Title 64 · Chapter 64 - SIGNS

Chapter 64 - SIGNS

Section: 64

Sec. 63.408. - Alternative Lighting Standards. Chapter 65 - OFFICERS, BOARDS AND PROCEDURES Chapter 64 - SIGNS[1]

Footnotes: --- (1) ---

Editor's note— Chapter 64, "Signs," was adopted by ordinance (Doc. #25101) adopted by the city council on September 16, 1991.

PART 1. - INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Table 1 - Allowable Signs

EXPAND 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

EXPAND 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)

EXPAND 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, § 5(Exh. A), 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206; Ord. No. 2024-1, § 3(Exh. A), 1-22-2024, Doc. #2401221203)

Secs. 64.106—64.199. - Reserved.

PART 2. - ON-SITE SIGNS

2A. - SIGN STANDARDS IN GENERAL

Sec. 64.200. - General Requirements.

The following sign standards shall apply in the applicable zoning districts established on the Official Zoning Map. Only signs as described herein shall be permitted and erected, except as provided for in Part 3 of this Chapter.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101)

Sec. 64.201. - Maximum Allowable Sign Area.

Sign Shape and Area Computation. In computing sign area in square feet, standard mathematical forms for common shapes will be used. Common shapes shall include squares, rectangles, trapezoids and triangles. The total sign area will be the area of the smallest common shape that encompasses the several components of the sign. All words and components of a sign or related message shall be included as one sign.

(a)

When signs are enclosed in a border or highlighted by background graphics, the perimeter of the border or background will be used to compute area.

(b)

The Zoning Official may make minor adjustments and/or deviations from the principles stated herein in order to assure that the intent of this Chapter is fulfilled and that equality is achieved in the computation and maximum reasonable exposure is allowed.

Multi-Faced Signs. On any sign with more than one face, the maximum number of surfaces visible from any location will be counted; provided, however, that all surfaces of a multi-faced sign shall be equal in size and height and contained within a common perimeter.

Management Control - Multi-story Developments. For projects containing two or more stories and multiple tenant/owner spaces, all signs must be in conformance with an approved Master Sign Plan. To ensure compliance, the City shall require the individual property owners/tenants to apply for and receive a Letter of Determination from the Zoning Official for compliance with the approved Master Sign Plan. In lieu of a Zoning Official Determination, a letter of authorization from an owner association or management company is required prior to receiving a building permit. Compliance with the approved Master Sign Plan is still required with a support letter. Multi-story buildings under condominium ownership that do not have an approved Master Sign Plan will be assigned a Maximum Allowable Sign Area per space under individual ownership/occupancy by the Planning Official.

Building Signs

Table 1 provides standards for building signs. Additional details are provided below:

In all commercial (AC), mixed use (MU) and industrial (I) zoning districts, and unless otherwise specified, a total sign area of two square feet is allowed for each linear foot of ground floor tenant space frontage. The tenant space frontage is the part of the building where the primary entrance to the space is located.

If the tenant space has frontage on more than one street, additional sign area shall be allowed, based on one square foot of sign area for each linear foot of ground floor tenant space frontage along the secondary street(s).

In all office (O) and mixed residential-office (MXD) zoning districts, total sign area is allowed as follows:

•

O-1 and MXD-1: One square foot of sign area per four square feet of building frontage with a maximum of 24 square feet.

•

O-2: One square foot for each two linear feet of primary building frontage, up to a maximum of 48 square feet.

•

O-3 and MXD-2: One square foot for each linear foot of primary building frontage up to a maximum of 72 square feet.

Parking garages shall not be counted as building frontage toward the maximum allowable sign area except for any portion of the ground floor that contains a non-parking use.

Building frontage of properties along limited access highways does not count as either primary or secondary frontage for the purpose of calculating the maximum allowable sign area.

Exempt: The following signs have specific maximum sizes in addition to the standard sign area calculation, and therefore do not count toward the Maximum Allowable Sign Area:

• Minor signs (64.323)

• Directional signs (64.245)

• Integral signs (64.248)

• Banner signs (64.242)

• Accessory service use signs (64.241)

• Parking Garage Signs (64.245.1)

Freestanding Signs

Table 1 provides standards for freestanding signs. Additional details are provided below.

Shopping Centers and Commerce Centers have a concentration of businesses and non-commercial enterprises that may draw customers from throughout the region. This section of code authorizes additional freestanding sign area beyond the limits of the base freestanding sign area found in Table 1 of this chapter. To qualify for the additional sign area an Administrative Master Sign Plan must be approved by the Zoning Official indicating where the additional sign area will be utilized. This sign area shall be based on the gross leasable area (GLA) within the centers as follows:

(a)

Community Shopping Center and Commerce Center:

•

150,000—399,999 sq. ft. GLA: 150 sq. ft.

(b)

Regional Shopping Center and Commerce Center

•

400,000 sq. ft. GLA or more: 200 sq. ft.

Traditional City - Shopping centers and commerce centers in the Traditional City are permitted additional sign area only if a freestanding sign is permitted on the subject site.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.202. - Types and Locations of Allowed Signs.

Unless limited or authorized elsewhere in this Code (e.g., by Special Plans or Planned Development zoning), and except for Minor Signs (See Section 64.323), the following applies to all signs:

Building Signs

Awning Signs. An awning sign shall be permitted but shall count toward allowable sign area for the building. An awning sign may be placed on an awning legally encroaching in a centerline setback or right-of-way, and no variance shall be required, provided the awning and sign are in conformance with Section 61.204. In AC-3A zoned property, awning signs have special standards (see Section 64.232).

Marquee Signs. Signs may be placed on the vertical faces of a marquee or on top of a marquee but cannot project more than twenty-four (24) inches above the marquee's upper edge nor extend beyond the marquee's perimeter, or project below the bottom of the vertical face of the marquee. One sign, not more than three (3) square feet in area, may be attached to the bottom of a marquee at a building entrance and shall be excluded from the allowable sign area; provided, however, that the sign may exceed three (3) square feet in area and that this additional area shall be included as part of the allowable sign area for the building. Marquee signs may overhang into the right-of-way provided they are in conformance with Section 61.204.

Projecting/Blade Signs. The setback for any projecting/blade sign shall be the same as for the principal building. No projecting sign or supporting structure shall extend above the roof line, nor shall any sign extend into any street centerline setback or more than thirty (30) feet above ground level to the top of the sign unless approved as a mid-rise Sign. Projecting Signs may overhang into the right-of-way provided they are in conformance with Section 61.204.

Wall Sign. No wall sign or supporting structure shall project more than twelve (12) inches from the wall of a building. No wall sign shall extend more than thirty (30) feet above ground level to the top of the sign, nor above the roof line, Parapets added to buildings for the purpose of attaching wall signs shall match the existing architecture of the rest of the building, be of the same thickness, and on the same plane as the wall to which it is added, and no more than six (6) feet above the roofline. Additions to a parapet for the purpose of signage cannot be braced back to the roof.

Window Signs. See Minor Signs in Sec. 64.323.

Freestanding Signs.

Minimum Frontage Requirements — Freestanding signs shall only be permitted when the building site upon which it is to be placed has a minimum of forty (40) linear feet of frontage and is located in an appropriate zoning district.

Separation Requirements — No freestanding sign or billboard shall be erected closer than forty (40) feet to any other freestanding sign, except where the locations of existing freestanding signs or billboards on adjacent building sites would preclude the location of a freestanding sign on any existing building site with at least forty (40) feet of frontage.

Maximum Number — If permitted, the maximum number of all freestanding signs on a building site shall not exceed one (1) per street frontage except that a building site with over four hundred (400) feet of frontage on an individual right of way shall be permitted two (2) freestanding signs on each frontage.

Setbacks — See Table 1

ROW — No part of any freestanding sign shall extend beyond any building restriction line or encroach into the public right-of-way.

Visibility — No freestanding sign shall extend or be located within street corner visibility areas.

Maximum Height and Size — See Table 1.

All signs may extend up to thirty (30) feet above ground level to the top of the sign, except as otherwise limited in this Chapter.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Secs. 64.203—64.224. - Reserved.

2B. - SIGN STANDARDS IN CERTAIN ZONING DISTRICTS[2]

Footnotes: --- (2) ---

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, adopted March 20, 2023, Doc. #2303201206, amended 2B in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former 2B, §§ 64.225—64.232, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. of Sept. 16, 1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of April 20, 1992, Doc. #25637; Ord. of Feb. 21, 1994, Doc. #27277.

Secs. 64.225—64.229. - Reserved.

Sec. 64.230. - Signs in the MA Overlay District.

All signs erected in the MA Overlay District shall comply with this chapter except as follows:

(a)

Maximum allowable sign area shall be calculated based upon two square feet of total sign area for each linear foot of building frontage on any roadway. This shall include all buildings either existing or shown on an approved master plan. Maximum allowable sign area shall be calculated for the entire complex and permanent signage may be placed at any conforming location.

(b)

Major Attraction Identification Sign (MAIS). A sign identifying a Major Attraction shall be permitted subject to the following criteria:

Only one MAIS shall be permitted for each Major Attraction.

The maximum sign area of any MAIS shall be 1100 sq. ft. and shall be included in the total sign area permitted for the Major Attraction by the Overlay District.

A MAIS shall be a roof sign extending no higher than 30 ft. above the highest point of the roof upon which its placed or a pole sign extending no higher than 85 ft. above ground level.

An electronic message center shall be permitted as a component of any MAIS. The display area of the electronic message center shall not exceed 35% of the total sign area of the MAIS. The frequency of message changes shall not exceed one (1) change per hour. Flashing and running messages shall not be permitted.

(c)

Incidental Signage. Signage located as part of awnings for table umbrellas shall be permitted but not be counted against maximum allowable sign area.

(d)

Signs on vehicles shall be permitted as permanent signage and shall not count against maximum allowable sign area provided the signage is in conformance with the overall design theme of the complex.

(e)

All permanent signage within the MA Overlay district in the Downtown Development District shall be subject to aesthetic and design review by the Appearance Review Board (ARB) to ensure the overall theme of the complex is maintained. The ARB shall consider sign design, color scheme, consistency with complex design theme, relationship with other signage and any other element that may affect the complex or its relationship to surrounding properties. The ARB may establish a uniform sign format or program for any individual area, building, portion or section of the complex which, if established, would allow the owner to apply for permits consistent with the format without further ARB review.

(f)

The Planning Official may establish an implementation procedure designed to facilitate the permitting of signs. The procedures may include master signage accounts, incremental allocation of sign area and group sign permitting.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.231. - Reserved.

Sec. 64.232. - Backlit Awnings Within the AC-3A District.

Backlit awnings shall be permitted in the AC-3A district, in accordance with the following standards:

Within the Downtown Historic District, use of backlit awnings on 19th century buildings shall be prohibited; use on 20th century buildings shall be restricted to retail storefronts particularly of Art Deco, Art Moderne, International, Early 20th Century Commercial and Mediterranean Revival.

The color and tone of the proposed backlit awning shall be considered.

"Bellies" or bottoms shall be required on backlit awnings and shall consist of "egg crate" material with ½" squares, or solid fabric so that the color of light transmitted downward remains white. The belly shall have removable panels or sections to allow for cleaning and service.

Application of signage shall be done through cut out letters.

A request for backlit awnings must be submitted to the Appearance Review Officer for review and approval prior to the building permit process. Nothing in these guidelines should be considered as permission for the removal of existing historic canopy or awning for replacement with a backlit awning.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Secs. 64.233—64.239. - Reserved.

2C. - SPECIFIC ON-SITE SIGNS[3]

Footnotes: --- (3) ---

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, adopted March 20, 2023, Doc. #2303201206, amended 2C in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former 2C, §§ 64.240—64.262, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. of Sept. 16, 1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of June 21, 1993, Doc. #26696; Ord. of Feb. 21, 1994, Doc. #27277; Ord. of May 11, 1998, Doc. #31215; Ord. No. 2010-1, § 2, June 7, 2010, Doc. #1006071102; Ord. No. 2013-20, § 1, May 6, 2013, Doc. #1305061206; Ord. No. 2014-62, § 1, Dec. 8, 2014, Doc. #1412081203; Ord. No. 2020-51, § 1, Oct. 19, 2020, Doc. #2010191201.

Sec. 64.240. - Additional Regulations.

This part contains additional regulations for specific on-site signs.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.241. - Signs on Vacant Land.

Only Minor signs as identified in Section 64.323 shall be permitted on vacant land.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.242. - Organization Banner Signs.

(a)

No banner sign shall be utilized by any organization unless first approved in writing by the Planning Official, which approval will be issued upon a finding of the following facts:

That the organization is a public body or is a fraternal, benevolent, charitable, eleemosynary, philanthropic, altruistic, civic, community, veteran, educational organization or other organization of like or similar nature and that the banner is to be located on the premises owned or leased by the organization.

That the banner does not violate any provisions of this Chapter.

(b)

Applications for banner signs under this section shall be submitted in writing to the Planning and Development Department and shall contain all pertinent information relating to the organization and banner. All approvals or denials shall be in writing on, or accompanied by, one copy of the application. Approvals shall clearly state the date the banner may be displayed and information regarding an approved location within the following limits:

Banners may be permitted with an overall limit of thirty (30) days total use. However, the Planning Official may approve, upon request of the original applicant and upon showing of just cause, up to a sixty (60) day extension beyond the original thirty (30) day limit. Additional extensions shall be considered only by City Council upon the expiration of the ninety (90) day period should the maximum extension be granted.

Banners shall be limited to one banner on each street frontage of the property and may be mounted on a building or other appropriate support. If not mounted on a building, the banner must be at least fifteen (15) feet from the adjacent property lines and not over twenty (20) feet above the ground.

Banner Size.

Maximum Size for Banners Mounted on Buildings: Each banner shall not exceed 5% of the area of the face of the building to which the banner shall be attached or 40 square feet, whichever is greater. The area of the face of the building shall be calculated as the smallest regular geometric shape (i.e. rectangle) that encompasses the entire face of the building. The Planning Official shall have the authority to combine the size of a maximum of two allowed banners into one banner, provided the banner meets the intent of this section.

Maximum Size for All Other Banners: 40 square feet.

All banners shall be maintained in good condition and shall be repaired or removed within twenty-four (24) hours of notice that action is required.

The Planning Official shall have the authority to limit the above standards and shall be authorized to place reasonable conditions upon banner approvals when limitations or conditions are deemed by the Planning Official to be necessary.

(c)

Banner signs allowed under this section shall be exempt from building permit requirements listed in Section 64.101, above.

(d)

No streamers, pennants, flags, ribbons, spinners, or other prohibited devices, shall be included or incorporated with the display of a banner approved under this section.

(e)

If an application for an organizational banner sign is denied by the Planning Official, the applicant may appeal the denial to the City Council of the City of Orlando if written notice of appeal is given to the City Clerk of the City of Orlando within ten (10) days after the date of written denial.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.243. - Public Benefit Use Signs.

For properties containing a public benefit use the following applies:

In residentially zoned areas (R-1s, R-2s, R-3s), or the P (Public) zoning district, where the property shares a block face with a residential district and/or where the opposite block face contains a residential zoning district, one building sign or freestanding sign is permitted. The sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area and may not be internally illuminated. If freestanding, the sign shall not be located in the front fifty (50) percent of any required front yard and shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.

In residentially zoned areas (R-1s, R-2s, R-3s), or the P (Public) zoning district, where the property does not share a block face with a residential district and/or where the opposite block face does not contain a residential zoning district, signage is permitted consistent with the zoning district of the opposite the block face. If there is no opposite block face (the use faces a freeway, lake, conservation area, or similar area), the Zoning Official shall determine the maximum amount of signage based on the most applicable zoning district for the context of the site.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206; Ord. No. 2024-1, § 4, 1-22-2024, Doc. #2401221203)

Sec. 64.244. - Directional Signs.

One (1) private directional sign not exceeding three (3) square feet in area, may be permitted at each access drive providing the sign only directs motorists to the location of off-street parking areas. Directional signs may incorporate a logo not to exceed one (1) square foot in area when located at an entrance driveway or cross-access easement.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.245. - Signs on Surface Parking Lots and Parking Garages.

(a)

Surface Parking Lots — For a principal use surface parking lot, one wall sign or freestanding ground mounted sign may be permitted. Signs shall not be located in the front fifty (50) percent of any required front yard. Signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area. The top of the sign shall be no more than six (6) feet above ground level.

(b)

Parking Garages — Sites with at least two levels of structure parking are permitted up to 32 square feet of additional display area per garage entrance. Additional display area must be located on the facade of the garage within 20 feet of the garage entrance. Garage entrance signs are not allocated against the maximum display area of the site.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.246. - High-Rise and Mid-Rise Building Signs.

Except in the AC-3A/T zoning district, high-rise and mid-rise building signs are prohibited within 1,000 feet of any R-1 or R-2 zoning district unless approved by conditional use permit.

High-Rise Building Signs. All high-rise building signs must conform to the following regulations:

Up to two high-rise building signs are allowed per building. If two signs are installed, they must be placed on two separate sides of the building and both must be identical in size, color, shape, design, material, and copy, unless the signs are never visible together from a single vantage point.

Signs shall be placed upon the wall or parapet near the top of the principal building and not on any parking garage or other subordinate structure.

Signs may not extend above the roof line of any building except when placed upon a parapet, in which case the sign may not extend above the parapet wall.

No more than one-half of the allowable high-rise building sign allocation may be used on any one side of a building.

If illuminated at night, the text within a high-rise building sign must be lit with white, though a single logo element of the sign may be lit with colored light. All lighting must be internal back-lighting.

Only buildings taller than 75 feet in height are eligible for high-rise building signs.

Method of Calculating High-Rise Building Sign Area. Except in the Downtown Special Sign District, buildings with high-rise building signs are allowed half the maximum allowable sign area for all signs below 75 feet above ground level as the maximum allowable sign area is calculated pursuant to Table 1 and Section 64.201. The maximum sign area for high-rise building signs is five square feet for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area of the principal building, provided, however, that in no event may the total sign area for high-rise building signs exceed 800 square feet per building.

Mid-Rise Building Signs. All mid-rise building signs must conform to the following regulations:

Buildings taller than 30 feet in height are eligible for mid-rise building signs.

Up to two mid-rise building signs are allowed per building. If two signs are installed, they must be placed on two separate sides of the building and both must be identical in size, color, shape, design, and material, unless the signs are never visible together from a single vantage point.

Signs may be wall signs placed upon the wall or parapet near the top of the principal building, or vertical blade signs projecting from the principal building façade, but not both.

Buildings between 75 feet and 150 feet in height may have mid-rise signs or high-rise signs, but not both.

Buildings over 150 feet in height may have both mid-rise vertical blade signs and high-rise signs. The bottom of the mid-rise vertical blade sign may be not higher than 30 feet above ground level (measured to the bottom of the sign).

Mid-rise signs are not permitted on parking garages or subordinate structures.

Any sign extending above the roof line or parapet is considered a roof sign and must comply with roof sign requirements of this chapter.

Vertical blade signs must be a minimum of 30 feet above ground level (measured to the bottom of the sign) and may not extend more than six feet from the building facade.

Mid-rise building sign area counts against the maximum allowable sign area as calculated pursuant to Section 64.201.

If illuminated at night, the text within a mid-rise building sign must be lit with white, though a single logo element of the sign may be lit with colored light. All lighting must be internal backlighting.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.247. - Integral Signs.

Individual letters and numerals comprising integral signs shall not exceed twelve (12) inches in height, and the integral sign itself shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area, which shall be excluded from the total allowable sign area.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.248. - Roof Signs.

Roof signs are permitted in accordance with this chapter and in compliance with the below, otherwise a Conditional Use Permit is required:

Roof signs are permitted only for non-residential, mixed use and multi-family dwellings of 30 feet or more in height.

Roof signs are limited to a height of 15 feet above the roof, including the support structure. The width is limited to 65% of the roof level width or 40 feet, whichever is less.

At no point shall a roof sign extend above 75 feet from the ground.

Roof signs must be designed with channel letters/icons with the overall sign area being a minimum 40% transparent.

The sign face shall be approximately parallel to the face of the building and shall not project beyond the facade of the building.

The sign face must be placed in a logical location with respect to the building architecture. The support structure must not be used to raise the sign, so it appears to float above the building.

A maximum of one roof sign is permitted per building and is only permitted on a flat roof.

If a roof sign is erected on a building, a high-rise or mid-rise sign is prohibited.

A roof sign must be setback a minimum of 5 feet from the edge of the roof.

Roof signs must be safely and securely attached to the roof structure and cannot interfere with any roof access points.

Roof signs shall only be lit internally.

No roof sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, color or brightness. Beacon lights are prohibited.

No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner so as to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.249. - Modular building signs.

A maximum of 2 square feet of sign area shall be permitted for each linear foot of the modular unit up to a maximum of 80 square feet. The signs shall be painted or permanently affixed to the modular unit. The hours of operation shall be clearly displayed on the modular unit.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.250. - Neighborhood Convenience Store Signs in the Traditional City.

A wall sign attached and parallel to the wall of the building shall be permitted in connection with a neighborhood convenience store. Ground mounted and pole signs shall be prohibited. A total sign area of one (1) square foot shall be allowed for each four (4) lineal foot of primary building frontage, up to a maximum of twelve (12) square feet. All signs shall be non-illuminated.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.251. - Electronic Message Centers.

Electronic Message Centers are permitted in accordance with this chapter and in compliance with the below:

Only allowed on freestanding signs where freestanding signs are permitted.

Electronic display area must be accessory to the primary sign.

No more than two messaging elements are permitted within the allowable sign face area: (1) static message display area and (2) electronic message display area.

Electronic display area must be mounted or located below the static message display area on the sign.

The maximum size of the electronic display area is in accordance with Table 1 of this Chapter.

Must have a pixel pitch value of 10mm or lower. The lower the pixel pitch (distance between pixels) the higher the screen resolution.

Must not change more than once every 8 seconds.

Must incorporate photocell/light sensors with automatic dimming technology that adjusts to ambient light conditions.

The maximum brightness shall be 0.3 footcandles above the ambient light measured from the property line.

At the time of permit application, the sign owner/operator must submit a certification that this standard has been satisfied.

No words, phrases, or characters that may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.

No flashing or blinking, incandescent or stroboscopic lights that may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.

If a sign malfunctions, fails, or ceases to operate in its usual or normal programmed manner, the sign must be repaired or disconnected within forty-eight (48) hours by the owner/operator of the sign.

Electronic Message Center signs in the following districts must comply with the standards of that district in lieu of this section:

Public Landmark Identification (Ch. 64, Part 8)

MA Overlay District (Sec. 64.230(b)(4))

Highway Digital Sign District (Sec. 64.401)

A proposed sign that does not meet one or more of requirements (a) through (I) above may be submitted for review as a Conditional Use Permit. The proposed sign must include superior design elements that justify an alternative proposal and may be subject to additional conditions of approval as part of the review process.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206; Ord. No. 2024-1, § 4, 1-22-2024, Doc. #2401221203)

Sec. 64.252. - Public Signs.

Governmental information or direction signs, historical markers, signs relating to national defense and security and other emergency signs, and ornamental signs of a permanent character displaying the name of a commonly known and accepted name of a section of the City, deemed by the City Council to be of a general public interest may be located in any zoning district.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.253. - Digital Numeric Signs.

Except as provided in the MA Overlay (Sec. 64.230), digital numeric signs are limited to displaying numerals, not text or graphics. Digital numeric signs shall not be a stand-alone sign but may be included as part of the sign face in a wall sign or freestanding sign. The message must not change more than once every 8 seconds. Digital numeric signs are only permitted on signs that may be internally illuminated, in accordance with Table 1.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.254. - Child or Adult Day Care Signs.

In residential zoning districts, one building sign attached and parallel to the wall of the building is allowed. A total sign area of one (1) square foot for each four (4) lineal feet of building frontage, up to a maximum of twelve (12) square feet, is allowed. The sign must be non-illuminated.

In all other zoning districts, the sign regulations of that district apply. This section does not apply to Family Daycares, which are not permitted any signs.

(Ord. No. 2024-1, § 4, 1-22-2024, Doc. #2401221203)

Sec. 64.255. - Reserved.

Sec. 64.256. - Subdivision and Multi-Family Signs.

R-1, R-2 and R-3 Zoning Districts

Multi-family and single-family development in residentially zoned areas (R-1s, R-2s, R-3s) must comply with the following requirements for subdivision or multi-family signage for both building signs and freestanding signs. The sign size maximum is site-wide.

EXPAND Table 3 Number of Dwelling Units Maximum Sq. Ft. of Sign Area Maximum Height (free standing signs) Maximum Number of Free Standing Signs 3 to 10 Dwelling Units Not permitted 0 11 to 30 Dwelling Units 18 sq.ft. 6 ft. 1 31 to 100 Dwelling Units 36 sq.ft. 8 ft. 2 101 to 300 Dwelling Units 54 sq.ft. 10 ft. 3 Over 301 Dwelling Units and for any size sign greater than 54 s.f. Requires approval of a Master Plan or Planning Official Determination. Standards for review include proximity to other residential development, distance to major roads, and size of the development.

Setbacks — All subdivision and multi-family signs must be set back 5 ft. from all property boundaries.

Illumination — Signs must be non-illuminated or externally illuminated.

Exceptions — Multi-family development with more than one building may display separate building signs providing the total signage for each additional building is no more than 8 sq.ft.

Mid-rise and High-rise Signs — Multi-family development in the R-3C or R-3D zoning districts may have a high-rise or a mid-rise sign if in compliance with Section 64.246.

All other zoning districts

Multi-family development in all other zoning districts must comply with the sign requirements of that district.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.257. - Reserved.

Sec. 64.258. - Tent Signs.

The tent sign shall not exceed eight (8) square feet in area and shall be removed prior to or in conjunction with the removal of the tent. No variances to signage shall be considered by the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Secs. 64.259, 64.260. - Reserved.

Sec. 64.261. - Group Housing Facility Signs.

Group Housing in Residential Districts. One non-illuminated sign attached to the main entrance of the principal building is allowed. This sign shall not exceed two square feet in area.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.262. - Reserved.

2D. - LANDMARK SIGNS

Sec. 64.263. - Relationship to the Growth Management Plan.

The Landmark Sign designation implements GMP Historic Preservation Goal 1, to preserve and protect historic resources of local historic or cultural interest; Historic Preservation Objective 1.2, Policy 1.2.2 to protect historically significant landmark signs.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277)

Sec. 64.264. - Purpose of Landmark Sign Designation.

The purpose of the Landmark Sign designation is to promote the educational, cultural and economic welfare of the public of the City by preserving and protecting Landmark Signs which serve as visible reminders of the history and cultural heritage of the City, State or Nation. Many of these signs no longer conform to the Land Development Code, yet they remain as important artifacts of the City's commercial history of the mid 1900's during the rise of the popularity of the automobile and the development of commercial corridors.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277)

Sec. 64.265. - Designation of Landmark Signs.

The owner of any sign that has existed in its original location since 1965 may request that said sign be reviewed for its significance upon written application to the Historic Preservation Board. The Historic Preservation Board shall find that the sign meets all of the following criteria in making its recommendation for Landmark Sign designation:

(a)

The sign exemplifies the cultural, economic or historic heritage of the City of Orlando.

(b)

The sign merits recognition as an important example of technology, craftsmanship, materials or design.

(c)

The sign has not been significantly altered from its historic appearance.

(d)

The sign is structurally safe or can be made safe without substantially altering its historical appearance.

(e)

The sign is operable or can be made operable without substantially altering its historical appearance.

Nothing in this section shall prohibit the owner from removing a Landmark Sign.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; Ord. of 10-9-1995, Doc. #28847)

Sec. 64.266. - Exceptions for Landmark Signs.

The following exceptions to Chapter 64 of the LDC shall apply to designated Landmark Signs:

(a)

Roof signs shall be allowed.

(b)

Animation, as originally installed, shall be allowed.

(c)

Landmark Signs shall not be restricted by height or size.

(d)

Landmark Signs that are retained and that are clearly not related to the existing business shall not be charged in the allowable amount of sign area.

(e)

Landmark Signs that are within the right-of-way may remain until such time as they become a life or safety issue, or until the City requires their removal for right-of-way improvements, and shall be removed at the owner's expense upon written notification of the City.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277)

Sec. 64.267. - Requirements for Landmark Signs.

Within 90 days of designation, the owner of any electrified sign shall place it in working order. Any alterations to the Landmark Sign require a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to the issuance of a sign permit.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 10-9-1995, Doc. #28847)

2E. - CREATIVE DESIGN EXCEPTION

Sec. 64.268. - Creative Design Exception.

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide relief from certain sign code requirements. The intent is to encourage designs that exhibit a high degree of imagination, inventiveness, or artistic expression through a Creative Design Exception. A Creative Design Exception is an administrative approval process to allow creatively designed signs that make a positive visual contribution to the overall image of the surrounding area, while mitigating the visual, aesthetics or safety impacts.

(b)

Available Relief. An applicant may request approval of a Creative Design Exception proposal in order to allow standards that differ from the provisions of this Chapter, but comply with the purpose and intent of the Sign Code. In general, relief from the sign code regulations shall be limited to 40% of any standard, approval of a prohibited sign type, or a proposal that requires a Design Variance meeting the majority of standards found in Section 65.386. Waivers of any standard greater than 40% require proof of a unique hardship, extensive mitigation or any other concerns reviewed as part of a sign variance. The following regulations may not be waived with a Creative Design Exception:

Billboard regulations (Chapter 65 Part 3)

Height of freestanding signs (e.g. pole, ground, monument, pylon, freestanding, etc.)

High Rise Building Signs.

Digital Message Centers or other digital signs.

(c)

Approval Process. The proposal must receive a Zoning Official Determination. In approving the proposal, the Zoning Official must ensure the proposed sign meets all the following criteria:

Unique design, and exhibit a high degree of imagination, inventiveness, and quality of design; strong graphic character through the imaginative use of color, graphics, proportion, materials, scale and texture; and

Contain at least one of the following in the design:

Recreate a historic character or style of sign reflective of earlier design periods;

Enliven the pedestrian experience rather than primarily serving automobile visibility; or

Create an inventive representation of the message, use of the structure or building.

When placed on a building, the sign must:

Utilize enhanced architectural elements of the building;

Be placed in a location that contributes to the overall composition of the building's facade, while not covering any key architectural features and details, or requiring that the building have less detail; and

Designed to not cause light, glare or other visual impacts on surrounding uses, especially residential uses.

When the sign is freestanding, the sign must:

Not overpower the building in terms of size or height (e.g. not be taller than the building it serves);

Reduce overall sign clutter; and

Designed to not cause light, glare or other visual impacts on surrounding uses, especially residential uses.

The proposal includes removal of other non-conformities on the site, including signs; provides additional open space, streetscaping, or enhanced landscaping; saves a tree or other significant site feature; or other proportional conditions as determined by the Zoning Official.

(Ord. No. 2020-51, § 2, 10-19-2020, Doc. #2010191201)

Sec. 64.269. - Reserved.

PART 3. - BILLBOARDS AND OTHER OFF-SITE SIGNS[4]

Footnotes: --- (4) ---

Editor's note— Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 7, Doc. #33225, changed the title of Part 3 from "Billboards" to "Billboards and Other Off-Site Signs." Sections 8—16 of that ordinance repealed the former §§ 64.270—64.279 of Part 3, and §§ 17—21 enacted new §§ 64.270—64.278 as set out herein. The former §§ 64.270—64.274 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; and Ord. of 5-5-1997, Doc. #30246.

Sec. 64.270. - Billboard Signs Prohibited.

Except as provided in Sections 64.277 and 64.278, no new billboard signs shall be permitted.

(Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 17, Doc. #33225; Ord. of 4-12-2010, § 2, Doc. #1004121102)

Sec. 64.271. - Status of Existing Billboard Signs; Routine Maintenance of Nonconforming Billboard Signs.

All billboard signs legally existing on October 1, 2000, shall be deemed to be nonconforming billboard signs and shall remain substantially the same as they exist on that date. Such nonconforming billboard signs shall not be rebuilt if they are destroyed or damaged, but may be maintained only through routine maintenance.

Routine maintenance, as it relates to any such existing nonconforming billboard sign, means:

(1)

Replacement of nuts and bolts, light bulbs or elements, nailing, riveting or welding, cleaning and painting, or manipulating to level or plumb the non-conforming billboard sign;

(2)

The routine change of the advertising message on the nonconforming billboard sign; and

(3)

The lamination or preparation of existing panels or existing facings at a location other than that of the nonconforming billboard sign.

(4)

Subject to compliance with City Code and the City's issuance of a building permit:

(a)

Adding guys or struts for the stabilization of the legally nonconforming sign;

(b)

Replacement, as that term is strictly construed, of any pole or beam for the stabilization of the legally nonconforming sign; and

(c)

Other such maintenance activity, on the condition that (i) within any five-year period, the total cumulative cost of the maintenance activity under this subsection does not exceed fifty [percent] (50%) of the replacement cost of the legally nonconforming billboard sign, as calculated herein and (ii) the maintenance activity does not constitute a change in the material of the replaced element of the nonconforming billboard sign or an enlargement, expansion, alteration, or other such substantial change to the legally nonconforming billboard sign including, though not exclusively, the relocation, reduction or expanded dimension of poles and beams. Each application for maintenance of a legally nonconforming billboard sign under subsection A(4), shall be accompanied by a signed and sealed engineer's certification of (i) the current actual market cost of labor and materials for new construction in the exact manner of the legally nonconforming billboard sign and structure and (ii) the current actual market cost of labor and materials for the maintenance activity. The certification shall itemize each element of cost and shall be subject to review and approval by the City's planning official, or designee, who may request additional data and information, including a second engineer's certification, as reasonably required. The application shall also include a statement by the owner of the legally nonconforming billboard sign that the market value of the sign is at least the value of the engineer's estimate.

Routine maintenance shall not mean:

(1)

The addition of any new pole or beam to the nonconforming billboard sign; or

(2)

Adding illumination devices to the nonconforming billboard sign.

Notwithstanding the above, a digital billboard sign may be relocated on the same development site when reviewed as a Conditional Use Permit, provided the relocation allows for logical redevelopment of the site.

(Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 18, Doc. #33225; Ord. No. 2011-30, § 1, 8-15-2011, Doc. #1108151102; Ord. No. 2022-19, § 1, 4-4-2022, Doc. #2204041203)

Sec. 64.272. - Reserved.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2011-30, § 2, Doc. #1108151102, adopted Aug. 15, 2011, repealed § 64.272 which pertained to removal of existing billboard signs through seven-year amortization and derived from an ordinance adopted Sept. 11, 2000, § 19, Doc. #33225.

Sec. 64.273. - Status of Billboards Permitted as Replacement Billboards.

Billboards permitted pursuant to the City's replacement billboard program, which terminated on February 25, 1996, shall be deemed to be conforming, except as stated in this Code. Administrative variances granted for such replacement billboards shall last only for the normal life of the sign structure. Normal life of the sign structure shall be exceeded when repair of the sign due to obsolescence or deterioration requires repairs in excess of 50% of the replacement cost of the sign structure, as calculated in Section 64.271, City Code. If such a replacement billboard is destroyed by an act of God, it shall be reconstructed only in accordance with this ordinance. Billboards permitted pursuant to the City's replacement billboard program are subject to any applicable amortization provisions set forth in City Code.

(Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 20, Doc. #33225; Ord. No. 2011-30, § 3, 8-15-2011, Doc. #1108151102)

Sec. 64.274. - Fines and Other Remedies for Failure to Comply With Provisions Pertaining to Removal of Billboard Signs.

In connection with any billboard sign that is not removed by any deadline established in this Chapter, each person responsible for removal of said billboard sign shall pay the City a penalty equal to the greater of: (a) $200 per day per billboard sign, or (b) 125% of the gross income generated from any commercial advertising copy on the billboard sign, for each day until the billboard sign is removed. In addition, such person shall pay the City all reasonable attorneys' fees and costs that are incurred by the City in obtaining compliance with, or the enforcement of, the provisions of this Chapter as to any billboard sign. This section shall not be construed to exclude the City from pursuing any other remedies provided by law.

(Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 21, Doc. #33225)

Sec. 64.275. - Annual Billboard Sign Permit.

An annual billboard permit must be obtained and an annual permit fee paid for each billboard sign located within the City. No person shall operate, use, maintain, or cause to be operated, used, or maintained, any billboard sign within the City of Orlando without first obtaining an annual billboard permit to do so from the Office of Permitting Services and paying the required fee.

Submittals. Application for an annual billboard permit shall be made on a form prescribed by the City and a separate application shall be submitted for each permit requested. A permit shall be required for each billboard sign. Every application shall be accompanied by the appropriate permit fee as well as a signed statement by the owner of the site on which the billboard sign exists, authorizing placement of the billboard sign on that site.

The annual permit application shall contain at a minimum the following information: (a) the full name and current mailing address of the owner or owners of the billboard sign; (b) the street address of the property on which the billboard sign is located; (c) the state permit tag number (if any) for the billboard sign; (d) the real estate identification number for the real property on which the billboard sign is located, together with the full name and mailing address of the owner or owners of the real property; (e) the value of the billboard sign as reported for purposes of the prior calendar year's tangible personal property tax return; (f) the billboard sign's size in square footage; (g) the billboard sign's height from ground level to the top of the sign; (h) whether the billboard sign is illuminated; (i) whether the billboard sign is a tri-vision sign or incorporates any rotation or other mechanical movement; (j) the billboard sign's type of construction (wooden, I-Beam, or monopole) and the number of supports; and (k) the undepreciated value of the billboard sign for income tax purposes.

Annual Permit Fee Amount. The annual billboard sign permit fee shall be established by resolution of the City Council from time to time.

General Requirements Concerning the Permit. For each permit issued, the applicant shall be furnished a serially numbered tag to be affixed to the billboard sign structure. The permittee is responsible for maintaining a valid permit tag on each billboard sign at all times. The tag shall be displayed on the support member or pole closest to the nearest street and must be clearly visible from the nearest street at all times. The permit shall become voidable upon noncompliance with these requirements. The permit shall become void unless the permit tag is properly and permanently displayed at the permitted site within fifteen (15) days after the date of permit issuance. A billboard sign shall become unlawful if its permit is not renewed, or if the conditions imposed by City Council are not maintained and thirty (30) days have passed from notice of such. Within the thirty (30) days of notice the permittee may appeal the decision of the Zoning Official.

Landscaping and Visibility. Landscaping will be provided, where appropriate, and maintained by billboard permittees, and visibility for permitted billboards may be maintained through properly permitted maintenance of foliage and landscaping.

Valid for Approved Location Only. A permit is valid only for the location for which it is specifically issued. A permit or a tag may not be transferred from one location to another.

Control of Site. As a prerequisite of obtaining a permit an applicant must present evidence of applicant's control over the site of the billboard sign.

Expiration of Billboard Permit. All annual billboard permits and tags expire annually on September 30.

Existing Billboards. All billboard signs existing in the City of Orlando at the time of the effective date of this Chapter shall be required to bear a valid permit tag within one hundred twenty (120) days of that date.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 4-20-1992, Doc. #25637; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; Ord. of 5-5-1997, Doc. #30246; Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 22, Doc. #33225)

Editor's note— Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 22, Doc. #332255, renumbered the former § 64.280 as 64.275.

Sec. 64.276. - Signs on Transit Infrastructure.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Code to the contrary, signs may be permitted on transit infrastructure, but only when authorized pursuant to an interlocal agreement between the City and the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, or an interlocal or other agreement between the City and a public or private transportation service provider, provided that such signage complies with all other applicable provisions of this Code, and subject to the regulations of this section. For the purposes of this section, "transit infrastructure" means transit shelters, transit kiosks, and bike-share kiosks and bike racks associated with a City-approved public bike-share system.

For the purpose of this part, and notwithstanding any provision of this Code to the contrary, a sign or signs attached to a transit shelter, transit kiosk or bike-share kiosk for the sole purpose of displaying transportation service information or public service information provided by the City shall not be considered a "sign face" and is not regulated.

(a)

Sign Faces. Each transit shelter and transit kiosk may contain no more than two sign faces. Bike share kiosks at bike-share stations may have up to three sign faces. For the purpose of this part, the term "sign face" means that portion of the transit shelter, transit kiosk or bike-share kiosk structure designed and used for securing and displaying sign copy. Sign faces must display sign copy through a transparent and durable material. The orientation and positioning of these sign faces shall be subject to the review and approval of the planning official, or designee, prior to the issuance of any building permit for the respective shelter or kiosk. All sign faces must be erected and maintained in accordance with approved permits. Sign faces may not be erected on or upon the roof or roofline of a transit shelter.

(b)

Copy Size and Digital Signs. Sign copy dimensions for each sign face may not exceed the following for each type of transit infrastructure:

Transit Shelter: 60" wide by 72" high.

Transit Kiosk: 30" wide by 36" high.

Bike-Share Kiosks: 32" wide by 42" high.

Bike-Share Racks: up to one square foot.

Such signs shall be static, but may be digital within the Downtown Special Sign District. When digital, such signs must conform to the operational regulations of section 64.277(II)B.3), of this Code, except for section 64.277(II)B.3)e).

(c)

Historic Districts. Advertising signs are prohibited on transit shelters in all historic preservation districts.

(d)

Downtown. Advertising signs are prohibited on transit shelters in the City's Downtown Development District and the City's Downtown Community Redevelopment Area, unless otherwise approved by the Appearance Review Board.

(e)

Residential Districts. Advertising signs are prohibited on transit shelters in the R-1, R-1A, R1-AA, R-1N, R-2A, R-2B zoning districts, and portions of a planned development zoning district designated for one or two family residential uses.

(f)

Minimum Separation. Transit infrastructure with signs may not be closer than 400 feet from another transit shelter or transit kiosk with a sign on the same side of the public right-of-way, except within the Downtown Development Board area.

(g)

Bike-Share Kiosks and Racks. Kiosks and bike racks associated with a City-approved public bike-share system may include signs containing on- or off-site messages. However, signs on bike racks are limited to sponsorship logos only. When bike-share kiosks and racks are located on private property, they shall not be deducted from the hosting development site's signage allocation.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 23, Doc. #33225; Ord. of 12-15-2008, § 2, Doc. #0812151105; Ord. No. 2014-3, § 1, 2-24-2014, Doc. #1402241204)

Editor's note— Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 23, Doc. #332255, renumbered the former § 64.281 as 64.276.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2014-3, § 1, Doc. #1402241204, adopted Feb. 24, 2014, changed the title of § 64.276 from "Signs on Transit Shelters" to "Signs on Transit Infrastructure."

Sec. 64.277. - Off-Premises Digital Billboard Signs.

Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to provide standards and restrictions for the exchange of traditional billboard signs for Off-Premises Digital Billboard Signs that are pursuant to the interest of the citizens of the City of Orlando in the visual aesthetics of the City and the safety of vehicular travel. These standards and restrictions maintain, support and protect the aesthetic character of the City of Orlando by providing for the removal of certain traditional billboard signs, as well as protect the safety of the motoring public, by limiting the locations of, and specifications for, off-premises digital billboard signs and generally further the public interest of the citizens of the City of Orlando.

(I)

Definitions:

Off-premises digital billboard sign: a billboard sign that changes the "static" message or copy on the sign by electronic means.

Structure or Supporting Structure: anything built, constructed or erected or any piece or work artificially built-upon composed of parts joined together in some definite manner including, but not limited to, buildings of any kind, utility poles, fences, fire-hydrants, street light standards, traffic light standards, traffic directional sign standards or any other thing to which a sign, may be placed, affixed, erected, painted, posted, maintained or displayed.

Traditional Billboard: a billboard sign that does not display messages by electronic means but instead utilizes materials such as painted, vinyl and paper substrates. Traditional billboard signs include multi-vision signs that do not display messages electronically and utilize the same or similar materials.

(II)

No off-premises digital billboard signs shall be allowed in the City except as provided in this Section.

An application for an off-premises digital billboard sign shall be made to the City's Planning Official and shall constitute a request for a Planning Official's determination, which determination may be appealed as provided by City Code. An application for a building permit to construct the off-premises digital billboard sign, as well as all related applications for permits to demolish the billboards to be exchanged, must be made within 14 days from the issuance of the Planning Official's written determination, failing which the determination shall immediately expire. The building permit for construction of the off-premises digital billboard sign, and all related demolition permits, must then be issued within 30 days from the date of the building permit application, failing which the Planning Official's written determination shall immediately expire. Construction of the sign, and demolition of all associated exchange billboards, must be completed, as evidenced by the City's issuance of a Certificate of Completion for the off-premises digital billboard sign, within 90 days of the City's issuance of the permit, failing which the building permit for construction of the off-premises digital billboard sign shall immediately expire. Upon expiration of the Planning Official's written determination or the permit, all rights in the proposed sign, the Planning Official's determination and the permit, terminate and construction of the sign may only occur by means of a new application, a new Planning Official's determination and permit. Upon request of the sign owner at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the building permit to construct the off-premises digital billboard sign, the term of the permit, and any associated demolition permits, may be extended by the Planning Official for one, 30-day period upon a showing of (i) good cause and (ii) diligent pursuit of construction under the permit for the off-premises digital billboard sign. Issuance of the Planning Official's written determination or a permit for an off-premises digital billboard sign shall not create a right in the construction of the sign except as specifically provided in the terms of the determination, the permit or this Section. No sign owner shall, at any one time, maintain more than five active permits (including Planning Official's determinations) for the construction of off-premises digital billboard signs. A permit or Planning Official's determination is considered active, from the date on which the application for a Planning Official's determination is made or the permit is issued, until the written determination or permit expires or a certificate of completion is issued upon the completion of construction.

City shall establish fees for application and inspection, by resolution, in accordance with applicable law. City shall inspect off-premises digital billboard signs at least once per year to ensure compliance with the permit and City Code.

An owner of existing, legally non-conforming traditional, billboard signs (or the owner of a vested right, arising from an agreement with the City, to construct a traditional billboard sign) shall be eligible to receive a building permit for one off-premises digital billboard sign in exchange for the permanent removal of at least four times the amount of square feet of traditional billboard sign face to be permitted as an off-premises digital billboard sign(s). For example, 1,600 square feet of traditional billboard advertising sign face would be removed in exchange for a permit to construct an off-premises digital billboard sign of 400 square feet. For purposes of calculating the removal requirement, a traditional tri-vision billboard sign(s) shall constitute three sign faces. Except in the case of a conversion of an existing traditional billboard sign to an off-premises digital billboard sign, the removal of signs for exchange purposes must include the supporting structure(s), as defined in this Section, and shall only apply to legally non-conforming billboard signs, (or a vested right, arising from an agreement with the City, to construct a traditional billboard sign), located within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Orlando. The permit application must comply with all applicable regulations and standards set forth herein. If removing the supporting structure(s) requires removing existing billboard advertising sign face in excess of that required for the off-premises digital billboard sign permit, the excess shall be assigned to the owner of the sign by the City and may be utilized with respect to future building permits under this Section. All applications for an off-premises digital billboard sign must identify the traditional billboard signs to be demolished. The City's issuance of a permit for an off-premises digital billboard sign shall only occur in conjunction with the issuance of permits for the demolition of the billboard signs identified for removal. The billboard signs to be exchanged must be removed completely prior to the City's issuance of a Certificate of Completion for the off-premises digital billboard sign. The removal of billboard signs occurring prior to the effective date of this Section shall not be counted for exchange purposes under this Section.

Traditional billboard signs, including tri-vision, may not be converted to off-premises digital billboard signs except in strict compliance with this Section. Subject to the exchange criteria described herein, new permits may be issued for a traditional billboard sign face, including tri-vision, on the same structure which has been permitted for an off-premises digital billboard sign under this section. The new traditional billboard sign must be facing the opposite direction of the off-premises digital billboard sign face and must comply with City Code and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The issuance of a permit for the new traditional billboard sign face may only occur in conjunction with issuance of the permit for the off-premises digital billboard sign on the same sign structure. The traditional billboard sign face shall be the same dimensions as the off-premises digital billboard sign face on the same sign structure. Further, issuance of the permit for the new traditional billboard sign face shall only occur in conjunction with the issuance of a permit to remove a legally non-conforming, traditional billboard sign face(s) located in the City of Orlando, including the sign structure, of equal or greater square footage. For purposes of calculating the removal requirement, a permit for a new traditional tri-vision billboard sign(s) shall require the removal of sign face(s) equal to or greater than the square footage of the three sign faces on the tri-vision billboard sign combined. The traditional billboard sign(s), including the sign structure, to be exchanged for the new traditional billboard sign face permit, must be removed completely prior to the City's issuance of a Certificate of Completion for the new traditional billboard sign or the off-premises digital billboard sign located on the same sign structure. An existing, legally-nonconforming traditional billboard sign face, including tri-vision, (that is not being used to meet the exchange/removal requirements referenced above) may remain on an existing sign structure which is permitted under this section for conversion to an off-premises digital billboard sign. The permit issued for the construction of the off-premises digital billboard sign may include the reconstruction of the existing traditional billboard sign face(s), consistent with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, located on the same sign structure and facing the opposite direction. The reconstruction shall only consist of the repair and restoration of the existing traditional billboard sign face, and shall not include, without limitation, any alteration in the existing dimensions and operational characteristics, unless the traditional billboard sign face is being enlarged so as to be the same size as the proposed off-premises digital billboard sign face and all exchange requirements for the enlargement have been met. The traditional billboard sign face shall be the same size as the off-premises digital billboard sign face on the same sign structure.

All off-premises digital billboard signs shall be subject to this Section and all other relevant provisions of City Code and applicable law.

Any off-premises digital billboard sign permitted under this Section, whether new or converted, must be located on a monopole structure.

(1)

Off-premises digital billboard signs must be approved through the Digital Billboard Exchange Program and must comply with the following requirements:

Locations where allowed: Off-premises digital billboard signs shall be allowed only in the following zoning districts and only within 150 feet of the right-of-way along limited access highways or a designated state arterial roadway:

I-G General Industrial

I-P Industrial Park

I-C Industrial - Commercial

AC-1 Activity Center

AC-2 Activity Center

AC-3 Activity Center

AC-N Activity Center

MU-2 High Intensity Mixed Use Corridor, located within 150 feet of the right-of-way, only along limited access roadways.

In order to allow for further digital billboard exchanges, exchanges are allowed at a ratio of 4:1 based on square footage in the following identified corridors for properties that are either adjacent to the corridor or where an existing billboard is sited within 150 feet of the right-of-way as calculated by the shortest measurable distance between the nearest point of the sign to the edge of the right-of-way. At least 50% of the traded square feet must come from that particular corridor and the remaining 50% may come from throughout the city.

Colonial Drive East (East of Orange Avenue to the eastern City limit);

Colonial Drive West (West of Orange Avenue to the western City limit);

Orange Blossom Trail Corridor (South of Colonial Drive to the southern City limit);

North John Young Parkway (W.D. Judge Road to north of Orange Blossom Trail);

International Drive/South Kirkman Road/Sand Lake Road/Conroy Road;

Semoran Blvd (Beachline Expressway to the north City limit);

South Orange Avenue (from Michigan Street to the southern City limit).

Downtown Orlando CRA/Downtown View Corridor Area and Interstate 4 View Corridor.

Billboard signs located in the Downtown Orlando CRA/Downtown View Corridor area must abide by one of the following conditions:

Billboard construction is allowed on developed sites. Architectural integration is required into a principal building or parking garage and the proposed billboard structure must be reviewed through an ARB major review process, the Historic Preservation Board or the Development Review Committee, as applicable. The maximum number of billboard structures allowed per development site is one.

ii.

An existing non-digital billboard may be converted to digital. As a result of the use of this Digital Billboard Exchange Program, future relocation on the same parcel is permitted without trading in square footage so long as the siting of the billboard allows for logical development of the site or can be relocated on the site to allow logical redevelopment, subject to minor review by the Appearance Review Board within the Downtown CRA.

Billboard Exchange Incentive. Billboards located along the following pedestrian oriented main streets are eligible for a 3:1 exchange ratio based on square footage. This incentive is proposed to provide an appealing pedestrian-oriented urban and mixed use environment. To receive the incentive, a portion of the traded square footage must come from one of the pre-identified billboards below in its entirety along with any of the eligible billboards described in section 64.277(B)(1)(b) above. The addresses of these proposed "incentive" billboards are:

2601 Delaney Avenue

2702 S. Orange Avenue

2830 S. Orange Avenue

1508 E. Michigan Street

1323 N. Orange Avenue

2912 Edgewater Drive

201 N. Bumby Avenue

717 N. Mills Avenue

1001 N. Mills Avenue

10.

1349 N. Mills Avenue

11.

2720 E .Robinson Street

12.

3500 Curry Ford Road

13.

802 W. Church Street

14.

410 N. Orange Blossom Trail

15.

1500 W. Smith Street

16.

3117 S. Orange Avenue

17.

1246 Carter Street

18.

2 S. Orange Blossom Trail

19.

430 S. Orange Blossom Trail

20.

4435 Curry Ford Road

21.

938 W. Colonial Drive

22.

34 N. Gertrude's Walk

23.

2401 E. South Street

24.

19 N. Westmoreland Drive

25.

1638 E. Colonial Drive

26.

2021 E. Colonial Drive

27.

321 W. Concord Street

28.

3122 E. Colonial Drive

29.

3614 E. Colonial Drive

Off-premises digital billboard signs shall not be located within the following designated view corridors unless otherwise stated above: (GMP Figure UD32), as amended.

•

John Young Parkway from Silver Star Road south to the southern entrance of Orlando Executive Park;

•

Princeton Street from Silver Star Road to Orange Blossom Trail;

•

Semoran Boulevard from Hoffner Road south to the City limits, including the Orlando International Airport;

•

All roadways within or abutting Loch Haven Park, including Lake Estelle and its shoreline;

•

Lake Ivanhoe and all roadways abutting its shorelines;

•

Orange Avenue;

•

State Road 408 from Conway Road west to Bumby Avenue;

•

I-4 from Princeton Street to Michigan Avenue;

•

Mills avenue from the northern City limits south to Virginia Drive;

•

Kirkman Road, I-4 north to the City limits; and

•

Any view corridor described in the Urban Design Element of the Growth Management Plan, Figure UD-32, as amended.

No off-premises digital billboard sign shall be located within 400 ft. of any residentially zoned property, except AC-1 Activity Center, AC-2 Activity Center, AC-3 Activity Center, AC-N Activity Center, or MU-2 High Intensity Mixed Use Corridor as described in subsection (a) above, or within 400 ft. of any property with an existing, legal residential land use. If a limited access roadway separates the digital billboard sign from residentially zoned property, the digital billboard sign must be a minimum of 300 ft. away from the residentially zoned property. The distance shall be calculated as the shortest measurable distance between the nearest point of the billboard sign to the edge of the residentially zoned property.

No off-premises digital billboard sign shall be located within an historic district, or within 400 ft. of an historic district boundary. The distance shall be calculated as the shortest measurable distance between the nearest point of the sign to the edge of the historic district.

No off-premises digital billboard sign shall be located within fifteen feet of any public road right-of-way as calculated by the shortest measurable distance between the nearest point of the sign to the edge of the right-of-way, except for the conversion of existing non-digital billboards and any associated structural improvements necessary and approved by the planning official.

No off-premises digital billboard sign shall be located within 400 feet of any public park, community/neighborhood centers, public or private elementary, middle, or high school or religious institution. The distance shall be calculated as the shortest measurable distance between the nearest point of the sign to the edge of the premises on which the any public park, community/neighborhood centers, public or private elementary, middle, or high school or religious institution is located.

No off-premises digital billboard sign shall be located within 100 feet of a hotel or motel, as that term is defined in City Code. The distance shall be calculated as the shortest measurable distance between the nearest point of the sign to the edge of the premises on which the hotel or motel is located. However, as an alternative to the enforcement of this subsection, the sign owner may obtain a written document signed by all of the owner(s), and any individual or entity having a real property interest, including lessees, in the affected hotel(s) or motel(s) indicating the owner(s) consent to the applicable sign permit application. In such an event, a copy of the written consent document(s) shall be filed with the permit application.

No off-premises digital billboard sign shall be located within 1000 feet of another off-premise digital billboard sign or within 1000 feet of a non-digital billboard sign. The distance shall be calculated as the shortest measurable distance between the edge of one sign to the edge of the other sign. However, when any two billboards are located across a limited access roadway (freeway or expressway), no minimum distance separation is required between such billboard signs.

Spacing Requirements: The minimum spacing between off-premises digital billboard signs with faces visible from the same driving direction along the roadway is 1,000 ft. A 1,000 ft. distance separation is required between off-premises digital billboard signs and any traditional billboard sign, including tri-vision, located along the same side of the roadway. The distance shall be measured from the nearest point of the sign as projected to the centerline of the roadway upon which the sign is intended to be viewed to the nearest point of the other sign as measured to its closest point as projected to the centerline along the same roadway.

Operational Requirements:

There shall be no display of flashing or rotating lighting or the varying of light intensity during the static message. Off-premises digital billboard signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Off-premises digital billboard signs shall not be illuminated in such a manner so as to cause glare or to impair the vision of motorists or otherwise distract motorists so as to interfere with the motorists' ability to safely operate their vehicles. Otherwise, all off-premises digital billboard signs shall comply with the lighting requirements of the State of Florida, including Ch. 479, Florida Statutes and Rule 14.10, Florida Administrative Code, certain of which provisions currently prohibit moving light.

No message or image may be displayed for less than eight (8) seconds. This message time is referred to as dwell time.

Message changes will be completed in less than 0.5 seconds. The change time shall not be included in the eight seconds of display time referenced in subparagraph (b) above.

The change of message shall appear as a seamless, imperceptible transition from one image to the next. No special visual effects of any kind shall be allowed.

The message shall not advertise a principal or accessory use located on the premises of the sign and shall not advertise any merchandise, services, activities, or entertainment sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished on said premises. "Premises" means the integrated land area on which the sign is located including all contiguous land areas under ownership of, or lease arrangement with, the sign owner.

The illumination of an off-premises digital billboard sign shall not exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light, as measured using a foot candle meter at the following pre-set distances from the base of the sign structure:

300—375 square feet sign face .....150 feet

376—475 square feet sign face .....200 feet

476—672 square feet sign face .....250 feet

The measurement of the brightness level shall be taken with the meter aimed directly at the billboard sign face from the applicable pre-set distance.

As limited by the above-standards, no off-premises digital billboard sign shall be brighter than is necessary for clear and adequate visibility.

No off-premises digital billboard sign shall display light of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or otherwise impair the vision of a driver or result in a nuisance. No off-premises digital billboard sign shall be of such intensity or brilliance that it interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device or signal.

Off-premises digital billboard signs shall have a default mechanism built in to either turn the display off or show "full black" on the display in the event of a malfunction. Malfunction is defined as any operation of the sign that causes glare or impairs the vision of motorists or otherwise distracts motorists so as to interfere with the motorists' ability to safely operate their vehicles or otherwise constitutes a violation of this Section.

The off-premises digital billboard sign shall not be configured to resemble a warning, danger signal, official signage used to control traffic or to cause a driver to mistake an off-premises digital billboard sign for a warning or danger signal.

All off-premises digital billboard signs must be equipped with controls that automatically adjust the displays intensity according to natural ambient light conditions, consistent with the lighting standards of this Section.

Any off-premises digital billboard sign operating out of compliance with any standard of this Section must immediately terminate displaying an image until compliance is achieved.

Maximum height and size of sign face:

Where located along limited access roadways, an off-premises digital billboard sign shall not exceed 40 feet in height above the crown of the adjacent limited access roadway, not to exceed a maximum of 65 feet above ground level. Where located along state arterial roadways, an off-premises digital billboard sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height above the crown of the adjacent state arterial roadway, not to exceed 60 feet above ground level. Height shall be measured from the top of the sign structure.

The maximum size of the sign face, as viewed from one direction, for any off-premises digital billboard shall be 672 square feet where the sign is oriented to a limited access roadway and 400 sq. ft. when oriented to a state arterial roadway. The minimum size of the sign face for any off-premises digital billboard sign shall be 300 square feet.

The maximum number of off-premises digital billboard sign faces per sign structure shall be limited to one per sign structure facing the same direction. All visible portions of the back side of an off-premises digital billboard sign shall be painted monochromatic black or other monochromatic, dark, neutral color, as approved by the City's Planning Official.

No embellishments and cutouts may be utilized on off-premises digital billboard signs.

(III)

Effective Date. The Digital Billboard Exchange Program, established by this Section, shall take effect thirty (30) days from the effective date of the enacting ordinance.

(Ord. of 4-12-2010, § 1, Doc. #10014121102; Ord. No. 2022-19, § 2, 4-4-2022, Doc. #2204041203; Ord. No. 2022-52, § 1, 9-12-2022, Doc. #2209121207; Ord. No. 2022-56, § 4, 9-26-2022, Doc. #2209261204)

Sec. 64.278. - Reserved.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2017-41, § 2, Doc. #1801081208, adopted January 8, 2018, repealed § 64.278, which pertained to billboard replacement pilot program and derived from Ord. of 4-12-2010, § 3, Doc. #10014121102.

Secs. 64.278—64.299. - Reserved.

PART 4. - PROHIBITIONS AND REMOVALS

Sec. 64.300. - Prohibited Signs.

The following signs are prohibited and shall be removed immediately in accordance with section 64.302, below:

Hazardous or Confusing Signs. Signs which in any way simulate emergency vehicles, traffic-control signs and devices, or directional, informational, and warning signs which are erected or maintained by the State of Florida, a political subdivision thereof, or by any railroad, public utility, or similar agency concerned with the protection of the public health or safety.

Signs on Public Property. Any private sign placed on public property or any public right-of-way, including the median, is prohibited, except transit infrastructure signs which conform to this Code.

Obscene Signs. Any sign containing statements, words, or pictures of an obscene nature.

Signs on Vehicles. Any vehicle with a sign or signs attached thereto or placed thereon subject to the following exceptions:

(a)

Any vehicle parked on private property when parked within the confines of a building or in some manner which provides for effective screening so as not to allow the sign or signs on the vehicle to be viewed from any public street.

(b)

Any vehicle upon which is placed a sign if such vehicle is one which is operated during the normal course of business; provided, however, that no such vehicle shall be routinely parked in a location where it serves as or constitutes additional signage.

(c)

Buses, taxicabs, and similar common carrier vehicles which are licensed or certified by the City of Orlando and/or the Florida Public Service Commission.

(d)

Bicycles associated with a City-approved bike-share system.

Wind-Operated Devices. Except as provided in the banner sign and MA Overlay regulations of this Chapter, any sign which incorporates or consists of banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, balloons containing pressurized air, hot air, cold air, any gas or other substance, or wind-operated devices shall be a prohibited sign or type of sign.

Serial Signs. Any sign which uses a series of two or more signs placed in a line parallel to the highway or in a similar fashion.

Street Corner Visibility. Any sign which the Orlando Transportation Engineer determines obstructs the sightline at intersections or public or private driveways.

Snipe Signs. Shall be prohibited.

Beacon Lights. Any sign which incorporates a beacon light or lights as defined herein.

Flashing Signs. Shall be prohibited. Flashing signs lawfully in existence and maintained as of October 12, 1980, however, shall be considered nonconforming signs, and shall be permitted to remain for the same period as other nonconforming signs under the provisions of Part 3 of this Chapter.

Movement on Sign Display Area. Any sign incorporating movement of parts or portions of the sign display area shall be prohibited unless approved as an electronic message center or a digital numeric sign.

Trailer Signs.

Home Occupation Signs. Permanent signs at home occupation sites are prohibited.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; Ord. of 12-15-2008, § 3, Doc. #0812151105; Ord. No. 2014-3, § 2, 2-24-2014, Doc. #1402241204)

Sec. 64.301. - Unlawful Signs.

All signs erected without the approval of the Planning and Development Department and a Building Permit having been obtained, or if the sign was erected contrary to the provisions or limitations of a Building Permit, shall be considered unlawful and shall be subject to removal in accordance with the provisions of Section 64.302, below.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101)

Sec. 64.302. - Prohibited, Unlawful and Nonconforming Signs Declared Nuisances; Removal.

Any sign, or sign structure which is constructed, erected, operated, used, maintained, posted, or displayed in violation of this Chapter is hereby declared to be a public and private nuisance by virtue of the fact that the sign endangers the public health, safety and welfare and is manifestly injurious to the aesthetics of the community and shall be forthwith removed by the Zoning Official, and for that purpose its agents, authorized representatives or an independent contractor secured through normal purchasing process may enter upon private property without incurring any liability therefor.

After the termination of the time periods for which signs are permitted to remain under this Chapter, the Zoning Official shall order the removal of any sign determined to constitute a nuisance as herein defined.

The Zoning Official shall not order the removal of any sign erected and maintained on private property in violation of this Chapter except upon ten (10) days written notice. The Notice of Order shall contain:

The location/address where the violation exists.

The description of the sign or sign structure.

The violations of this Chapter which constitutes a nuisance.

The alterations or repairs necessary to achieve compliance.

A copy of the Notice of Order shall be served upon the owner or lessee of a sign and the owner of the real property by delivery of a copy to them or by forwarding a copy by registered or certified mail to his last known address or by serving the above with the Notice of Order by any other method authorized under the laws of this state. In the event a Notice of Order sent by certified mail shall be returned undelivered, it shall be served by the Chief of Police or any policeman of said City, or by any other officer or employee who may be authorized by the City to do so, but if such person or persons reside in the State of Florida and beyond the limits of said City, then the Notice of Order shall be served by the Sheriff of the County in which said person resides in accordance with the rules governing service of process in the Circuit Court.

Where personal service cannot be had or the address is found to be beyond the limits of the State of Florida, then the Notice of Order shall be by publication. The Notice of Order shall be published once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks prior to the ten (10) day time period described herein as preceding the Order of Removal.

In all cases in which such Order of Removal shall be made and no appeal entered, or protest made to the confirmation of the Notice of Order, then the owners of the real property and sign or sign structure or persons claiming any interest therein having actual or constructive notice, shall be forever foreclosed and barred from claiming any damage by reason of the removal of said sign or sign structure described in said Order.

Appeal. An aggrieved party may appeal the final administrative order by the Zoning Official to the Board of Zoning Adjustment. An appeal shall be filed pursuant to Chapter 65, Section 65.380, of the Orlando City Code. Appeals from the decision of the Board of Zoning Adjustment to the City Council shall be filed pursuant to Chapter 2, Chapter XXIV, Section 2.177, Orlando City Code. Judicial Review of decisions made by the City Council shall be pursuant to Chapter 2, Chapter XXIV, Section 2.180, Orlando City Code.

An appeal does not preclude an aggrieved party of a non-conforming sign from seeking a zoning variance pursuant to Chapter 65, Part 2 of the Orlando City Code provided that the Zoning Variance application be submitted no later than 30 days after service of the final Administrative Order by the Zoning Officials. No application for a variance shall be accepted for signs determined to be illegal under provisions of the City Code.

Abandoned Signs. Nonconforming signs shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which a sign is located when the business which a sign advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the Zoning Official shall order removal in accordance with this Chapter.

Cost of Removal to be Assessed as a Lien. The City may assess the cost and expense of the removal of signs which are in violation of this Chapter or the Building Code of the City of Orlando as a public improvement lien upon the real property which liens shall be superior to all other private liens. Such liens shall be enforced by suit to foreclose following the procedures regarding inspections, filing and service of notice and hearing as set forth in Laws of Fla. ch. 63-1720 (Chapter 13, Section 39-6 of City Charter).

Signs Subject to Immediate Removal. Signs placed on public property or rights-of-way without authorization shall be subject to immediate removal.

Provisions of Section Supplemental, Additional and Alternative Method. This Section shall be deemed to provide a supplemental, additional and alternative method of removing or correcting Code violations found to exist in the City of Orlando.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101)

Secs. 64.303—64.309. - Reserved.

PART 5. - NONCONFORMING SIGNS

Sec. 64.310. - Period Allowed to Remain.

On-Site Signs Made Nonconforming by Adoption of LDC. Any on-site sign which lawfully existed and was maintained on the effective date of this Chapter or any amendment thereto, may be continued although the sign does not conform to all of the provisions contained in this Chapter, until one of the following events occurs:

A change to the property or building that constitutes a substantial enlargement, a substantial improvements, or a change of use.

A change to the sign that is a structural alteration, adds sign area, or moves the sign to a different location on the site.

Nonconforming Billboard Signs. See Part 3 of this Chapter.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; Ord. of 5-5-1997, Doc. #30246; Ord. of 9-11-2000, § 25, Doc. #33225)

Sec. 64.311. - Requirements.

No existing nonconforming sign shall be altered structurally, repaired, moved or replaced unless brought into conformance with the requirements of this Chapter; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to the change of copy on changeable copy signs or to the change of a face on a billboard. "Repaired" shall mean repairs, the costs of which, are in excess of 50% of the replacement cost of the sign, as calculated pursuant to Section 64.271, City Code, the cost of repairs to include the actual market cost of labor and materials, whether incurred by the repairer or owner of the sign or not.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 5-5-1997, Doc. #30246; Ord. No. 2011-30, § 4, 8-15-2011, Doc. #1108151102; Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.312. - First in Time is Conforming.

If two or more billboards or signs, each of which was lawfully constructed at the time of its installation, are situated closer to each other than is permitted by this Chapter, all of such billboards or signs except the one first installed in the City shall be deemed to be nonconforming advertising devices. The foregoing sentence shall be construed to achieve, as nearly as can be, the result that the billboards deemed to be conforming shall be the billboards which could have been lawfully constructed in the City if this Chapter were in effect at the time of their construction.

(Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101)

Sec. 64.313. - Reserved.

Editor's note— Ord. of 9-11-2000, §§ 26, 27, Doc. #33225, repealed § 64.313 which pertained to status of billboards permitted as replacement billboards and derived from Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25101; Ord. of 2-21-1994, Doc. #27277; and Ord. of 5-5-1997, Doc. #30246.

Secs. 64.314—64.319. - Reserved.

PART 6. - REGIONAL PUBLIC LANDMARK IDENTIFICATION

Sec. 64.320. - Regional Public Facility Identification Signage.

Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, City Council may approve signage (to include digital signs and flat roof-top signs) for regional facilities which serve the greater metropolitan area and/or the tourist population. The landmark/facility may be publicly or privately owned, or controlled by a federal, state, or local government entity. Regional Public Facilities may include multiple noncontiguous buildings. Privately owned and controlled facilities must provide seating for at least 20,000 spectators, and must be located within the downtown CRA. Signage for a regional facility must be approved by one of the two following processes:

Signage must be approved by ordinance for regional landmarks/facilities identified by City Council, and may include both on-site and off-site roadway/directional signage. The ordinance must include a determination by the planning official that: (1) the facility is a regional landmark; (2) the signage fosters the public health, safety, and welfare by promoting safe and efficient public access to the regional facility; and (3) the signage does not have a negative impact on surrounding land uses.

Publicly owned and operated schools, by their nature as part of a county-wide school district, have been determined to be regional public facilities. One digital monument sign for a publicly owned and operated school may be approved by planning official determination, provided that the following criteria are met. If the criteria are not met, signage may be reviewed according to the standards in section (a).

Maximum height is 8 feet;

Maximum sign area is 32 square feet, except that the maximum sign area shall be 19 square feet when located within 100 feet of a residential use or zone;

Off-site advertising is prohibited;

Each image that is displayed must remain static for not less than 8 seconds. Transitions from a static image to the next static image must happen instantaneously, without intervening flashing, animation, or movement of any kind;

The sign does not have animation, flashing, zoom, blinking, scrolling or movement of any kind;

The sign must be equipped with automatic dimming technology that adjusts the sign's brightness in direct correlation with ambient light conditions. No sign can exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light as measured using a foot candle meter at the property line; and

The sign must be turned off or placed in "sleep mode" from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Proposed signs located in a historic district or the Downtown CRA require a minor review for compliance with the standards of the relevant board. This review may be addressed by a staff member representing the relevant board and incorporated into the planning official determination for the sign.

(Ord. of 2-21-2000, § 1, Doc. #32734; Ord. No. 2013-22, § 1, 5-6-2013, Doc. #1305061207; Ord. No. 2016-69, § 1, 9-26-2016, Doc. #1609261204; Ord. No. 2018-7, § 1, 2-12-2018, Doc. #1802121204; Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

PART 7. - TEMPORARY SIGNS

Sec. 64.321. - Sign Standards for Temporary Signs.

The following provisions apply for temporary signs. Only signs described in this part are permitted as temporary signs, unless specifically provided for elsewhere in this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.322. - Street pole banners.

Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to authorize street pole banners within certain commercial districts of the City. The intent of this section is to allow the use of street pole banners to help define and identify commercial shopping districts within the City. Nothing in this section should be construed as granting any person the right to use any public property for the display of street pole banners and neither should this section be construed to compel owners of street poles, whether public or private, to allow access to their property. While authorizing the installation of street pole banners pursuant to this section for purposes of the City's land development code, the City retains its proprietary rights to exclude or allow access to its property.

Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the term "street pole banner" means a banner sign attached to a street pole.

Street pole banners authorized. Subject to the terms and conditions of this section, the zoning official, or designee, may permit street pole banners.

Banner districts. Street pole banners are allowed only within designated Main Street and Market Street Districts as approved by the Orlando City Council. In cases of uncertainty, the zoning official shall resolve the question of whether a particular street pole calls within a district's boundary.

Size. Street pole banners may not exceed three feet in width and six feet in height, except that a free-hanging bib may be attached at the bottom. The bib may be no more than three feet wide by one foot tall.

Banner attachments. Street pole banners must be securely attached to street poles. The top and the bottom of each banner must be attached to a rigid horizontal fixture so that banners do not flap in the wind. Banner attachments must hold the banner at least nine and one-half (9½) feet above ground level. Each street pole is limited to no more than two (2) banners. Where two (2) banners are attached to the same street pole, the banners must be attached at the same horizontal elevation and must extend perpendicularly from opposite sides of the pole. Street pole banners may not overhang the travel lanes of an adjacent street.

Permit required. Street pole banners and bibs may be installed only after the zoning official issues a permit for the respective banner or banners. The zoning official shall:

create and provide an application form or forms for street pole banners; and

ii.

accept, process, and approve, deny, or approve with conditions, applications for street pole banners; and

iii.

collect an administrative processing fee for each application equal to the fee established by Council for a zoning official determination; and

iv.

establish reasonable submittal requirements to accompany applications for street pole banners. At a minimum the zoning official shall require that applications be submitted with evidence demonstrating that the owner or owners of the street pole and the right-of-way or other property on which the street pole is located has given consent to applicant to install the banners.

The zoning official shall approve applications for street pole banners if the application proposes street pole banners that meet all applicable provisions of the City's land development code. Approval of a permit pursuant to this subsection constitutes planning and zoning approval for the respective street pole banners, but does not constitute permission to use City property for the installation of street pole banners.

(Ord. No. 2010-1, § 3, 6-7-2010, Doc. #1006071102; Ord. No. 2013-41, § 1, 8-5-2013, Doc. #1308051201; Ord. No. 2017-64, § 1, 12-11-2017, Doc. #1712111201; Ord. No. 2021-26, § 1, 4-12-2021, Doc. #2104121203Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Sec. 64.323. - Minor Signs.

Types allowed. The following Minor Signs are allowed and, unless otherwise stated, do not require a building permit or additional approvals. Minor signs are not eligible for variances by the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

Regulatory Signs.

Signs that are displayed on a lot or property that is actively marketed for sale, rent or lease, as follows:

A single sign is allowed, except 2 signs are permitted on a corner lot when each sign faces a different street frontage.

Sign(s) located on a property developed with a single-family detached or attached dwelling unit cannot exceed 4 square feet in area and a height of 6 feet.

Sign(s) located on a property developed with a multi-family dwelling unit cannot exceed 12 square feet in area and a height of 8 feet.

Sign(s) located on a property developed with any mixed use or non-residential use cannot exceed:

12 square feet in area and a height of 6 feet in MXD and O zoning districts.

ii.

32 square feet in area and a height of 8 feet in MU, AC and I zoning districts.

No sign may be displayed for more than 1 year.

Signs that are displayed on a lot or property for which construction plans or a building permit has been approved or secured for construction of a building or project.

For an individual single-family dwelling undergoing construction, improvement, or renovation, as follows:

One sign, not to exceed 4 square feet in area and a height of 6 feet is allowed.

ii.

No sign can be displayed before commencement of the work.

iii.

Sign must be removed within 7 days after the work is completed with all necessary inspections approved, or within 6 months, whichever is less.

For residential subdivision, multi-family, and non-residential construction, improvement, or renovation, as follows:

A single sign per lot not to exceed 64 square feet in area and a height of 10 feet.

ii.

Lots fronting on more than one road are allowed one additional sign per street frontage, limited to 32 square feet in area and a height of 8 feet.

iii.

No sign may be located closer than 10 feet to any lot line.

iv.

No sign shall be displayed or erected sooner than 30 calendar days prior to construction and shall be removed by the earlier of: 7 days after completion of the building or project, the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, or 7 days after construction operation has ceased.

No sign may be displayed for more than 2 years from the date of the issuance of the first building permit for the development. If construction has not been completed during this timeframe and building permits are active for the development, a building permit is required to allow the continued display of any sign.

vi.

In lieu of the sign, projects with permitted temporary construction fences may include signage on construction fence wraps/scrim. Text copy, including logos, may not exceed 20 percent of each individual panel, with a minimum panel length of 24 ft.

Window Signs are allowed only on the ground floor. The total window sign area may not exceed 25 percent of each individual window area on the ground floor. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element, such as door casings or facade treatments. Mullions are not considered an element that divides window area.

Sidewalk Signs. No more than one Sidewalk Sign is allowed per non-residential street address.

The sign must not exceed 9 square feet in area and a height of 4 feet.

A minimum storefront width of 20 feet is required.

Sign must be located directly in front of the business.

The sign must not encroach into the right-of-way without a right-of-way encroachment agreement as required by Chapter 61.

Signs shall not be secured to the tree guards, tree grates or disturb the sidewalk pavement within the right-of-way.

Sign may only be displayed during normal operating hours.

Other Minor Signs.

Sign(s) located on a property developed with a single-family detached or attached dwelling unit cannot exceed 4 square feet in area per sign and a height of 6 feet.

Sign(s) located on a property developed with multi-family dwelling units cannot exceed 12 square feet in area per sign and a height of 8 feet.

Sign(s) located on a property developed with any mixed-use or non-residential use cannot exceed:

12 square feet in area per sign and a height of 6 feet in MXD and O zoning districts.

ii.

32 square feet in area per sign and a height of 8 feet in MU, AC, and I zoning districts.

No sign may be displayed more than 180 days.

Cumulative Maximum Number and Size. Notwithstanding section 64.323(A), the following requirements apply:

For single-family detached or attached residential uses, a maximum of 3 Minor Signs are allowed on an individual lot with no more than 12 square feet in total area.

For multi-family or non-residential uses, including public benefit uses, or mixed residential/commercial buildings, Minor Signs are not to exceed 64 square feet in total sign area per lot.

A maximum of 2 Freestanding Minor Signs are allowed on an individual lot.

Window Signs do not count against maximum Minor Sign area.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206; Ord. No. 2024-1, § 5, 1-22-2024, Doc. #2401221203)

Sec. 64.324. - Flags.

Flags shall be permitted as follows:

Each building site shall be allowed a maximum of three (3) flags.

Flagpoles must be located in conformance with the yard requirements of the zoning district in which they are located.

The maximum height of any flag shall be 20 percent of the total height of the flagpole. The maximum height of any flagpole shall not exceed 100 feet.

No flagpole within nonresidential districts shall be within forty (40) feet of a residential district.

Flagpoles and other structural requirements may require building permits.

Use of flags and flagpoles in excess of this regulation may be allowed as a Conditional Use. Usage shall be subject to all provisions of this code including, but not limited to, separation, allowable square footage, and height, and shall be counted as chargeable sign area.

(Ord. No. 2023-1, § 2, 3-20-2023, Doc. #2303201206)

Secs. 64.325—64.399. - Reserved.

PART 8. - SPECIAL SIGN DISTRICTS

Sec. 64.400. - Downtown Special Sign District.

(a)

District and subdistricts established. There is hereby established a "Downtown Special Sign District," with four subdistricts to be known as the "Downtown Core Special Sign Subdistrict," the "Midtown Special Sign Subdistrict," the "Creative Village Special Sign Subdistrict," and the "Uptown Special Sign Subdistrict." The boundaries of the district and each of the subdistricts is depicted in Figure 64.400-1. All district and subdistrict boundaries follow the centerline of the public rights-of-way shown in this figure. Notwithstanding any other provision of the City's Land Development Code to the contrary, within the Downtown Special Sign District, and its subdistricts, the following sign regulations of this section apply. Unless otherwise provided in this section, and then only to the extent necessary to implement the provisions of this section, all other ordinances of the City remain effective and applicable to signs within the Downtown Special Sign District, and its subdistricts.

Figure 64.400-1 Downtown Special Sign Subdistricts

(Ord. No. 2020-51, § 3, 10-19-2020, Doc. #2010191201)

(b)

Purpose and intent. The regulations of this section are intended to allow signs that distinguish Downtown Orlando as a regionally unique retail, entertainment, and cultural destination where innovative and vibrant signs enliven the pedestrian experience, contribute to the commercial success of downtown businesses, and identify downtown as an exciting urban environment.

(c)

High-rise signs. Buildings within the Downtown Special Sign District are hereby made exempt from the part of section 64.246 of this Code that halves the maximum copy area of signs located below 30 feet above the ground on buildings with high-rise signs.

(d)

Gobo projection signs. Gobo ("goes between optics") projection signs are signs displayed on a fixed surface by projecting light through a semitransparent template that contains a static image. Each principal building in the Downtown Special Sign District may display one static gobo sign. Additionally, each ground floor retail use may project one static gobo sign onto the adjacent sidewalk. All gobo signs are subject to the following regulations:

Gobos may only project from dusk to 2:00 a.m. the following day.

Gobo images may not change until the following dusk.

Gobo signs may not flash, animate, or distract passing motorists.

Gobo signs may only project onsite messages.

Gobos may not project upon parts of buildings that are used for residential or lodging purposes.

Because gobos are temporary in nature, they do not count toward the calculation of maximum allowable copy area.

(e)

Animated gobo projection signs in the Downtown Core Subdistrict. Animated gobo ("goes between optics") projection signs are signs displayed on a fixed surface by projecting light through a semitransparent template that contains animated videos. Each principal building in the Downtown Core Subdistrict may display one animated or static gobo sign. Additionally, each ground floor retail use may project one animated or static gobo sign onto the adjacent sidewalk. All animated gobo signs are subject to the following regulations:

Gobos may only project from dusk to 2:00 a.m. the following day.

Gobo signs may only project onsite messages.

Gobos may not project upon parts of buildings that are used for residential or lodging purposes.

Because gobos are temporary in nature, they do not count toward the calculation of maximum allowable copy area.

Animated gobos may not exceed 1,600 square feet and may not be visible from a limited access highway.

(f)

Interactive storefronts. Interactive storefronts are digital signs oriented and designed to interact with pedestrians passing along the adjacent sidewalk. Interactive storefronts are allowed within the Downtown Core, Midtown, and Creative Village subdistricts. All interactive storefronts are subject to the following regulations:

Interactive storefronts must be designed, installed, and maintained to function as a computer-generated interactive display that responds to the physical activity of engaged pedestrians passing along the adjacent sidewalk.

Interactive storefronts do not count towards the calculation of maximum allowable copy area.

Interactive storefronts may display onsite and offsite messages.

Messages displayed on interactive storefronts must be oriented towards the pedestrian, not passing motorists.

Interactive storefronts are only allowed along sidewalks that are at least 15 feet wide, measured perpendicular to the storefront, or along publicly-accessible plazas that are at least 15 feet wide, measured perpendicular to the storefront.

Interactive storefronts may comprise no more than 15% of a block face, and no more than 25% of the width of the applicable building face.

Buildings with interactive storefronts are not exempt from minimum transparency requirements.

The applicable Downtown Special Sign subdistricts may have no more than eight interactive storefronts. However, each commercial ground floor use that meets the above dimensional requirements for sidewalk and plazas may have one interactive sign of up to a maximum of three square feet or a 28-inch monitor (e.g., interactive menus, catalogs, etc.).

All interactive storefronts are subject to the operational requirements of subsections 64.277-B(3) f), g), h), i), j), and k), of this Code.

(g)

Kinetic signs. Kinetic signs are signs with components that spin, rotate, or otherwise mechanically move or display the perception of movement through the manipulation of light. Kinetic signs are allowed throughout the Downtown Special Sign District, subject to the following regulations:

Kinetic signs may move, flash, or display the perception of motion only from dusk to 2:00 a.m. the following day.

Freestanding kinetic signs are prohibited.

Kinetic signs count towards the calculation of maximum allowable copy area.

Kinetic signs must be turned off if they are not fully operational as designed and permitted.

(h)

Electronic Message Centers. Electronic Message Centers are signs that display images or messages through a digital medium. Electronic Message Centers are allowed within all Downtown Special Sign subdistricts, subject to the following regulations:

Electronic Message Centers are only allowed as a marquee sign or on a freestanding sign where a such sign is permitted. For Electronic Message Centers on a freestanding sign, the following standards must be met:

Up to 40% of the freestanding sign may be digital, up to a maximum of 60 square feet.

Maximum overall height of the freestanding sign is 10 feet.

The freestanding sign is set back 5 feet from any rights-of-way, or integrated into an existing wall, kneewall, or other architectural feature as approved by the Appearance Review Official or Historic Preservation Officer (as applicable).

Electronic Message Centers on marquees count towards the calculation of maximum allowable copy area.

Electronic Message Centers must conform to the operational requirements of section 64.251 of this Code, except for subsection e).

(i)

Digital screens. Digital screens are signs comprised of a television-like screen that displays full-motion images and messages through the digital manipulation of light. Digital screens are allowed within the Creative Village Special Sign subdistrict, and sites within the Downtown Core Special Sign subdistrict that abut the Church St. right-of-way and the Orange Ave. right-of-way between Jackson St. and Pine St., and that conform to the requirements of this part. All digital screens are subject to the following regulations:

Digital screens may display onsite and offsite messages.

Digital screens must be flush with the building façade, architecturally integrated into the building onto which it is affixed, and oriented towards the pedestrian and not passing motorists.

Digital screens are only allowed on mixed-use sites.

Digital screens are only allowed on sites that contain ground floor retail uses throughout a majority of the ground floor leasable area.

Digital screens are only allowed on sites with at least 250,000 square feet of building area.

Digital screens are only allowed on sites with a public or private plaza at least 0.1 acres in area.

Digital screens may not be visible from a limited access highway.

All digital screens on the same site must be part and parcel of a singular, master sign plan that is controlled by a common computerized control system. Individual screens must work in coordination with each other and may not be controlled separately by different tenants of the site.

Digital screens may not exceed 400 square feet per principal building or 1,600 square feet per principal building if built and maintained behind glass windows designed for such purpose. A building site may only have outdoor or indoor digital screens, but not both. Buildings with such a display are not exempt from regular building transparency requirements.

10.

Digital screens are prohibited above 60 feet from the ground, or the top of the building's second floor, whichever is less, and may not be below 9.5 feet above the surface of the nearby sidewalk, plaza, or other walkway.

11.

Digital screens are subject to the operational requirements of subsections 64.277(3) f), g), h), i), j), and k), of this Code.

12.

Within the Downtown Core subdistrict, digital screens must be primarily oriented towards Church St. or Orange Ave.

(j)

Digital kiosks. Digital kiosks are kiosks containing primarily digital signs. Subject to approval from the City to use its right-of-way for such purpose, digital kiosks are allowed within public sidewalks in the Downtown Special Sign District and within the City of Orlando's Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Area, and may display digital messages as well as static signs.

(k)

Freestanding signs. Freestanding signs are allowed throughout the Downtown Special Sign District, subject to the following regulations:

Freestanding signs are only allowed on sites with at least 250,000 square feet of building area and a public or private plaza at least 0.1 acres in area.

Only one freestanding sign is allowed per site.

(l)

Televisions. Outdoor and indoor televisions visible from the public right-of-way are allowed throughout the Downtown Special Sign District, subject to the following regulations:

Televisions are only allowed on the first and second floors, and never above 30 feet from the ground.

Television screens count towards the calculation of maximum allowable copy area when located within 6 feet of either the public right-of-way or a window, and oriented primarily toward the public right-of-way, even if the television is located within a building.

Televisions may only broadcast during the business hours of the business at which the television is located.

Televisions may only broadcast onsite messages and regular broadcast television programming.

Buildings with television screens are not exempt from minimum transparency requirements.

Only one television of no more than 50 inches is allowed per commercial use, except that approved sidewalk cafes may have one television of no more than 50 inches per 50 feet of lineal right-of-way frontage.

Television studios are allowed one outdoor television over 50 inches in size broadcasting programs originating from the building site. The size of the television is counted towards the building site's sign area allocation.

(m)

Temporary special event signs. Council may, by resolution, approve a sign package of banners and building-wrap signs for significant downtown-wide special events. The proposed package must be reviewed by the Planning Official before consideration by Council. Signs approved pursuant to this part may be displayed no more than 30 days before the special event, and must be removed no later than 7 days after the special event.

(Ord. No. 2011-16, § 1, 7-25-2011, Doc. #1107251101; Ord. No. 2014-3, § 3, 2-24-2014, Doc. #1402241204; Ord. No. 2017-41, § 3, 1-8-2018, Doc. #1801081208; Ord. No. 2020-51, § 3, 10-19-2020, Doc. #2010191201; Ord. No. 2024-1, § 6, 1-22-2024, Doc. #2401221203)

Sec. 64.401. - Highway Digital Sign District.

(a)

District and Subdistricts Established. There is hereby established a "Highway Digital Sign District," with two subdistricts to be known as the "Universal Studios Subdistrict" and the "Lake Nona Subdistrict." The boundaries of the district and each of the subdistricts are depicted in Figures 64.401-1 and 64.401-2. All district and subdistrict boundaries follow the centerline of the public rights-of-way shown in these figures. Notwithstanding any other provision of the City's Land Development Code to the contrary, within the Highway Digital Sign District, and its subdistricts, the following sign regulations of this section apply. Unless otherwise provided in this section, and then only to the extent necessary to implement the provision of this section, all other ordinances of the City remain effective and applicable to signs within the Highway Digital Sign District, and its subdistricts.

(b)

Purpose and Intent. The regulations of this section are intended to allow digital signs along limited access rights-of-way for activity centers that are Development of Regional Impacts (or its functional equivalent), which allow for on-site identification opportunities that function as wayfinding to destinations within the subdistrict adjacent to the limited access roadway, controlled by a master developer.

(c)

Highway Digital Sign Requirements. The following design and function requirements apply to digital signs along limited access roadways:

Eligible Developments. An activity center/urban village that is greater than 500 acres in size with at least two interchanges that access the development.

Number of Signs. Each eligible activity center shall be allowed one highway digital sign for each interchange that is adjacent to the activity center, placed visible to a limited access roadway:

Universal Studios. Two signs (Kirkman Road, and Universal Blvd/Adventure Way interchanges); and,

Lake Nona. Three signs (Boggy Creek Road, Lake Nona Blvd and Narcossee Road interchanges).

Size and Height. The highway digital sign area is limited up to 400 square feet facing in opposite directions. The height of the highway digital sign is limited to 30-ft; however, architectural details and a single static sign identifying the activity center may be placed up to 40-ft. All height measurements shall be taken from the nearest grade of the adjacent limited access roadway.

Location. The placement of highway digital signs shall be setback a minimum of 150-ft from the nearest outside curb of the adjacent limited access roadway of the general travel lanes of the roadway (or the logical continuation of these lines), and not the off-ramps.

Setbacks. Highway digital signs shall be setback a minimum of 400-ft from residentially zoned properties. Each highway digital sign shall be separated a minimum distance of one-half mile from any other highway digital sign.

Operations. The operation rules of section 64.277(3) shall apply for light, change of message, and other functions. Highway digital signs shall have color rendition capabilities and a minimum resolution of 72 dots per square inch.

Number of Elements. The highway digital sign shall be limited to display three elements at any given time, and shall be limited to a single message. For instance, only one static message is allowed at any time; however, each display is limited to three elements (the name of the store or event, address/location, the date/time, photo/graphic, tagline, etc. shall each be considered one element) in order to reduce the perception of sign clutter on the copy of the highway digital sign.

On-Site Messages Only. The highway digital signs are limited to wayfinding messages towards on-site destinations within each subdistrict.

Architectural Enhancement. The highway digital signs shall match a unified master sign program developed for each subdistrict/activity center. To ensure this standard is met, the following shall apply:

Appearance Review. A formal appearance review process is required for each highway digital sign prior to permitting, approved by the Planning Official, to document approval of the appearance and location of the sign in compliance with this section.

Architectural Treatment. The design of highway digital signs shall incorporate the architectural details of principal buildings of primary importance within each subdistrict, or a consistent architectural theme. The overall design of the sign shall incorporate three dimensional architectural elements into the design.

Materials. The signs shall incorporate consistent durable materials and details to create a base, middle and top or a unique design aesthetic that is specifically incorporated into the subdistrict.

Lighting. Any lighting shall emphasize or highlight the architectural details of the sign. Cabinet, backlit or similar types of sign treatments are prohibited. All lighting fixtures shall meet the City's lighting ordinance (full cut-off) and not spill above the sign.

Monument sign. Digital highway signs shall be a monument sign or ground mounted sign. If the sign is two sided, the sides of each sign shall face in opposite directions. Pole signs are not allowed.

(Ord. No. 2015-67, § 1, 12-14-2015, Doc. #1512141203)

Sec. 63.408. - Alternative Lighting Standards. Chapter 65 - OFFICERS, BOARDS AND PROCEDURES