Sign permits in Jacksonville, FL: rules, fees, and how to apply
Sign permits here are reviewed by City of Jacksonville, FL under Jacksonville Ordinance Code Ch. 656 (Zoning Code) Part 13 — Sign Regulations; construction standards in Ch. 326; permits, fees and bond in Ch. 320 Part 4 and Sec. 326.105—326.106. This guide covers the 12 rules the city actually checks — each one quoted from the published code with a link to the source — plus what the permit costs, how long review takes, the documents you’ll need, and exactly how to submit. Everything below was verified 2026-07-07 against the city’s own published sources.
Published tiers, some ranges
The city publishes fee tiers, but a few land in honest ranges — we show the range, never an invented number.
Typical review
Sign plan review is offered as a same-day, first-come-first-served walk-through (weekdays 7–12:30 and 2–3:30 per the city's Sign Laws page); electronic JaxEPICS submittals queue for standard plan review — allow days to a couple of weeks
How you submit
JaxEPICS (City of Jacksonville e-permitting)
The rules Jacksonville checks
Every rule below is quoted from the city’s own published source — the exact sentence, never a paraphrase, with a link to read it in context. 1 of the 12 rules is flagged “needs human review” because the source is ambiguous — we say so instead of guessing.
When a permit is required
You need a permit before you erect, enlarge, rebuild or structurally alter any sign in Jacksonville. The city's Sign Laws page spells it out: freestanding/ground signs, wall signs, awning signs, under-canopy signs, projecting signs and roof signs all need one.
“It shall be unlawful to erect, enlarge, rebuild or structurally alter a sign without first obtaining a permit therefor in accordance with Part 4, Chapter 320.”
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 326.105 — Permit required
Signs of 4 square feet or less are exempt from the sign construction chapter (along with window poster signs, signs painted on glass, and vehicle signs). Almost everything a sign shop installs is bigger than that, so assume a permit.
“Signs which do not exceed four square feet.”
A $5,000 surety bond must be on file with the Building Inspection Division before the permit is issued. Only an owner-applicant with a non-illuminated sign of 32 sq ft or less and 8 ft or less escapes it — contractor applicants always need the bond.
“Except where the applicant is the owner and the proposed sign is not illuminated and does not exceed 32 square feet in area or eight feet in overall height above the ground, an applicant for a sign permit shall file with the Building Inspection Division a bond in the amount of $5,000 prior to the issuance of the permit.”
Sign size vs. street or storefront length
In the main commercial districts (CCG, CCBD, CR — and industrial districts follow the same rule), a freestanding street-frontage sign gets 1 square foot of area per linear foot of street frontage, capped at 300 square feet for every 300 feet of frontage, per street. The quieter CN district gets the same 1:1 ratio but caps at 200 square feet per 200 feet of frontage. We do the math: your frontage × 1, then apply the cap.
“One street frontage sign per lot not exceeding one square foot for each linear foot of street frontage, per street, to a maximum size of 300 square feet in area for every 300 linear feet of street frontage or portion thereof is permitted, provided they are located no closer than 200 feet apart.”
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 656.1303(c)(3) — CCG, CCBD and CR zoning districts
Height limits
Signs top out at 50 feet above the adjacent ground. Commercial and industrial sites within 660 feet of an interstate and its exit can go to 65 feet. Residential districts cap ground signs at 20 feet.
“Height of signs—Signs shall not exceed 50 feet in maximum height above the level of the adjacent ground, except as otherwise provided in this Chapter; provided, however that signs located in commercial and industrial zoning districts may exceed that height; provided that, the sign is located not more than 660 feet from the centerline of an interstate highway exit and not more than 660 feet from the centerline of an interstate highway; provided further the sign does not exceed 65 feet in height.”
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 656.1303(i)(1) — General criteria
A ground sign put up within 20 feet of a street-corner intersection must keep at least 9 feet of clearance under the main body of the sign, and ground signs taller than 20 feet must be all-metal construction.
“The height of ground signs above the level of adjacent ground shall be limited as provided in Chapter 656, Part 13, and a clearance of not less than nine feet shall be maintained below the main body of the sign if it is erected within 20 feet of an intersection of two street right-of-way lines.”
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 326.202(b) — Ground signs
How far from the property line
Two hard location rules citywide: no sign within 25 feet of an intersection of two or more right-of-way lines, and no sign closer than 10 feet to any street right-of-way. The site plan must show both distances.
“Location of signs—Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Ordinance Code to the contrary, no sign shall be located within 25 feet of any intersection of two or more right-of-way lines, nor shall any sign be located closer than ten feet from any street right-of-way;”
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 656.1303(i)(2) — General criteria
Spacing between signs
Street-frontage (freestanding) signs on a lot must be at least 200 feet apart, measured in a straight line between the signs.
“One street frontage sign per lot not exceeding one square foot for each linear foot of street frontage, per street, to a maximum size of 300 square feet in area for every 300 linear feet of street frontage or portion thereof is permitted, provided they are located no closer than 200 feet apart.”
Digital sign (EMC) rules
Digital / changing-message signs are generally allowed in Jacksonville as part of any allowable sign — but they're prohibited in all residential districts and in the CO and CRO office districts, and animated, flashing and revolving signs are banned everywhere. Confirm the zoning district before selling an EMC.
“Changing message devices are permitted as part of any allowable sign unless otherwise prohibited.”
When a freestanding sign needs an engineer
Signs must be designed to the Florida Building Code, and the city's wind-zone ordinance sets Risk Category II design wind speeds at 125 mph west and 130 mph east of the I-95 / St. Johns River demarcation line. The city hasn't published a square-footage threshold for when sealed engineering is required, so we flag this for the plan reviewer or your engineer rather than guessing.
“Signs and outdoor display structures shall be designed, installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of The Florida Building Code and this Chapter.”
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 326.101 — Installation standards (wind zones at Sec. 320.103)
Facade and window coverage limits
Wall signs are capped at 10 percent of the square footage of the occupancy frontage (the tenant's face of the building along the street). We need the storefront's width and height to run this math — and remember an under-canopy sign's area gets subtracted from the wall-sign allowance.
“Wall signs shall not exceed ten percent of the square footage of the occupancy frontage or respective side of the building abutting a public right-of-way or approved private street.”
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 656.1303(j)(3) — Special criteria
Historic and special district overlays
Inside the Downtown Sign Overlay Zone, the sign application goes to Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) staff first — every application needs a written DDRB recommendation of approval before the Building Inspection Division will issue the permit. Staff answer within 5 working days of a complete application; full-board design review of a sign package can take up to 45 days.
“Applications for sign permits for any parcel within the Downtown Sign Overlay Area shall be submitted to the DDRB staff, who will determine if the application can be reviewed and approved by staff pursuant to Sec. 656.361.7.1 (D) or if it will be forwarded to the DDRB for a recommendation of approval or denial based on the following criteria:”
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 656.1335 — Design review (timelines in Sec. 656.1336)
What a sign permit costs in Jacksonville
Jacksonville prices sign permits by display-face area: $8.25 per 20 sq ft (each display face) up to 100 sq ft, then $12.50 per additional 100 sq ft, with an $80 minimum permit fee and a plan review fee of 31% of the permit fee or $35, whichever is greater. In practice most single signs land right at the $115 minimum ($80 + $35). Lit signs add a separate electrical permit fee (priced per sign on the city fee page), and nearly every contractor job also needs the $5,000 sign bond on file — a surety cost, not a city fee. Current amounts live at jacksonville.gov/departments/finance/city-fees (the ordinance points fees there).
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sign up to 100 sq ft per display face ($80 minimum permit fee + $35 minimum plan review) | $115 |
| Sign 101–400 sq ft (per-display-face math keeps most in the minimum; double faces push it up) | $115–$170(range) |
| Sign 401 sq ft and up ($8.25 per 20 sq ft for the first 100, $12.50 per additional 100, + 31% plan review) | $115–$400(range) |
How long review takes
Typical: Sign plan review is offered as a same-day, first-come-first-served walk-through (weekdays 7–12:30 and 2–3:30 per the city's Sign Laws page); electronic JaxEPICS submittals queue for standard plan review — allow days to a couple of weeks
If it runs long: Downtown Sign Overlay Zone: DDRB staff respond within 5 working days of a complete application, but full-board design review of a sign package can take up to 45 days
Source: Jacksonville Sign Laws page; Ord. Code Sec. 656.1336
Downtown Sign Overlay Zone (DDRB design review)
Downtown signs need a written DDRB recommendation of approval before the Building Inspection Division can issue the permit — staff-level answers take 5 working days, full-board sign packages up to 45 days. DIA staff recommend a pre-filing meeting.
Historic districts (Ch. 307 — Riverside/Avondale, Springfield, etc.)
Signs in designated historic districts follow the district's own overlay regulations and typically need a Certificate of Appropriateness before the sign permit — plan for extra time and check with the Planning Department's Historic Preservation Section.
How to submit in Jacksonville
Apply online in JaxEPICS: create an applicant profile (contractors register first by emailing the Contractor Registration form to BIDDocuments@coj.net), fill the Location/Contacts/Specs tabs, upload every document as a PDF into its matching folder, then click Submit For Review and pay the plan review fee. Heads up: the city's Sign Laws page still describes an in-person walk-through review at 214 N. Hogan St. Room 280 — call (904) 255-8500 to confirm which path your sign takes before you promise a date.
Portal: JaxEPICS (City of Jacksonville e-permitting)
- How to submit online (JaxEPICS guide)
- City Sign Laws page (walk-through review details)
- City fee schedule (sign erection fees)
- Checklists, forms and documents
Who to call when you’re stuck
- Building Inspection Division (option 4 for permits) — 904-255-8500 — BIDDocuments@coj.net
- Sign plan review (per the city's Sign Laws page) — 904-255-8726 — SaulS@coj.net
The documents Jacksonville asks for
Which of these apply depends on the sign — lit signs, freestanding signs, and signs that need engineering each pull in extra paperwork. PermitMySign tracks every slot per job.
Site plan (sign location with distances to property lines, rights-of-way and intersections)
Jacksonville checks two hard location rules — nothing within 25 feet of an intersection of right-of-way lines and nothing closer than 10 feet to any street right-of-way — so the reviewer needs a site plan that shows those distances. JaxEPICS has a dedicated Site Plans folder for it.
Sign elevation / construction drawings (dimensions, area per face, height above grade, materials, mounting)
Fees and the zoning check both run off the drawing: the fee is charged per 20 square feet of each display face, and the reviewer verifies area, height and construction against Ch. 326. Downtown, the DDRB explicitly wants an elevation showing where on the building the sign goes.
Florida-sealed engineering to the Florida Building Code wind speeds (125/130 mph ultimate, Risk Category II)
Ch. 326 requires signs to be designed to the Florida Building Code, and the city's own wind-zone ordinance sets 125 mph west / 130 mph east of the I-95–St. Johns River line for Risk Category II. The city hasn't published a square-footage threshold for when a seal is required, so plan on sealed drawings for structural signs and confirm with the plan reviewer. Software can't stamp drawings — this is a tracked to-do. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Electrical detail + separate electrical permit for the sign circuit
Lit signs in Jacksonville carry an electrical permit line of their own — the city's fee schedule prices 'Signs, each' under electrical permit fees — and the electrical work needs a qualified electrical contractor.
$5,000 sign bond on file with the Building Inspection Division
Jacksonville won't issue the permit until a $5,000 surety bond is on file. The only exemption is an owner-applicant putting up a non-illuminated sign that is 32 square feet or less and 8 feet or less in height — as a sign contractor you'll need the bond on essentially every job. It comes from a surety company licensed in Florida, so it's a human to-do, and most established shops already have one on file with the city. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Written permission from the property owner or agent (Permission to Obtain Permits form)
The city's Sign Laws page says applicants must first obtain written permission from the property owner or agent, and the JaxEPICS guide requires the completed Permission to Obtain Permits form uploaded with the application. Needs the owner's signature — we route it as a to-do with an emailable template. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Recorded Notice of Commencement (Duval County)
Florida requires a recorded Notice of Commencement when the job contract is $2,500 or more — Jacksonville's permit process expects it submitted before work starts. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Wind load, for the engineer
130 mph (site values vary — verify with your engineer) · Florida Building Code (2023, 8th Ed.) / ASCE 7-22 — local wind zones fixed by Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 320.103
Jacksonville sets its wind zones by ordinance: for Risk Category II structures the ultimate design wind speed is 125 mph west of the demarcation line and 130 mph east of it. The line runs up the middle of the St. Johns River to the Fuller Warren Bridge, then north along I-95 to the county line. We seed 130 mph (the higher, east-side value) — your engineer confirms which side of the line the site is on, or interpolates from the FBC maps with a licensed engineer's location map.
Exposure Category C is common for Jacksonville's open, suburban and waterfront sites; sites shielded by dense urban surroundings may rate B — it's read off the actual surroundings, and coastal sites near the beaches trend windier.
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 320.103 — Wind zones — a starting number for the engineer of record, never a substitute for sealed calculations.
What we couldn’t verify (yet)
Honesty is the product — here’s where Jacksonville’s own sources left gaps:
- The city's Sign Laws page says sign permit plan review is a walk-through service and that applications 'are not accepted via mail or electronic submittal', while the Building Inspection Division's newer pages say online JaxEPICS submission is now required for ALL permit types. The Sign Laws page appears stale — call (904) 255-8500 to confirm the sign-permit path before promising a submission method.
- No dedicated sign permit application PDF or sign-specific checklist was found — the application appears to be filled directly inside JaxEPICS. The document list here is assembled from the JaxEPICS guide, the Sign Laws page and the ordinance, not from a published sign checklist.
- Fee math is derived from published components ($8.25 per 20 sq ft per display face, $12.50 per additional 100 sq ft, $80 minimum, plan review 31% or $35 minimum) — the flat $115 shown for small signs is computed from those published numbers; larger and double-faced signs show as ranges. The electrical permit fee for a lit sign ('Signs, each') is published on the city fee page but its current dollar amount was not pinned.
- No published square-footage threshold for when sealed engineering is required — Sec. 326.101 requires FBC design; the engineering rule returns 'Needs human review'.
- District-by-district nuances beyond CCG/CCBD/CR, CN, CO/CRO and residential (e.g., PUDs, TND, historic overlays) were not extracted — check the zoning district on the property before quoting sign area.
- Review-time figures other than the ordinance's DDRB timelines are the city's walk-through description, not a published SLA.
Jacksonville sign permit FAQ
Do I need a permit to put up a sign in Jacksonville?
You need a permit before you erect, enlarge, rebuild or structurally alter any sign in Jacksonville. The city's Sign Laws page spells it out: freestanding/ground signs, wall signs, awning signs, under-canopy signs, projecting signs and roof signs all need one.
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 326.105 — Permit required
How much does a sign permit cost in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville prices sign permits by display-face area: $8.25 per 20 sq ft (each display face) up to 100 sq ft, then $12.50 per additional 100 sq ft, with an $80 minimum permit fee and a plan review fee of 31% of the permit fee or $35, whichever is greater. In practice most single signs land right at the $115 minimum ($80 + $35). Lit signs add a separate electrical permit fee (priced per sign on the city fee page), and nearly every contractor job also needs the $5,000 sign bond on file — a surety cost, not a city fee. Current amounts live at jacksonville.gov/departments/finance/city-fees (the ordinance points fees there).
How long does sign permit review take in Jacksonville?
Sign plan review is offered as a same-day, first-come-first-served walk-through (weekdays 7–12:30 and 2–3:30 per the city's Sign Laws page); electronic JaxEPICS submittals queue for standard plan review — allow days to a couple of weeks. If it runs long: Downtown Sign Overlay Zone: DDRB staff respond within 5 working days of a complete application, but full-board design review of a sign package can take up to 45 days.
Source: Jacksonville Sign Laws page; Ord. Code Sec. 656.1336
Does Jacksonville allow digital signs (EMCs)?
Digital / changing-message signs are generally allowed in Jacksonville as part of any allowable sign — but they're prohibited in all residential districts and in the CO and CRO office districts, and animated, flashing and revolving signs are banned everywhere. Confirm the zoning district before selling an EMC.
When does a sign need an engineer in Jacksonville?
Signs must be designed to the Florida Building Code, and the city's wind-zone ordinance sets Risk Category II design wind speeds at 125 mph west and 130 mph east of the I-95 / St. Johns River demarcation line. The city hasn't published a square-footage threshold for when sealed engineering is required, so we flag this for the plan reviewer or your engineer rather than guessing. Our research flags this one “needs human review” — the city's own sources are ambiguous here, so we say so instead of guessing.
Source: Jacksonville Ord. Code Sec. 326.101 — Installation standards (wind zones at Sec. 320.103)
How do you submit a sign permit application in Jacksonville?
Apply online in JaxEPICS: create an applicant profile (contractors register first by emailing the Contractor Registration form to BIDDocuments@coj.net), fill the Location/Contacts/Specs tabs, upload every document as a PDF into its matching folder, then click Submit For Review and pay the plan review fee. Heads up: the city's Sign Laws page still describes an in-person walk-through review at 214 N. Hogan St. Room 280 — call (904) 255-8500 to confirm which path your sign takes before you promise a date.
Rules on this page were verified 2026-07-07 against Jacksonville Ordinance Code Ch. 656 (Zoning Code) Part 13 — Sign Regulations; construction standards in Ch. 326; permits, fees and bond in Ch. 320 Part 4 and Sec. 326.105—326.106. Cities change their codes — when a claim matters to a real job, PermitMySign shows you the citation so you can check the source yourself.
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