Every outdoor sign in Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee.
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 Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee, 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
198,259
Median household income
$52,899
Median home value
$256,400
County
Leon
Time zone
Eastern Time
Demographic figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey) and are provided as jurisdiction context for Tallahassee; they do not affect sign-code requirements.
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Max ground sign height
Monument: 10 ft; Pylon: 10 ft
Ground sign setback
Weeds and grass must be cut within ten feet of ground signs
Awning Signs
Awning Sign Sf Calc
Calculated as the area of the sign surface
Marquee Signs And Canopy Sign Requirement
Marquee signs and canopy signs: Signs or sign structures located on a marquee or canopy shall be affixed flat to the surface and shall not be greater than two feet in vertical dimension above the marquee and shall not extend horizontally beyond the marquee or canopy.
Incentives For Tri Vision And Variable Message Sign Definition
Incentives for tri-vision and variable message signs: This paragraph provides incentives for tri-vision and variable message signs in the city.
New Off Site Advertising Sign Definition
A building permit for the construction of a new off-site advertising sign may be issued only after the removal of one existing off-site advertising sign with its supporting structure.
special events: Special event directional signs shall be erected only for the direction of traffic to the event, and shall be located only at collector or arterial roadway intersections providing the most direct route to the event
Directional Sign Special Events Only
special events: Directional signage permits issued only for special events open to public and related to or sponsored by public or nonprofit institutions or organizations
Abandoned on-site sign must be removed within 30 days after written notice
Ground Sign Maintenance Weeds Debris
ground signs: Weeds and grass must be kept cut in front of, behind, underneath, and around base of ground signs for distance of ten feet; no rubbish or debris constituting fire or health hazard permitted under or near signs
Sign Completion Deadline
in full report
Sign Intersection Visibility
in full report
Sign Maintenance Appearance
in full report
Sign Materials Requirement
in full report
Sign Vertical Clearance
in full report
Development Sign Requirement
in full report
Legally Permitted Off Site Advertising Sign Requirement
in full report
Mansard Sign Requirement
in full report
Maximum Number Of Permitted Off Site Advertising Sign Maximum Area
in full report
Maximum Number Of Signs Per Sign Structure Maximum Area
electronic reader board signs: Electronic reader board signs with copy that moves continuously or appears to be moving, flashing, changing color, pulsing, or alternating shall be considered an animated sign and prohibited as provided in section 7-81
Prohibited Sign Types
areas characterized as infill/low intensity: Marquee and neon signs are prohibited
Temporary Signs
Temp Signs Allowed
Yes, permit required
Temp Sign Rules
Max area: 40 sq ft; max height: 40 ft; max duration: 14 days in any 3-month period; permit required
Application of the provisions of this chapter may be varied by the board of adjustment and appeals, where such variance will not be contrary to the public interest and, where owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not the result of the actions of the applicant, a literal enforcement of the code involved would result in unnecessary or unique hardship
Variance Request Form
Requests for variances regarding any of this chapter or the enforcement thereof shall be made in written form to the city-county board of adjustment and appeals
Window Signs
Window Sign Location Limit
signs within MMTD transects: Window signs shall only be permitted on the first story
Window Sign Allowable Area
20 percent or less of window glass surface
Zoning
Zoning Prohibited Signs
ASN-A infill/low intensity district; zones ASN-A: Marquee and neon signs are prohibited
Sign Requirement
Signs; zones commercial, industrial: Signs on properties in commercial or industrial districts which abut a residential district shall not be erected closer than 15 feet to any residential district boundary line.