Required Documents

Billboard Removal Application

Digital billboards can be permitted and operated in accordance with Section 6 of Article VII of the Clay County Land Development Code. Due to the special circumstances involved with permitting digital billboards, the Planning and Zoning staff has outlined the procedures for permitting as listed below:

Step 1. Existing Billboard Removal

For each digital billboard face erected, existing billboard faces owned by the digital billboard permit applicant must first be permanently removed in accordance with the following swap-down ratios:

(1) 1:1 Swap-Down Ratio If the sign face being removed is that of a tri-vision sign, the square footage thereof, based upon the area of one face only, as opposed to the area of all three faces, must be at least one times the square footage of the new digital billboard face; or

(2) 2:1 Swap-Down Ratio If the digital billboard permit applicant owns less than 15 existing non-digital billboard faces in Clay County at the time the application is submitted, the total square footage of those existing billboard faces removed must be at least two times the square footage of the new digital billboard face; or

(3) 3:1 Swap-Down Ratio. If the digital billboard permit applicant owns 15 or more existing non-digital billboard faces in Clay County at the time the application is submitted, the total square footage of those existing billboard faces removed must be at least three times the square footage of the new digital billboard face.

Applicants will need to either download a billboard removal permit and building permit(s) online or obtain them in person from the Planning and Zoning Division located on the 3^rd floor of the Clay County Administration Building at 477 Houston Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Applicants will need to provide the following information:

1. Billboard Removal Application
2. Building Permit Application(s) for Demolition (1 permit for each billboard to be removed)
3. Site plan showing the location of the existing billboards to be removed
4. Written statement demonstrating the swap down ratio to be used
5. Site plan showing proposed new digital billboard location
6. $215.00 zoning fee
7. $100.00 demolition permit fee (per each billboard to be removed)

Removal Process

Once the application for removal has been approved, the county will notify the applicant and the applicant will be authorized to proceed with billboard removal. Once the existing billboards have been removed, the applicant shall notify the County Building and Zoning staff and schedule an inspection. If the inspection passes, the applicant will proceed to step 2: permitting of a new digital billboard.

Step 2. New Digital Billboard Permit Application

Now that the billboards have been removed, the applicant may proceed to obtain a new permit. The applicant will need to provide the following items:

1. Building permit application
2. Site plan identifying proposed location of new digital billboard*
3. Sign plan demonstrating sign height, area, and dimensions
4. Structural engineering drawings / report
5. Documentation ensuring compliance with flash and frame effects, dimming technology, candle and ambient levels along with all other applicable regulations within Article VII, Section 20.7-6.1.
6. $75.00 zoning fee**
7. Building permit fee first 100 square feet $125.00, every square foot after $100.00**
8. Electrical Service fee (based on required service) $50.00 to $100.00**

*Site plan shall include a scaled or surveyed drawing demonstrating compliance with the following distance separation requirements: 1000’ away from any billboard along the same side of the roadway, 1500’ away from any other digital billboard or tri-vision sign along the same roadway, and if applicable, a distance of 1500’ from any other billboard facing Interstate 295. The plan shall also demonstrate the setback (10’ minimum from a sidewalk or paved portion of the adjacent roadway).

***Fees can be included on one check or credit card payment. Credit card customers will pay a 3.5% service charge on the total amount for the transaction.

When complete, the applicant will proceed to file the application beginning at the Planning and Zoning office located on the 3^rd floor of the Clay County Administration Building at 477 Houston Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.

Review Process

Once the application is received, the Planning and Zoning staff will review the application to ensure its compliance with Section 6 of Article VII of the Clay County Land Development Code. Once staff has determined compliance, the application will be forwarded to the Building Division to ensure compliance with the Florida Building Code. When the review process is complete, the applicant will receive a permit to construct a new digital billboard.  The applicant shall then proceed to construct a new digital billboard per the approved permit and shall notify the county when ready for any applicable inspections as required by the permit or applicable code.

A final Inspection is required from both the Building and Planning and Zoning Divisions.