Sign Code Summary

New Smyrna Beach, FL

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

Last updated March 2026

Run a full lookup for an address in New Smyrna Beach →

Understanding sign regulations in New Smyrna Beach, FL

Every outdoor sign in New Smyrna Beach 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 New Smyrna Beach 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 New Smyrna Beach.

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 New Smyrna Beach, 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 New Smyrna Beach, 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.

Census snapshot

Population: 30,449
Median household income: $73,096
Median home value: $330,600
County: Volusia
Time zone: Eastern Time

Demographic figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey) and are provided as jurisdiction context for New Smyrna Beach; they do not affect sign-code requirements.

Max ground sign height

10 feet above ground level

Ground sign setback

5 feet minimum from front property line

Authority

Sign Chapter Scope: Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: nter and containing at least 25,000 square feet of gross leasable area. Chief building official. The city official designated as the chief building official for the city. The chief building official shall have the responsibility and authority to enforce these sign regulations. Copy area. Surface area encompassed within any regular geometric figure which forms the informational component of a sign, when such sign is v
Sign Chapter Scope 2: Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: one direction on the adjacent right-of-way. The frame which decorates or structurally supports the copy area shall be included when calculating area. The pole associ- ated with a pole sign shall not be included when calculating copy area. The entire area of a ground sign shall be used in calculating the area of a ground sign. Erect. To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix, and shall include the pai
Sign Chapter Scope 3: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 4: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 5: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 6: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 7: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 8: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 9: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 10: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 11: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 12: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 13: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 14: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 15: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 16: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 17: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 18: in full report
Sign Chapter Scope 19: in full report

17 more authority rules in the full report →

Awning Signs

Awning Sign Sf Calc: entire awning counts toward SF

Building Signs

Building Sign Formula: 2 sf per building front foot for individual businesses in a shopping center, front feet measured along entrance side of individual stores; one per building entrance
Building Sign Max Number: multiple signs allowed per elevation
Building Sign Illumination: in full report

1 more building signs rule in the full report →

Exemptions

Exempt Signs: Source-backed exempt signs: rmined by lineal feet of front- age shall be determined by measur- ing along the entrance side of individual stores; in the case of corner stores, additional signage may be allowed only when the same or similar façade treatment is used on both front and side; sign area is not transferable between facades. (6) Copy area of a sign shall be based upon the surface area encompassed within any regular geometric figure whic
Exempt Signs 2: Source-backed exempt signs: from one direction on the adjacent right-of-way. The frame which decorates or structurally sup- ports the copy area shall be included when calculating area. The pole associated with a pole sign shall not be included when calculating area. The entire area of a ground sign shall be used in calculating the area of a ground sign. (7) A projecting or ground sign with sign surface on both sides shall be construed as a sing
Exempt Signs 3: in full report
Exempt Signs 4: in full report
Exempt Signs 5: in full report

3 more exemptions rules in the full report →

Freestanding

Freestanding Ground Monument: Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: th one or more beams, capable of being directed in any direction or directions, or capable of being revolved automatically. (d) Bench signs. A sign located on any part of the surface of a bench or seat placed on a public right-of-way or other public area. (e) Billboard: An outdoor sign which advertises a firm, organization, goods, products, or services which are not located on the same premises as the sign, and that
Freestanding Ground Monument 2: Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: s the sign, and that is sold, rented, owned, or leased for the display of advertising messages. (f) Changeable copy sign: A sign that is designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations can be changed or rear- ranged either manually or mechanically. (g) Electronic message center: A variable mes- sage sign that utilizes computer-gener- ated messages or some other electronic means of changing copy. These signs in
Freestanding Ground Monument 3: in full report
Freestanding Ground Monument 4: in full report
Freestanding Ground Monument 5: in full report
Freestanding Ground Monument 6: in full report
Freestanding Ground Monument 7: in full report

5 more freestanding rules in the full report →

General Standards

Height Restriction General: not above the roofline or parapet wall
Projecting Sign Rules: 8' off grade, 3' off the building, 6 sf, if LL will allow it
Paint Does Not Count Toward Sf: in full report
Boxed In Sign Elements: in full report
Window Sign Light Boxes: in full report
Directional Sign Branding: in full report
Architectural Lighting Allowed: in full report
Llowner Signature Required: in full report
Msp On File: in full report

7 more general standards rules in the full report →

Ground Signs

Ground Sign Formula: Primary frontage: 4 sq ft per lineal foot of building structure frontage, maximum 48 sq ft; Secondary frontage: maximum 24 sq ft
Ground Sign Max Height: 10 feet above ground level
Ground Sign Setback: in full report
Ground Sign Type: in full report

2 more ground signs rules in the full report →

Permit Process

Permit Time Frame: 10 to 20 days
Permit Fee: variance based on scope of work, starts at $500 per application

Permits

Application Requirements: Source-backed sign permit application requirements: 8.1 Supp. No. 38 administered by the environmental manage- ment director (EMD) who is responsible for performing certain services identified herein. Wetland management plan. Refers to detailed analysis and information related to wetlands required to be submitted to the city. Wetland vegetation. As defined in F.A.C. 17-3.022. Wetlands. Per F.S. § 373.019, as may be amended from time to time, wetlands are those lands w

Prohibited

Prohibited Signs: Source-backed prohibited signs: idential atmosphere of the community, such signs being most appropriate on open highways and roads where they do not detract from community character. B. Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited in the City of New Smyrna Beach: Beacon light signs. Billboards. Flashing signs. Moving signs. Off-site signs except exempt bench signs. Pole signs, except as provided for in section 604.12.G.(11). Roof signs. Sni
Prohibited Signs 2: Source-backed prohibited signs: cter. B. Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited in the City of New Smyrna Beach: Beacon light signs. Billboards. Flashing signs. Moving signs. Off-site signs except exempt bench signs. Pole signs, except as provided for in section 604.12.G.(11). Roof signs. Snipe signs. Trailer/mobile signs. Traveling light signs. Signs which in any way simulate or appear to simulate emergency vehicles, traffic control
Prohibited Signs 3: in full report

1 more prohibited rule in the full report →

Temporary

Temporary Signs: Source-backed temporary sign rules: let. In commercial districts, one non-electric noncommercial signs not exceeding six square feet in area for each street or waterway frontage of a commercial premise. In residential districts, one non-electric sign not exceeding three square feet in area, and temporary signs allowed in accordance with subsection G.(6). Sandwich boards provided that: 1. The business and sign are located within the MU (mixed use) zonin

Temporary Signs

Temp Signs Allowed: yes
Temp Sign Rules: 32 sf, 30 days, 8' high; one per entrance or combined at corner; installed once permit in hand

Variance Appeals

Variance Process: submit application to city for site hardship; council meets every second Tuesday of the month

Wall Signs

Wall Signs: Source-backed wall sign rules: lights, or lighting device, which appears to move or travel in automatic sequence on the display surface of the sign. (aa) Vintage sign. Any sign 30 years old or older that is designated as such by the Historic New Smyrna Beach Preserva- tion Commission. (bb) Wall sign. Any sign containing one advertising surface other than a project- ing sign that is attached to and erected parallel with the face of any building wal
Wall Signs 2: Source-backed wall sign rules: Beach Preserva- tion Commission. (bb) Wall sign. Any sign containing one advertising surface other than a project- ing sign that is attached to and erected parallel with the face of any building wall, any edge of which extends beyond such building wall. (cc) Window sign. Any sign placed inside or upon a window facing the outside and which is intended to be seen from the exterior. (Ord. No. 17-01, § 1, 4-10-2001; Ord.
Wall Signs 3: in full report
Wall Signs 4: in full report
Wall Signs 5: in full report
Wall Signs 6: in full report
Wall Signs 7: in full report
Wall Signs 8: in full report
Wall Signs 9: in full report

7 more wall signs rules in the full report →

Window Signs

Window Sign Allowable Area: 40% of the available window area; illuminated window signs must be 3' back from window

Need the full sign-code report?

The full interactive report includes all sign types, illumination rules, permit requirements, and source citations — for free.

See full report →