CS/CS/CS/HB 1299 Summary

• Creates new section 479.024 establishing mandatory criteria for local governments to designate commercial or industrial zones for outdoor sign permits, including requirements for utilities, size, configuration, and public access of parcels.

• Modifies sign permit requirements by removing the permit reinstatement fee, clarifying permit application procedures, and increasing the maximum transfer fee cap from $100 to $1,000 for multiple permits between outdoor advertisers.

• Establishes a pilot program in Orange, Hillsborough, Osceola Counties and City of Miami allowing reduced spacing (1,000 feet instead of 1,500 feet) between interstate highway signs when local governments encourage voluntary sign removal in designated areas.

• Requires local governments to grant variances or waivers allowing sign height increases when noise-attenuation barriers interfere with sign visibility, with a public hearing process and majority approval by impacted property owners.

• Exempts from permit requirements certain signs placed by tourist-oriented businesses, farm signs during harvest season, acknowledgement signs on school premises, and displays on sports facilities with 15,000+ seating capacity; effective July 1, 2013.