A permanent sign shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot of area and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required by the city’s building code.
(Ordinance 003-2011 adopted 6/20/11)
(a) 
Materials.
Signs shall be constructed of metal, masonry, brick, stone, or durable plastic in colors and textures that compliment the building facade, except as otherwise authorized by the city council. Metal sign faces shall have a baked-on finish. Plywood for sign face shall meet the State of Texas Departmental Materials Specification DMS-7100 Plywood Sign Blanks, effective date: August 2004, in the Texas Department of Transportation Standard Material Specification, and United States Product Standard PS 1-95. Wood or wood products for sign structures shall not be used as a material except as permitted in this article.
(b) 
Attached signs.
(1) 
General.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the regulations set forth in this subsection shall be applicable to all attached signs. Signs may not be attached to light fixtures, utility poles, curbs, sidewalks, gutters, streets, public buildings, fences, railings, public telephones, trees, or shrubbery. The direct painting of signs on buildings or walls shall be prohibited except for signs less than three square feet in area used for building identification and such signs shall not include advertising.
(2) 
Maximum sign height.
The maximum height allowed shall be based on the distance of the sign from the right-of-way, or property line, in accordance with the following criteria:
Distance from right-of-way or property line
Maximum height of sign structure
Less than 300 ft.
36 inches
301 ft. and greater
48 inches
For any lease space which does not front on a street, the maximum height shall be based on the distance from the vehicular driveway access.
(3) 
Maximum area.
The maximum area for an attached sign is 0.75 square feet for every one foot of width of building or lease space not to exceed 400 square feet.
(4) 
Number of signs.
(A) 
Only one attached sign per lease space shall be allowed along each street frontage on any site, unless otherwise specifically provided in this article.
(B) 
A second attached sign may be permitted on windows or at a public entrance, provided the entrance is on another side of the building. Second attached signs shall be limited to 25% of the primary or permitted sign size, whichever is more restrictive. Secondary window signs shall be limited to 25% of the window area. No more than two attached signs shall be allowed per lease space, except as otherwise authorized by the city council. Attached signs shall be located within the first story of the main exterior entrance for a building or lease space.
(5) 
Sign width.
An attached sign shall be limited in width to the 75% of the width of any building or lease space.
(6) 
Roof line limitations.
In no case shall an attached sign be mounted to the roof of any building, except for a sign which is attached to parapet walls and the sign shall not extend above the parapet wall. A sign may be attached to a continuous plane fascia, if the sign does not extend above or below the projection of the fascia. Signs attached to fascia are only allowed when attached to structural canopy supported to the ground by columns constructed of similar masonry material as the primary structure.
(7) 
Illumination.
An attached sign may only be illuminated utilizing internal lighting. Exterior letters constructed of exposed neon lighting are not allowed.
(8) 
Protrusions.
An attached sign may not protrude farther than 18 inches from the building, except an attached sign mounted at a 90 degree angle to the building plane may protrude up to 30 inches from the building. A sign mounted 90 degrees to the building plane shall have a clearance of at least 96 inches from the bottom of the sign structure to the grade at ground level.
(9) 
Residential adjacency.
An attached sign shall not be erected or maintained on any facade (other than the main front of the building) which faces property zoned or used for single-family residential uses if the sign is within 150 feet of the property line of property zoned or used for single-family purposes.
(c) 
Monument signs for single occupancy buildings.
(1) 
General.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the regulations set forth in this subsection shall be applicable to all monument signs.
(2) 
Maximum height.
6 feet for sign face. The monument base may be an additional 18 inches in height measured from ground level at the center of the base to the top of the base. The total sign structure shall not exceed 8 feet in height.
(3) 
Maximum width.
12 feet, including sign face and structure.
(4) 
Maximum area.
(A) 
Sign face.
120 square feet per sign with a maximum area per sign face of 60 square feet.
(B) 
Sign structure.
The total sign structure area is calculated at 0.50 square feet for every one-foot of street frontage not to exceed 96 square feet per side.
(5) 
Number of signs.
One monument sign, excluding menu board signs, shall be allowed along each street frontage on any site, unless otherwise specifically provided in this article. Monument signs may be no closer than 500 feet measured in a straight line along the street frontage on any one site.
(6) 
Minimum setback.
1 foot from any right-of-way or property line.
(7) 
Material requirements.
A monument sign base shall be constructed of the same masonry material as the front building facade on the same site or shall be stone or brick. The sign structure must be constructed or covered with the same masonry material as the principal building, or stone or brick. Sculpted aluminum or durable plastic sign panels are permitted.
(8) 
Sign copy.
All sign text and graphic elements shall be at least six inches from the outer limits of the sign structure.
(9) 
Illumination.
A monument sign may only be illuminated utilizing internal lighting where sculptured aluminum or durable plastic panels are used. Attached lettering or masonry monument signs may utilize a ground lighting source where the light itself and supporting structure are not visible from the public right-of-way.
(d) 
Monument signs for multiple occupancy buildings.
(1) 
General.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the regulations set forth in this subsection shall be applicable to all monument signs for multiple occupancy buildings.
(2) 
Maximum height.
10 feet for sign face. The monument base may be an additional 18 inches in height measured from ground level at the center of the base to the top of the base. The total sign structure shall not exceed 12 feet in height.
(3) 
Maximum width.
15 feet, including sign face and structure.
(4) 
Maximum area.
(A) 
Sign face.
200 square feet per sign with a maximum area per sign face of 100 square feet.
(B) 
Sign structure.
The total sign structure area is calculated at 0.050 square feet for every one foot of street frontage not to exceed 250 square feet per side.
(5) 
Sign area calculation.
0.125 square feet of sign area per foot of width of any building or lease space to be used for the identification of the main development complex. 0.250 square feet of sign area per foot of width of any lease space to be used for the identification or as a reader board for each lease space.
(6) 
Number of signs.
One monument sign shall be allowed along each street frontage on any one site, unless otherwise specifically provided in this article. One sign for the first 500 feet of width, plus one additional sign for each additional 500 feet of width any building or lease space. Monument signs shall be no closer than 500 feet, measured in a straight line along the street frontage on any single site.
(7) 
Minimum setback.
1 foot from any right-of-way or property line.
(8) 
Material requirements.
A monument sign base shall be constructed of the same masonry material as the front building facade on the same site or shall be stone or brick. The sign structure must be constructed or covered with the same masonry material as the principal building, or stone or brick. Sculpted aluminum or durable plastic sign panels are permitted. Sign panels shall be made of the same material and have the same background color.
(9) 
Sign copy.
All sign text and graphic elements shall be at least six inches from the outer limits of the sign structure.
(10) 
Illumination.
A monument sign may only be illuminated utilizing internal lighting where sculptured aluminum or durable plastic panels are used. Attached lettering or masonry monument signs may utilize a ground lighting source where the light itself and supporting structure are not visible from the public right-of-way.
(e) 
Ground signs.
(1) 
General.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the regulations set forth in this subsection shall be applicable to all ground signs.
(2) 
Minimum setback.
1 foot from any right-of-way line and 15 feet from the side property line.
(3) 
Maximum height.
3 feet.
(4) 
Maximum area.
8 square feet with a maximum for 4 square feet per sign face.
(5) 
Number of signs.
1 per site.
(f) 
Economic development signs.
(1) 
General.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the regulations set forth in this subsection shall be applicable to all economic development signs. Signs shall be used to promote or advertise businesses within the designated corridor overlay district.
(2) 
Maximum height.
15 feet.
(3) 
Maximum width.
15 feet.
(4) 
Maximum area.
200 square feet, with a maximum of 100 square feet per sign face.
(5) 
Number of signs.
2 per corridor overlay district.
(6) 
Minimum setback.
1 foot from any right-of-way or property line.
(7) 
Location.
Signs to be located only on property owned by or permanent easement dedicated to the city or the type A or B EDC (economic development corporation).
(8) 
Material requirements.
A sign base shall be constructed of masonry material of stone or brick. The sign structure must be constructed or covered with the same masonry material of stone or brick. Sculpted aluminum or durable plastic sign panels are permitted.
(9) 
Sign copy.
As authorized by contract with the city council.
(10) 
Illumination.
An economic development sign may only be illuminated utilizing internal lighting where sculptured aluminum or durable plastic panels are used. Attached lettering or masonry pylon/monument signs may utilize a ground lighting source where the light itself and supporting structure are not visible from the public right-of-way.
(g) 
I-35W overlay signs.
(1) 
General.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the regulations set forth in this subsection shall be applicable to all I-35W overlay signs.
(2) 
Maximum height.
35 feet.
(3) 
Maximum width.
15 feet.
(4) 
Maximum area.
1,050 square feet with a maximum of 525 square feet per sign face.
(5) 
Number of signs.
One I-35W overlay sign shall be allowed along each street frontage on any one site, unless otherwise specifically provided in this article. One sign for the first 500 feet of width, plus one additional sign for each additional 500 feet of width any building or lease space. I-35W overlay signs shall be no closer than 500 feet, measured in a straight line along the street frontage on any single site.
(6) 
Minimum setback.
1 foot from any right-of-way or property line.
(7) 
Material requirements.
A sign base shall be constructed of masonry material of stone or brick. The sign structure must be constructed or covered with the same masonry material of stone or brick. Sculpted aluminum or durable plastic sign panels are permitted.
(8) 
Sign copy.
All sign text and graphic elements shall be at least six inches from the outer limits of the sign structure.
(9) 
Illumination.
An I-35W overlay district sign may only be illuminated utilizing internal lighting where sculptured aluminum or durable plastic panels are used. Attached lettering or masonry pylon/monument signs may utilize a ground lighting source where the light itself and supporting structure are not visible from the public right-of-way.
(h) 
Reader board sign (electronic).
(1) 
General.
[Unless otherwise specifically provided, the regulations set forth in this subsection shall be applicable to all] electronic changeable reader board signs.
(2) 
Maximum area.
25% of the total sign face.
(3) 
Maximum change rate.
The message rate shall not change at a rate faster than one message every 5 minutes or can be calculated using the formula: Sight distance to the display/speed limit (ft./sec.) + minimum display duration (sec.). No special visual effects of any kind shall be permitted to accompany the transition between any two successive messages. The interval between messages shall be a minimum of one second.
(4) 
Maximum light levels.
The light produced by an electronic changeable reader board sign should not exceed 0.3 footcandles (fc) over ambient light levels. Measurement should be taken utilizing a footcandle (fc) meter perpendicular to the reader board face at a distance of 150 feet. Electronic changeable reader board signs shall be able to automatically adjust as ambient light levels change. An automatic light sensing device (such as a photocell or similar technology) shall be utilized for adjusting the brightness. Sunset/sunrise tables and manual methods of controlling brightness are not acceptable.
(5) 
Prohibited.
Electronic changeable reader board signs shall be text only displays in one color, and shall not contain animation, rolling or running letters or message, flashing lights, moving or still pictures, or other video display as part of the sign. Text only displays shall have a uniform and nonconspicuous background color.
(Ordinance 003-2011 adopted 6/20/11)
(a) 
General.
Any sign which is not specifically permitted by this article or any sign not in compliance with the city’s building code is prohibited.
(b) 
Off-site signs.
All off-site signs are prohibited unless specifically allowed in this article.
(c) 
Obscene signs.
No person shall erect or display on any site a sign in which the dominant theme of material taken as a whole appeals to a prurient interest in sex, or is patently offensive because it affronts community standards relating to the description or representation of sexual matters, or is utterly without redeeming social value.
(d) 
Obstructing doors, windows, or fire escapes.
No person shall erect or display on any site a sign which prevents free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
(e) 
Obstructing vision.
No person shall erect or display on any sight a sign in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision at any street, intersection, or driveway.
(f) 
Interference with traffic.
No person shall erect or display on any site any sign which interferes with vehicular or pedestrian traffic as a result of the sign’s position, size, shape, movement, color, fashion, wording, or intensity of illumination or any other characteristics causing such interference.
(g) 
Illuminated signs.
(1) 
No person shall illuminate a sign to such intensity or in such a manner as to cause a glare or brightness to a degree that it constitutes a hazard or nuisance to traffic. Moving, flashing, intermittently lighted, revolving, or similarly constructed signs shall not be allowed.
(2) 
No person shall erect or display a lighted sign within 150 feet of property zoned for a single-family residence, measured in a line from the front facade of the residence to the adjoining property line, along the property line to the right-of-way line, along the right-of-way line to the sign. Exception: the lighting is shielded from view of the residence.
(h) 
Signs projecting on/over public property or public right-of-way.
No person shall erect or display any type of sign on or over public right-of-way or other public property, unless the same be erected by the city, county, state or other authorized governmental agency, or with the permission of the city, for public purposes.
(i) 
Roof signs.
The painting or otherwise affixing of signs on a roof is prohibited.
(j) 
Signs on utility poles.
No person shall erect or display a sign on any utility pole located upon any public right-of-way or utility easement unless it is erected by the city, county, state or other authorized governmental agency, or with the permission of the city, for public purposes.
(k) 
Pole signs or billboard signs.
No person shall erect or display a pole sign or billboard sign unless it is erected by the city, county, state or other authorized governmental agency, or with the permission of the city, for public purposes.
(l) 
Sign walker (human directional sign).
(m) 
No person shall erect or display a sign advertising a business, organization or service that is not within the city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction.
(n) 
Other signs.
(1) 
No person shall erect or display any sign that moves or appears to move, blinks, flashes, changes color, gyrates, revolves, or makes noise.
(2) 
No person shall erect or display a sign that contains a strobe light, rotating beacon, searchlight, or flashing light.
(3) 
No person shall erect, paint or display a sign on a fence, sidewalk, tree, shrub, public right-of-way, or public thoroughfare.
(4) 
No person shall erect or display a wind device sign, except for featherblades.
(5) 
No person shall place, erect or display posters, placards, handbills, or any advertisement on an automobile without the owner’s permission.
(6) 
No person shall erect or display any sign on private property without the consent of the property owner.
(7) 
No person shall erect or display any sign on property zoned for residential uses except as provided in this article.
(Ordinance 003-2011 adopted 6/20/11)