Sign Regulations in Tavares, Florida
Tavares, Florida has specific sign regulations covering 20 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Sign, Ground Sign, Wall Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Tavares, Florida
Sample Sign Requirements in Tavares
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Subdivision/Development Entrance) | 10 ft (main entrance), 4 ft (secondary entrance) | 60 sq ft per face (main entrance), 20 sq ft per face (secondary entrance) | 15 ft from all property and ROW lines (main entrance, unless on wall). See Ch. 21-15(A)(1); 5 ft from ROW for standard subdivision sign (Ch. 21-12). |
| Wall Sign (Subdivision Entrance) | per wall height | 60 sq ft per face (main entrance) | May be on property line if mounted on wall/gate |
| Home Occupation Wall Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for TavaresFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
20
- Temporary Sign
- Ground Sign
- Wall Sign
- Shingle Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
12
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Tavares
Other Cities in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
In Tavares, wall signs can be up to per wall height. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Tavares, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Tavares, regulated sign types include Temporary Sign, Ground Sign, Wall Sign, Shingle Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Tavares vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Tavares are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Tavares has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Tavares, Florida
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Tavares (12 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Single-Family (RSF-E, RSF-A, RSF-1, RSF-2) | 6 | 10 ft (main entrance), 4 ft (secondary entrance) | 60 sq ft per face (main entrance), 20 sq ft per face (secondary entrance) | — |
| Residential Multi-Family (RMF-2, RMF-3) | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Manufactured Home Park (RMH-P) | 2 | 10 ft (main entrance), 4 ft (secondary entrance) | As per residential subdivision: 60 sq ft per face at main entrance, 20 sq ft at secondary. Adopt most restrictive if not specifically stated. | — |
| Residential Manufactured Home Subdivision (RMH-S) | 2 | 10 ft (main), 4 ft (secondary) | As per subdivision: 60 sq ft per face main, 20 sq ft per face secondary | — |
| Planned Development District (PD) | 2 | Up to 10 ft (residential); see PD ordinance for commercial | If not otherwise specified in the PD ordinance, signs must meet the most restrictive standard zoning district for the underlying use (typically: 60 sq ft per face, 10 ft tall for subdivision, or as per CD or C-1/C-2 for commercial components) | — |
| Mixed Use District (MU) | 5 | Wall: NA, Freestanding: 8 ft | 120 sq ft (per building face) | — |
| Commercial Downtown District (CD) | 5 | Wall: NA; Freestanding: 8 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial District (C-1) | 3 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District (C-2) | 4 | 35 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial District (I) | 4 | 35 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| Public Facilities District (PFD) | 2 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 35 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Tavares(sample of 3 of 12 zones)
Residential Single-Family (RSF-E, RSF-A, RSF-1, RSF-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Subdivision/Development Entrance) | 10 ft (main entrance), 4 ft (secondary entrance) | 60 sq ft per face (main entrance), 20 sq ft per face (secondary entrance) | — | 15 ft from all property and ROW lines (main entrance, unless on wall). See Ch. 21-15(A)(1); 5 ft from ROW for standard subdivision sign (Ch. 21-12). | 2 per main entrance, 1 per secondary entrance | At main/secondary entrance to a subdivision or development; minimum 15 ft setback from property/ROW lines except for entrance wall signs; see citation for detail | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-15(A)(1), Ch. 21-12, Ch. 21-15(A)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Subdivision Entrance) | per wall height | 60 sq ft per face (main entrance) | — | May be on property line if mounted on wall/gate | 2 at main entrance | On entrance wall or gate at subdivision/development entrance | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-15(A)(1) |
| Home Occupation Wall Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At home occupation, residential use | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-14(B)(4) |
| Bed and Breakfast Sign (Wall or Freestanding) | — | 4 sq ft (wall), 6 sq ft (freestanding) | — | — | 1 | At bed & breakfast in RSF zones | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-15(B) |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from road ROW, 10 ft from side lot lines | 2 | 5 ft from road ROW, 10 ft from side property lines | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-15(C), Ch. 21-16 |
| Construction Sign (under construction) | — | 5 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line, 25 ft from ROW | 1 per parcel under construction | 10 ft from property line, 25 ft from ROW | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-15(C)(2) |
Mixed Use District (MU)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign | 4 ft (plus base up to 2 ft in landscape planter) | 24 sq ft per face | — | Not specifically listed; Minimum 5 ft in most non-residential; ensure not in ROW | 1 per parcel or abutting ROW | 1 ground sign per parcel or per abutting ROW | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-21(B); Ch. 21-6(A) |
| Wall Sign | — | 120 sq ft (per building face) | — | — | — | Per building face visible from ROW | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-21(C) |
| Shingle Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building or per business (if 10 ft apart) | Above the entrance or street-facing window of the business | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-21(D) |
| Directory Sign | Wall: NA, Freestanding: 8 ft | 6 sq ft (wall), 8 ft height x 4 ft width (freestanding) | Wall: NA, Freestanding: 4 ft | — | 1 per building | Pedestrian area (wall); or freestanding on site | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-21(F) |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from road ROW, 10 ft from side lines | 2 | 5 ft from ROW, 10 ft from side lines | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-16 |
Commercial Downtown District (CD)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign | 4 ft (base may be in landscape planter to 6 ft total) | 24 sq ft per face | — | Not specifically listed; generally 5 ft from ROW | 1 per parcel/ROW | 1 per parcel or per abutting right-of-way | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-21(B) |
| Wall Sign | — | 120 sq ft | — | — | — | Per building face viewable from ROW | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-21(C) |
| Shingle Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building or per business (10 ft apart) | Above entrance or street-facing window of business | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-21(D) |
| Directory Sign | Wall: NA; Freestanding: 8 ft | 6 sq ft wall/tenant; 6 sq ft total on wall; or freestanding: 8 ft tall/4 ft wide max | Freestanding: 4 ft | — | 1 per building | Wall (pedestrian area), or freestanding | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-21(F) |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from road ROW, 10 ft from side lot lines | 2 | 5 ft from road ROW, 10 ft from side lines | — | Unlock | Ch. 21-16 |
PermitPal covers all 12 zoning districts in Tavares — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 12 zones for Tavares — start freeProhibited Signs in Tavares
- Signs that are in violation of the Florida Building Code or The National Electrical Code as adopted by the City.
- Any temporary sign within the right-of-way of any street or public way.
- Any sign, that in the opinion of the City Administrator or designee is abandoned.
- Snipe signs.
- Signs with visible moving, revolving, or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic, or mechanical means, except for traditional barber poles.
- Signs with lights or illuminations that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, or vary in intensity or color, except for time-temperature-date signs and LED signs as provided for in Section 21-19.
- Strings of light bulbs used on commercially developed parcels, other than traditional holiday decorations.
- Wind signs, consisting of one or more banners, flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers or captive balloons, or other objects or material fastened in such a manner as to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind; except as permitted by Section 21-16.
- Signs that incorporate projected images, emit any sound intended to attract attention, or involve the use of live animals.
- Signs that emit odor or visible matter such as smoke or steam.
- Signs that by reason of position, shape or color, would conflict with the proper functioning of any traffic sign or signal, or be of a size, location, movement, content, color, or illumination that may reasonably be confused with or construed as, or conceal, a traffic control device.
- Signs that obstruct the vision of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists traveling on or entering public streets and/or flooding light onto adjacent residentially zoned properties.
- Signs, within ten feet (10') of public right-of-way or one-hundred (100') feet of traffic control lights, that contain red or green lights that might be confused with traffic control lights.
- Signs of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of any motorist, cyclist, or pedestrian using or entering a public way.
- Signs that contain a mechanism that causes unreasonable interference with radio, television or other communication signals.
- Searchlights.
- Signs painted, pasted, or printed on any sidewalk, flagstone, curbstone, pavement or any portion of any street within a Public Right-of-Way except house numbers and traffic pavement control markers.
- Signs other than Governmental Signs erected on public property, or on private property (such as private utility poles) located on public property.
- Signs which are located in or over any lakes, rivers, canals, or other bodies of water within the City, except Governmental Signs.
- Vehicle signs with a total sign area on any vehicle in excess of ten (10) square feet, when the vehicle is parked more than sixty (60) minutes, is within 100 feet of right-of-way, and is not regularly used in the conduct of the business advertised.
- Portable signs, except for those utilized by governmental agencies for public safety purposes.
- Signs, flyers or handbills of any kind attached or against any tree along any street, avenue or thoroughfare.
- Roof signs.
- Pole signs.
- Billboard signs, except as provided for in Section 21-17.
- Signs affixed to benches or waste receptacles located within the City Right-of-Way.
Exempt Signs in Tavares
- One (1) shingle sign having a face area of not more than two and one-half square feet (2 ½'), located over a show window or door of a business establishment.
- Paper signs located on the interior show windows only of commercial establishments.
- Temporary signs as outlined in Section 21-16.
- Governmental Signs.
- House identification, address numbers or bronzed or cut masonry nameplates attached to a building face that do not exceed two (2) square feet.
- Signs incorporated onto machinery or equipment by a manufacturer or distributor, such as signs customarily affixed to vending machines, newspaper racks, telephone booths, and gasoline pumps.
- Signs carried by a person.
- Repainting or otherwise changing the copy of a sign that does not alter any other portion of the sign or sign structure.
- Painted signs, subject to area calculations and compliance with section 21-6.
- Window signs that cover less than forty (40) percent of the window.
- Murals are exempt from permitting; however, murals visible from the public right-of-way must be approved by City Council.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Tavares
- A site plan is required for the issuance of any sign permit. The site plan shall illustrate the proposed location of the sign on the property and building as well as location and size of all other existing signage on the property. (Section 4-37(B)(1))
- Before a permit shall be granted for the construction of a sign, the erector shall submit a construction drawing containing the area dimensions, height and necessary information to enable the Building Official to determine that such sign meets all requirements of the Florida Building Code and other codes adopted by the City. (Section 4-37(B)(2))
- No sign permit is required for signs listed as exempt in Section 21-5.
- A variance to the dimensional and location requirements of sign regulations may be requested per Chapter 4 when literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship. (Section 21-22)
- Change in use, additions, or expansions of a structure or parking area by twenty-five percent (25%) or more require all signage to conform to current regulations. (Section 21-19(A)(7))
- Nonconforming signs must comply with requirements if the sign is substantially altered, replaced, or if use changes, per Section 21-19.
- Master sign plans are not specifically termed or referenced in the ordinance, but a comprehensive site plan showing all existing and proposed signage is required for permitting.
Source: municode municipal code