# Sign Regulations in Winter Haven, Florida

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Winter Haven, Florida (FL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/florida/winter-haven
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-19
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/FL/Winter_Haven/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH21UNLADECO_ARTIVSIRE)

## At a glance

Winter Haven, Florida regulates 46 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Temporary Sign - Construction Project Display Sign (Large Project)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 18 ft tall and 100 sq ft (text states “one hundred (100) feet”; interpreted as 100 sq ft), with a ≥40 ft from street R/W; ≥80 ft from any adjacent property. setback (Sec. Sec. 21-242(a)(5)). Most commercial signs in Winter Haven require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft (text states “one hundred (100) feet”; interpreted as 100 sq ft) | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (AG, RE, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RM) | 2 | Building-mounted signs may not project above roof line; roof-mounted signs prohibited. | 2 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (Single-family residential districts) | 3 | Political: not specified; Street banner: not specified; Construction large project: 18 ft (if applicable citywide) | Institutional: ≤32 sq ft (ground ≤6 ft high); Directional: ≤3 sq ft; Tenant nameplate (incl. home occupation): ≤2 sq ft; Office directory: ≤2 sq ft per tenant | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (Multiple-family dwellings) | 2 | Institutional ground sign ≤6 ft; construction project display sign (if applicable) 18 ft | Max 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts (MX, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4) | 10 | 25 ft maximum sign height (general) | Overall max total area for all permitted signs per establishment: 200 sq ft (subject to increases noted) | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts (Regional shopping centers) | 2 | ≤40 ft from grade at base | Tenant max 200 sq ft total (per establishment), unless otherwise modified by code; center freestanding signs do not count toward tenant cap. | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts (Business parks) | 3 | 25 ft max height (tenant on-site signs) | Max 200 sq ft per tenant (aggregate of permitted signs) | — |
| Industrial Zoning Districts (I-1, I-2) | 7 | 25 ft max sign height | Max 200 sq ft total for all permitted signs per establishment (subject to setback bonus) | — |
| Industrial Zoning Districts (Industrial parks) | 3 | 25 ft max height | Max 200 sq ft per tenant | — |
| Professional Zoning Districts | 5 | 25 ft max sign height | Max 200 sq ft total per establishment | — |
| Business-Professional Zones | 4 | 25 ft max height | Max 200 sq ft total per establishment | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs - General Standards | No sign above highest roof line of building to which attached (except on U.S. 17). In no case may sign height exceed the zoning district’s building height limit. | — | — | Minimum 3 ft from front property line for any sign/sign structure (measured from nearest edge). | — | Minimum front setback 3 ft from front property line, measured from the nearest edge of the sign or structure. Signs must not project above roof line (except along U.S. 17). | — | Sec. 21-241(a)-(l); Sec. 21-249(a)-(f) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction (Residential Areas) | — | 16 sq ft per firm | — | — | — | Confined to site of construction. | — | Sec. 21-242(a)(1)-(4) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction (Commercial Areas) | — | 32 sq ft per firm | — | — | — | Confined to site of construction. | — | Sec. 21-242(a)(1)-(4) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction Project Display Sign (Large Project) | 18 ft | 100 sq ft (text states “one hundred (100) feet”; interpreted as 100 sq ft) | — | ≥40 ft from street R/W; ≥80 ft from any adjacent property. | One additional sign for qualifying projects | Not less than 40 ft from street right-of-way; not less than 80 ft from any adjacent property. | — | Sec. 21-242(a)(5) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate (Residential) | — | 16 sq ft total per premises | — | — | — | On the premises being sold/rented/leased. | — | Sec. 21-242(b)(1),(3) |
| Temporary Sign - Political (Residential Zoning Districts) | — | 32 sq ft per premises | — | ≥3 ft from adjacent property line/sidewalk; or ≥9 ft from edge of pavement where no sidewalk. | — | Within private property; not closer than 3 ft from adjacent property line or any present sidewalk; where no sidewalk, at least 9 ft from edge of pavement. | — | Sec. 21-242(c)(1)-(6) |
| Temporary Sign - Political (Other Zoning Districts) | — | Up to maximum size allowable for commercial signs within that district | — | ≥3 ft from property/sidewalk; or ≥9 ft from pavement where no sidewalk. | — | Within private property; same setback rules as residential. | — | Sec. 21-242(c)(1)-(6) |
| Exempt Sign - Institutional (Public/Charitable/Educational/Religious) | If ground-mounted, top ≤6 ft above grade | ≤32 sq ft | — | Ground-mounted must be set back to avoid traffic hazard. | Max 1 per street frontage | Entirely within premises of the institution. If building-mounted, must be flat wall and not project above roof line. | — | Sec. 21-243(b) |

### Commercial Zoning Districts (MX, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25 ft maximum sign height (general) | Overall max total area for all permitted signs per establishment: 200 sq ft (subject to increases noted) | — | — | — | Anywhere on surface of building. | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(1)-(2),(4)-(6),(8)(a) |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft maximum sign height (general) | Per total allowance cap 200 sq ft (per establishment) | — | Projection rules as stated; no closer than 3 ft to curbline. | — | May project beyond property line only where there is no building setback or requirement; may project up to 6 ft beyond street property line but no closer than 3 ft to curbline. | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(1)-(2),(8)(b)-(d) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft maximum sign height (general). Note: location clause allows extension up to 30 ft above nearest curb or street level per Sec. 21-245(b)(8)(e); apply the lower applicable height limit unless center signage (see shopping center). | Per establishment cap 200 sq ft (subject to other allowances) | — | ≥3 ft from adjacent property; and from sidewalk as stated; general 3 ft front property line setback applies. | Max 1 per 200 ft frontage (space ≥200 ft apart) per business | Within property lines; not closer than 3 ft from adjacent property, and not closer than any present or proposed sidewalk (whichever results in farthest setback). | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(1)-(2),(8)(e),(10) |
| Freestanding Sign - Theater Additional Sign (Not in Regional Shopping Centers) | — | ≤200 sq ft | — | Within 25 ft of right-of-way | 1 additional freestanding sign | Within 25 ft of right-of-way. | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(3); Sec. 21-244(n) |
| Wall/Identification Sign - Multiple Entrances (Not in Regional Shopping Centers) | 25 ft maximum sign height (general) | Base cap 200 sq ft per establishment plus up to 50% additional on secondary street | — | — | — | On secondary street faced by business with entrances/facades on more than one street. | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(4)-(5) |
| Drive-in Business Additional Sign | — | 16 sq ft per side (double-faced) | — | — | 1 per drive-in business | On-site at drive-in type business. | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(11) |
| Freestanding Portable Sign (Commercial Property) | — | ≤32 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 portable per property | Upon the premises of an establishment, business or industry. | — | Sec. 21-245(c)(1)-(5) |
| Billboard (Business Districts - Unimproved Property only) | ≤18 ft; up to 30 ft may be permitted by director in unusual/steep grade locations with justification | 150 sq ft minimum; 400 sq ft maximum (computed on one face for double-faced angled ≤45°) | — | ≥40 ft from street right-of-way or to base building line, whichever greater; ≥50 ft from any intersection; ≥300 ft from another billboard measured parallel to street | — | Only on unimproved real property in business or industrial districts (adjacent to arterial streets per major street ordinance); not on improved real property. | — | Sec. 21-246(1)-(7); Sec. 21-245(b)(9) (no on-site signs on unimproved property) |

### Industrial Zoning Districts (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25 ft max sign height | Max 200 sq ft total for all permitted signs per establishment (subject to setback bonus) | — | — | — | Anywhere on building surface. | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(1)-(2),(6),(8)(a) |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft max sign height | Subject to 200 sq ft per establishment cap | — | Projection/clearance rules per code; general 3 ft front setback applies to structures. | — | May project up to 6 ft beyond street property line where no building setback requirement and no closer than 3 ft to curbline. | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(1)-(2),(8)(b)-(d) |
| Marquee Sign | — | Subject to 200 sq ft cap | — | — | — | On vertical faces of marquees. | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(8)(f); Sec. 21-244(n) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft max sign height (note location clause allowing up to 30 ft above curb per Sec. 21-245(b)(8)(e)) | Subject to 200 sq ft per establishment | — | ≥3 ft from adjacent property and sidewalk per code; general 3 ft front setback applies. | Max 1 per 200 ft frontage; space ≥200 ft apart | Within property lines; not closer than 3 ft from adjacent property and from any present/proposed sidewalk (whichever farthest). | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(1)-(2),(8)(e),(10) |
| Drive-in Business Additional Sign | — | 16 sq ft per side (double-faced) | — | — | 1 per drive-in business | On-site at drive-in type business. | — | Sec. 21-245(b)(11) |
| Freestanding Portable Sign (Industrial Property) | — | ≤32 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 portable per property | Upon the premises of an establishment/business/industry. | — | Sec. 21-245(c)(1)-(5) |
| Billboard (Industrial Districts - Unimproved Property only) | ≤18 ft; up to 30 ft allowed by director if terrain justifies | 150–400 sq ft (computed on one face for double-faced angled ≤45°) | — | ≥40 ft from street R/W or to base building line (whichever greater); ≥50 ft from intersections; ≥300 ft from another billboard (parallel to street) | — | Only on unimproved real property within industrial districts adjacent to arterial streets. | — | Sec. 21-246(1)-(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Winter Haven

- Displaying untrue, false, or misleading statements on signs or displays calculated to mislead the public is unlawful.
- No sign may be above the highest point of the roof line of the building to which it is attached (except on U.S. 17), and in no case may a sign or sign structure exceed the district building/structure height limit.
- Signs (or sign structures) must be set back at least 3 feet from the front property line; placement closer than 3 feet is prohibited.
- Constructing, altering, extending, erecting, or relocating a sign without a required sign permit is prohibited, except where specifically exempted.
- Signs exceeding 32 square feet without sealed engineering plans by a professional engineer (for structural integrity) are prohibited.
- Signs with obscene, indecent, or immoral content that offend public morals or decency are prohibited.
- Signs imitating official traffic signs/signals or using words such as stop, go slowly, caution, danger, warning, or similar are prohibited.
- Signs that could be confused with traffic-control devices, or that hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal, are prohibited.
- Signs advertising an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises are prohibited.
- Banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or similar moving devices are prohibited (unless specifically permitted by other legislation).
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Signs in violation of adopted building or electrical codes are prohibited.
- Any sign that, in the opinion of the building official, constitutes a safety hazard is prohibited.
- Blank temporary signs are prohibited.
- Signs attached to trees, telephone poles, public benches, or streetlights, or placed on public property or in the public right-of-way, are prohibited.
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers primarily for the purpose of displaying the sign are prohibited (does not apply to permitted portable signs or signs/lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating in the normal course of business).
- Signs using designs that create an optical illusion of movement are prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs traffic visibility is prohibited.
- Signs with lights/illumination that flash, move, rotate, blink, flicker, or vary in intensity or color are prohibited, except on theater marquees and time–temperature–date signs.
- Illuminated signs of such intensity or brilliance that cause glare, impair vision of motorists/cyclists/pedestrians, or create a hazard or nuisance to property occupants are prohibited.
- Signs emitting sound, odor, smoke, or steam are prohibited.
- Painting, pasting, printing, or nailing any banner, sign, paper sign, advertisement, or notice on curbstones, flagstones, pavements, sidewalks, trees, lampposts, telephone/telegraph poles, hydrants, bridges, workshops, tool sheds, or any structure within street limits is prohibited.
- Murals used as advertising are prohibited; murals may not contain words, names, logos, or pictures of products/services offered in the building they are on or any other business, and may not serve as an advertising sign.
- Roof signs projecting above the highest point of the roof are prohibited.
- All signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Winter Haven

- Signs of a noncommercial nature erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of public duty (e.g., safety, danger, trespassing, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest) are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety.
- Institution identification/announcement signs (public, charitable, educational, religious), located entirely on the institution premises, up to 32 sq ft and one per street frontage, are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety; if building-mounted they must be flat and not project above the roof line; if ground-mounted, max height 6 ft and set back to avoid traffic hazards. Larger than 32 sq ft or over 6 ft high require a permit.
- On-premises directional traffic movement signs up to 3 sq ft each are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety (illumination allowed per illumination regulations).
- Small name/occupation signs up to 2 sq ft, flat against the building, stationary, and not illuminated (including home occupation signs); in historic districts certain home occupations (e.g., inns/tearooms/antique stores) may use a pole-mounted swinging sign up to 4 sq ft; if lighted, not after 11:00 p.m. in residential districts.
- Office directory signs up to 2 sq ft per tenant, stationary, not illuminated, located on-premises, are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety.
- Holiday lights and decorations (removed within 30 days after the holiday) and religious displays on church grounds are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety.
- Signs carried by a person are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety.
- The sign regulations do not apply to vending machines, gasoline pumps, telephone booths, newspaper racks, take-out/pick-up windows, and menus posted for reading in drive-in restaurant parking lots (provided placement does not create a pedestrian or vehicular safety hazard).
- Temporary signs permitted anywhere in the City generally do not require a permit (may require building division approval of placement, design, and duration): construction signs (within stated size, location, and removal limits; no product advertising), real estate signs (within stated size and removal limits), political signs (within stated size, placement, bond, and removal limits), street banners advertising a public entertainment or event (size/location/features only permitted through the building division; limited display periods), and shop window signs incorporated into a merchandise display.
- Operations not requiring a sign permit: changing advertising copy on legally approved signs designed for replaceable copy (e.g., theater marquees), and painting/repainting/cleaning/normal maintenance and repair without structural changes.
- Temporary signs and exempt signs under this article are exempt from sign permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or sign plan requirement is referenced in the provided sections.
- Temporary signs may require building division approval for placement, design, and duration; street banners for public events are only permitted through the building division.
- No variance or special meeting requirements related to sign plans are indicated in the provided sections.

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

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