# Sign Regulations in Tarpon Springs, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tarpon Springs, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/tarpon-springs
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-20
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Tarpon_Springs/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_APCOZOLADECO_ARTXISIRE)

## At a glance

Tarpon Springs, Florida regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Residential Development Entrance Signs in the R-100 Single Family Residential District, R-100A Single Family Residential District, R-70A Single Family Residential District, R-60 Neighborhood Conservation District, R-70 One and Two Family Residential District, CRM Conditional Residential Mix District, RM Residential Multifamily District, MHP Mobile Home Park District, RV Recreational Vehicle Park District, RPD Residential Planned Development District zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 32 sq ft per sign face, with a Outside required visibility triangle; 15 ft from perpendicular right-of-way (median-mounted); 10 ft from side property line setback (Sec. §187.01). Most commercial signs in Tarpon Springs require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 35 ft (flagpole) | 24 sq ft per flag | — |
| Historic Preservation Districts, Designated Historic Structures and Landmarks | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-100 Single Family Residential District, R-100A Single Family Residential District, R-70A Single Family Residential District, R-60 Neighborhood Conservation District, R-70 One and Two Family Residential District, CRM Conditional Residential Mix District, RM Residential Multifamily District, MHP Mobile Home Park District, RV Recreational Vehicle Park District, RPD Residential Planned Development District | 5 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft per sign face | — |
| RO Residential Office District, CS Commercial Service District, PTC Pinellas Trail Corridor District, NB Neighborhood Business District, GB General Business District, HB Highway Business District, IB Intensive Business District, WDI Waterfront Development District, WDI-A Waterfront Commercial Fishing Development District, WDI-B Waterfront Commercial Fishing and Tourism Re-Development District, WDII Waterfront and Marine Industry Development District, IR Industrial Restricted District, IH Industrial Heavy District, CPD Commercial Planned Development District, IPD Industrial Planned Development District, SAP Special Area Plan, P/SP Public/Semi-Public District, RR Resort Residential | 9 | 48 inches | 150 sq ft per sign face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Street Address Sign (Residential Use) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Attached wall sign | — | §181.01(A) |
| Street Address Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Attached wall sign | — | §181.01(A) |
| Parking Space Sign | 6 ft | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per parking space | Onsite parking space, freestanding or attached wall | — | §181.01(B) |
| Wayfinding/Directional Sign (Governmental, non-commercial) | — | — | — | — | — | As part of city-approved wayfinding system | — | §181.01(D) |
| Flag (Single Family Residential) | 25 ft (flagpole) | 15 sq ft per flag | — | — | 2 per dwelling, max 1 pole per parcel | Attached to facade of primary structure or on flagpole | — | §181.01(E)(1) |
| Flag (Multi-family or Non-residential Use) | 35 ft (flagpole) | 24 sq ft per flag | — | — | 3 per parcel, max 2 poles (4 flags on poles) | Attached to facade of primary structure or on flagpole | — | §181.01(E)(2) |
| Warning or Safety Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §181.01(F) |
| Pole Banner (Temporary) | 20 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Light poles outside of public ROW | — | §181.02 |

### R-100 Single Family Residential District, R-100A Single Family Residential District, R-70A Single Family Residential District, R-60 Neighborhood Conservation District, R-70 One and Two Family Residential District, CRM Conditional Residential Mix District, RM Residential Multifamily District, MHP Mobile Home Park District, RV Recreational Vehicle Park District, RPD Residential Planned Development District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Development Entrance Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | Outside required visibility triangle; 15 ft from perpendicular right-of-way (median-mounted); 10 ft from side property line | Max 2 per entrance (structures on both sides) or 1 double-faced in median | At each entrance to a platted subdivision, mobile home park, multi-family project, or residential planned development; single sign (2 structure option) or 1 double-faced sign in median | — | §187.01 |
| Nonconforming Use Sign (Residential Zone) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Wall or ground mounted | — | §187.02 |
| Apartment/Condominium Complex Sign | 6 ft (for monument sign) | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building or complex | Permanent wall, window or monument sign for each building or complex | — | §187.03(A) |
| Nonresidential Use Sign (in Residential Zone) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel or lot | Permanent monument sign per parcel/lot | — | §187.03(B) |
| Onsite Directional Sign (Residential Zone) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §187.03(C) |

### RO Residential Office District, CS Commercial Service District, PTC Pinellas Trail Corridor District, NB Neighborhood Business District, GB General Business District, HB Highway Business District, IB Intensive Business District, WDI Waterfront Development District, WDI-A Waterfront Commercial Fishing Development District, WDI-B Waterfront Commercial Fishing and Tourism Re-Development District, WDII Waterfront and Marine Industry Development District, IR Industrial Restricted District, IH Industrial Heavy District, CPD Commercial Planned Development District, IPD Industrial Planned Development District, SAP Special Area Plan, P/SP Public/Semi-Public District, RR Resort Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Occupancy) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face | — | 5 ft (unclad pole), 10 ft (pylon, monument, monolith, cladded pole) from street ROW; 10 ft (unclad pole) or 15 ft (others) from side property line; outside required visibility triangle | 1 per parcel | Freestanding on parcel | — | §189.01, §189.02(A)-(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Occupancy Parcel) | 20 ft | 150 sq ft per sign face | — | As above | 1 per parcel | Freestanding on parcel | — | §189.01, §189.02(A)-(B) |
| Wall Sign | — | 150 sq ft total | — | — | Per street frontage per establishment; see formula | Wall face of establishment | — | §189.03 |
| Projecting Sign (Substituted for Wall Sign) | 15 ft above street grade, not above roofline | Per wall sign formula | — | — | Per wall sign allowance | From building wall, may project over sidewalk or ROW in zones with zero setback (min 8 ft vertical clearance) | — | §189.04 |
| Restaurant Display Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per restaurant | Attached at entrance or service window | — | §189.05(A) |
| Drive-through Lane Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per sign, total for all not to exceed 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per drive-through lane | Drive-through lane, oriented to vehicles | — | §189.05(B) |
| Wayfinding/Directional Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | 4 ft for monument sign | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | May be attached, window, or monument sign | — | §189.05(D) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Commercial Zones Only) | 48 inches | 32 inches wide x 48 inches high | 32 inches | — | 1 per street frontage per retail/restaurant | On street frontage per retail/restaurant use, on sidewalk or frontage as permitted | — | §191.09 |

## Prohibited signs in Tarpon Springs

- Abandoned signs.
- Animated signs.
- Beacon/searchlights.
- Bench/bus shelter advertising signs.
- Billboards.
- Electronic changeable copy message signs.
- Electronic signs other than traffic control devices.
- Feather or flutter signs.
- Flashing signs.
- Mobile Billboard Advertising.
- Offsite/off-premises commercial signs.
- Off-site portable signs.
- On-site portable signs (not including A-frame/sandwich signs).
- Pennant signs.
- Portable signs (not including A-frame/sandwich signs).
- Revolving or rotating signs.
- Roof signs, except sloping roof mount (see Section 188.03).
- Snipe signs.
- Vehicle signs or trailers when such are used exclusively for the purpose of displaying a sign.
- Wall wrap signs.
- Wind signs.
- Signs which move, twirl or swing, including multi-prism and tri-vision signs.
- Signs which imitate or resemble official traffic or government signs and signals.
- Any sign which obstructs any firefighting equipment or presents a fire hazard.
- Any sign prohibited by state or federal law.
- Any sign which obstructs any window, door, or opening used as a means of ingress and egress required for fire escape purposes.
- Any sign which obstructs an opening required for proper light and ventilation purposes.
- Any sign which emits audible sound, vapor, smoke, odor, particles, or gaseous matter, with the exception that signs emitting audible sound erected and operated to accomplish compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act shall be authorized.
- Any sign nailed, fastened, affixed to, hanging from, or painted on any tree or other vegetation, or part thereof (living or dead).
- Projecting signs, other than projecting signs as allowed within commercial or industrial zoning districts pursuant to this article.
- Pavement markings, except official traffic control-markings and street addresses applied by government agencies or pursuant to government laws or regulations.
- Any sign which obstructs, conceals, hides, or otherwise obscures from view any official traffic or government sign, signal, or device.
- Signs that are not effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled public rights-of-way thereby creating a potential traffic or pedestrian hazard or a nuisance to inhabitants of an adjacent neighborhood.
- No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of, or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
- Signs that contain any food or other substance that attracts large numbers of birds or other animals and causes them to congregate on or near the sign.
- Commercial Mascots and Commercial Message signs that are carried, waved or otherwise displayed by persons either on public rights-of-way or in a manner visible from public rights-of-way, for commercial purposes.
- Signs attached to piers, docks, tie poles or seawalls, other than government signs, warning or safety signs, except for signs not exceeding eight (8) square feet, or signs otherwise required by local, state or federal law.
- Signs in or upon any river, bay, lake, or other body of water within the limits of the city, other than government signs, warning or safety signs or signs otherwise required by law.
- Any sign which is designed to approximate, mimic or emulate an official government sign, including unofficial "stop" signs posted on or above any street or right-of-way, or within fifty feet thereof.
- Signs which are erected upon or project over public rights-of-way, including sidewalks, except government signs or warning signs.
- Vehicle signs visible from a street or right-of-way within one hundred (100) feet of the vehicle and where the vehicle is parked for more than two (2) consecutive hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period within one hundred (100) feet of said street or right-of-way.
- Any sign located on real property without the permission of the property owner.
- Obscene signs that meet the definition of obscenity under F.S. § 847.001 et seq., as amended.
- Any other sign as may specifically prohibited in this article.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this article or applicable agreement, shall be deemed illegal and subject to confiscation.
- No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening intended as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be erected which interferes with any opening required for ventilation.
- No sign shall be attached to a standpipe, gutter, drain, or fire escape, nor shall any sign be installed so as to impair access to a roof.
- No signs, except permitted seasonal, commemorative, or special event decorations, or government and grand opening signs shall be erected or displayed on any shrub, rock formation, utility pole, fire hydrant, light standard, bridge, or other signs or sign supports.
- No signs shall be erected, displayed, or attached on any tree by any means whatsoever.

## Signs exempt from permit in Tarpon Springs

- Government signs.
- Allowed sign types described in section 181.01 and temporary signs described in section 192.04 as exempt from permitting.
- Reasonable repair and maintenance, including changing the advertising message.
- Replacement of removable sign panels where no other modifications are made.
- National Flags flown in accordance with the standards of the Adjutant General.
- Any other sign specifically exempted in this article.
- Street address signs (per parcel, as specified in 181.01).
- Onsite parking space number or identification signs (as specified in 181.01).
- Non-commercial wayfinding/directional signs erected as part of a city approved wayfinding system.
- Flags displayed in accordance with section 181.01.
- Warning signs and safety signs not exceeding four square feet in sign area (as specified in 181.01).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted from permitting in § 180.00 and as specified in § 181.01 and § 192.04.
- Applications for sign permits require submittal of permit forms including a site plan, elevation drawings of the proposed sign, and identification of the type, height, area, and location of all existing signs on the subject parcel (see § 179.02).
- Sign permit applications may be subject to review for variance, rezoning, or comprehensive plan amendment; sign plan review time is suspended pending outcome (see § 179.03(F)(1)).
- If a variance from the sign code is required, application must go before the Board of Adjustment according to § 194.00.
- If a creative sign provision is sought for increased height or area, appeals are made to the Board of Commissioners and, in historic districts, to the Historic Preservation Board (§ 179.04(B)).
- Signs within the Historic Preservation District (Article VII) must be reviewed and approved through the Certificate of Approval process (see § 186.04(B)), and the Historic Preservation Board must review all interiorly illuminated signs in these districts.
- A master or site sign plan requirement is not explicitly stated for all multi-tenant or shopping center projects, but sign permit applications for such sites must identify all existing signs on the parcel (§ 179.02(C)), and allocations of monument signage among tenants may be determined by the landlord (§ 189.06(A)(1)).
- Sign plan review is also required when additional signage is sought via creative sign provisions (§ 189.01(E)), and justification/evidence must be provided.

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

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