Sign permits in St. Pete, FL: rules, fees, and how to apply
Sign permits here are reviewed by City of St. Petersburg, FL under St. Petersburg City Code Ch. 16 (Land Development Regulations), Sec. 16.40.120 — Sign Code. This guide covers the 10 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.
Exact published fees
The city publishes a fee table — we compute your fee from it to the dollar.
Typical review
About 10 business days for the initial commercial review (observed, not a city-published goal)
How you submit
St. Pete ePlan Review (ProjectDox) + Click2Gov
Rules verified
2026-07-07, against St. Petersburg City Code Ch. 16 (Land Development Regulations), Sec. 16.40.120 — Sign Code
The rules St. Pete 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. 6 of the 10 rules are flagged “needs human review” because the source is ambiguous — we say so instead of guessing.
When a permit is required
Every new sign in St. Petersburg needs a permit before it goes up, unless it's on the code's exempt list (A-frames, artwork, certain banners, and similar).
“No person shall install, erect or create any sign without first obtaining a permit for the sign, except for exempt signs and prohibited signs, and except as may otherwise be provided specifically herein.”
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.3.F — Generally
Swapping a sign face for one of equal size and material in a lawful structure doesn't need a permit, as long as the structure meets the Florida Building Code and the design requirements.
“The replacement of a sign face in a lawful sign structure with a sign face of equal size and material shall not require a permit, provided that the sign structure complies with all applicable Florida Building Code, and design requirements of this sign code.”
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.3.C — Generally
Sign size vs. street or storefront length
Wall signs get 1.75 square feet per linear foot along the building frontage in every district, but the ceiling depends on your zoning district — 48 sq ft in neighborhood, corridor residential, and industrial traditional districts; 150 sq ft in corridor commercial, suburban center, downtown center, and industrial suburban districts. We need your zoning district confirmed before running this math.
“1.75 sq. ft. per linear front foot up to a maximum of 150 sq. ft.”
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.5.6 — Wall sign requirements (district table)
Freestanding sign area is set by a zoning-district table: 48 sq ft per face in neighborhood and corridor residential districts, 64 sq ft in corridor commercial and industrial traditional districts, and 1 sq ft per linear front foot up to 150 sq ft per face in suburban center and industrial suburban districts (48 sq ft cap downtown). We need your zoning district confirmed before running this math.
“One square foot per linear front foot up to a maximum of 150 sq. ft. per sign face.”
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.5.5 — Freestanding sign requirements (district table)
Height limits
Freestanding sign height caps run by zoning district: 10 ft in neighborhood, corridor residential, and industrial traditional districts; 15 ft in corridor commercial traditional and downtown center; 20 ft in corridor commercial suburban, suburban center, and industrial suburban districts. Signs 10 ft or under must be designed as monument signs. We flag this for a human check against your district rather than guessing.
“The height shall be measured from the finished grade of the yard in which the sign is located to the top of the sign structure or sign.”
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.5.5 — Freestanding sign requirements (district table)
How far from the property line
Freestanding sign setbacks from the property line step up with height: 0 ft for signs 6 ft or shorter, 3 ft for signs over 6 ft up to 10 ft, 5 ft for signs over 10 ft up to 15 ft, and 10 ft for signs taller than 15 ft. The numbers are pinned — a human confirms which tier your sign lands in.
“(1) Zero feet for signs that are six feet in height or less. (2) Three feet for signs that are ten feet in height or less, but greater than six feet in height. (3) Five feet for signs that are 15 feet in height or less, but greater than ten feet in height. (4) Ten feet for signs that are greater than 15 feet in height.”
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.5.5 — Freestanding sign setbacks
Spacing between signs
Only one freestanding sign is allowed within 25 feet of a street intersection — whoever lawfully builds there first precludes a second. The site plan must also show visibility triangles (10x10 ft at driveways/alleys, 45x45 ft at intersections, 5x5 ft at sidewalk-driveway crossings) kept clear.
“No more than one sign shall be installed within 25 feet of a street intersection.”
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.5.5 — Freestanding sign placement
Digital sign (EMC) rules
Digital signs (EMCs) are allowed in St. Pete with hard conditions: at most 50% of the sign structure's area and never over 32 sq ft, messages must hold at least one full minute (24 hours in residential districts, text on black only), no motion or effects, a light sensor keeping brightness at or under 0.2 foot-candles, and they're banned on designated local landmarks and inside nonconforming signs. A human confirms your design meets each condition.
“A digital or electronic message center sign shall comprise no more than 50 percent of the overall sign area of the sign structure and shall not, in any case, exceed 32 square feet in area.”
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.6.3 — Digital or electronic message center signs
When a freestanding sign needs an engineer
St. Pete's sign checklist requires the installation plan — for freestanding and wall signs alike — to be sealed by a state certified design professional, with freestanding installations designed to a 145-mph wind load and the footer and steel shown.
“Installation design must meet 145 m.p.h. Wind Load”
Source: St. Pete Sign Permits ePlan Submittal Checklist — installation plan
Historic and special district overlays
Designated local landmarks and historic districts carry extra sign review — digital signs are flat-out prohibited on a designated local landmark, and work on historic properties needs a certificate of appropriateness before the permit.
“Digital or electronic message center signs are prohibited on a designated local landmark.”
What a sign permit costs in St. Pete
St. Pete publishes flat sign fees in City Code Ch. 12: $110 for a wall sign and $150 for a pylon, pole, or billboard sign — we price each sign from its type. Lit signs also pay a separate electric permit fee (varies with the electrical work), and each freestanding sign is its own application with its own fee. A $40 zoning review fee applies to sign permit applications, and temporary signs are $20.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Published flat fee — $110 per attached (wall) sign; freestanding signs pay $150 via the freestanding line below | $110 |
| Freestanding sign (pylon, pole, billboard) — the permit is $150 instead of $110 (this line covers the difference) | $40per freestanding sign |
| Zoning review of the sign permit application | $40 |
How long review takes
Typical: About 10 business days for the initial commercial review (observed, not a city-published goal)
If it runs long: Plan for 3–4 weeks if corrections are needed; follow-up reviews run about 5 business days
Source: Scout Services — St. Petersburg commercial permit guide (third-party observation)
Local landmark / historic district
Historic properties need a certificate of appropriateness before sign work, and digital signs are prohibited on designated local landmarks — plan for extra review time.
How to submit in St. Pete
Submit the completed (notarized) permit application through the city's online portal to get an application number, then upload the plans to the city's ePlan Review (ProjectDox) at eplanreview.stpete.org; pay fees and track status through Click2Gov.
Portal: St. Pete ePlan Review (ProjectDox) + Click2Gov
- ePlan Review plan upload (ProjectDox)
- Click2Gov permit status & payment
- Sign Permits ePlan Submittal Checklist (the city's own checklist)
- Permit application form (PDF)
- Building & Permitting — applications and forms
Who to call when you’re stuck
- Construction Services & Permitting (One 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701) — 727-893-7231 — permits@stpete.org
- ePlan Review helpline — 727-893-7230 — eplanreview@stpete.org
The documents St. Pete 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 drawn to scale (lot lines, easements, existing signs, setbacks, visibility triangles)
St. Pete's own checklist wants a to-scale site plan: lot/property lines with dimensions, labeled streets, north arrow, easements, every existing freestanding sign (and whether it stays or goes) with setbacks, the proposed sign's setback, and the visibility triangles drawn in — 10x10 ft at driveways and alleys, 45x45 ft at street intersections, 5x5 ft where sidewalk and driveway meet.
Elevation drawing (overall height, cabinet dimensions, clearance to ground, lettering and graphics)
Freestanding signs need the overall structure height, each cabinet's dimensions, spacing between cans, and clearance from the lowest can to the ground. Wall signs need building elevations with the storefront dimensions and every existing and proposed sign drawn on with dimensions and sign type.
Sealed installation plan (state-certified design professional, 145-mph wind load)
St. Pete's checklist says installation drawings must be sealed by a state certified design professional, and freestanding installations must be designed to a 145-mph wind load. Software can't stamp drawings — this is a tracked to-do for your engineer. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Footer and steel detail (freestanding signs)
The installation plan for a freestanding sign must show the size and type of footer and steel.
Electrical scope of work, cost breakdown, and wiring plan
Lit signs need the electrical scope of work with a cost breakdown plus information on the electrical and wiring plan — and an electric permit rides along with the sign permit.
Listing and labeling per NEC (UL listing)
The checklist asks for listing and labeling per NEC requirements, and the UL listing for wall signs where applicable.
Uniform sign plan (multi-tenant sites / common plan of development)
For any site under a common plan of development, St. Pete requires a uniform sign plan: a to-scale plan of the site with every existing and proposed sign (even exempt ones), a listing of sign types with heights and areas, detailed drawings for each sign, and the owner's written consent if someone else applies. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Notarized permit application signed by the license holder or authorized agent
Since October 1, 2025, St. Pete requires a notarized application for every submittal before the permit is issued, signed by the license holder or an authorized agent. Software can't notarize — we track it as a to-do. (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 for larger jobs (F.S. 713.13 — the statutory threshold is now $5,000; we flag it from $2,500 up to stay on the safe side, so confirm with the city whether yours needs one). (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 — St. Pete's sign checklist requires 145-mph installation design
St. Pete's own sign permit checklist puts the number in writing: freestanding installation design must meet a 145-mph wind load, sealed by a state certified design professional. Your engineer designs to the current FBC ultimate wind maps for the site — the sealed set satisfies both.
Exposure Category C is common across St. Pete's flat, open, and coastal-adjacent sites; downtown blocks shielded by dense buildings may rate B — it's read off the actual surroundings, and waterfront sites can rate D.
Source: St. Pete Sign Permits ePlan Submittal Checklist — 145 m.p.h. 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 St. Pete’s own sources left gaps:
- Freestanding sign area, freestanding height, and the wall-sign area ceiling all depend on the zoning district (48–150 sq ft, 10–20 ft) — those rows return 'Needs human review' with the district table cited instead of a guessed single number.
- The tiered setbacks and the 25-ft intersection rule are pinned exactly in the code, but they render as 'Needs human review' because the check depends on sign height tier and intersection geometry.
- Fee amounts come from City Code Ch. 12 Sec. 12-6 as codified through April 2, 2026 (Supp. 54) — the $40 zoning-review line sits in a dense fee table, so confirm it's charged per sign application on your first submittal.
- Review time is a third-party expediter's observation — the city doesn't publish a sign-specific review-time goal.
- The city began implementing new Tyler permitting software in November 2025 — the Click2Gov and ePlan Review links may change; verify the portal before the first submission.
- Florida's Notice of Commencement threshold is now $5,000 (F.S. 713.13, raised from $2,500 in 2023) — we still flag NOC from $2,500 up, which is conservative but may over-ask.
- The city's checklist PDF still says 'Completed Permit Application and 3 copies of plans' — that's the legacy paper flow; electronic submittal through ePlan Review replaced it in November 2023.
St. Pete sign permit FAQ
Do I need a permit to put up a sign in St. Pete?
Every new sign in St. Petersburg needs a permit before it goes up, unless it's on the code's exempt list (A-frames, artwork, certain banners, and similar).
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.3.F — Generally
How much does a sign permit cost in St. Pete?
St. Pete publishes flat sign fees in City Code Ch. 12: $110 for a wall sign and $150 for a pylon, pole, or billboard sign — we price each sign from its type. Lit signs also pay a separate electric permit fee (varies with the electrical work), and each freestanding sign is its own application with its own fee. A $40 zoning review fee applies to sign permit applications, and temporary signs are $20.
How long does sign permit review take in St. Pete?
About 10 business days for the initial commercial review (observed, not a city-published goal). If it runs long: Plan for 3–4 weeks if corrections are needed; follow-up reviews run about 5 business days.
Source: Scout Services — St. Petersburg commercial permit guide (third-party observation)
Does St. Pete allow digital signs (EMCs)?
Digital signs (EMCs) are allowed in St. Pete with hard conditions: at most 50% of the sign structure's area and never over 32 sq ft, messages must hold at least one full minute (24 hours in residential districts, text on black only), no motion or effects, a light sensor keeping brightness at or under 0.2 foot-candles, and they're banned on designated local landmarks and inside nonconforming signs. A human confirms your design meets each condition. Our research flags this one “needs human review” — the city's own sources are ambiguous here, so we say so instead of guessing.
Source: St. Petersburg City Code Sec. 16.40.120.6.3 — Digital or electronic message center signs
When does a sign need an engineer in St. Pete?
St. Pete's sign checklist requires the installation plan — for freestanding and wall signs alike — to be sealed by a state certified design professional, with freestanding installations designed to a 145-mph wind load and the footer and steel shown.
Source: St. Pete Sign Permits ePlan Submittal Checklist — installation plan
How do you submit a sign permit application in St. Pete?
Submit the completed (notarized) permit application through the city's online portal to get an application number, then upload the plans to the city's ePlan Review (ProjectDox) at eplanreview.stpete.org; pay fees and track status through Click2Gov.
Rules on this page were verified 2026-07-07 against St. Petersburg City Code Ch. 16 (Land Development Regulations), Sec. 16.40.120 — Sign Code. 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 St. Pete?
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 St. Pete’s code. No account needed.