The City of Coral Springs has a unique feature within its commercial sign code to encourage creativity and to help enhance the urban environment. It is called "the designer sign:' A Designer Sign is a more creative approach to the typical commercial sign.
This is a win-win situation. The sign owner, by putting up a more creative sign, gets a bigger sign and the city gets a better urban environment.
These guidelines are written to help explain both how to create & apply for a designer sign permit.
A professional sign manufacturing company should be used to make any sign. The more creative designs for a sign on a building within the City of Coral Springs shall be considered a "Designer Sign."
There are incentives within the code that allow for a larger sign in exchange for more creativity on the part of the applicant.
A Designer Sign must still be permitted though the regular building permit process once pre-approval has been obtained.
The Designer Sign designation has been created by the City to encourage better signs, to improve the quality of the signs and to improve the environment in the City. Designer Signs were created to allow the sign owner to be rewarded for the extra effort that goes into the creation of a Designer Sign. That reward is a larger sign than typically would be allowed in that specific sign location and more freedom as to colors within the sign itself.
A Designer Sign is just what the name implies. It is a sign created by a design professional that creatively utilizes all the materials, methods and tools available within the sign industry to create something unique and above industry standards for the owner of the sign. In doing so, the extra effort will not only benefit the sign's owner, but the community as a whole.
The motorist or pedestrian who passes by is given a better, more aesthetic presentation of the sign's information than what is typically presented in what has become a standard and often unsightly
way.
Through creative use of lighting, as well as the way the parts are assembled, a sculptural three dimensional object can be created. Who has not marveled at the signs at Disney World or Universal Studios or City Walk? Each sign, in some cases, designed as a sculptural object, still conveys the fact that the place is a restaurant or shop, but it does so in an enlightened, creative, amusing, aesthetically pleasing and eye catching way.
What the City of Coral Springs wants to continue to do is to have the same type of creativity apply to the signs on the streets of Coral Springs.
Signs can enliven the environment by day and take over the environment by night when the buildings fade away. A well designed sign can be a work of art. Lighting design and graphic design come together to achieve this end.
Step 1: Pre-Approval: Be Creative
- The sign fabricator should familiarize themselves with the city's sign code and the "Designer Sign" concepts.
- The fabricator should get all required plans, site survey, and elevations of the building from the client or architect.
- The fabricator should prepare plans, elevations, and details of the proposed sign showing location in plan and on the elevation.
- All colors, materials and sizes should be noted as well as types of illumination.
- Once submitted city staff will review for completeness and code compliance and respond with suggestions and corrections as needed.
Step 2. Building Permit: Be Accurate
- The sign fabricator makes changes and corrections to the submitted drawings per the city's comments and submits for a sign permit thru the city's standard building permit process.
- All structural or electrical drawings must be signed and sealed by State of Florida licensed engineer.
- If all drawings and details are complete and correct the city will issue a sign permit.
- It is highly recommended that no sign fabrication start before the issuance of a sign permit.
(Step 1 in Zoning Division)
Timing for the No Cost Designer Sign Pre-Approval. The first step in the Submission Process
- Once the fabricator has submitted the initial set of drawings for the sign, city staff will, at no cost, prepare a response with an approval or with comments, request for more information or list required changes needed to designate the sign as "Designer Sign." (2 - 3 working days)
- To ensure the process moves smoothly and quickly, the sign fabricator, upon getting any comments or requests back from the city, shall have IO working days to resubmit new or revised drawings incorporating the city's information and corrections. Delays by the sign fabricator caused by not resubmitting within IO working days of comments from the city will lengthen the approval and sign permitting process. The city can not be held responsible for delays caused by the tenant's signage fabricator not responding in a timely manner. (10 working days)
- Upon resubmission to the city, staff will respond within 2-3 working days with either an approval if all requirements are met or a request for more information.
(2 - 3 working days)
- In order for the process to continue to move smoothly, it is the responsibility of the sign fabricator to ensure that the submission is complete and all required information is accurately presented and submitted. Multiple submittals due to lack of complete information only lengthens the approval process.
- Submittals can be tracked as it goes thru the Pre-Approval Process. Building Permit approval is required and can be followed online at the City of Coral Springs Building & Zoning Department web pages.
https://etrakit.coralsprings.gov/etrakit/
- Once you review the city's comments, your sign fabricator can make the appropriate adjustments to the drawings for a Sign Permit submittal.
- Note: Pre-Approval is meant to help expedite the actual sign permitting process. Obtaining the sign permit is Step 2 and goes through the standard City of Coral Springs' Building & Zoning permitting process.
(Step 2 in Building Department)
- Once pre-approval for a Designer Sign has been obtained from the Zoning division, you may submit for a Building Permit. When applying for the Building Permit, you must include the pre-approved drawings, signed/sealed.The permit can be submitted in two ways - electronically or in person.
- Online e-permitting:
- In-person: 9500 West Sample Road, 1st floor, One-Stop Shop
- Consult the Building Department's website for fees and forms.
- In addition to the pre-approved signed and sealed drawings, please include the following:
- Building Permit Application-Zoning Addendum.
- Copy of the Business Tax Receipt or application.
- Letter of Approval from the Property Owner/Manager.
- All sign permit submittals shall include proper information to ensure it is compliant with all Florida Building Code and Electrical Code (if applicable) requirements. Plans must be signed and sealed (digitally or electronically) by a design professional. If using an electronic signature, please follow the City of Coral Springs Building Department "Electronic Signature Affidavit" form. If you have questions, please contact the Building Department to discuss with the Structural and Electrical Plans Reviewers.
- Structural Plan Review Requirements:
- Provide that the sign meets the wind loads of current Florida Building Code.
- Please be sure to indicate the substrate the sign is attached to and the type of fastener and number of fasteners per letter.
- Electrical Plan Review Requirements:
- Provide that the sign meets the electrical requirements of the current Florida Building Code and with disconnect switch shown with proper lock off behind the wall.
- You may track your permit submittal from eTRAKiT and review comments from each discipline reviewing the permit. If a resubmittal is required, please review the Plans Reviewers comments and resubmit the corrections in the same format the original plans were submitted - electronically or in-person.
Fabrication Option Examples