codes (Sec. 138-3(8)).
- All signs must comply with the yard (setback) requirements of the district and may not be placed so as to conflict with vision clearance requirements (Sec. 138-9).
- Signs attached to or placed on a vehicle parked on public or private property are prohibited when used for the purpose of advertising a business or firm or calling attention to a business at that location, except as specifically exempted (Sec. 138-61(a)).
- All non-exempt advertising signs on vehicles must be removed or covered when the vehicle is parked, and all allowable removable signs on vehicles must be removed during nonbusiness hours (Sec. 138-61(a)(5)-(6)).
- Advertising vehicles (wheeled conveyances whose primary purpose is displaying advertisements) are prohibited on specified streets and areas, subject to listed exemptions (Sec. 138-61(b)).
- It is unlawful to paste, glue, print, paint, or affix any sign, poster, placard or bumper strip to any public street, sidewalk, way, curb, or property of any governmental body or public utility (Sec. 138-131(e)).
- Balloon signs are prohibited in all zoning districts except as specifically allowed for special events under the city’s special event review procedures (Sec. 138-137(a)).
- Banners are prohibited as a type of temporary sign, except where specifically allowed (e.g., certain temporary banners, cultural institutions, and special events) (Sec. 138-133(f), 138-137, 138-139).
- Material applied to vacant storefront windows may not contain general advertising signs or any other prohibited sign types (Sec. 138-140(e)).
Exempt Signs in Miami Beach
- Official traffic signs or sign structures, governmental information signs, provisional warning signs required by a governmental agency, and temporary signs indicating danger may be erected without a permit, subject to structural/safety and other code requirements (Sec. 138-4(1)).
- Historical markers approved by the historic preservation board may be erected without a permit, subject to applicable structural and safety requirements (Sec. 138-4(2)).
- Nonadvertising directional and guidance signs for pedestrians, traffic, and parking on private property, not exceeding two square feet, may be erected without a permit (Sec. 138-4(3)).
- Changing the copy on a bulletin board, poster board, display encasement, directory sign, or marquee is exempt from permitting (Sec. 138-4(4)).
- Signage on vehicles as authorized in section 138-61 is exempt from sign permitting, subject to vehicle-sign regulations (Sec. 138-4(5)).
- Temporary signs composed of paper, cardboard, plastic film or similar material affixed directly to a window, as authorized by section 138-131, do not require a permit (Sec. 138-4(6), 138-131(b)).
- Address signs, limited to one per street frontage, not exceeding two square feet with copy limited to the property address, are exempt from permitting (Sec. 138-4(7)).
- Temporary flagpoles affixed to buildings or structures that meet the criteria in Sec. 138-60(b) do not require a building permit or public works approval (Sec. 138-60(b)).
- Temporary signs affixed directly to a window and composed of paper, cardboard, plastic film or similar material are exempt from the temporary sign permit requirement (Sec. 138-131(b)).
- Election/free speech temporary signs and temporary window signs are exempt from design review (though still subject to size, number, and other standards) (Sec. 138-133(j)).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Miami Beach
- All signs are subject to design review procedures unless expressly exempted (Sec. 138-13(7); multiple sections reference design review or certificate of appropriateness).
- Vertical retail centers require approval of a sign master plan for the center by the design review board or historic preservation board, as applicable, prior to issuance of any sign permit; the board has design review authority over all signs above ground level, while staff may approve compliant ground-level and replacement signs within approved sign areas (Sec. 138-58(b)(9)).
- For Lincoln Road signage district, flat wall, projecting or other building signs that exceed standard limits may be permitted only subject to issuance of a certificate of appropriateness by the historic preservation board; placement, design and illumination are reviewed and approved by that board (Sec. 138-41(b)(1)).
- Building identification signs for hotels, apartment-hotels, and qualifying commercial buildings require approval through the design review or certificate of appropriateness process, as applicable (Sec. 138-16, 138-18(b) – building identification entries).
- Many special sign types (e.g., detached signs with increased height, artistic murals and noncommercial graphics, cultural institution banners, bayfront signs, major cultural institution signs, shopping center monument signs) require design review board or historic preservation board approval, effectively functioning as project- or site-level sign plans for those uses (Secs. 138-18, 138-19, 138-20, 138-21, 138-22, 138-41, 138-51(b)(4), 138-52(b), 138-58, 138-59, 138-60(e), 138-133(j), 138-137(b)(2), 138-139(g), 138-140(d)-(e), 138-204).
- Variances from maximum size, location or graphics criteria for signs generally must be processed through the board of adjustment, historic preservation board, or design review board under chapter 118, article VIII, when a sign does not conform to the regulations (Sec. 138-2, second paragraph).
Source: municode municipal code