All traffic-control devices including signs, signals and markings (pavement and/or curb) installed or used for the purpose of directing and controlling traffic within the city shall conform with the manual and specifications adopted by the state transportation commission as provided in V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, section 544.001. All signs, signals and markings erected or used by the city must conform to the manual and specifications adopted under V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, section 544.001. All existing traffic-control devices and those erected in the future by the city being consistent with the manual and specifications, state law and this section shall be official traffic-control devices.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
The driver of any vehicle, motor vehicle or animal shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control device, sign, signal or marking applicable thereto placed in accordance with this article, the manual and any ordinance directing that such traffic-control device, sign or signal shall be installed or erected unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle permitted by this chapter.
(2004 Code, sec. 12.202)
(a) 
No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway, street or alley any unauthorized signs, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts or directs the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official control device or any railroad sign or signal.
(b) 
No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway, street or alley any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising.
(c) 
This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways, streets or alleys of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.
(d) 
Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and the chief of police is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be moved without notice.
(e) 
No person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic-control device, sign or signal or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield or insignia thereon, or any part thereof.
(2004 Code, sec. 12.204)
(a) 
After the adoption of this article, the city council shall by ordinance, direct the location of all future traffic-control signs, signals and markings. The chief of police shall have the duty of erecting or installing upon, over, along or beside any highway, street or alley, signs, signals and markings, as are necessary to enforce such ordinances or cause the same to be erected, installed or placed in accordance with this article and consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic-Control Devices. Said traffic-control devices shall be installed immediately upon authorization by the city council, or as soon as such specific device, sign or signal can be procured.
(b) 
Whenever the chief of police has erected and installed any official traffic-control device, sign or signal at any location in the city, or has caused the same to be done under his direction, in obedience to this article and the Manual on Uniform Traffic-Control Devices, the chief of police shall thereafter file a report with the city secretary in writing, stating the type of traffic-control device, sign or signal, and when and where the same was erected and installed. The city secretary shall file and maintain such report of the chief of police among the official papers of the city.
(2004 Code, sec. 12.205)
It being unlawful for any person other than the chief of police acting pursuant to an ordinance of the city, to install or cause to be installed any signal, sign or device purporting to direct the use of the streets or the activities on those streets of pedestrians, vehicles, motor vehicles or animals, proof in any prosecution for a violation of this article or any traffic ordinance of the city, that any traffic-control device, sign, signal, or marking was actually in place on any street shall constitute prima facie evidence that the same was installed by the chief of police pursuant to the authority of this article and of the ordinance directing the installation of such device, signal or marking.
(2004 Code, sec. 12.206)
All traffic-control signs, signals, devices, and markings placed or erected prior to the adoption of this code and in use for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding vehicles or pedestrian traffic are hereby affirmed, ratified and declared to be official traffic-control devices, provided such traffic-control devices are not inconsistent with the provisions of this article or state law.
(2004 Code, sec. 12.207)