# Sign Regulations in Tampa, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tampa, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/tampa
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/fl/tampa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH27ZOLADE_ARTVISURE_DIV6SI)

## At a glance

Tampa, Florida regulates 29 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones (Single-family residential districts (RS-150, RS-100, RS-75, RS-60, RS-50), Multiple-family residential districts (RM-12, RM-16, RM-18, RM-24, RM-35, RM-50, RM-75), Office districts (RO, RO-1, OP, OP-1), Commercial districts (CN, CG, CI), Industrial districts (IG, IH), Airport compatibility districts (M-AP-1, M-AP-2, M-AP-3, M-AP-4), Ybor City Historic District (YC-1, YC-2, YC-3, YC-4, YC-5, YC-6, YC-7, YC-8, YC-9), Channel District (CD-1, CD-2, CD-3), Seminole Heights District (SH-RS, SH-RS-A, SH-RM, SH-RO, SH-CN, SH-CG, SH-CI, SH-PD), Planned development (PD, PD-A), University-Community District (U-C), Mixed use districts (NMU-16, NMU-24, NMU-35), Public parks (PP)) zoning district are capped at 10 ft at 5 ft setback, up to 20 ft with increased setback tall and 50 sq ft per sign face, with a 5 ft min from ROW; 150 ft separation on same lot; 10 ft from residential setback (Sec. Sec. 27-289.3(b)(5)). Most commercial signs in Tampa require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones (Single-family residential districts (RS-150, RS-100, RS-75, RS-60, RS-50), Multiple-family residential districts (RM-12, RM-16, RM-18, RM-24, RM-35, RM-50, RM-75), Office districts (RO, RO-1, OP, OP-1), Commercial districts (CN, CG, CI), Industrial districts (IG, IH), Airport compatibility districts (M-AP-1, M-AP-2, M-AP-3, M-AP-4), Ybor City Historic District (YC-1, YC-2, YC-3, YC-4, YC-5, YC-6, YC-7, YC-8, YC-9), Channel District (CD-1, CD-2, CD-3), Seminole Heights District (SH-RS, SH-RS-A, SH-RM, SH-RO, SH-CN, SH-CG, SH-CI, SH-PD), Planned development (PD, PD-A), University-Community District (U-C), Mixed use districts (NMU-16, NMU-24, NMU-35), Public parks (PP)) | 5 | 10 ft at 5 ft setback, up to 20 ft with increased setback | 50 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Central Business District (CBD-1, CBD-2) | 6 | 9 ft above pedestrian way; 16 ft above street | — | — |
| South Howard Commercial Overlay District | 5 | 7 ft above sidewalk | 25 sq ft | — |
| New Tampa Commercial Overlay District | 4 | 15 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Westshore Overlay District | 5 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| East Tampa Overlay District | 2 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft individual | — |
| West Tampa Overlay District – Commercial properties in any underlying zoning (applies in addition to base district sign rules for: Residential districts; Office districts; Commercial districts; Industrial districts; Commercial district (CN, CG, CI, YC-1, YC-3, YC-5, YC-6, YC-7, YC-9, M-AP-1, M-AP-2, M-AP-3, M-AP-4, CD-1, CD-2, CD-3, PD, PD-A, SH-CN, SH-CG, SH-CI, SH-PD, U-C); Residential district (RS-50, RS-60, RS-75, RS-100, RS-150, RM-12, RM-16, RM-18, RM-24, RM-35, RM-50, RM-75, SH-RS, SH-RM, YC-2, YC-4); Office district (RO, RO-1, OP, OP-1, SH-RO, PD, PD-A); Industrial district (IG, IH, PD, PD-A); Site plan controlled districts (CD-2, CBD-2, PD, PD-A, SH-PD, YC-9) when located inside the West Tampa Overlay) | 4 | Maximum 6 ft overall height. | Each individual building sign: maximum 25 sq. ft.; total area of all building signs on a parcel may not exceed the maximum building-sign area allowed by Article VI, Division 6 (base sign code). | — |
| Parkland Estates Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Kennedy Boulevard Corridor District | 6 | 12 in | 100 sq ft | — |
| Tampa Heights Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Ybor City Historic District (YC-1, YC-2, YC-3, YC-4, YC-5, YC-6, YC-7, YC-8, YC-9) | 2 | — | Historic sq footage | — |
| Channel District (CD-1, CD-2, CD-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Seminole Heights District (SH-RS, SH-RS-A, SH-RM, SH-RO, SH-CN, SH-CG, SH-CI, SH-PD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned development (PD, PD-A) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones (Single-family residential districts (RS-150, RS-100, RS-75, RS-60, RS-50), Multiple-family residential districts (RM-12, RM-16, RM-18, RM-24, RM-35, RM-50, RM-75), Office districts (RO, RO-1, OP, OP-1), Commercial districts (CN, CG, CI), Industrial districts (IG, IH), Airport compatibility districts (M-AP-1, M-AP-2, M-AP-3, M-AP-4), Ybor City Historic District (YC-1, YC-2, YC-3, YC-4, YC-5, YC-6, YC-7, YC-8, YC-9), Channel District (CD-1, CD-2, CD-3), Seminole Heights District (SH-RS, SH-RS-A, SH-RM, SH-RO, SH-CN, SH-CG, SH-CI, SH-PD), Planned development (PD, PD-A), University-Community District (U-C), Mixed use districts (NMU-16, NMU-24, NMU-35), Public parks (PP))

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft at 5 ft setback, up to 20 ft with increased setback | 50 sq ft per sign face | — | 5 ft min from ROW; 150 ft separation on same lot; 10 ft from residential | 1 per parcel +1 for corner or per 300 ft frontage | Office, commercial, industrial districts; setback 5 ft min from ROW | — | Sec. 27-289.3(b)(5) |
| Building Sign (Wall Sign) | Not to extend above roofline or side walls | — | — | — | 1 per street-facing entrance; corner 1 per side | On building facade facing public street | — | Sec. 27-289.3(b)(6) |
| Projecting Sign | Min 10 ft above pedestrian way; 16 ft above street | — | — | — | 1 per building sign substituted | Attached to building over pedestrian way or street | — | Sec. 27-289.3(b)(7) |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft residential; 10 ft non-residential | 8 sq ft residential; 16 sq ft non-residential <200 ft frontage; 32 sq ft total aggregate | — | — | 1 per 200 ft frontage + event signs | On private property | — | Sec. 27-289.3(a)(5) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | Per building frontage | On awning or canopy | — | Sec. 27-289.3(b)(6)b.2 |

### Westshore Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Occupancy) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | 5 ft min | 1 per parcel | 5 ft setback min | — | Sec. 27-238(g)(7)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Occupancy) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — | 5 ft min | Per entitlement | 5 ft setback min | — | Sec. 27-238(g)(7)(4-6) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | Per awning | On awning | — | Sec. 27-238(g)(7)(7) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Per frontage | On building | — | Sec. 27-238(g)(7)(8) |
| Multi-Family Residential Sign | 15 ft | — | — | — | Per entrance | At entrance | — | Sec. 27-238(g)(7)(9) |

### Kennedy Boulevard Corridor District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single) | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | At property line | — | Sec. 27-243(e)(7)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi) | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | Per entitlement | At property line | — | Sec. 27-243(e)(7)(3) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | Per awning | On awning | — | Sec. 27-243(e)(7)(4) |
| Wall Sign (2 stories or less) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | Per frontage | On building | — | Sec. 27-243(e)(7)(5)(i) |
| Wall Sign (>2 stories) | — | — | — | — | Per frontage | On building | — | Sec. 27-243(e)(7)(5)(ii) |
| Marquee Sign | 12 in | — | 36 in length, 6 in thick | — | 1 per business | At main entry under awning | — | Sec. 27-243(e)(7)(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Tampa

- Any sign not specifically permitted or authorized by this Code is prohibited
- Abandoned signs
- Activated signs
- Revolving signs
- Sidewalk signs
- Advertising balloons
- Snipe signs (includes those attached to trees or natural features, telephone poles, utility poles, public benches, streetlights, or on any public property or right-of-way)
- A-frame signs
- Billboard signs (except nonconforming billboard signs or variance signs described in section 27-289.15 of this Code)
- Beacon lights
- Vehicle signs or trailers (when such are used exclusively for the purpose of displaying a sign)
- Other Signs which imitate or resemble official traffic or government signs and signals
- Back to back sign faces that are not parallel
- Roof signs
- Portable signs
- Window signs (in aggregate, shall not cover more than twenty-five (25) percent of the total window surface)
- Off-site signs
- Signs in or upon any river, bay, lake, or other body of water within the limits of the city
- Signs attached to or painted on piers or seawalls (not including official regulatory or warning signs)
- Pennants
- Feather signs
- Any sign which: Bears or contains statements, words or pictures which have been adjudged obscene in the community
- Employs motion picture projection or has visible moving parts or gives the illusion of motion
- Emits audible sound, vapor, smoke, odor particles or gaseous matter
- Obstructs, conceals, hides, imitates or otherwise obscures from view any official traffic or government sign, signal or device
- Has unshielded illuminated devices that produce glare or are a hazard or nuisance to motorists or occupants of adjacent properties
- Due to any lighting or control mechanism, causes radio, television or other communication interference
- Is erected or maintained so as to obstruct any firefighting equipment, window, door or opening used as means of ingress or egress for fire escape purposes, including any opening required for proper light and ventilation
- Is erected on public property or a public right-of-way, except government signs or other signs as expressly allowed in the Code

## Signs exempt from permit in Tampa

- Government signs (no permit required if necessary for public health and safety, or used to identify public services or facilities, for traffic control, events, wayfinding or directions, or to provide information to the community; otherwise complies with requirements)
- Flags when displayed on a single pole or other supporting structure (subject to height, size, number, and location restrictions by zoning district)
- Signs cut into masonry surfaces without paint or other effect (e.g., memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, dates of erection)
- Two (2) signs per driveway in non-Residential districts or at entrances to residential subdivisions, multi-family developments, or mobile home parks (for directing traffic, emergency responders, or pedestrians; size and height limits; electrical permit if illuminated; zero setback subject to visibility provisions)
- Temporary signs (one per 200 feet of frontage or portion thereof; warning signs; event signs for sales/rentals, construction, elections, holidays, public events; size, height, duration, and illumination restrictions)
- Window signs comprising twenty-five (25) percent of total window area or less
- Signs incorporated on machinery or equipment at manufacturer's or distributor's level (e.g., vending machines, newspaper racks, gasoline pumps; not counted toward maximum square footage)
- Interior signs displayed inside a building and not visible from a public place (not counted toward maximum square footage)
- One (1) address sign (up to 2 SF in Residential districts, 3 SF in Non-Residential; in addition to other allowable signage)
- Signage applied to outdoor furniture (e.g., umbrellas; limited to one line of letters or emblem/initials/insignia)
- Signs required by City Code, Florida Statutes, or other regulations (up to required size and location; in addition to other allowable signage)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Alternative sign plan may be established for one or more parcels constituting one zoning lot or subject to the same site plan zoning district; approved by city council as part of site plan zoning or by zoning administrator/planning manager; requires interconnection of parcels, depiction of all signs, no increase in total signs/surface area, compliance with height/setback/distance, and recorded agreement
- Common alternative sign plan for multiple parcels under common ownership; relinquishes entitlements on one parcel for signs on adjacent parcel; for directing to off-roadway uses; additional entrance sign per 27-289.3(b)(4); in-kind reduction; parcels abut common right-of-way, within 1/4 mile, non-residential, not separated by residential zoning; recorded and revocable with city consent
- In historic districts or landmark sites (excluding Ybor City), sign variances heard by Architectural Review Commission
- In Ybor City Historic District, sign variances heard by Barrio Latino Commission
- In special districts or overlay districts (e.g., Westshore, East Tampa, Kennedy Boulevard), additional or modified sign regulations may apply; most restrictive regulation governs

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

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