# Sign Regulations in Tallahassee, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tallahassee, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/tallahassee
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Tallahassee/codes/Land_Development_Code?nodeId=LADECO_CH7SICO)

## At a glance

Tallahassee, Florida regulates 24 sign types across 53 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the OA-1 (Airport Vicinity District) zoning district are capped at 25 ft arterial street; 100 ft within 660 ft interstate interchange; 18 ft other tall and 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on this frontage, with a 15 ft from res boundary setback (Sec. Sec. 7-62(a)(4)(6)). Most commercial signs in Tallahassee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (53 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 9 ft clearance over ped way, 15 ft over veh way | — | — |
| R (Rural) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| R-1 (Single-Family Detached) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| R-2 (Single-Family Detached) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| R-3 (Single and Two-Family) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| R-4 (Urban Residential) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| R-5 (Manufactured Home/Single-Family) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| MH (Manufactured Home Park) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| MR (Medium Density Residential) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| MR-1 (Medium Density Residential) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| RA (Residential Acre) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| UF (Urban Fringe) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| LP (Lake Protection) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| RP-1 (Residential Preservation-1) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| RP-2 (Residential Preservation-2) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| RP-MH (Residential-Manufactured Home) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| RP-R (Residential-Rural) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| RP-UF (Residential-Urban Fringe) | 3 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| OA-1 (Airport Vicinity District) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| DRI (Development of Regional Impact) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| CM (Medical Arts Commercial) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| NBO (Neighborhood Boundary Office) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| OR-1 (Office Residential-1) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| OR-2 (Office Residential-2) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| OR-3 (Office Residential-3) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| OS (Open Space District) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| PD (Planned Development) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| UT (University Transition) | 10 | 30 ft above ground | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — |
| C-2 (General Commercial) | 11 | 40 ft | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on this frontage | — |

_23 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 53 zones)

### OA-1 (Airport Vicinity District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — | 15 ft from res boundary | 1 per establishment per frontage (multipliers for large) | building wall | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(2)(7) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft arterial street; 100 ft within 660 ft interstate interchange; 18 ft other | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on this frontage | — | 15 ft from res boundary | 1 per building frontage | street frontage | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(4)(6) |
| Mansard Sign | Not above mansard peak | No individual size limit; counts toward total permitted sign area for the premises | — | — | — | mansard roof portion | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(8) |
| Projecting Sign (1-2 Stories) | 12 ft above ground | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (3 Stories) | 20 ft above ground | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (4 Stories) | 20 ft above ground | 42 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (5 Stories) | 25 ft above ground | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (6+ Stories) | 30 ft above ground | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |

### DRI (Development of Regional Impact)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on the premises | — | 15 ft from res boundary | 1 per establishment per frontage (multipliers for large) | building wall | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(2)(7) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft arterial street; 100 ft within 660 ft interstate interchange; 18 ft other | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on this frontage | — | 15 ft from res boundary | 1 per building frontage | street frontage | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(4)(6) |
| Mansard Sign | Not above mansard peak | No individual size limit; counts toward total permitted sign area for the premises | — | — | — | mansard roof portion | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(8) |
| Projecting Sign (1-2 Stories) | 12 ft above ground | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (3 Stories) | 20 ft above ground | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (4 Stories) | 20 ft above ground | 42 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (5 Stories) | 25 ft above ground | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (6+ Stories) | 30 ft above ground | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |

### C-2 (General Commercial)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft max combined area for all signs on this frontage | — | 15 ft res | 1 per frontage | bldg wall | — | Sec. 7-62(a) |
| Freestanding Sign | As general | No individual size limit; counts toward total permitted sign area for the premises | — | — | 1 per frontage | street frontage | — | Sec. 7-62(a) |
| Off-site Advertising Sign | 40 ft | 72-380 sq ft per face (+10%) | — | 15 ft ROW, 35 ft intersect | 1 per structure | C-2 district | — | Sec. 7-64 |
| Projecting Sign (1-2 Stories) | 12 ft above ground | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (3 Stories) | 20 ft above ground | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (4 Stories) | 20 ft above ground | 42 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (5 Stories) | 25 ft above ground | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |
| Projecting Sign (6+ Stories) | 30 ft above ground | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | building | — | Sec. 7-62(a)(10) |

## Prohibited signs in Tallahassee

- On-site signs and off-site signs which are not designed, constructed, or maintained in accordance with these provisions; which are not compatible with the objectives of this chapter, or which do not meet the requirements of all applicable city, county, state and federal codes.
- Lights and signs that resemble any traffic control device, official traffic control signs, or emergency vehicle markings.
- Signs or other advertising matter as regulated by this chapter erected at the intersection of any streets or in any street right-of-way in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision; or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape, or color, it may interfere with or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device; or which makes use of words 'stop,' 'look,' 'drive-in,' 'danger,' or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse vehicular traffic.
- Unshielded illuminated devices that produce glare or are a hazard or a nuisance to motorists or occupants of adjacent properties.
- Animated signs except public service signs.
- Banners or flying paraphernalia, except an official federal, state, county, or city flag, and one symbolic flag not to exceed 15 square feet in area for each institution or business except as permitted in sections 7-62 and 7-63.
- Signs which produce noise or sounds capable of being heard even though the sounds produced are not understandable sounds.
- Signs which emit visible smoke, vapor, particles, or odor, except as specifically authorized in this chapter.
- Signs with any lighting or control mechanism which causes radio or television or other communication interference.
- Motion picture mechanism in conjunction with any outdoor advertising structure, accessory sign, or advertising statuary used in such a manner as to permit or allow the images to be visible from any public street or sidewalk.
- Signs erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct, or be attached to any firefighting equipment, window, door, or opening used as a means of ingress or egress or for firefighting purposes, or placed so as to interfere with any opening required for proper light and ventilation.
- Signs erected on public property other than signs erected by public authority for public purposes or subdivision signs authorized by the city public works department and constructed, operated, and maintained pursuant to the policy adopted for such signs.
- Signs, except posted property signs which are erected or maintained upon trees or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.
- Signs attached to or painted onto a vehicle parked on a public thoroughfare for the sole purpose of advertising.
- Sandwich signs, except in the downtown zoning districts, the University Village District, and the All Saints Design Review District pursuant to section 7-32.
- Snipe signs.
- Window signs which identify or advertise activities, services, goods, or products available within the building, and which collectively cover more than 20 percent of the window glass surface area.
- Bench signs.
- Flashing signs incorporated onto or attached to portable signs.
- Tethered inflatable signs, either on-site or off-site, except as permitted in sections 7-62 and 7-63.
- Electronic reader board signs on historic properties or historic structures.

## Signs exempt from permit in Tallahassee

- One professional nameplate for each premises. Each professional nameplate shall not exceed six square feet in area.
- One occupational sign for each premises, denoting only the name, street, number and business of an occupant in a commercial building or public institutional building. Each occupational sign shall not exceed six square feet in area.
- One bulletin board and identification sign per street frontage for public, charitable, educational or religious institutions located on the premises of such institutions and not exceeding 48 square feet in area, where such institution is located in a residential district.
- Legal notices and official instruments.
- Flags or insignias of a governmental, religious, charitable, or fraternal organization, except when displayed in connection with a commercial promotion.
- Decorative flags, banners, and bunting for celebrations, conventions, recognitions of a sense of place or community, and commemorations sponsored by the city when authorized by the city manager, or his designee, for a prescribed period of time, in accordance with standards to be approved by the city commission.
- Holiday lights and decorations.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings and structures.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
- Nonadvertising directional signs or symbols (e.g., entrance, exit, caution, slow, no trespassing) located on and pertaining to a parcel of private property, not to exceed two square feet in area.
- Identification signs at the entrance drive of residences, estates, farms, ranches, and plantations which do not exceed two square feet in area.
- Real estate signs (with detailed on-site, off-site directional, and model home specifications).
- One construction sign per street frontage located on property where building is actually in progress under a current building permit (with size limits and removal requirements).
- Political signs provided such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area.
- Window signs which identify or advertise activities, services, goods, or products available within the building, and which collectively cover 20 percent or less of the window glass surface area.
- Signs incorporated on machinery or equipment at the manufacturer's or distributor's level, which identify or advertise only the product or service dispensed by the machine or equipment, such as signs customarily affixed to vending machines, newspaper racks, telephone booths, and gasoline pumps.
- Temporary signs or temporary banners on private property promoting a government, charitable, or nonprofit organization event or celebration (e.g., United Way).
- Sandwich signs or city information panel signs within the Central Core and Special Character districts listed in article IV, division 2, chapter 10 of this Code so long as the usual flow of pedestrian traffic is not impeded or interrupted; the sign is not hazardous to pedestrians; and the sign does not exceed six square feet in area (with ADA compliance).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The city commission, as a part of the PUD approval process, may approve different standards from the requirements of chapter 7. If a PUD deviates from the requirements in chapter 7, sign code, a sign plan must be included with the PUD application which addresses specific sections deviated from, location of each proposed sign, description of types, maximum copy area, and other elements determined necessary by growth management staff.
- Exterior signs plans for regional malls shall be approved by the development review committee.

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

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