BCC PUBLIC HEARING
ON
Gas Station Pricing Sign
Ordinance
February 7, 2012
OBJECTIVE
• Ensure Gas Stations display the price at
the pump on signage clearly visible to the
motoring public.
What the Ordinance Does
• Existing Gas Stations that currently do not advertise any
price:
– Must post price of lowest octane gasoline on or before April 23,
2012
– Prescribes minimum dimension of posted price (Each digit of
price 14”x81/2”)
– Provides for administrative variance to allow posting of price if
existing sign at or above maximum copy area permitted.
• New Gas Stations
– Must post two (2) non-diesel prices, one (1) of which must be
lowest octane.
• Existing Gas Stations that display price(s):
– Grandfathers all existing gas stations that currently post any
unleaded price
– Requires grandfathered stations to comply only if sign structure
is replaced.
Pros/Cons of Posting Low
vs. High Octane
• Posting Low
– Approximately 90% of Automobiles use low
octane
– Minimizes opportunity to mislead consumers
• Posting High
– Increases opportunity to mislead consumers
(post only $4 high, but charge $3.99 for low)
Percent of High Octane Used
Diversity of Gas Station
Signs
• There are approximately 261 gas stations
in unincorporated Orange County
• Several combination of pricing display
– Lowest Octane
– Lowest and Diesel
– Lowest, Mid, High
• Grandfathering existing gas stations that
show any unleaded price will avoid over
100 code violations
Gas Stations
427 Total – 261Unincorporated
Seven Eleven – JYP and Americana
Chevron – JYP and Americana
Citgo – Oakridge and JYP
Mobil – I-Drive and Destination
Chevron – I-Drive and Central Florida Parkway
Seven Eleven – I-Drive and Westwood
Shell – I-Drive and Westwood
Shell – Vineland Ave.
Shell – Apopka Vineland Rd. and Palm Ave.
Chevron – Sand Lake Rd. and Turkey Lake Road
Texaco – Westwood (west of I-Drive) - No signage indicating fuel costs
Seven Eleven – Apopka Vineland Rd. – No signage indicating fuel costs
• 12748 SR 535
12748 SR 535
Apopka Vineland Rd. – Cash / Credit
Enforcement
• Code Enforcement:
–
–
–
–
Structure
Posting of a price
Size of digits
Violators – up to $1000/day fine
• Consumer Protection:
– F.S. Chapter 501
– Gouging
– False Advertising (sign price vs. pump price)
Recommendation
Make a finding of consistency with the
comprehensive plan and adopt the ordinance
amending Chapter 31.5 of the Orange County
Code