Florida Sign Contractor Law Change?

[Bobby H]

It seems like overkill for a state to require a general contractor's license for a company to install a non-lighted sign. However, some non-lighted signs can get pretty big -even big enough where you need an engineer's stamp to sign off on the structure being safe.

This crap with permits, licensing and all is stuff our shop has had to roll with for many years. It's really fun when you're doing work across state lines. Most of the stuff we do is within Oklahoma, but we also do a lot of work in Texas. Occasionally some projects are in New Mexico or Kansas. Sometimes we can job out the install work to other companies, but there are other times we have to do that work with our own crews.

Sign code requirements in Oklahoma change from one city or town to the next. Some towns are easy while others (cough: Edmond) are a pain in the ass. Our own town, Lawton, could do better at issuing install permits faster.

Texas has its TDLR agency (Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation); the acronym looks almost the same as Too Long Didn't Read. They have all sorts of rules we have to follow in addition to the specific sign codes various cities and towns will have.

 

[kcollinsdesign]

I agree with everything you say. My issue is that we ARE qualified to install non-electric signs and should not be prohibited to pull permits to do so. We studied and took the sign contractor's test (which was not easy) and passed the test. We have over 30 years' experience pulling permits and installing signs. Permitted signs must be built according to the current Florida Building Code. We are required to submit structural plans that are engineered according to wind load and code specifications. A footer inspection is required before installing, and a final inspection ensures everything is done correctly. I don't understand the logic behind requiring an electrical contractor's license to install a non-electric sign.

Strange. Can you pull a permit with a General Contractor's license? You might be able to hire a licensed GC and work under their umbrella (some might even just pull the permits for a fee, but don't tell the insurance adjusters...).

When we were in Florida, we had sort of the opposite problem. We had an electrical contractor's license, but we couldn't get permits for non-electrical signs. I think they fixed that now.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Strange. Can you pull a permit with a General Contractor's license? You might be able to hire a licensed GC and work under their umbrella (some might even just pull the permits for a fee, but don't tell the insurance adjusters...).

When we were in Florida, we had sort of the opposite problem. We had an electrical contractor's license, but we couldn't get permits for non-electrical signs. I think they fixed that now.

You can not. They print big bold letters on the application and permit that it's illegal to do that and is a criminal offense

 

[TopFliteGraphics]

When we were in Florida, we had sort of the opposite problem. We had an electrical contractor's license, but we couldn't get permits for non-electrical signs. I think they fixed that now.

They did fix that recently. Now an Electrical Sign Specialist Contractor can pull non-electrical sign permits. That's the reason I am considering getting that type of license.

 

[JBurton]

Now an Electrical Sign Specialist Contractor can pull non-electrical sign permits.

Could you just tape a cheap solar light on anything and consider it an "electric sign"?