Understanding sign regulations in Pembroke Pines, FL
Every outdoor sign in Pembroke Pines is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Pembroke Pines code it came from.
Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Pembroke Pines.
Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.
Before you order or install a sign in Pembroke Pines, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.
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Max ground sign height
Monument: shopping centers, 9 ft; outparcels/freestanding buildings, 7.5 ft; service stations, 7.5 ft.
Building Signs
Building Sign Illumination
Externally lit permanent signs are prohibited.
Building Sign Formula
Shopping center tenant wall signs: up to 1.5 sq ft per lineal foot of leased frontage, or 120 sq ft, whichever is less.
Directory signs may be permitted in shopping centers, office parks, and industrial parks with Planning and Zoning Board approval; Table 155.699 limits directory signs to 32 square feet, one per ingress, 8 feet high, and no more than 3 per shopping center.
Exempt
Permit Exempt Signs
Permit-exempt signs include agency-installed signs, window signs, real estate signs, small nameplate/identification signs with letters no more than 6 inches and total dimensions no more than 2 square feet, small hotel/motel accommodation availability signs up to 0.25 square feet, and public safety signs.
Freestanding
Outparcel Freestanding Building Monument
Outparcels and freestanding buildings may have one monument sign up to 24 square feet and 7.5 feet high, counting toward the 120 square foot maximum allowed sign area for the site.
Shopping Center Monument
Shopping centers may have one monument sign up to 48 square feet and 9 feet high, plus one additional sign if frontage standards are met; a third is allowed if both standards are met.
General
General Sign Standards
Citywide sign standards prohibit obscene/indecent sign matter and false or misleading sign statements; lawful non-commercial copy may substitute for other copy but counts toward sign area in nonresidential districts.
Ground Signs
Ground Sign Type
Monument signs.
Ground Sign Formula
Monument: shopping centers, 48 sq ft; outparcels/freestanding buildings, 24 sq ft; service stations, 36 sq ft.
Menu boards are limited to 32 square feet, one per drive-through lane; illuminated signs must not be visible from adjacent right-of-way.
Pre Menu Board
Pre-menu boards are limited to 10 square feet, one per drive-through lane, not visible from adjacent right-of-way if illuminated, and must be separated from the menu board by at least 20 feet.
Permit
Sign Permit Required
A Building Department permit is required before installing or altering any permanent or temporary sign within the city, unless exempt.
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Prohibited
Prohibited Signs
Prohibited signs include animated signs, A-frame signs, snipe signs, advertising flags/pennants except as allowed, exposed neon or bare bulb signs/neon window borders, externally lit permanent signs, roof signs, billboards, certain vehicle/mobile/trailer signs, projecting signs, inflatable balloons, and banner signs unless otherwise permitted.
Residential
Residential Subdivision Sign
Residential subdivision signs are limited to 32 square feet, one per subdivision entrance, with sign copy limited to 15 feet above grade.
Service Station
Service Station Monument
Service station monument signs are limited to 36 square feet total, one sign, 7.5 feet high, with price panels not exceeding 24 square feet.
Service Station Wall
Service stations may have up to 120 square feet for the site including the monument sign; no more than 60 square feet may be on the primary facade, and secondary sign area including canopy must be equal to or less than the primary facade sign.
Sign Plan
Uniform Sign Plan Required
A uniform sign plan is required for all attached tenant wall signs within shopping centers before future city sign permits issue; the plan must be owner-coordinated and Planning and Zoning Board approved.
Temporary
Temporary Banner Sign
Temporary banner signs are limited to 32 square feet, one sign, and up to 90 days after installation.
Temporary Signs Nonilluminated
Unless otherwise noted in the LDC, all temporary signs must be non-illuminated.
Yes, temporary signs are allowed, and a Building Department permit is required unless an exemption applies.
Temp Sign Rules
Temporary signs must be non-illuminated unless otherwise noted. Temporary banner signs: 32 sq ft, 1 sign, up to 90 days after installation. Sidewalk signs: 6 sq ft, 1 per tenant or business, 3.5 ft high, only during operating hours, removed at close of business. Permit required unless exempt.
Wall
Tenant Wall Sign Area
Tenant signs are limited to 75% of leased frontage and a maximum of 1.5 square feet per lineal foot of leased frontage or 120 square feet, whichever is less.
Outparcel Freestanding Building Wall
Outparcels and freestanding buildings may have up to 120 square feet of total site signage including the monument sign; no more than 60 square feet may be on the primary facade, and secondary sign area must be equal to or less than the primary facade sign.
Window graphics/signage area for all windows must not exceed 20% of total window area; entry doors are clear zones and must remain clear of window graphics/signage.
Window Signs
Window Sign Allowable Area
20% of total window area; entry doors must remain clear of window graphics/signage.
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