Any lot is permitted one sign not exceeding twelve square feet in area advertising the lease or sale of the city real estate. No other advertising signs of any character shall be permitted in any residential district except those advertising garage sales erected on the respective premises for a period not to exceed 24 hours after completion of the garage sale by permit.
(Ordinance 958, 9-9-96; 1996 Code, sec. 9-4)
(a) 
Definitions.
Changeable electronic variable message sign (CEVMS).
A sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently or which is operated in a way whereby light is turned on or off intermittently, including any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use, including an LED (light emitting diode) or digital sign, and which varies in intensity or color. A CEVMS sign does not include a sign located within the right-of-way that functions as a traffic-control device and that is described and identified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic-Control Devices (MUTCD) approved by the Federal Highway Administrator as the national standard.
Off-premises sign.
Any sign, commonly known as a billboard, that advertises a business, person, activity, goods, products or services not located on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained, or that directs persons to a location other than the premises where the sign is installed and maintained.
On-premises sign.
Any sign identifying or advertising the business, person, activity, goods, products or services sold or offered for sale on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained when such premises is used for business purposes.
Residence district.
That area of the city as shown on the official zoning map as "A residential" or "A-1 residential."
Sign code application area.
The corporate limits of the city and the area of its extraterritorial jurisdiction as defined by section 42.021 of the Local Government Code.
(b) 
Prohibitions.
(1) 
New off-premises signs. From and after the effective date, no new construction permit shall be issued or written permission granted for the erection of an off-premises sign, including but not limited to a new off-premises CEVMS or the conversion of an existing non-CEVMS off-premises sign to a CEVMS, within the corporate city limits and ETJ of the city.
(2) 
Changeable electronic variable message signs. From and after the effective date, no CEVMS shall be allowed within the sign code application area.
(3) 
Illuminated signs. No sign shall be illuminated upon the surrounding area of any residence district to avoid distracting operators of vehicles or pedestrians on the public right-of-way.
(4) 
Stationary vehicular signs. No sign or other advertising structure attached to a motor vehicle used primarily for the display of such sign, including, but not limited to a billboard truck, shall be permitted within the residence district.
(c) 
Penalty. Any individual violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and assessed a fine of not less than $200.00 nor more than $500.00 in accordance with section 12.23 of the Texas Penal Code. Any organization, group, or legally recognized business entity of any type whatsoever violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and assessed a fine of not less than $500.00 nor more than $2,000.00 in accordance with section 12.51 of the Texas Penal Code. Each day (or portion thereof) that such violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense and be punishable as such.
(Ordinance 1268 adopted 6/9/2008; 1996 Code, sec. 9-5; Ordinance 1524 adopted 11/13/2023)
(a) 
Definition.
"Outdoor advertising" or "sign" means an outdoor sign, light, display, device, figure, painting, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard or other thing which is designated, intended or used to advertise or inform, any part of the advertising or informative contents of which is visible from any place on the main traveled way of the Austin Highway, Loop 368.
(b) 
Location.
The location of signs will conform to the following:
(1) 
Will be located in such a manner as not to obscure or otherwise interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal or device or not to obstruct or interfere with drivers' view of approaching or intersecting traffic.
(2) 
Signs will not be erected closer than 100 feet apart on the same side of the highway.
(c) 
Size.
(1) 
The maximum size shall be:
(A) 
Maximum area: 1,200 square feet.
(B) 
Maximum height: 25 feet.
(C) 
Maximum length: 60 feet.
All dimensions include border and trim, but exclude supports.
(2) 
Double-faced, back-to-back or V-type signs shall be considered as one sign.
(3) 
Signs which exceed 350 square feet in area may not be double-faced (stacked or side-by-side).
(d) 
Lighting.
(1) 
Signs which contain, include or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent or moving light or lights are prohibited, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information.
(2) 
Lights will be effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled way and as to prevent glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle.
(3) 
No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
(4) 
Signs illuminated by electricity or equipped in any way with electrical devices or appliances shall conform with respect to wiring and appliances to the provisions of article 4.02 pertaining to electricity.
(e) 
Permits.
No person shall erect or alter any sign without first obtaining a permit therefor from the city.
(f) 
Nuisances.
Any sign erected, altered, used or maintained in violation of these regulations shall constitute a nuisance and, if the owner fails to remove such sign within ten days after having been notified, the sign may be summarily removed by the city at the expense of the party erecting, altering, using or maintaining it.
(g) 
Penalty.
Any person who willfully violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is punishable by a fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than $200.00. Each day of willful violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ordinance 315 adopted 8/14/1972; 1996 Code, sec. 11-3)