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Sign Code Summary

Fort Myers, FL

Local sign ordinance requirements — free, cited to the source section.

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Understanding sign regulations in Fort Myers, FL

Every outdoor sign in Fort Myers is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Fort Myers code it came from.

Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Fort Myers.

Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Fort Myers, Florida. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.

Before you order or install a sign in Fort Myers, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.

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Max ground sign height
35 ft max height
Ground sign setback
15' setback from property line

Awning Signs

Awning Sign Sf Calc
Entire awning counts toward SF
Awning Projection Clearance
3' off the wall, 8' off grade, part of wall sign calculation

Building Signs

Additional Building Sign Max Area
designated services such as emergency, outpatient, etc.: 72 sq ft max area
Building Sign Clearance Above Walkway
building signs projecting from buildings: No portion of building sign (including frames and supporting structure) shall be less than 8 feet above walkway or driveway surface
Riverfront Sign Maximum Area
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Building Sign Formula
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Building Sign Max Number
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Building Sign Illumination
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4 more building signs rules in the full report →

Definitions

Abandoned Sign Definition
A sign which no longer correctly directs or exhorts any person, advertises a bona fide business, lessor, owner, product or activity conducted or product available on the premises where such sign is displayed.
Bench Sign Definition
A sign attached to a bench that is placed on or along public rights-of-way and are considered portable, off-premise advertising signs.
Building Sign Definition
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Business Identification Sign Definition
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Directory Sign Definition
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Feather Sign Definition
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Feather Signs Definition
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Freestanding Sign Definition
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Ground Sign Definition
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Mechanically Moving Signs Definition
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Monument Sign Definition
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Nonconforming Sign Definition
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Off Premises Sign Definition
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On Premise Sign Definition
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Portable Sign Definition
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Sign Allocation Definition
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Sign Area Definition
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Sign Definition
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Under Canopy Sign Definition
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Unsafe Sign Definition
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Outdoor Advertising Sign Definition
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Roof Sign Definition
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Sign Category Definitions
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Development Sign Definition
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Double Sided Sign Definition
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Electronic Message Sign Definition
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Flashing Definition
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Flashing Sign Definition
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Freestanding Definition
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Illumination Definition
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Interior Sign Definition
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Memorial Building Sign Definition
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Banner Sign Definition
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Banners Definition
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Multi Faced Sign Definition
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Nonconforming From Damage Definition
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Political Sign Definition
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Portable Definition
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Residential Districts Definition
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Sign Categories Definition
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Temporary Definition
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Temporary Sign Definition
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Unlawful Sign Definition
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Wall Sign Definition
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Yard Sign Definition
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43 more definitions rules in the full report →

Directional Signs

Directional Max Size
2 sf
Directional Max Height
4' high

General Standards

Sight Triangle Definition
Sight triangles are areas along intersection approach legs and across included corners that must be clear of obstructions, including signs, to ensure driver visibility
Sign Deviation Process
Deviations from the requirements of this section can be requested through the process established in section 126-30(2)
Sign Maintenance Definition
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Signs Per Building Face
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Bench Sign Review Requirement
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Drive Through Business Sign Maximum Area
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Flags Requirement
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Height Restrictions
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Projecting Sign Rules
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Ground Sign Landscaping
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Light Boxes Allowed
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Directional Sign Branding
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Freestanding Sign General Regs
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Wall Sign Max Projection
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12 more general standards rules in the full report →

Ground Signs

Ground Sign Max Height
35 ft max height
Riverfront Sign Max Area
establishments located on the Caloosahatchee river: 125 sq ft max area
Freestanding Sign Prohibition
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Ground Sign Type
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Ground Sign Formula
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Ground Sign Setback
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4 more ground signs rules in the full report →

Illumination

Emc Brightness Limit
electronic message screens: Brightness level shall not exceed 0.3 foot candles above ambient light
Illuminated Awning Allowed
Illuminated awnings allowed, must be fire rated
Architectural Lighting Allowed
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1 more illumination rule in the full report →

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Permit Process

Permit For New Sign Changes
A permit shall be required for a new business making any changes on any existing sign
Permit For Repair Maintenance
No permit required for repair or maintenance of a sign for which a permit has previously been issued, as long as the sign is not modified in any way
Signs Exempt From Permits Permit Exemption
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Permit Time Frame
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Triangulation Requirements
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Permit Signature Required
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Msp On File
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Permit Fee
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Permit Validity Period
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Drawing Sets Required
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8 more permit process rules in the full report →

Prohibited Signs

Portable Sign Prohibition
Portable signs: Portable signs are prohibited, except in compliance with this section.

Temporary Signs

Temporary Signs For Special Events
On-site signage, including use of banners, used in conjunction with special events or temporary outdoor activities shall be allowed for the duration of the special event or temporary outdoor activity
Temp Signs Allowed
Yes, temp construction signs allowed, requires permit, limit one per entrance or combined at corner
Temp Sign Rules
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1 more temporary signs rule in the full report →

Variance Appeals

Variance Process
Submit application to city; site hardship required; council meets every second Tuesday of the month
Variance Fee
$600 per application
Variance Likelihood
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1 more variance appeals rule in the full report →

Window Signs

Window Sign Exclusions
Window signs indicating open/closed, business hours or menu signs shall not count towards the 25 percent sign area allocation and may not exceed two (2) square feet per occurrence
Window Sign Allowable Area
25% of the available window area; window signs must be 3' back from any window

Zoning

Pud Sign Regulations
PUD; zones PUD: A Planned Unit Development (PUD) shall have provisions for sign design and regulations in compliance with the sign regulations in this chapter
Districts Allowance
Districts; zones CG, CI, IH, IL, PUD: Banner signs for general advertising of goods and services are allowed at businesses within the Commercial General (CG), Commercial Intensive (CI), Industrial Light (IL), Industrial Heavy (IH), and Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning districts only.
Neighborhood And Project Identification Sign Maximum Area
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1 more zoning rule in the full report →

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