# Sign Regulations in Stuart, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Stuart, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/stuart
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Stuart/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH8AN_ARTIIWI_S8-26SIBEER)

## At a glance

Stuart, Florida regulates 21 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the B-1, B-2, B-4, I, H, P, Urban Code Districts (Urban highway (UH), Urban General (UG), Urban Center (UC), Urban Waterfront (UW)), East Stuart Code Districts (Business and Mixed-use (BMU)) zoning district are capped at 6' max tall, 16 sq. ft./face; 6' max width; 2 faces/sign, and 6' max wide, with a 10' front yard setback; min 300' between freestanding signs setback (Sec. Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.12 B). Most commercial signs in Stuart require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| B-1, B-2, B-4, I, H, P, Urban Code Districts (Urban highway (UH), Urban General (UG), Urban Center (UC), Urban Waterfront (UW)), East Stuart Code Districts (Business and Mixed-use (BMU)) | 9 | 25' max (with structure) | 100 sq. ft. (per occupancy) | — |
| R-3, B-3, Urban Sub-districts (Urban neighborhood (UN)), East Stuart Special Study Area (General residential and office (GRO), Single-family duplex sub-district (SFD)) | 7 | 6' max | 24 sq. ft. (12 sq. ft. in R-3/B-3 unless on major roadway as listed) | — |
| Industrial District | 1 | 25' overall including structure | 100 sq. ft./face; 2 faces max per sign; 20' max width; 8' max height (sign), 25' overall height (sign + structure) | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential zoning districts | 2 | 6' max | 36 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| Old Downtown District | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 15' max above finished grade | 50 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### B-1, B-2, B-4, I, H, P, Urban Code Districts (Urban highway (UH), Urban General (UG), Urban Center (UC), Urban Waterfront (UW)), East Stuart Code Districts (Business and Mixed-use (BMU))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. (per occupancy) | — | May not extend into setback | No more than two per occupant | Building face | — | Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.09; Sec. 6.11.02 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq. ft./face | — | Must clear sidewalk by 9', and be no closer than 2' from curb if projecting into ROW | One per street frontage per occupant | From building face (up to 6' projection) | — | Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.12 D |
| Under Canopy Sign | — | 4 sq. ft./face | — | — | One per street frontage per occupant | Hung under canopy | — | Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.12 E, G |
| Monument Sign | 15' max along US1, otherwise 10' max | 100 sq. ft./face; 2 faces max per sign | — | 10' min to 25' max front yard setback; min 300' between signs | One or more allowed based on frontage (min 300' separation per parcel) | 10' to 25' front yard setback; on parcel frontage | — | Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.12 C |
| Freestanding Sign | 6' max | 16 sq. ft./face; 6' max width; 2 faces/sign | 6' max | 10' front yard setback; min 300' between freestanding signs | One per frontage | 10' front yard setback | — | Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.12 B |
| Directory Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building | On building face | — | Table 6.11.17 |
| Billboard | 25' max (with structure) | 100 sq. ft./face; 2 faces max per sign; 20' max width; 8' max height | 20' max | 20' from ROW or property line; 1000' from other billboards; 300' from residential zone | — | At least 20' from road right of way or property line | — | Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.12 H |
| Manual or Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. (may exceed with Development Director determination) | — | Same as sign it attaches to | One per street frontage; two max per parcel | On primary building frontage; must be perpendicular or parallel to facade; 9'+ vertical clearance | — | Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.13 H |

### R-3, B-3, Urban Sub-districts (Urban neighborhood (UN)), East Stuart Special Study Area (General residential and office (GRO), Single-family duplex sub-district (SFD))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. (12 sq. ft. in R-3/B-3 unless on major roadway as listed) | — | — | One per occupant | On building face | — | Table 6.11.17 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq. ft./face | — | — | One per business | From building | — | Table 6.11.17 |
| Under Canopy Sign | — | 4 sq. ft./face | — | — | One per business | Under canopy | — | Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.12 E |
| Monument Sign | 6' max | 24 sq. ft./face | — | 10' front yard setback | One per frontage | 10' front yard setback | — | Table 6.11.17 |
| Freestanding Sign | 6' max | 10 sq. ft./face; 6' max width | 6' max | 10' front yard setback | One per frontage | 10' front yard setback | — | Table 6.11.17; Sec. 6.11.12 B |
| Directory Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building | On building face | — | Table 6.11.17 |
| Tenant Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | One per business | At entrance of office | — | Table 6.11.17 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Grand Opening Banner | 15' max above finished grade | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | One per new location | On building, predominant street front | — | Sec. 6.11.13 A |
| Special Event Banner | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On event property, public property, or private property with permission | — | Sec. 6.11.13 B |
| Special Event City Street Banner | — | 3' x 24' (72 sq. ft.) | 24' | — | — | City-controlled poles, above street, or as otherwise approved | — | Sec. 6.11.13 C |
| Drive-thru Window Sign | 7' max | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | Up to 2 per drive-thru window | At drive-thru window | — | Sec. 6.11.13 D |
| Temporary Construction Site Sign | 6' max | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | Freestanding or wall sign per street frontage | — | Sec. 6.11.13 F |
| Changeable Copy Sign (manual/electronic) | — | 25% of permitted sign area to which attached; up to 100 sq. ft. | — | Same as main sign | One per street frontage; max two per parcel | On permitted monument or wall sign; 9'+ vertical clearance | — | Sec. 6.11.13 H |
| Mural Sign | — | Same as wall sign maximum for zone | — | — | One per building | On exterior wall | — | Sec. 6.11.13 J |
| Memorial Marker Sign | — | 15" diameter | — | — | One per memorial | City road right-of-way, edge of mowing limits | — | Sec. 6.11.13 K |

## Prohibited signs in Stuart

- It is unlawful to post, display, erect or modify a sign or sign structure that requires a permit without first obtaining a permit.
- All signs not expressly allowed by this code are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect, use, or maintain a sign or sign structure that does not comply with the requirements of this Code.
- The following signs, or sign features, are prohibited within the City of Stuart (unless otherwise excepted): Wind signs; Roof signs; Snipe signs; Banners and flags not otherwise permitted; Signs confusing to vehicular drivers; Vehicular signs (except graphics painted/applied upon a vehicle); Waterborne signs; Private signs in public rights-of-way; Pole signs; Intermittent lighting, animation, moving or rotating signs (excluding governmental signals/devices); Balloons; Noise producing signs; Off-premise signs (except certain banners); Obscene/lewd/lasvicious signs; Sidewalk signs & sandwich board sidewalk signs; Electronic message units not otherwise permitted; Billboards not otherwise permitted; Any sign not expressly permitted by this code.
- No sign shall contain any message or image that is obscene, profane, lewd, or pornographic; incites public unrest, terrorism, or overthrow of government; or otherwise violates law.
- A sign shall not exhibit any lewd, lascivious, or obscene character or illustration as defined by community standards and by law.
- No sign shall be located in a manner that is a hazard to automotive or pedestrian traffic nor shall any sign or lighting be placed as to obstruct necessary vision for safety.
- No wall sign shall cover, in whole or in part, any required wall opening.
- A sign shall not be located on a vacant or undeveloped parcel of land, except upon good cause shown and upon written approval of the city manager.
- Signs may not be placed in a location that constitutes a safety hazard or hindrance to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No political signs may be located within any right-of-way or on any public property.
- No sign or lighting of a sign shall be so placed as to obstruct the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle where vision is necessary for safety.
- No sign shall be attached to a non-structural parapet wall.
- Signs and sign structures erected without a valid permit are in violation and must be removed unless a permit is obtained.

## Signs exempt from permit in Stuart

- Government/official flags (with certain dimensional and placement standards) are generally exempt; if flag pole is less than 20 feet in height, it is considered as an exempt sign not requiring a permit.
- Valet parking signs limited to one sandwich board, not exceeding six square feet, location approved by development director or police chief, and removed when not in use.
- One panel which is physically constructed within and is an integral part of an ATM.
- Directional signs for vehicular and pedestrian traffic not exceeding five feet in height or four square feet per sign face.
- Signs denoting hours of operation (non-illuminated, max one square foot, close to entry).
- Instructional/safety/legal signs (e.g. 'no trespassing', 'danger') not exceeding five feet in height and three square feet in area.
- One nameplate sign per building, not exceeding three square feet in area, bearing building or occupant name or address.
- Non-residential/multi-family real estate signs: One freestanding structure per frontage, up to two faces, max 16 square feet per face, height not more than six feet.
- Single family/duplex residential real estate signs: One freestanding structure per property, up to two faces, not exceeding three square feet per face, not more than four feet in height (plus one per waterway/corner lot), plus one 'rider' sign up to one square foot.
- Tenant panels in a directory sign/or tenant sign are exempt if no change in color or letter style and sign was previously permitted.
- Temporary political signs (max two sides, 16 sq ft or less) on private property with owner approval.
- A flag may be flown instead of a flagpole from a building.
- Wayfinder and directional signs within public rights-of-way for public meetings, locations open to the public, or special events, or to guide traffic or pedestrians, with city approval and dimensional/safety restrictions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A unified signage plan is required for all new and renovation development, except single family and duplex residential properties.
- A proposal for signage for a new multi-story building or renovation of more than 5,000 sq ft requires a unified signage plan for the entire building.
- Where a building has existing signage and owner/tenant seeks to increase signage, a unified signage plan must be submitted incorporating existing and proposed signage with the sign permit application.
- Any change or variation from an approved unified signage plan requires approval of the development department.
- Permit applications require a sketch plan (CAD, pdf, paper, etc.) showing elevations of the proposed sign and its relationship to other signs, structures, and landscape on site and within viewshed.
- Sign contractors/engineers must submit certifications and plans per Florida Building Code for certain signs.
- All lawful signs require a permit unless exempted, and individual applications must meet minimum submittal requirements as outlined.
- Signs approved in Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) are subject to both sign code and PUD agreement conditions.

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

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