Highland Beach adopts amended sign code, raises permitted sign sizes

The Town Commission of the Town of Highland Beach on July 14 adopted Ordinance 2026-002 on second reading, amending Chapter 23 (Signs and Advertising) of the town code to change permitted sign sizes and add an appeals process.

At the public hearing, staff explained the ordinance would increase the maximum square footage of a permanent sign from 10 square feet to 32 square feet and increase the maximum square footage for ingress and egress signs from 3 square feet to 12 square feet, and would add a process for appeals seeking increases beyond the standard limits. Staff noted scrivener errors in the packet and highlighted corrected lines for the commission’s review. “I’ve gone ahead and double underlined the 12 feet and struck through the 32 square feet so you could distinguish it,” the staff presenter said while walking the commission through the packet.

Commissioners discussed whether the changes would be clear to the public and confirmed that the ordinance would take effect immediately upon adoption at this second reading. The mayor opened the public hearing and, seeing no speakers, closed the record. A motion to approve and adopt Ordinance 2026-002 carried on a roll-call vote with all commissioners voting yes.

The ordinance also amends the appeals section of Chapter 23 so applicants may seek commission-approved increases in sign size; staff said the revised language clarifies the process and preserves a 10–square-foot baseline in some contexts. The commission flagged a few typographical corrections (including a corrected word on page 12 of the packet) prior to finalizing the motion.

The commission’s action immediately updates the town’s sign standards and creates a formal appeals route for exceptions; the town clerk will codify the changes following publication of the adopted ordinance.