# Sign Regulations in Mount Dora, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Mount Dora, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/mount-dora
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Mount_Dora/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH42TRVE_ARTIISTSTPA_S42-30OBPASIMA)

## At a glance

Mount Dora, Florida regulates 31 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Pedestal Sign (Sidewalk)s in the C-2 Central Business Sign District (C-2) zoning district are capped at 4 ft. tall, 4 ft. height x 2 ft. width x 2 ft. depth maximum, and 2 ft. wide, with a 12 inches minimum from curb or roadway edge setback (Sec. 6.7.4.c Menu, Pedestal and Sandwich; Other criteria). Most commercial signs in Mount Dora require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C-2 Central Business Sign District (C-2) | 9 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| RP, OP, C-1, C-2, C-2A, C-3, WP-1, WP-2, PLI | 2 | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| RP | 2 | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — |
| OP | 2 | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| C-1 | 2 | 6 ft. | 35 sq. ft. | — |
| C-2 | 3 | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| C-2A | 3 | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| C-3 | 7 | 10 ft. | 250 sq. ft. | — |
| WP-1, WP-2 | 3 | 15 ft. above crown of road | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| PLI | 1 | — | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| All Residential Zoning Districts | 2 | 8 ft. | 64 sq. ft. per access point (on separate named roadways) | — |
| GB | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-IAAA, R-IAA, R-IA, R-I, R-IB, R-2, R-3, MHP | 1 | — | — | — |
| PUD, MU-1, MU-2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| WBI-E, WBI-G | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. (1 acre or less); max 48 sq. ft. with more land; only one per subject | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### C-2 Central Business Sign District (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | Multiple signs allowed; see above | Parallel to building wall | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification, Table and 6.7.4.d |
| Projecting Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. (total sign area for Occupant Identification) | — | — | — | Projecting from building wall | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification, Table and 6.7.4.d |
| Awning Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. (total sign area for Occupant Identification) | — | — | — | On awning surface | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification, Table and 6.7.4.d |
| Pedestal Sign (Sidewalk) | 4 ft. | 4 ft. height x 2 ft. width x 2 ft. depth maximum | 2 ft. | 12 inches minimum from curb or roadway edge | 1 per business | Sidewalk adjacent to storefront | — | 6.7.4.c Menu, Pedestal and Sandwich; Other criteria |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Sidewalk) | 4 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | 12 inches minimum from curb or roadway edge | 1 per business | Sidewalk adjacent to storefront | — | 6.7.4.c Menu, Pedestal and Sandwich; Other criteria |
| Menu Board Sign (Wall) | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | See code | Upon wall | — | 6.7.4.c Menu, Pedestal and Sandwich; Other criteria |
| Historic Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | See code | On-site or off-site with conditions | — | 6.7.4.c Historic Monument Sign; Other criteria |
| Temporary Sign | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. total aggregate per property | — | — | 1 per subject | Not within right-of-way | — | 6.7.5.2.c.2 |

### C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from property lines | — | At main entrance; 5 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification - C-2 |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On building wall | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification - C-2 |
| Menu, Pedestal and Sandwich Signs | 4 ft. (Pedestal/Sandwich) | Pedestal - 4 ft. ht x 2 ft. width x 2 ft. depth; Sandwich - 12 sq. ft.; Wall Menu - 3 sq. ft. | 2 ft. (Pedestal) | 12 inches from curb/road | 1 per business | Sidewalk; adjacent to building | — | 6.7.4.c Menu, Pedestal and Sandwich |

### C-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Building setback < 250 ft.) | — | 150 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On building wall | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification - C-3 |
| Wall Sign (Building setback 251 - 400 ft.) | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On building wall | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification - C-3 |
| Wall Sign (Building setback > 401 ft.) | — | 250 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On building wall | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification - C-3 |
| Monument Sign (Building < 19,999 sq ft) | 8 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from property lines | 1 per site | At main entrance; 5 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification - C-3 |
| Monument Sign (Building 20,000 - 99,999 sq ft) | 8 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from property lines | 1 per site | At main entrance; 5 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification - C-3 |
| Monument Sign (Building 100,000 - 149,000 sq ft) | 10 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from property lines | 1 per site | At main entrance; 5 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification - C-3 |
| Monument Sign (Building 150,000+ sq ft) | 10 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from property lines | 1 per site | At main entrance; 5 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.7.4.c Occupant Identification - C-3 |

## Prohibited signs in Mount Dora

- It is unlawful to erect, cause to be erected, maintain or cause to be maintained, any sign not expressly authorized by, or exempted from, this section.
- Banner signs are prohibited except as authorized by the city for specific public events or informational/instructional purposes.
- Bench signs are prohibited.
- Electronic variable message signs are prohibited, except for permitted gas station fuel price displays and signs placed on city owned property.
- Freestanding signs are prohibited except for pedestal signs and sandwich boards where expressly permitted.
- Offsite signs are prohibited except as permitted in subsection 6.7.4.
- Pole signs are prohibited except if erected as a public sign or temporary sign.
- Roof signs are prohibited except those roof signs attached to the lower vertical section of a gambrel roof located in the C-2, C-2 central business district, and C-2A zoning districts.
- School bus stop shelters used for advertising are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Signs which bear or contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene pornographic or immoral character, or which contain advertising matter which is untruthful, are prohibited.
- Signs on private property which simulate emergency traffic control signs or devices are prohibited.
- Any private sign placed on public property is prohibited.
- Any vehicle with a sign or signs attached thereto or placed thereon is prohibited, with specified exceptions (business vehicles operated in normal course, screened vehicles, licensed common carrier vehicles).
- Signs incorporating or consisting of banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or wind-operated devices are prohibited, unless such devices are an integral and functional part of any sign.
- Advertisements using a series of two or more signs placed in a line parallel to the roadway or similar fashion, and carrying a single advertising message part of which is contained on each sign, are prohibited.
- Any sign which obstructs sight lines at intersections and/or driveways, as determined by Mount Dora Police Department, is prohibited.
- Any sign which incorporates a beacon light or lights is prohibited.
- Balloon signs are prohibited.
- Outdoor mobile sandwich board signs supported on the shoulders of carriers are prohibited.
- Strings of lights, bulbs, rope lights or similar illumination used to frame windows, doors, or as light bands for buildings or landscaping on commercial parcels are prohibited, except as permitted in the code.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Walking or human signs (signs held, carried, balanced or worn by a person) are prohibited.
- It is unlawful for any sign to be erected except in conformance with the sign code.
- No sign shall be constructed, installed or erected unless it is included within the allowed construction classifications in the sign code.
- No structure or framework may be exposed by removal of sign faces or advertising copy for a period in excess of ten days without approval from the zoning official.
- The use of neon, fluorescent colors, backlit, and signs using lights to form letters or images are prohibited within the C-2 central business sign district.
- Temporary signs are prohibited unless they meet all standards specified in the ordinance.
- Temporary signs must not be placed in the right-of-way, on utility poles/streetlights, or public property.
- Temporary signs must not be illuminated.
- Temporary signs must not be placed for more than 70 days prior to the subject; must be removed within 10 days after the conclusion of the subject.
- No part of any ground-mounted (monument) sign shall be located within five feet of any right-of-way line in OP, C-1, C-2, C-3 or C-2A zoning districts nor be located to interfere with the sight triangle of an intersection.
- No ground sign shall be erected closer than 40 feet to any other ground sign when a lot has 40 or more feet of frontage.
- Within the C-2 central business sign district, the use of neon, fluorescent colors, backlit, and signs using lights to form letters or images is prohibited.
- No sign may project more than 15 feet in height or above the crown of the road which the sign is designed primarily to serve.
- No multi-faced outdoor advertising sign (billboard) shall be permitted.
- Signs shall not obstruct vehicle or pedestrian corner visibility.
- No off-premise directional sign shall be located closer than 20 feet from any on-site sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mount Dora

- Flags, subject to location, height, size, and number restrictions listed in the code.
- Art and murals, provided such signs do not contain any commercial messaging.
- Personal expression signs of any sign type, including flags, provided they do not exceed three square feet in area per side, are non-commercial, and not illuminated.
- Signs that are not designed or located to be visible from any street or adjoining property.
- Traffic control signs and street name signs installed by the city and that bear no commercial message.
- Transportation signs such as those indicating bus stops, taxi and valet stands, train stations and similar transportation facilities.
- Signs required by federal or state statute or regulation, or local ordinance or regulation.
- Wayfinding or informational signs located within city right-of-way.
- Signs erected by a public utility, where such signs convey safety and/or warning information and are erected and displayed incidental to the public interest.
- Works of art that do not constitute advertising.
- Merchandise displays behind storefront windows, as long as no part of the display moves or contains flashing lights.
- Incidental objects such as small decals affixed to window or door panes that indicate membership in business organizations or acceptance of certain credit cards.
- No trespassing, no dumping, no solicitation, private property, vacancy/no vacancy signs, and other similar declarations not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Nameplate and street address signs not exceeding one square foot in area.
- Public signs.
- Signs associated with approved special event permits authorized by this code.
- Legal notices.
- Security and warning signs not exceeding two square feet in area in residential districts, with one large sign up to five square feet in non-residential districts and other posted security and warning signs not exceeding two square feet.
- Temporary signs placed in compliance with the ordinance.
- Changeable copy on signs specifically designed and approved for replaceable copy, as long as the structural sign is not altered.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No person shall erect, alter, repair or relocate any sign without first obtaining a building permit for such work from the city, unless the sign is exempt under the ordinance.
- Every application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by scaled drawings (plan and elevation as appropriate) of the proposed sign showing the location, height, size, and distances from other signs, where applicable, and all other information required to determine zoning compliance.
- Signs over 32 square feet in area, signs that project perpendicularly from the surface to which they are attached and are more than 12 square feet in area, and/or signs that are higher than six feet above grade shall be designed and certified by a State of Florida registered engineer or architect for structural integrity and wind loading.
- Within PUD zoning or pursuant to an applicable development order, deviations from the sign standards may be permitted; thus, sign plans may be required with PUD or similar development applications.
- Historic monument signs in C-2 and C-2 Central Business Sign District require approval by the Historic Preservation Board prior to issuance of a sign permit via the City's Certificate of Appropriateness review process.
- A permit is required for murals; review is based on location, manner, and materials. Murals on historic/landmark buildings or in the Historic District must also be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board and the public arts commission.
- Any applicant denied a sign permit may appeal to the planning and zoning commission within specified deadlines.
- Sign location, design, and other submittals must be consistent with the requirements of the underlying zoning district and any applicable development plan or order.
- No building permit or site plan approval shall be issued unless the applicant submits architectural drawings and a site development plan which meets or exceeds the standards set forth in Section 6.13, in addition to all other submittals required by the code (relevant mainly to commercial/site development).
- If an off-premise advertising sign is proposed to be placed on a nonconforming sign, the nonconforming sign shall comply with the current sign code requirements of the underlying zoning district, implying review and possible upgrade to contemporary code as part of the approval process.

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

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