Real estate signs: location and requirements
By Robert C. Solera, Community Development Director

The Community Development Departments’ Code Enforcement Section has begun to issue warnings to the real estate companies and property owners with a real estate sign for the failure to conform to City Code. To help educate the city’s business community regarding the Code for real estate signs, I am presenting this article.

Background: Land Development Regulations (LDRs)
On December 10, 2002 the City of Sunny Isles Beach passed and adopted its Land Development Regulations (LDRs) including Section 265-57 (B) (real estate freestanding signs). Once the Land Development Regulations were adopted, a “grace period” of 3 years was granted to allow property owners to conform by December 20, 2005. A further extension was granted by the City Commission until February 17, 2007.

All signs that do not conform to the City of Sunny Isles Beach Land Development Regulations or become nonconforming by amendments to §265-60, are considered to be illegal and shall be completely removed from the premises or altered to conform.

The information below was taken from the Land Development Regulations section that is specific to residential signs requirements:

265-57. Temporary signs.
The following temporary signs are authorized in the City:

B. Real estate freestanding signs: No permit required. [Amended 2-16-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-244; 3-15-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-278]
(1) Residential Districts.

(a) Maximum number: one per lot, except corner lots may have two.
(b) Maximum sign area: eight square feet.
(c) Maximum sign height: four feet.
(d) Setback: six feet from property line.
(e) Length of display: shall be removed within 10 days after closing, or in case of property for lease, within five days after all space is leased.
(f) Other restrictions: sign copy shall be limited to:

[1] Situation, i.e., sale, rent, lease, zoning, size of property;
[2] Name of owner, broker or agent;
[3] Phone number;
[4] Designs or trademarks not comprising more than 20% of sign area; and
[5] Sign to be located on the premises to be rented, leased or sold.

The information above is available online at the City website at www.sibfl.net and by clicking on the “Code of Ordinances Online” icon on the left hand of the site.

The Land Development Regulation’s sign section of the Code is very specific as to what type of sign is allowed within the districts of the City. Based on the Code, the City Manager or designee may and can cause the removal of any sign that does not comply with the requirements of the Code.

At this time, the City is prepared to receive the influx of property owners that need to update their signs. The Building Department and the Planning & Zoning Department are available to answer any questions regarding the erection or alteration of signs as well as our zoning requirements. You may acquire a copy of the sign requirements that are specific to your zoning district and a copy of §265-60 (nonconforming signs) at the 3rd floor counter in the Sunny Isles Beach Government Center, 18070 Collins Avenue.

For additional information regarding issues covered in this article, or any other question related to your improvement project, please feel free to contact me at (305) 792-1705.

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