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City of Miami Sign Code

Signs play a major role in the identification and promotion of businesses. They also impact the City’s streetscapes and the pedestrian experience.

Article 10 of the Miami 21 Zoning Code, provides regulations to:

Promote the effectiveness of signs by preventing improper placement, neglect, and excessiveness.
Optimize communication and design quality.
Provide adequate business identification and advertising communication by improving readability.
Preserve and enhance the appearance of streetscapes.
Ensure that signs are safe and properly maintained.

Sign Design Standards: Table 15

How was the sign code developed?

The sign code was developed through a collaborative effort between business owners, sign industry specialists, and City Planning staff. A review and analysis was performed on nationwide best practices and standards of other cities and agencies to assess the City’s existing sign ordinance. The existing sign regulations were enhanced using these standards and guidelines to formulate a code to best fit Miami’s signage needs.

Why did the sign code change?

Sign codes of the past have established standards and guidelines in a legislative “text” format that can be confusing and misleading to users. With the adoption of the Miami 21 Zoning Code, zoning language has been put into a form-based code format that is easier to read for citizens and are more predictable. With the form-based code standard, the new sign code language is complemented with graphics, pictures, and illustrations to improve interpretation and compliance for business and property owners.

Non-Conforming Signs

Non-conforming signs are signs which do not conform to the new sign code, Article 10 as adopted on May 22, 2014.

Legally built monuments, freestanding signs or any signs above 50 feet must be removed by May 22, 2019.
Other legal, nonconforming signs were required to be removed by May 22, 2015.
Designated Historic Signs do not have to be removed. These signs are permitted to be repaired, restored, structurally altered, or reconstructed as detailed in Chapter 23 of the City Code.

Prohibited Signs

View Details of Prohibited Signs

Design Standards

Sign Code Design Standard Information

Non-Compliance

If you do not comply with the sign regulations, you will receive a notice of violation. If you do not comply, you will be fined. Unpaid fines may lead to property liens.

You can remove a sign if it is not permitted to avoid a notice of warning. However, a demolition permit may be required if the sign is part of a structure.