Loxahatchee Groves committee advances draft sign-code limits, asks staff to survey existing signs

The Town of Loxahatchee Groves Planning Advisory Committee on May 20 discussed a draft sign-code update that would require permits for every sign, set size and height limits for signs in the AR (Agricultural-Residential) district, and prohibit a range of animated and temporary sign types while allowing limited temporary banners and certain institutional exceptions.

The committee said the update matters because it would create a permit record for every sign, make enforcement clearer, and could require many existing signs to become conforming over time. Committee members asked staff to inventory current signs in the AR district so the town can calculate how many would become nonconforming and design an amortization schedule before sending formal recommendations to the Town Council.

Committee staff summarized the draft as a significant change from the town’s existing practice: every temporary or permanent sign would need a permit so the town maintains a record of sign type, size and location for enforcement. Permit fees would be scaled by review level, and most ordinary permanent signs would be a one-time permit rather than an annual fee. Staff emphasized the permit would require specification of size and location, not the sign’s message.

Under the draft, on a standard lot (defined in discussion as 5 acres or larger) property owners in the AR district could have up to three permanent signs: one primary sign limited to 9 square feet and up to two secondary signs at 4 square feet each; all permanent and temporary signs discussed would be limited to 6 feet in height. Each property could also have one temporary sign limited to 4 square feet. For nonconforming lots (those smaller than 5 acres),…