INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Orlando City Code ch. 64, pt. 1

in effect

Orlando City Code § 64.100 Purpose and Scope of Sign Regulations.

Sec. 64.100. - Purpose and Scope of Sign Regulations. The requirements of this chapter are the minimum necessary to promote the public health, safety, and welfare, including traffic safety, and to protect the character and aesthetics of residential, commercial, and industrial areas throughout the City. Therefore, the display of signs should be appropriate to the land, building, structure, or use to which they are appurtenant and be adequate, but not excessive, for their intended purpose. It is the intent of this chapter that signs be accessory and incidental to their respective land, building, structure, or use. Signs commonly referred to as outdoor advertising, billboards, or poster panels (all defined as "Sign, Billboard" in Chapter 66) are classified as offsite signs. The prohibition of new billboard signs is deemed necessary to preserve the character and sound development of the City. It is intended that such signs legally remaining as of September 1, 2000, shall be deemed nonconforming and shall be removed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter regarding nonconforming signs and amortization. The most recent edition of the International Sign Association definitions for signs shall be used for any sign not specifically defined in this Chapter or Chapter 66 of this Code. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 5, Doc. #33225; Ord. No. 2010-1, § 1, 6-7-2010, Doc. #1006071102; Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Orlando City Code § 64.101 Administration of Chapter.

Sec. 64.101. - Administration of Chapter. The following provisions shall govern the administration of this Chapter: Building Permit Required. Unless exempted per this Chapter, no person shall erect, alter, repair or relocate any sign without first obtaining a building permit for such work from the Building Official of the City of Orlando. No permit shall be issued until the Building Official and Zoning Official determine that such work is in accordance with the requirements contained in this Chapter. Projects in the City of Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency's Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Area require review and approval of the Appearance Review Board or administrative review prior to the issuance of a building permit for a sign visible from a public or private right-of-way. Projects within historic districts require review and approval by the Historic Preservation Board or administrative review prior to the issuance of a building permit for a sign as applicable. Signs visible from a public or private right-of-way that are located within Appearance Review Areas and/or MXD zoning districts require review and approval by the Appearance Review Officer prior to the issuance of a building permit. Drawing. Every application shall be accompanied by a drawing of the proposed sign showing the location, height, size, distance from property lines and street centerlines and from other signs where applicable, and all other information required to determine compliance with this Chapter and the Orlando Building Code. Exception, Changeable Copy Sign. The changing of copy or message on signs which are specifically designed for the use of changeable copy shall not require a building permit. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 4-20-1992, Doc. #25637; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; Ord. No. 2022-56, § 4, 9-26-2022, Doc. #2209261204; Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Orlando City Code § 64.102 Sign Inspection.

Sec. 64.102. - Sign Inspection. Every ground sign, wall sign, and projecting sign shall be inspected by code inspectors at intervals as required by the Building Official. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Orlando City Code § 64.103 General Requirements for All Signs.

Sec. 64.103. - General Requirements for All Signs. Illumination of Signs. Any light from any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded, or directed so that the light intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect the surrounding area or adversely affect operators of vehicles moving on public or private roads, highways or parking areas. Light shall not shine directly on or into residential structures. Exposed Sign Structure. No structure or framework may be exposed by removal of sign faces or sign area for a period in excess of thirty (30) days. Unsafe Signs. Should any sign become insecure or in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe in the opinion of the Building Official, the owner thereof, or the person or firm maintaining the same, shall upon written notice from the Building Official, forthwith in the case of immediate danger and in any case within ten (10) days, secure the same in a manner to be approved by the Building Official, in conformity with the provisions of this Code or remove such sign. If such order is not complied with in ten (10) days the Building Official shall remove such sign at the expense of the owner or lessee thereof. The Building Official's determination may be appealed to the Building and Fire Codes Board of Appeals as set forth in Chapter 2 of this Code within ten (10) days of the date the notice is served. Maintenance. All signs, together with their parts, supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be maintained, treated and/or painted in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 14 of the City Code. Unless made of galvanized or non-corroding material, all signs shall be thoroughly painted at least once every two years. Landscaping. Tree removal permits requested for sign visibility must meet permit requirements contained in Chapter 60. Excessive pruning of plant material, including but not limited to pruning that endangers vegetation or changes the natural shape of trees to improve sign visibility, shall be prohibited. See Section 60.206. Location Restrictions. Signs shall not be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape or any window or door or opening used as a means of egress or so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof. A sign shall not be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape, nor be placed in such manner as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation. Compliance With Other Regulations. All signs shall be erected, altered and maintained in accordance with this Chapter and shall be designed and installed in compliance with the requirements of the Building and Electrical Codes of the City of Orlando. Interpretation. Where there is any ambiguity or dispute concerning the interpretation of this Chapter, the decision of the Zoning Official shall prevail, subject to appeal as provided in Chapter 65. Conflict With Other Regulations. Where the provisions of this Chapter conflict with the Downtown Design Guidelines, the Downtown Design Guidelines shall apply. Where the provisions of this Chapter are in conflict with any other ordinance or code or parts of ordinances or codes, the most stringent provision shall govern. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; Ord. No. 2018-33, § 6, 8-6-2018, eff. 1-1-2019, Doc. #1808061204; Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Orlando City Code § 64.104 Noncommercial Speech.

Sec. 64.104. - Noncommercial Speech. Any sign, allowed by either a permit or as a matter of right, whether an on-site sign or an off-site sign, may contain noncommercial speech in lieu of any other type of speech. (Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 6, Doc. #33225)

Orlando City Code § 64.105 Table of Allowable Signs.

Sec. 64.105. - Table of Allowable Signs. For purposes of this Chapter, Table 1: Table of Allowable Signs, shall be used to determine regulations that apply within each zoning district. Additional regulations for specific signs are provided in this Chapter. Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes following Table 1. Table 1 - Allowable Signs Table 1A - General Standards for Building and Freestanding Signs Key: Blank = Prohibited; (#) = Footnote City Code Section | R-1s, R-2s, & R-3s | O-1, MXD-1 | MXD-2 | O-2 | O-3 | MU-1 | MU-2 | AC-N | AC-1, AC-2 & AC-3 | AC-3A/T | IG, IC, IP | P | All Other Zones Zoning Overlay District | See at right | AR - Appearance Review, Edgewater Drive, Sec 62.309 MA - Major Attraction, Sec 64.230 SP - Special Plan, Ch. 62 Part 4. Includes: Int'l Drive, Sec. 62.496; Semoran Boulevard, Sec. 62.408; SoDo, Sec. 62.499 Special Sign District | See at right | Downtown (incl. Midtown, Uptown, Creative Village) - Sec. 64.400 Highway Digital - Sec. 64.401 Table 1B - Standards for Building Signs Key: P = Permitted; C = Conditional Use Permit required; Blank = Prohibited; (#) = Footnote City Code Section | R-1s, R-2s, & R-3s | O-1, MXD-1 | MXD-2 | O-2 | O-3 | MU-1 | MU-2 | AC-N | AC-1, AC-2 & AC-3 | AC-3A/T | IG, IC, IP | P | All Other Zones MAXIMUM NUMBER OF BUILDING SIGNS | No limit. Each site must comply with Maximum Allowable Sign Area (Sec 64.201). | (8) | (7) MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA (MASA) (square feet [sq. ft.] allowed per linear foot [lft.] of primary business/tenant space frontage. 1:1 allowed for secondary frontage) | 64.201, 64.243, 64.257 | (2) | 1 sq. ft.: 4 lft. (24 sq. ft. limit) | 1 sq. ft.: 1 lft. (72 sq. ft. limit) | 1 sq. ft.: 2 lft. (48 sq. ft. limit) | 1 sq. ft.: 1 lft. (72 sq. ft. limit) | 2 sq. ft.: 1 lft. | (7) MAXIMUM AREA PER SIGN | 64.201 | No limit; Maximum Allowable Sign Area (Sec 64.201) is distributed among individual signs. Management Control Letter required in some circumstances. MAXIMUM HEIGHT (ABOVE GROUND LEVEL) Wall | 64.202 | (2) | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | (7) Projecting/Blade | 64.202 | (2) | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | (7) Awning, Canopy, or Marquee | 64.202 | (2) | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | 30 ft. | (7) Roof (30—75 ft.) | 64.249 | (2) | 75 ft. (3) | 75 ft. (3) | 75 ft. (3) | (7) Mid-Rise (30—75 ft.) | 64.246 | (2) | 75 ft. (4) | 75 ft. (4) | 75 ft. (4) | 75 ft. (4) | 75 ft. (4) | 75 ft. (4) | 75 ft. (4) | 75 ft. (4) | 75 ft. (4) | (7) High-Rise (75 ft. or higher) | 64.246 | (2) | (4) | (4) | (4) | (4) | (4) | (7) CHARACTERISTICS Internally Illuminated | P (5) | P | P | P | P | P | P | P (5) | P | P | (7) Externally Illuminated or Not Illuminated | (2) | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | (7) Table 1C - Standards for Freestanding Signs Key: P= Permitted; C = Conditional Use Permit required; Blank = Prohibited; (#) = Footnote City Code Section | R-1s, R-2s, & R-3s | O-1, MXD-1 | MXD-2 | O-2 | O-3 | MU-1 | MU-2 | AC-N | AC-1, AC-2 & AC-3 | AC-3A/T | IG, IC, IP | P | All Other Zones MAXIMUM NUMBER OF FREESTANDING SIGNS | 64.202 | (2) | 1 sign per street frontage; at least 40 ft. of frontage required. 2 signs allowed if site has at least 400 ft. of street frontage. | (8) | (7) MAXIMUM AREA PER SIGN | (2) | 12 sq. ft. | 36 sq. ft. | 24 sq. ft. | 36 sq. ft. | 24 sq. ft. | 36 sq. ft. | 36 sq. ft. | 100 sq. ft. | 100 sq. ft. | 100 sq. ft. | 36 sq. ft. or 100 sq. ft. (9) | (7) Add'l Sign Area for Shopping or Commerce Center | 64.201(B) | (2) | (1) | (1) | (1) | (1) | (1) Electronic Message Display Area | 64.252 | (2) | 24 sq. ft. | 24 sq. ft. | 24 sq. ft. | 40 sq. ft. | (10) | 40 sq. ft. | 40 sq. ft. (9) MAXIMUM HEIGHT (ABOVE GROUND LEVEL) 4-plus Lane Roads Inside Traditional City | (2) | 4 ft. (6) | 6 ft. | 6 ft. | 8 ft. | 18 ft. | 18 ft. | 18 ft. | 18 ft. | 6 ft. | 24 ft. | 18 ft. (8) Other Roads Inside Traditional City | (2) | 4 ft. (6) | 6 ft. | 6 ft. | 8 ft. | 8 ft. | 8 ft. | 6 ft. | 8 ft. | 6 ft. | 12 ft. | 12 ft. (8) | (7) 4-plus Lane Roads Outside Traditional City | (2) | 8 ft. | 12 ft. | 16 ft. | 16 ft. | 24 ft. | 24 ft. | 24 ft. | 24 ft. | n/a | 30 ft. | 30 ft. (8) | (7) Other Roads Outside Traditional City | (2) | 4 ft. (8) | 6 ft. | 8 ft. | 8 ft. | 8 ft. | 12 ft. | 6 ft. | 12 ft. | n/a | 30 ft. | 30 ft. (8) | (7) CHARACTERISTICS Internally Illuminated | (2) | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P (9) | (7) Externally Illuminated or Not Illuminated | (2) | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | (7) Electronic Message Center (digital images) | 64.251 | (2) | P | P | P | P | P | P | (7) Digital Numeric (numerals only) | 64.253 | (2) | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | (7) SITE REQUIREMENTS Min. setback (ft.) from other freestanding signs | 64.202 | 40 feet (unless compliance would preclude any freestanding sign on a site) Min. setback (ft.) from right-of-way | (2) | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 5 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. (8) | (7) Min. setback (ft.) from property boundaries | (2) | 5 ft. (8) | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | 5 ft. (8) | (7) Min. setback (ft.) from residential-zoned property | (2) | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 5 ft. | 20 ft. | 10 ft. (8) | (7) Footnotes 1 - Shopping Center Sign is additional allowance above overall limits. Amount is based on shopping center size and requires Administrative Master Sign Plan Approval (see Sec. 64.201(B) - Freestanding Signs). 2 - Residential zoning districts allow Subdivision and Multifamily Signs (see Sec 64.256); Public Benefit Use Signs (see Sec. 64.243); Neighborhood Convenience Store Signs in the Traditional City (see Sec. 64.250); Child or Adult Daycare Signs (see Sec. 64.254); and Group Housing Facility Signs (see Sec. 64.261). 3 - Roof sign maximum height is 15 ft. above roofline or 75 ft., whichever is less (see Sec. 64.248 - Roof Signs). 4 - Conditional Use Permit required if less than 1,000 ft from R-1, R-2, or single family PD zoning district. Otherwise, permitted (see Sec 64.246 - High-Rise and Mid-Rise Building Signs). 5 - Backlit awning signs are prohibited in O-1 and MXD-1. Additional rules apply in Downtown Orlando (see Sec. 64.232, Backlit Awning Within the AC-3A District). 6 - Freestanding signs in O-1 and MXD-1 may be 6 ft. in height if the sign area is 4 sq. ft. or less. 7 - All permanent signs require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Standards will be established with the CUP approval process (see Ch. 65 Part 2D - Conditional Use Permit). 8 - For properties containing a public benefit use, such as a school or fraternal or religious organization, see Sec. 64.243 - Public Benefit Use Signs. 9 - Where a P district shares a block face with a residential district and/or where the opposite block face contains a residential zoning district, sign area is limited to 36 sq. ft. and may not be internally illuminated (e.g., electronic message centers) 10 - The Downtown Special Sign District allows Electronic Message Centers (see Sec. 64.400). (Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206) (Ord. No. 2023-1, § 5(Exh. A), 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206; Ord. No. 2024-1, § 3(Exh. A), 1-22-2024, Doc. #2401221203)

Source: City of Orlando, Florida, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/orlando/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIICICO_CH64SI_PT1INGEREFetched: 11/1/2026