# Sign Regulations in Westlake, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Westlake, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/westlake
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Westlake/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADERE_CH113SI)

## At a glance

Westlake, Florida regulates 13 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Changeable Copy/Digital Display Ground Signs in the Public/Institutional Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 10 ft. tall, 60 sq. ft. (copy area), and 15 ft. wide, with a Min 15 ft from ROW; min 50 ft from non-ROW property setback (Sec. Table 113-11). Most commercial signs in Westlake require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | Not specified; see zone-specific requirements | Not specified; see zone-specific requirements | — |
| Residential District | 3 | — | 60 sq. ft. (copy area) | — |
| Nonresidential Pod | 1 | — | 60 sq. ft. (copy area per sign component) | — |
| Commercial Buildings within Pod | 2 | 8 ft. | Max 70 sq. ft. | — |
| Nonresidential District | 3 | 6 ft. | 90 sq. ft. (per sign) | — |
| Public/Institutional Zoning Districts | 2 | 10 ft. | 60 sq. ft. (copy area) | — |
| Civic District, Mixed-Use Zoned Areas | 1 | — | For light poles 20-25 ft: 21 sq. ft. (3 ft x 7 ft); for light poles <20 ft: 4.5 sq. ft. (1.5 ft x 3 ft) | — |

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

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Pod Entry Monument | — | 60 sq. ft. (copy area) | — | — | 2 per accessway | Monument at accessway. Developments with shared entrance may have V-shaped monument signs. | — | Table 113-11, Sec. 113-12 |
| Alternate Residential Pod Entry Monument | — | 60 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 80 ft from nearest property line | 1 per pod | Minimum 80 ft setback from nearest property line. In lieu of 2 pod entry monuments. | — | Table 113-11 |
| Wall Sign for Residential Building Identification | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 front facade, 1 rear facade | 1 on front facade, 1 on rear facade | — | Table 113-11 |

### Nonresidential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign on Private Property | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | Min 10 ft from property line | 2 per access entry | Min 10 ft setback from property line; 2 per access entry. | — | Table 113-11 |
| Menu Board Sign (Drive-Through Facilities) | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. per board | — | — | 2 per establishment | Up to 2 per establishment; must be for menu/price info only. | — | Table 113-11 |
| Wall Sign for Principal Structure or Building Identification or Principal Tenant | — | 90 sq. ft. (per sign) | — | — | One set of 2 per building | Set of 2 signs on facade fronting ROW, at top of building or below second floor line. | — | Table 113-11 |

### Public/Institutional Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy/Digital Display Ground Sign | 10 ft. | 60 sq. ft. (copy area) | 15 ft. | Min 15 ft from ROW; min 50 ft from non-ROW property | 1 | For government uses, public/private schools, colleges/universities (and places of worship in permitted districts). | — | Table 113-11 |
| Building Directory Sign | 6 ft. | 18 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building | Within 25-ft radius of main entry; placed in landscaped area. 1 per building (with 2+ buildings on same parcel). | — | Table 113-11 |

## Prohibited signs in Westlake

- It is unlawful to post, display, change, or erect a sign or sign structure that requires a permit without first obtaining a permit in accordance with city regulations.
- Permanent signs shall not be allowed on city property or rights-of-way within the city unless specifically authorized by the city council. Temporary signs may be placed on city property or rights-of-way with permission from the planning and zoning director or designee.
- Signs shall not block any fire escape, or any window, door, or opening used as a means of ingress or egress.
- A sign shall not be attached to a fire escape or be placed in such manner as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- Signs shall not be placed to obscure sight lines within a visibility triangle at intersections of roads or at driveways. No sign within a visibility triangle shall exceed 30 inches in height as measured from the surface of the nearest vehicular traffic area.
- All nonconforming signs shall be removed immediately by the property owner.
- A building permit is required to erect, repair, alter, relocate, or maintain any permanent sign defined in this chapter (where a building permit is required).
- All permanent signs shall be designed and constructed in compliance with applicable building codes. All electric wiring shall be installed underground, within building walls, or otherwise located so as not to be visible.
- A sign which is unsafe, insecure, a menace to public health, or constructed, erected, or maintained in violation of the code shall be removed, repaired, or altered to comply within ten days of notice.
- Signs which are not maintained in good condition, appearance, and in compliance with applicable building codes may be ordered removed.
- Any sign that creates a traffic or fire hazard or interferes with use of streets or sidewalks is prohibited.
- Only passive-type signage is permitted; signs incorporating animation or flashing lights, movement or motions caused by wind, electrical, or mechanical means, flashing messages, or other real or apparent forms of motion are prohibited, unless otherwise permitted.
- Illumination of signs utilizing flashing, intermittent, rotating, revolving, oscillating techniques is prohibited.
- Obscene, pornographic, or illegal messages or material, or signs harmful to minors are prohibited.
- Signs that resemble, are similar to, or may be confused with any sign or device to control vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing free and clear vision at street intersections or within any street right-of-way are prohibited.
- Portable signs, balloon signs, inflatable shapes or figures, beacons, searchlights, parasite signs, box signs, cabinet signs, snipe signs, roof signs (except parapet signs on permanent ground floor canopies), and any other sign or device not specifically permitted are prohibited unless expressly provided otherwise.
- Exposed neon tubing, neon signs, and LED signs that emulate the appearance of neon signs are prohibited except as provided in section 113-12.
- Copy or imitation of official signs is prohibited.
- Signs attached to accessory structures are prohibited.
- Signs that emit sounds, visible smoke, vapor, particles, or odor are prohibited.
- Sandwich board, A-frame, and pole signs are prohibited except as otherwise provided.
- Signs placed on benches, bus or transit shelters, or waste receptacles are prohibited unless specifically approved by city council.
- Signs and sign structures which are not properly maintained or have been abandoned are prohibited.
- Signs which emit visible smoke, vapor particles, or odor are prohibited.
- Bunting, pennants, streamers, and devices installed in series and designed to move with the wind are prohibited, unless pole-mounted banners are permitted per section 113-16.

## Signs exempt from permit in Westlake

- Roadside mailboxes.
- Residential building identification signs displaying name, occupant, or street address, provided such sign is less than four (4) square feet.
- Warning signs such as 'no peddlers,' 'no solicitors,' 'beware of animal,' or security signs, located at entrances or adjacent to fenced areas.
- Traffic control, directional, and public information/warning signs placed in public rights-of-way by federal, state, county, city, or other public agencies or as required by such agencies.
- Interior signs located within a building and not visible from a public right-of-way.
- Signs located on the exterior elevation of an interior courtyard, provided such signs are not visible from a public right-of-way or abutting residential zoning district.
- Vehicle advertising: Motor vehicles with business information painted, embossed, or wrapped on vehicle surfaces, when otherwise permitted or required by law, parked on site in the normal course of business.
- All existing residential pod entry signs approved by the city council are exempt from removal requirements for nonconforming signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan may be considered for two or more signs and may permit the city council to waive one or more requirements of the chapter at the time of development order, site plan approval, or amendment.
- The city council may vary size, setback, number, and type of signs as part of a master sign plan application, provided the application complies with the chapter's general intent and purpose.
- The planning and zoning director may require a development order application for a PD, civic, or conditional use to include an overall master sign plan.
- No permanent sign permit shall be issued contrary to the master sign plan, unless a new master sign plan is submitted and approved.
- When renovations to existing buildings trigger changes to an existing master site plan, all signage must meet requirements of the amended master sign plan within one year after issuance of the first certificate of occupancy for renovations.
- Nonresidential multi-tenant uses must submit a master sign plan application that includes all window signs and non-advertising window markings.
- A master sign plan approved by city council is required for all pole-mounted banner programs, except those installed by the city on city property. Additional banners, graphics, locations, or increases in sign square footage require a new miscellaneous plan review approval, including a detailed sign program.

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

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