Signage Rules: Clearwater vs St. Petersburg
How do signage rules rules compare between Clearwater, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Clearwater and St. Petersburg have similar restriction levels.
Clearwater, FL
Pinellas County
Clearwater's Community Development Code Article 3 sign standards generally bar commercial business signs in residential zoning districts, restricting home occupations to non-commercial residential identification.
View full Clearwater rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg prohibits exterior signs, displays, and other visible indicia of a home-based business under Section 16.50.180, with the citywide Sign Code in Section 16.40.120 providing further limits.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Clearwater | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | CDC Article 3 sign standards | - |
| Permitted at home | Nameplate only | - |
| Illumination | Not allowed | - |
| Prohibited | Feather, portable, roof signs | - |
| State backing | F.S. 559.955 | - |
| Home-occ rule | - | Sec. 16.50.180 |
| Citywide signs | - | Sec. 16.40.120 |
| Exterior signs | - | Prohibited |
| Window signs | - | Not allowed |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Clearwater FAQ
Can I put a small business sign in my Clearwater front yard?
No. Freestanding commercial signs are not permitted in Clearwater's residential zoning districts. Only small nameplates or address identifiers are typically allowed at a home.
Are window decals advertising my home business allowed?
Window lettering or decals visible from the street that advertise a business generally do not meet Article 3 standards for residential districts and can trigger a code compliance violation.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Can I put a sign for my home business in my yard in St. Petersburg?
No. Section 16.50.180 prohibits any exterior signs or visible advertising for a home occupation. Standard residential address numbers are allowed, but commercial signage is not.
What about a magnetic sign on my work van?
A vehicle used for a home occupation may not be parked on the property in a way that displays commercial signage to the street overnight. Off-street, garaged parking is the safe route.
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