Sign permits in Orlando, FL: rules, fees, and how to apply
Sign permits here are reviewed by City of Orlando, FL under Orlando City Code Chapter 64 — Signs (Downtown Special Sign District at Sec. 64.400). This guide covers the 6 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 2026-07-03 against the city’s own published sources.
Computed from job value
The city calculates the fee from your job's value — we show a labeled estimate, never an invented number.
Typical review
City goal: within 3 business days of submittal
How you submit
Email submission + ProjectDox plan upload
Rules verified
2026-07-03, against Orlando City Code Chapter 64 — Signs (Downtown Special Sign District at Sec. 64.400)
The rules Orlando 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 6 rules is flagged “needs human review” because the source is ambiguous — we say so instead of guessing.
When a permit is required
Every lit sign must use components listed by an authorized testing lab, and the application needs the manufacturer name and listing number.
“Every electrical sign must be Listed by an authorized testing lab per NEC 600.3/600.4 — provide manufacturer name and listing number.”
Source: Orlando Sign Permit Plan Review Guide — NEC 600 listing
Sign size vs. street or storefront length
Wall signs are capped at 1.5 square feet of sign for every foot of storefront the tenant occupies.
“Wall signs shall not exceed 1.5 square feet per linear foot of frontage.”
Source: Orlando City Code Ch. 64 — wall sign area allowance (Sec. 64.245(b))
Height limits
Ground-sign height limits in Orlando vary by district under Chapter 64. We flag this for a human check against the code rather than guessing a number.
“Chapter 64 — Signs.”
Source: Orlando City Code Ch. 64
Digital sign (EMC) rules
Digital signs (electronically controlled message centers) are not allowed in Orlando. This is a hard stop — the city will not permit one.
“Electronically controlled message centers are prohibited.”
Source: Orlando Sign Permit Plan Review Guide (City Code Ch. 64)
When a freestanding sign needs an engineer
Plans must be signed and sealed by a Florida-registered architect or engineer, and every sign must meet the 125-mph wind-load design of the Florida Building Code. Face-only changes are exempt if marked 'face change only'.
“Plans need to be signed and sealed by a State of Florida registered architect or engineer; all signs must meet 125 mph wind load design requirements of the Florida Building Code.”
Source: Orlando Sign Permit Plan Review Guide — sealing & wind load
Historic and special district overlays
Downtown and historic-district signs follow extra standards (Downtown Special Sign District Sec. 64.400; historic overlays in Ch. 62 Part 7) and can need board approval — this isn't a standard permit.
“Downtown Special Sign District, Sec. 64.400.”
What a sign permit costs in Orlando
Orlando calculates sign-permit fees from the estimated cost of your sign project — there's no flat table to quote from. Enter an accurate valuation; the exact fee shows up when the city processes the application.
How long review takes
Typical: City goal: within 3 business days of submittal
If it runs long: Plan for 2–4 weeks in practice
Source: Orlando Sign Permit Plan Review Guide — 'within three business days of submittal'
Downtown Special Sign District / Historic Preservation overlay
Extra sign standards apply and board approval may be needed — plan for more time than a standard permit.
How to submit in Orlando
Email the completed Building Permit application (plus a separate electrical permit application if the sign is lit) to digitalpermits@orlando.gov. The city emails back a ProjectDox link and temporary password for uploading the plans.
Portal: Email submission + ProjectDox plan upload
- ProjectDox plan upload
- Permit status & payment lookup
- Sign Permit Plan Review Guide (the city's checklist)
Who to call when you’re stuck
- Permitting Services — 407-246-2271 — digitalpermits@orlando.gov
The documents Orlando 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 (legal description, sign location with setbacks, all existing signs with dimensions)
Orlando's checklist wants the property description, the proposed sign location with setbacks from property lines, building locations and dimensions, and every existing sign that will remain — with dimensions.
Construction & elevation drawings (front and side views)
The city wants front and side views with dimensions, materials, and the illumination source shown.
Fastener detail (number, size, spacing)
Wall signs need the fastener details — how many, what size, how far apart.
Foundation details + views from all sides
Ground signs need views from all sides plus foundation details.
Engineer-stamped wind-load drawings (125-mph FBC)
Orlando requires plans signed and sealed by a Florida-registered architect or engineer, designed for 125-mph winds. Face-only changes are exempt if the plans are clearly marked 'face change only'. 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.)
Testing-lab listing (manufacturer name + listing number)
Every electrical sign must be listed by an authorized testing lab per NEC 600.3/600.4 — the city wants the manufacturer name and listing number.
Separate electrical permit application
Lit signs in Orlando need a second, linked electrical permit — we prepare it alongside the sign permit.
Owner/management letter allocating sign area (multi-tenant sites)
On multi-tenant properties, Orlando wants a letter from the owner or manager allocating square footage and listing every existing tenant sign's area. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Property owner's notarized signature on the application
Orlando's application needs the property owner's signature, notarized. Software can't notarize — 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
Florida requires a recorded Notice of Commencement when the job contract is $2,500 or more. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Wind load, for the engineer
125 mph · Florida Building Code — Orlando's sign plan-review guide cites 125 mph
Orlando's own sign plan-review guide sets the bar in writing: all signs must meet 125 mph wind-load design requirements of the Florida Building Code. Your engineer designs to the current FBC wind maps for the site (roughly 140 mph ultimate, Risk Category II, in the Orlando area) — the sealed set satisfies both.
Exposure Category C is common for Orlando's open and suburban sites; downtown sites shielded by dense buildings may rate B — it's read off the actual surroundings.
Source: Orlando Sign Permit Plan Review Guide — sealing & wind load — 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 Orlando’s own sources left gaps:
- Orlando's ground-sign height caps by district were not extracted from Ch. 64 — that row returns 'Needs human review' with the citation instead of a guessed number.
Orlando sign permit FAQ
Do I need a permit to put up a sign in Orlando?
Every lit sign must use components listed by an authorized testing lab, and the application needs the manufacturer name and listing number.
Source: Orlando Sign Permit Plan Review Guide — NEC 600 listing
How much does a sign permit cost in Orlando?
Orlando calculates sign-permit fees from the estimated cost of your sign project — there's no flat table to quote from. Enter an accurate valuation; the exact fee shows up when the city processes the application.
How long does sign permit review take in Orlando?
City goal: within 3 business days of submittal. If it runs long: Plan for 2–4 weeks in practice.
Source: Orlando Sign Permit Plan Review Guide — 'within three business days of submittal'
Does Orlando allow digital signs (EMCs)?
Digital signs (electronically controlled message centers) are not allowed in Orlando. This is a hard stop — the city will not permit one.
Source: Orlando Sign Permit Plan Review Guide (City Code Ch. 64)
When does a sign need an engineer in Orlando?
Plans must be signed and sealed by a Florida-registered architect or engineer, and every sign must meet the 125-mph wind-load design of the Florida Building Code. Face-only changes are exempt if marked 'face change only'.
Source: Orlando Sign Permit Plan Review Guide — sealing & wind load
How do you submit a sign permit application in Orlando?
Email the completed Building Permit application (plus a separate electrical permit application if the sign is lit) to digitalpermits@orlando.gov. The city emails back a ProjectDox link and temporary password for uploading the plans.
Rules on this page were verified 2026-07-03 against Orlando City Code Chapter 64 — Signs (Downtown Special Sign District at Sec. 64.400). Cities change their codes — when a claim matters to a real job, PermitMySign shows you the citation so you can check the source yourself.
Checking a real sign in Orlando?
Run it through the free Instant Check — pass, doesn’t pass, or needs human review, with the fee estimate and every verdict tied to the exact line of Orlando’s code. No account needed.