Understanding sign regulations in Temple Terrace, FL
Every outdoor sign in Temple Terrace 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 Temple Terrace 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 Temple Terrace.
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 Temple Terrace, 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 Temple Terrace, 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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Authority
Sign Chapter Scope 2
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: construc-\ntion, display or use of any sign which, in the opinion of the city manager or\ndesignee is hazardous or dangerous or a potential impediment to rescue\npersonnel in the event of an emergency, or which constitutes a public nuisance.\nh.\nRoof signs. Roof signs shall not be permitted except for those placed on mansard\nroofs.\ni.\nGround-mounted roof signs. Ground-mounted signs which extend above and\nencroac
Sign Chapter Scope 3
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: ee is hazardous or dangerous or a potential impediment to rescue\npersonnel in the event of an emergency, or which constitutes a public nuisance.\nh.\nRoof signs. Roof signs shall not be permitted except for those placed on mansard\nroofs.\ni.\nGround-mounted roof signs. Ground-mounted signs which extend above and\nencroach over the surface of a roof are not permitted.\nj.\nSigns which advertise a business. Signs whi
Externally directed or flashing lights are prohibited; exposed neon is also prohibited except as otherwise permitted by the division
Building Sign Formula
Painted wall signs: max 50 sq ft or 20% of the building facade, whichever is less
Nonconforming
Nonconforming Signs
Source-backed nonconforming signs: t.\nb.\nA nonconforming sign shall be required to be in conformance with all provisions\nof this LDC within thirty (30) days after a change in any of the following: name,\nsite or nature of the business.\nc.\nUpon expiration of the amortization period for any nonconforming sign, the city\nmanager or designee shall give notice to the owner of the property on which the\nsign is located, to remove the sign within fifteen
Nonconforming Signs 3
Source-backed nonconforming signs: 129. Nonconforming fencing and landscaping of public and private utility \nstructures and facilities. \n(a) Where wet or dry retention and detention ponds existed prior to January 1, 1992, and \nthose ponds have side slopes steeper than four-to-one (4:1) and are fenced, said fencing shall \nbe deemed to be adequate, provided the fence is nonclimbable (including chainlink), land- \n§ 12-128 \nTEMPLE TERRACE CODE\nC --
Permits
Permit Required
Source-backed sign permit requirement: 124. Nonconforming signs.\nA nonconforming sign, defined as any sign within the city/county legally permitted before\nDecember 3, 1985, or any sign existing within any area annexed to the city after the effective\ndate of this LDC which does not conform to the requirements of this LDC, is declared to be a\n§ 12-124\nLAND DEVELOPMENT CODE\nCD12:75\n\nnonconforming sign. However, signs that are within ten (10) percent o
Permit Required 2
Source-backed sign permit requirement: \n\nnonconforming sign. However, signs that are within ten (10) percent of the height and size\nlimitations of this LDC and in all other respects conform to the requirements of this LDC shall\nbe deemed to be in conformity with this LDC.\n(1)\nAmortization of nonconforming signs.\na.\nA nonconforming sign upon permanent mountings may be continued in use until\nDecember 3, 1990, or ten (10) years from the issuance of
Source-backed prohibited signs: 983. Prohibited signs.\nThe following signs classified by location, type and content are prohibited:\n(1)\nLocation.\na.\nBy zoning districts. Any sign not specifically permitted within a zoning district\nshall be prohibited within such zoning district.\nb.\nOn public property.\n1.\nNo sign shall be permitted to extend into, above or be placed in or on any\nportion of a public street, avenue or alley, nor shall any s
Temporary
Temporary Signs
Source-backed temporary sign rules: awning or canopy, and conforming to the\nprovisions of the section related to awning/canopy type signs. (Note: installation of\nawning and/or canopy structure does require a building permit.)\n(16) Changeable copy lettering within any approved changeable copy sign area, and\nconforming to the provisions of the section related to changeable copy type signs.\n(17) Replacement of\n$panels\n$ within existing wall signs a
Temporary Signs 2
Source-backed temporary sign rules: structure does require a building permit.)\n(16) Changeable copy lettering within any approved changeable copy sign area, and\nconforming to the provisions of the section related to changeable copy type signs.\n(17) Replacement of\n$panels\n$ within existing wall signs and/or directory panel signs, and\nconforming to the provisions of the section related to wall and/or directory panel type\nsigns.\n§ 12-982\nTEMPLE T
allowed conditionally; public right-of-way placement requires written approval by the city manager or designee, but a general permit requirement is not specified in the excerpts
Wall Signs
Wall Signs 2
Source-backed wall sign rules: hich\nan occupational license has been issued at the location accepts credit cards; provided\nthat such signs are attached to the commercial building.\n(11) Time or temperature signs which contain no advertising and do not exceed eight (8)\nsquare feet.\n(12) Window signs conforming to the provisions of the section related to window signs.\n(13) Reserved.\n(14) Hanging identification signs placed in the near proximit
Wall Signs 3
Source-backed wall sign rules: s credit cards; provided\nthat such signs are attached to the commercial building.\n(11) Time or temperature signs which contain no advertising and do not exceed eight (8)\nsquare feet.\n(12) Window signs conforming to the provisions of the section related to window signs.\n(13) Reserved.\n(14) Hanging identification signs placed in the near proximity and associated with a\nbusiness entrance, affixed to the underside