# Sign Regulations in Panama City, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Panama City, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/panama-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Panama_City/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SPBUNLADECO_CH112SIRE)

## At a glance

Panama City, Florida regulates 37 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Political Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 8 sq ft per face, with a At least 5 ft from nearest right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 112-6.C). Most commercial signs in Panama City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face; 64 sq ft total (if back-to-back faces) | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, UR-1, UR-2, MH-1) | 3 | 8 ft | 30 sq ft per face; 60 sq ft total (if back-to-back faces) | — |
| Mixed Use Districts (MU-1, MU-2, DTD, StAD, MDTD, CHD) | 5 | 8 ft | 30 sq ft per face; 60 sq ft total (if back-to-back faces) | — |
| General Commercial and Industrial Districts (GC-1, GC-2, LI, HI) | 9 | 45 ft | 200 sq ft per tenant | — |
| Public Institutional and Recreation Districts (P/I, REC-1, REC-2) | 4 | 10 ft | 25 sq ft per side; 50 sq ft total (if back-to-back faces) | — |
| Downtown, Neighborhood Downtown, Neighborhood General | 8 | 6 ft (for any one projecting blade) | 60 sq ft per sign; 2 sq ft per linear ft of street-facing façade (overall max for building) | — |
| All CRA Districts (Downtown, St. Andrews, Millville, Downtown North) | 1 | — | — | — |
| GC-2, LI, HI | 1 | 50 ft | 10 ft 6 in x 36 ft per face (each face); Max 2 faces (back-to-back or V-shaped), 3 faces for tri-vision/digital signs | — |
| St. Andrew Historic Neighborhood Overlay, Downtown CRA, Downtown North CRA, Millville CRA, St. Andrews CRAC | 1 | — | — | — |
| Gateway Overlay (GO) District | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft per face; 64 sq ft total (if back-to-back faces) | — | — | One per street abutting project | One per street abutting a construction project. | — | Sec. 112-11.A.2 |
| Attached Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per occupancy | Per occupancy | — | Sec. 112-11.A.3 |
| "For Sale" Signs (Vehicles, Boats, Similar Items) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 112-11.A.4 |
| Political Sign | 5 ft | 8 sq ft per face | — | At least 5 ft from nearest right-of-way | Multiple possible, subject to spacing | On private property with permission; at least 5 ft from right-of-way | — | Sec. 112-6.C |
| Temporary Banner (General) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per property/storefront | One per property or per storefront (non-residential zones) | — | Sec. 112-14.B |
| Grand Opening Sign (Temporary) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | — | — | Sec. 112-14.C |
| Temporary Non-Commercial Event Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | — | All zoning districts | — | Sec. 112-14.E |

### General Commercial and Industrial Districts (GC-1, GC-2, LI, HI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 45 ft | 125 sq ft per face; 250 sq ft per sign if back-to-back faces | — | No closer than 5 ft from any street, highway, or alley right-of-way. | One per premises, plus one per additional abutting street | One per premises, plus one additional for each abutting public street | — | Sec. 112-11.D.2 |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft per tenant | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 112-11.D.4 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 8 sq ft in sign area | — | — | 1 per occupancy | Per occupancy | — | Sec. 112-11.D.5 |
| Incidental Sign | — | 4 sq ft aggregate per occupancy | — | — | — | Per occupancy | — | Sec. 112-11.D.6 |
| Plaza Sign (Top Panel) | 30 ft | 75 sq ft per face; 150 sq ft total | — | Not closer than 5 ft from any abutting right-of-way | One per major street/highway per complex | Must abut a major street or highway | — | Sec. 112-11.D.9 |
| Plaza Sign (Tenant Panel) | On Plaza Sign, not separately specified | 20 sq ft per occupant per face; 40 sq ft total | — | — | Limited by total area | Affixed below Plaza Sign Top Panel | — | Sec. 112-11.D.9 |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face; 4 sq ft total | — | No portion within five feet of any street, highway, or alley right-of-way | — | At ingress and egress points | — | Sec. 112-11.D.10 |
| Monument Sign | To be approved by director based on safety | 150 sq ft per side face; 300 sq ft total | — | No portion within five feet of any right-of-way. | — | — | — | Sec. 112-11.D.12 |

### Downtown, Neighborhood Downtown, Neighborhood General

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sq ft per sign; 2 sq ft per linear ft of street-facing façade (overall max for building) | — | — | 1 per shopfront per frontage | Above storefront or at least 12 in from eave/edge of building/top parapet. One per shopfront per street frontage. | — | Sec. 112-11.F.B, table; 112-11.F.A |
| Wall Sign (Rear Public Entrance) | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Per rear public entrance | — | Sec. 112-11.F.A.2 |
| Projecting Sign | 6 ft (for any one projecting blade) | 12 sq ft (max); multiple 6 sq ft or less allowed below second-story windowsill | 5 ft | — | One 12 sq ft per shopfront frontage; more (6 sq ft or less) below second floor | Vertically oriented, typically above first floor, one per shopfront per frontage; corner sign counts for both frontages. | — | Sec. 112-11.F.B, table (Projecting & Blade Signs) |
| Hanging Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per shopfront | Attached to underside of soffit or awning or above entrance. One per shopfront. | — | Sec. 112-11.F.B, Table (Hanging Signs) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | 75% of awning valence | — | 1 per shopfront | Graphics painted, sewn, or adhered to awning material; max one sign per shopfront. | — | Sec. 112-11.F.B, Table (Awning Signs) |
| Canopy Sign | 2 ft | — | 75% of canopy width | — | 1 per canopy face | Above, below, or to face of canopy, one per canopy face. | — | Sec. 112-11.F.B, Table (Canopy Signs) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | 1 per window | Painted/applied/displayed on a storefront window/door. | — | Sec. 112-11.F.B, Table (Window Signs) |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per shopfront | On public sidewalk adjacent to business. Must maintain clear sidewalk path min 5 ft; not within 3 ft of property line. | — | Sec. 112-11.F.B, Table (Sidewalk Signs) |

## Prohibited signs in Panama City

- No sign shall be permitted as a principal or accessory use except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
- No person shall erect, place or maintain a sign within the city except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
- It is unlawful to erect or display any of the prohibited types of signs and their respective support structures as listed in Sec. 112-4, including but not limited to swinging signs, snipe signs, unapproved sidewalk and sandwich signs, most portable signs, flashing or animated signs, vehicle signs (except licensed logos at the place of business), signs emitting sound or odor, signs obstructing exits or emergency access, signs that mimic or block official signs, signs in certain environmentally sensitive areas, abandoned or dilapidated signs, inflatable signs, window signs over 25% of glass area, most off-premises signs (with exceptions), illegal signs, roof signs, unapproved banners or feather/flag/banner signs, and others as detailed in Sec. 112-4 A.
- Use of prohibited signs is not appealable nor subject to variance; relief may only be sought through a court.
- No person shall erect, place, or construct any on-premises sign without first obtaining city approval and a valid building permit, except as specified in exemptions.
- No sign shall be suspended by non-rigid attachments that allow it to swing in the wind.
- No signs shall be erected, constructed, or maintained that would obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be attached in any form, shape, or manner which will interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- Signs must maintain required clearances from electrical conductors and comply with building/electrical codes.
- Exposed incandescent bulbs are prohibited for outdoor sign lighting.
- All sign lighting must not cause confusion with traffic control lights.
- Sign lighting, if by spotlights or floodlights, cannot shine onto adjoining property or into the eyes of drivers or pedestrians.
- No one may engage in the business of erecting, altering, relocating, constructing, or maintaining signs without all required occupational, state, and federal licenses.
- No sign or part thereof may be located on any property without written consent of the property owner.
- No sign shall be constructed to resemble any official marker or create traffic safety issues.
- No sign shall obstruct or impair driver vision at vehicle ingress/egress points or intersections.
- No sign using misleading words like 'stop' or 'danger' to confuse or distract drivers.
- No sign on or within any street/right-of-way, except government signs at public expense.
- No sign in wetlands or certain coastal/marsh areas.
- No sign on or towed behind a watercraft on city waters.
- No new off-premises billboard signs may be constructed after December 31, 1998, except as provided.
- No relocation, enlargement, or addition of faces to nonconforming or off-premises billboard signs except as specifically allowed.
- Any sign not expressly exempted or allowed by the Unified Land Development Code is prohibited.
- No portion of any freestanding or other sign/structure may be located within five feet of any street, highway, or alley right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Panama City

- Official traffic control or governmental signs are exempt from this chapter's regulations.
- This chapter does not regulate the copy and message of signs, window displays, product dispensers, point of purchase displays, athletic field scoreboards, flags of any nation/government/noncommercial organization, gravestones, barber poles, religious symbols, commemorative plaques, street number displays, hospital emergency room signs, or any display/construction not defined as a sign.
- The following types of signs are exempted from approval requirements, though must meet other code requirements and be at least five feet from any right-of-way: Temporary signs; nameplates 2 sq. ft. or less; political signs (per standards), public signs/notices or emergency signs; real estate sign (per limits and removal deadlines); window signs (except in certain residential/mixed-use districts); pennants, festoons, streamers, or balloons not otherwise addressed; specific off-premises directional signs in industrial parks (must meet dimensional and setback requirements).
- Signs exempted from approval need not obtain city sign approval, but must comply with all location, dimension, and other requirements of the chapter.
- Public school signs are exempt from development order requirements (but must comply with location/setback rules).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan is required for all projects required to file a development plan, including integrated retail centers, business parks, industrial parks in commercial/mixed use or industrial districts, and any planned unit development.
- A master sign plan must be filed and approved before the erection, location, or placement of any sign for such project or development.
- A master sign plan is optional (but encouraged) for any other project or development not otherwise required.
- Each individual sign plan or permit application is reviewed for conformance with the master sign plan and the ULDC; conformity is required prior to permit/approval.
- Modifications or waivers to sign regulations may be requested through the master sign plan process and must be clearly noted.
- For pre-existing projects (approved before the master sign plan requirement), director reviews new sign applications for compatibility with other signs in the project/immediate area; a permit is issued only if the sign is consistent and compatible.
- Application for variance from the requirements of this chapter must meet an elevated standard and follow a separate process as described in Sec. 112-20.F.

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

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