Sign permits in Pinellas County, FL: rules, fees, and how to apply
Sign permits here are reviewed by Pinellas County (unincorporated), FL under Pinellas County Land Development Code Ch. 138, Art. X, Div. 5 — Signs (Secs. 138-3750—138-3758). This guide covers the 12 rules the county 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 county’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
Commercial permits: around 21 days for first review (county estimate); sign permits ride the commercial track
How you submit
Pinellas County Access Portal (Accela)
Rules verified
2026-07-07, against Pinellas County Land Development Code Ch. 138, Art. X, Div. 5 — Signs (Secs. 138-3750—138-3758)
The rules Pinellas County checks
Every rule below is quoted from the county’s own published source — the exact sentence, never a paraphrase, with a link to read it in context. 4 of the 12 rules are flagged “needs human review” because the source is ambiguous — we say so instead of guessing.
When a permit is required
Every sign in unincorporated Pinellas County needs a zoning clearance and a permit before it goes up, unless it's on the code's short exempt list (Sec. 138-3753).
“All signs except those specifically exempted under this section shall require a zoning clearance and permit prior to erection.”
Hard stops in unincorporated Pinellas: roof signs (except integral roof signs in nonresidential districts), sandwich boards, pennants/streamers/banners/cold-air inflatables, animated and multi-prism signs, snipe signs, vehicle and portable trailer signs, and off-premises signs except the narrow allowances in Sec. 138-3757. Anything the code doesn't expressly permit is prohibited.
“Any sign that is not specifically described or enumerated as permitted by this section.”
Source: Pinellas County LDC Sec. 138-3754 — Prohibited signs
Sign size vs. street or storefront length
Freestanding signs earn 1 square foot of sign for every foot of street frontage on the zone lot, capped by the per-zone maximums. You get an extra 8 square feet per face if it's used only for the street address in Arabic numerals.
“The permitted sign area for freestanding signs shall be based upon one square foot for each linear foot of zone lot frontage up to a maximum amount as established in section 138-3755.”
Attached (wall, canopy, window, projecting, integral roof) signs earn 1.75 square feet of sign for every foot of building frontage the business occupies, capped by the per-zone maximums.
“The permitted sign area for attached signs shall be based upon one and three-quarters square feet for each linear foot of building frontage up to a maximum amount as established in section 138-3755.”
Per-face size caps
The per-face cap on a freestanding sign depends on the zoning district: 50 sq ft in C-1 and the LO/GO office zones, 100 sq ft in C-2/E-2 off arterials, 150 sq ft in C-2/E-2 fronting arterial highways and in CP zones, 75 sq ft in E-1/I/IPD industrial zones, 48 sq ft for public/semipublic. We need the parcel's zoning district (and whether it fronts an arterial) before this is a confident number — a human should confirm the district.
“The maximum total area for any freestanding sign or signs shall be that area calculated according to subsections 138-3755(a) and (b) or 150 square feet per sign face, whichever is less.”
Source: Pinellas County LDC Sec. 138-3756(g)(1)b (C-2/E-2 on arterials; other zones in Sec. 138-3756(c)—(h))
Height limits
Freestanding sign height also depends on the zoning district: 25 ft in C-2/E-2 (on or off arterials), CP, and the E-1/I/IPD industrial zones; 20 ft in C-1 and LO/GO; 12 ft public/semipublic; 8 ft multifamily; 6 ft single-family subdivision signs. Confirm the district before trusting a single number.
“Maximum height for a freestanding sign is 25 feet.”
Source: Pinellas County LDC Sec. 138-3756(f)(1)c (C-2/E-2; other zones in Sec. 138-3756(b)—(h))
How far from the property line
In the commercial zones, a freestanding sign up to 75 square feet must sit at least 3 feet back from any public right-of-way; over 75 square feet, the setback grows to 10 feet (C-2/E-2). Side and rear setbacks vary by zone, and the traffic engineer can require more for sight triangles.
“Three feet from any public right-of-way for a sign up to 75 square feet in area; ten feet from any public right-of-way for any sign over 75 square feet in area.”
Spacing between signs
It's one freestanding sign per zone lot (plus one per additional street frontage). A second freestanding sign on the same right-of-way is only possible when the parcel has over 500 feet of frontage — and the two signs must be at least 300 feet apart.
“For parcels with over 500 feet of street frontage on one right-of-way, one additional freestanding sign may be permitted; such additional sign shall be spaced at least 300 feet from the other.”
Digital sign (EMC) rules
Digital signs (electronic changeable message signs) are allowed but tightly regulated: each message must hold for at least one minute, transitions can take at most half a second with no motion effects, message sequencing is prohibited, and brightness tops out at 350 nits after sunset and 5,000 nits in daylight (0.3 footcandles above ambient). The sign needs sensors or timers that keep it compliant.
“The minimum amount of time that a message or display on a changeable message sign, an electronic changeable message sign or multi-vision sign remains fixed is one minute, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to subsection 138-3757(j).”
Source: Pinellas County LDC Sec. 138-3752(j) (brightness at Sec. 138-3752(i))
No sign may blink, flash or flutter — anything with changing light intensity, brightness, color or direction is out, and illuminated signs must shade or direct their light away from neighboring parcels.
“No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illumination devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness, color, or direction.”
When a wall sign needs an engineer
Wall and other attached signs ride the same rule: all signs must comply with the building and electrical codes, and many commercial plan sets need a licensed architect's or engineer's digital signature and seal. The county publishes no attached-sign size threshold for when the seal kicks in — ask the plans examiner rather than guessing.
“Many commercial projects require plans that are digitally signed and sealed by a licensed architect or engineer.”
Source: Pinellas County — Commercial Permits (submittal standards)
When a freestanding sign needs an engineer
Freestanding signs must be designed to the Florida Building Code — Pinellas County's adopted ultimate design wind speed is 145 mph county-wide for Risk Category II structures — and commercial plan sets generally need a Florida engineer's digital signature and seal. The county publishes no square-footage threshold below which a ground sign skips the seal, so confirm with the plans examiner before assuming an exemption.
“Risk Category II — 145 MPH with interpolation permitted as allowed in the Code and ASCE 7-16.”
Source: PCCLB Local Technical Amendment to FBC (2023) Sec. 1609.3 — ultimate design wind speed
What a sign permit costs in Pinellas County
Pinellas County calculates building-permit fees from the project's valuation, with minimum charges and technology surcharges — there's no published sign-specific flat table we could quote. The FY25 fee schedule (effective Oct. 1, 2024) lives inside the county's OpenBook budget portal under Building & Development Review Services, and the county says the building fee schedule updates July 1, 2026 under HB 803 — call 727-464-3888 (option 2) for the current number before quoting a customer.
How long review takes
Typical: Commercial permits: around 21 days for first review (county estimate); sign permits ride the commercial track
If it runs long: Check the county's live Review Times & Activity dashboard — single-department reviews run faster, multi-department reviews slower
Source: Pinellas County — Applying for a Building Permit / Review Times dashboard
How to submit in Pinellas County
Apply online through the Pinellas County Access Portal: pick the commercial sign record type that matches your job (Wall Sign or Monument/Pylon/Pole Sign, each with or without electrical, plus Change to Existing/Face Change), then upload the complete digital plan set. Signs also need a zoning clearance under LDC Sec. 138-3752 before erection.
Portal: Pinellas County Access Portal (Accela)
- Commercial permits page (lists the sign record types)
- Building Permit Review Times & Activity dashboard
- Find My Building Department (is this parcel county or city?)
- Building, Transportation and Zoning fees
Who to call when you’re stuck
- Building & Development Review Services — permits — 727-464-3888 — buildingpermits@pinellas.gov
- Commercial permitting — BLDDIWEB@pinellas.gov
- Building Services (general) — BuildingServices@pinellas.gov
The documents Pinellas County 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.
Plot plan / site plan drawn to scale (sign location plus every use on the site)
The county wants an accurate plot plan drawn to scale showing where the sign sits, plus everything else on the site — structures, parking, driveways, green areas, walkways and roadways.
Detailed scale drawing of the sign with all dimensions
Every sign application needs a detailed scale drawing showing all dimensions.
Signed statement of the number and size of existing on-site signs
The applicant has to sign a statement counting every existing sign on the site and its size — it's how the county checks the total against the frontage allowance. A signature is a human to-do. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Survey of the parcel (freestanding signs — waived for attached signs)
Freestanding signs need a survey of the parcel; the code says this may be waived for attached signs, so we only ask for it on ground signs. The county's general checklist wants surveys issued within the last five years.
Floor plan of the building (attached signs)
Applications for attached signs must include a floor plan showing the dimensions and layout of the building — it backs up the building-frontage math.
Digitally signed and sealed engineering (FBC, 145-mph ultimate wind)
Pinellas County wants commercial plans digitally signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed engineer or architect, designed to the Florida Building Code — the county-wide adopted ultimate wind speed is 145 mph for Risk Category II. 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 (lit signs use the 'with electrical' record type)
The county's sign record types come in 'with electrical' and 'without electrical' flavors — a lit sign files the electrical version and needs the electrical detail and contractor on the application.
Power-company letter of no objection (signs over 6 ft within 10 ft of right-of-way)
If the sign is taller than 6 feet and sits within 10 feet of a current or proposed right-of-way line, the county requires a letter of no objection from the local electric power company. Getting that letter is a human to-do — skip it if your sign doesn't meet both conditions. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Brightness controls documentation (electronic changeable message signs)
Electronic changeable message signs must be equipped with sensors, timers or other equipment that keeps them inside the county's nit limits — bring the manufacturer's documentation showing the sign has them and how they're set.
Owner/contractor signatures on the Central Permit Form
The county's Central Permit Form carries owner and contractor signature blocks. Signatures are a human to-do — we could not confirm from the public sample whether notarization is required, so ask when you submit. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Recorded Notice of Commencement
The county's permitting page says projects over $2,500 need a Notice of Commencement recorded with the Clerk of Court. (State statute has since moved the general threshold to $5,000 — we keep the county's published lower number to stay safe.) (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Wind load, for the engineer
145 mph · Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) / ASCE 7-16 — PCCLB local technical amendment to Sec. 1609.3
Pinellas County adopts one county-wide number in writing: 145 mph ultimate design wind speed for Risk Category II structures, everywhere in the county, incorporated or not (135 mph Risk Category I, 155 mph Risk Category III). Your engineer designs the sign to the Florida Building Code using that speed.
Much of Pinellas is open suburban terrain near the water — Exposure Category C is the common call, and barrier-island or open-water-adjacent sites can rate D. It's read off the actual surroundings by the engineer.
Source: PCCLB Local Technical Amendment to FBC (2023) Sec. 1609.3 — 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 Pinellas County’s own sources left gaps:
- Sign permit fee amounts were NOT verified — the FY25 BDRS fee schedule is only published inside the county's OpenBook (Questica) budget portal, which we could not extract, and a new schedule takes effect July 1, 2026 under HB 803. Fees show as valuation-based with a call-first note.
- Whether the Central Permit Form requires the property owner's signature to be NOTARIZED was not verified from the public sample packet — the owner-signature slot stays as a human to-do with an 'ask when you submit' note.
- Notice of Commencement threshold: the county's page still says $2,500 while F.S. 713.13 was amended to $5,000 (Oct. 2023) — we kept the county's published lower trigger to stay conservative.
- Per-face area caps and height caps are exact per zoning district, but the engine can't pick the district by itself — both rules render as Needs human review until someone confirms the parcel's zoning (and arterial frontage for C-2/E-2).
- The 21-day commercial review figure is the county's general building-permit estimate, not a sign-specific published turnaround.
- Whether the zoning clearance (LDC 138-3752(a)(1)) is a separate record in the Access Portal or rolled into the building permit record was not verified — ask when filing the first job.
Pinellas County sign permit FAQ
Do I need a permit to put up a sign in Pinellas County?
Every sign in unincorporated Pinellas County needs a zoning clearance and a permit before it goes up, unless it's on the code's short exempt list (Sec. 138-3753).
How much does a sign permit cost in Pinellas County?
Pinellas County calculates building-permit fees from the project's valuation, with minimum charges and technology surcharges — there's no published sign-specific flat table we could quote. The FY25 fee schedule (effective Oct. 1, 2024) lives inside the county's OpenBook budget portal under Building & Development Review Services, and the county says the building fee schedule updates July 1, 2026 under HB 803 — call 727-464-3888 (option 2) for the current number before quoting a customer.
How long does sign permit review take in Pinellas County?
Commercial permits: around 21 days for first review (county estimate); sign permits ride the commercial track. If it runs long: Check the county's live Review Times & Activity dashboard — single-department reviews run faster, multi-department reviews slower.
Source: Pinellas County — Applying for a Building Permit / Review Times dashboard
Does Pinellas County allow digital signs (EMCs)?
Digital signs (electronic changeable message signs) are allowed but tightly regulated: each message must hold for at least one minute, transitions can take at most half a second with no motion effects, message sequencing is prohibited, and brightness tops out at 350 nits after sunset and 5,000 nits in daylight (0.3 footcandles above ambient). The sign needs sensors or timers that keep it compliant.
Source: Pinellas County LDC Sec. 138-3752(j) (brightness at Sec. 138-3752(i))
When does a sign need an engineer in Pinellas County?
Freestanding signs must be designed to the Florida Building Code — Pinellas County's adopted ultimate design wind speed is 145 mph county-wide for Risk Category II structures — and commercial plan sets generally need a Florida engineer's digital signature and seal. The county publishes no square-footage threshold below which a ground sign skips the seal, so confirm with the plans examiner before assuming an exemption. Wall and other attached signs ride the same rule: all signs must comply with the building and electrical codes, and many commercial plan sets need a licensed architect's or engineer's digital signature and seal. The county publishes no attached-sign size threshold for when the seal kicks in — ask the plans examiner 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: PCCLB Local Technical Amendment to FBC (2023) Sec. 1609.3 — ultimate design wind speed
How do you submit a sign permit application in Pinellas County?
Apply online through the Pinellas County Access Portal: pick the commercial sign record type that matches your job (Wall Sign or Monument/Pylon/Pole Sign, each with or without electrical, plus Change to Existing/Face Change), then upload the complete digital plan set. Signs also need a zoning clearance under LDC Sec. 138-3752 before erection.
Rules on this page were verified 2026-07-07 against Pinellas County Land Development Code Ch. 138, Art. X, Div. 5 — Signs (Secs. 138-3750—138-3758). 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 Pinellas County?
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 Pinellas County’s code. No account needed.