# Sign Regulations in Montverde, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Montverde, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/montverde
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Montverde/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIIMOLADECO_CH4DEST_ARTIXSI)

## At a glance

Montverde, Florida regulates 23 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Detached, Ground or Elevated)s in the Commercial District (C1), Office/Residential/Commercial District (ORC) zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and Up to 144 sq ft for combination signs; up to 100 sq ft per face in lieu of combination; up to 32 sq ft for off-site, CUP required, with a 10 ft from public ROW, 7.5 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 4-222(b)(12)). Most commercial signs in Montverde require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial District (C1), Office/Residential/Commercial District (ORC) | 9 | 25 ft | Up to 275 sq ft, based on wall sign table | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District (A, RR, R1L, R1M, RA/MH, R2, R3) | 5 | — | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Public Facility District (PF) | 2 | — | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Conservation District (CON) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Utility District (U) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | If detached: max 4 ft above grade | Up to 150 sq ft | — |
| Montverde Downtown Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Commercial District (C1), Office/Residential/Commercial District (ORC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | May not extend more than 6 inches above roofline | 45–275 sq ft (based on wall area table) | — | — | One per business elevation facing a street; additional for shopping centers per elevation | Attached to exterior wall of premises, front and/or side elevation | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(17) |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached, Ground or Elevated) | 25 ft | Up to 144 sq ft for combination signs; up to 100 sq ft per face in lieu of combination; up to 32 sq ft for off-site, CUP required | — | 10 ft from public ROW, 7.5 ft from property line | One per structure, except as permitted for shopping centers | 10 ft minimum setback from public ROW, 7.5 ft from property line, outside traffic lanes, not to inhibit visual clearance | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(12) |
| Projecting Sign | Cannot project above roof or cornice wall except where 4 ft width or less, may extend up to 6 inches above cornice | Up to 275 sq ft, based on wall sign table | Cannot project more than 4 ft from wall if above cornice | — | One per elevation | On exterior wall, front or side elevation if abutting a second street | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(19) |
| Marquee Sign | At least 8 ft above ground; not more than 4 ft above marquee, not more than 1 ft below marquee | Up to 65 sq ft for shopping center name; up to 275 sq ft per table for businesses | — | — | One per elevation | Attached to or above marquee; front elevation, and side elevation if abutting a separate street | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(18) |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Sign | — | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | One per business entrance | Placed at entrance to business on private property in commercial zoning districts only | — | Sec. 4-220(16) |
| Window Sign (Interior/Exterior - Permanent and Neon/Animated) | — | Up to 75% of each window area | — | — | — | Mounted on or behind windows | — | Sec. 4-220(14), 4-222(b)(16) |
| Price Sign (Gas Station) | — | Minimum 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Visible from right-of-way | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(20) |
| Construction Project Ground Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per project | On site of construction project | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(7) |

### Residential District (A, RR, R1L, R1M, RA/MH, R2, R3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale / For Rent Sign | — | 12 sq ft per face (residential), 16 sq ft on unimproved land | — | — | One per parcel | On parcel for sale/rent | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(5) |
| Bulletin Board - Public, Charitable or Religious Institution | — | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | One per street frontage | Premises of institution | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(2) |
| Occupational/Professional Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per address | Building | — | Sec. 4-220(5), 4-222(b)(1) |
| No Trespassing / Dumping | — | 1.5 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per 50 ft perimeter | Perimeter of lot | — | Sec. 4-220(7) |
| Memorial/Commemorative Plaques | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Sec. 4-220(8), 4-222(b)(4) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Development Sign) | — | Up to 64 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW, 25 ft from residence/business | Two per entrance | Subdivision/Development entrance | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(14) |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | — | Up to 150 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(15) |
| Political Sign (Temporary) | If detached: max 4 ft above grade | 4 sq ft (aggregate; see exception for billboards in commercial districts) | — | 15 ft from roadway; not in right-of-way | — | On property by owner or tenant | — | Sec. 4-222(b)(21) |

## Prohibited signs in Montverde

- No sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained in the town except in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions, and requirements of these regulations.
- All signs not expressly permitted by these regulations are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect, structurally modify (other than normal maintenance), replace, or relocate any sign within the town without first obtaining a permit, except as exempted by this chapter.
- Animated signs are prohibited, except for time and temperature signs permitted in business and commercial districts, and except animated window signs as specified.
- Beacons used as or on permanent signs to advertise or promote a business or to attract customers are prohibited.
- Banner street signs across public streets are prohibited, except those erected by or authorized by the town council.
- Electric signs are prohibited in residential districts, except specific limited exceptions for delivery entrance/exit signs at apartment buildings and as allowed for holiday decorations.
- Signs located so as to obstruct ingress or egress from any door, passable window, or fire escape, or attached to a standpipe or fire escape, are prohibited.
- Obscene, indecent, immoral, or harmful to minors signs are prohibited.
- Off-site advertising signs and billboards are prohibited except where all specified requirements for billboards are met.
- Outline or strip lights used for advertising on buildings, except for functional or safety purposes, are prohibited.
- Signs erected on public property other than by public authority for public purposes are prohibited, unless otherwise authorized.
- Signs overhanging or infringing upon the right-of-way are prohibited, except as specifically permitted (e.g., governmental agency signs, certain central business district signs).
- Signs, including advertising statues, over ten feet in height are prohibited.
- Any sign constituting a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by size, location, movement, content, coloring, or by obstructing vision is prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected to obstruct the vision of or constitute a hazard to traffic.
- No sign may use words or symbols such as 'Stop', 'Look', 'Danger', or any other word, phrase, or symbol that misleads or confuses traffic, or use red or green lights within ten feet of the right-of-way or 100 feet of traffic signals that may be confused with traffic lights.
- Signs on or attached to utility poles, trees, shrubs or plants are prohibited.
- Vehicle or trailer signs with total area in excess of ten square feet, when parked for more than two weeks within 100 feet of a street and visible from right-of-way, or not regularly used in business, are prohibited.
- Exterior window signs that obscure more than 75% of total transparent area of any window are prohibited.
- Signs painted, pasted, or printed on curbstone, pavement, sidewalk, or street (except house numbers and traffic signs), on benches, bus shelters, waste receptacles (except as authorized), or resembling/conflicting with official signs are prohibited.
- Signs of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impairment of vision for motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians, or create a nuisance to property occupants, are prohibited.
- No sign, unless excepted, shall be erected, constructed, posted, painted, altered or relocated except as provided in this article.
- Except where otherwise specifically provided, signs are permitted only in nonresidential areas.
- It is a violation to install, create, erect, or maintain any sign in a way inconsistent with any plan or permit governing such sign or its zone lot.
- It is a violation to install, create, erect, or maintain any sign requiring a permit without such permit.
- It is a violation to fail to remove any sign that is installed, created, erected, or maintained in violation of these regulations.
- It is a violation to continue any such violation on a daily, ongoing basis.
- Signs may not be attached to trees, utility poles, curbs, benches, or public property (unless specifically exempted or authorized).

## Signs exempt from permit in Montverde

- Normal maintenance of existing signs, including painting, repainting, cleaning or other non-structural repairs.
- Changing the advertising copy or message on an existing legal sign specifically designed for replaceable copy, including marquees and changeable copy signs.
- Directional or instructional signs located entirely on the property they pertain to, not advertising a business, not exceeding eight square feet, and similar restrooms, telephone, walkway, vacancy and dining room signs as specified.
- Governmental and public utility signs for traffic control and other regulatory, safety, or warning purposes erected by or with approval of the town.
- Holiday decorations and associated decorative signs for national, local, or religious holidays, or as decreed by town council for special events/campaigns, provided they are attached safely and, if freestanding, set back 10 feet from boundary lines.
- Occupational name/profession signs not exceeding two square feet in professional/commercial/institutional buildings.
- Notice bulletin boards up to 36 square feet for medical, public service, charitable, governmental, or religious institutions.
- No trespassing or no dumping signs not exceeding 1.5 square feet per sign and not more than one per 50 feet of lot perimeter.
- Symbols/insignia/religious symbols, commemorative plaques or identification emblems (flat against building, not exceeding four square feet).
- Warning signs indicating danger, containing no advertising, to be removed when danger has subsided.
- Directional church signs no more than four square feet (maximum two per church) placed on a street sign post with approval for safety.
- Signs located entirely within a building and not visible from outside.
- Painting, repainting or cleaning of a legal/non-structurally changed sign, including changing advertising copy designed for that use.
- Temporary window signs and all neon/animated signs (mounted interior and exterior of windows) up to 75% coverage of windows.
- Temporary banners not mounted on windows (may be displayed for up to 30 days, new one after 60 days).
- Sidewalk and sandwich signs (max 12 sf per side), allowed in commercial zones, placed at the opening of each business day and removed at closing, are exempt from permit fees but require a town permit renewed annually.
- Signs which are not visible from areas outside the site on which they are located.
- Flags and insignia of any government, unless used for commercial promotion/advertising.
- Legal notices, identification, informational or directional signs required by law.
- Maintenance, alteration, renewal, use or improvement to existing structures not changing or affecting stormwater rate/volume and one-time construction of a structure/addition not exceeding 1,000 sq ft of impervious area is exempt from stormwater permit requirements per stormwater codes.
- Emergency action signs necessary for protection in an emergency (such as for health, pests, storms), with post-reporting requirements.
- Nonilluminated 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs per parcel (12-16 sf area limits, only on property for sale/rent), legal notices, or project construction signs (subject to time limits).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A 'sign plan' must be submitted as part of every application for a sign permit (Sec. 4-216(a)(5)).
- For all detached signs and signs 50 square feet or larger, additional structural/electrical details and scaled plans are required with the permit application (Sec. 4-216(b)).
- Town planner or building official may require additional information as deemed necessary for sign acceptability.
- Variance procedures for signage (including master sign plans or deviations from requirements) are available by application to the town council (Sec. 4-228(c)).
- If an applicant is denied a proposed sign request by the building official, appeals can be made to the planning and zoning commission via the town clerk.
- For certain complexes (multiple occupancy, commercial), comprehensive sign plans (including for detached complex signs and combined areas) are implied by requirements for site coverage and maximums.

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

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