a. 
Compliance required.
It shall be a violation of this Division for any person to erect, install, convert, relocate, enlarge, or structurally modify a sign on private property, in any manner, except as specifically allowed within this Division.
b. 
Building code.
All signs shall meet the standards of the City's Building Code.
c. 
Sign permit required.
Except as provided in this Division, no person or business firm, acting either as principal or agent, shall alter or erect any sign or sign structure until the Building Official issues a Sign Permit to a registered contractor or the owner of the premises where the work occurs.
d. 
Maintenance and repair.
No Sign Permit is required for painting, repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural alterations.
e. 
Sides.
No more than two sides of a sign, sign structure, or sign support are allowed for display, and these sides shall be placed back to back and parallel with each other.
f. 
Sign support location.
No sign, sign structure, or sign support shall project over any property line, except that a wall sign that is on the property line may project pursuant to the standards in this Division.
g. 
Illegal sign supports.
Objects including, but not limited to, trees, rocks, bridges, fences, windmill towers, and dilapidated buildings shall not be used as sign supports.
h. 
Illumination.
Internal or external illumination of signs is permitted as follows:
1. 
Generally.
A. 
Externally illuminated signs may be illuminated by either ground-mounted lights or wall-mounted light bars.
B. 
Internally illuminated signs may include halo lighting, neon, or other sources that do not exceed the brightness or flashing light standards below.
2. 
Electronic message displays (EMDs).
A. 
Hold time. Messages on an EMD must continuously display for at least eight seconds.
B. 
Brightness. EMDs shall not operate at brightness levels of more than 0.3 footcandles above ambient light as measured using a footcandle (Lux) meter at a distance measured as the square root of the product of the sign area multiplied by 100. [Example: For a 50 square foot sign, the measurement distance = (50 square feet x 100) = 70.7.]
3. 
Flashing lights. Signs with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights shall have light bulbs that do not exceed 35 watts each.
i. 
Measurements.
1. 
Sign area.
A. 
Square feet. Sign area shall be measured in square feet.
B. 
Frame or cabinet signs. As depicted in Figure 39.03.020-1, Sign Measurement, where a sign is enclosed in a frame or cabinet, the area of the sign is measured as the entire surface of the sign face within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the sign and not passing through or between any adjacent elements of the sign. Such perimeter does not include any structural or framing elements lying outside the limits of the sign face unless such elements consist of a corporate logo that is part of the face, frame, or cabinet of the sign.
C. 
Individual letters. As depicted in Figure 39.03.020-1, where a sign consists of individual letters, words, or symbols attached to a surface (also known as channel letters), the area of the sign is measured as smallest rectangle that completely encompasses all such letters, words, or symbols and any accompanying background of a color different than the color of the wall or sign face.
D. 
Freestanding signs. The sign structure, including the base, side, and top frame not including the sign copy will not be included in the sign area calculation.
2. 
Sign width.
A. 
Freestanding signs. The width of a freestanding sign shall include the sign structure, including the base, side, and top frame.
B. 
The width of a sign shall be measured in linear feet and be calculated from the two outer edges of the smallest rectangle that will enclose the entire sign face.
3. 
Sign height.
A. 
As depicted with letter "A" in Figure 39.03.020-1, sign height shall be measured in linear feet and shall be measured from the topmost point of the sign to the lowest grade level adjacent to the sign.
B. 
Freestanding signs. The base and sign supports shall be included as part of the sign height.
4. 
Setbacks. As depicted with letters "B" and "C" in Figure 39.03.020-1, setbacks shall be measured from property lines to the nearest edge of the sign.
5. 
Spacing. The required spacing between signs is not measured from signs located on lots across public or private streets.
6. 
Sign projection. The projection of a sign is measured from the exterior wall or canopy to the outermost edge of a wall, canopy, or blade sign.
Table 39.03.020-1
Sign Measurements
Frame or Cabinet Sign Area
Channel Letters Area
Sign Height
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023)
a. 
Generally.
The following signs are exempt and shall not require a Sign Permit:
1. 
Signs not visible from a public or private street.
2. 
Signs erected by the City, state (including its political subdivisions), a school district, or the United States government, or otherwise required by federal, state, or local laws.
3. 
Signs or commemorative plaques that are an integral part of the historical character of a designated historic district or a building that has been designated a landmark.
4. 
Headstones and other facilities that are essential to the function of cemeteries.
5. 
Signs inside a building, not attached to a window or door.
6. 
Traffic control signs on private property, such as Stop, Yield, and similar signs, the face of which meets Texas Department of Transportation standards.
7. 
Address and postbox numerals.
b. 
All other signs.
All other signs not listed in Subsection a., Generally, above, are not exempt from regulation and may either be:
1. 
Prohibited (see Section 39.03.022, Prohibited Sign Types, Materials, Design Elements, and Locations);
2. 
An allowed permanent sign type (See Section 39.03.023, Permanent Signs); or
3. 
An allowed temporary sign type (See Section 39.03.024, Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Signs).
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023; Ordinance 2023-O0132 adopted 10/10/2023)
The following signs are prohibited in all districts:
1. 
Signs in right-of-way.
Any signs and supports that are located on the public right-of-way, except signs and supports required by a governmental authority or for which a street use license is issued. The public right-of-way includes, but is not limited to, public streets, alleys, medians, and parkways. This Section does not apply to signs on commercial vehicles or commercial trailers lawfully operated or parked in those areas, but it does apply to the use of vehicles and trailers prohibited in this Division.
2. 
Flashing, blinking, or traveling lights.
A. 
Within 50 feet of street right-of-way. Signs with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights that are located within 50 feet of any street right-of-way, except permitted electronic message displays in accordance with Section 39.03.024, Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Signs.
B. 
Within 1,000 feet of street intersection. Signs with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights that are located within 1,000 feet of any street intersection except electronic message displays.
3. 
Certain temporary signs.
Searchlights, twirling signs, balloons or other gas-filled objects, or tube signs, except as permitted in this Division.
4. 
Deceptive signs.
A. 
Words. Any signs that resemble an official traffic sign or signal or that bears the words "Stop," "Go Slow," "Caution," "Danger," "Warning," or similar words.
B. 
Design. Signs which, by reason of their size, location, movement, coloring, or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic-control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal or device.
5. 
Obstructive signs.
Any sign that obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress for any building, as required by law, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal or device.
6. 
Parking of advertising vehicles.
No person shall park an advertising vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way or on public property. Any such vehicle parked on private property, visible from the public right-of-way, shall be used on a regular basis within each business week as a means of transportation for the business that is advertised.
7. 
Nuisances.
A. 
Glare. Any sign that causes any direct glare into or upon any residential building or premises, other than the building or premises to which the sign is attached.
B. 
Other. Any sign which emits sound, odor, or visible matter which serves as a distraction to persons within the public right-of-way.
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023)
a. 
Generally.
The City allows the following permanent signs, as depicted in Figure 39.03.023-4, Sign Types, and regulates them by zoning district. Refer to Figure 39.03.023-4, Sign Types. Additional sign area and height are achievable if a Master Sign Plan is approved for an eligible property pursuant to Section 39.07.024, Sign Permit and Master Sign Plan.
b. 
Existing freestanding signs.
Changes to a Freestanding Sign shall be considered a reface, provided the following conditions are met, in which case the sign is not required to come into compliance with the Unified Development Code.
1. 
The overall sign area is not increasing;
2. 
The overall sign height is not increasing;
3. 
The base/pole of the sign is remaining and only the cabinet is being changed; and
4. 
The new sign cabinet does not encroach into the established, as-developed setbacks.
c. 
Monument signs.
1. 
General description. See "Sign, Monument" and "Sign, Subdivision Entry" in Section 39.10.002, Definitions.
2. 
Land uses. Monument signs in a residential district shall be allowed only in association with nonresidential uses, agricultural uses, and multiple-family uses.
3. 
Subdivision entry sign.
A. 
General description. See "Sign, Subdivision Entry" in Section 39.10.002, Definitions, subject to the following:
B. 
Location. Subdivision entry signs shall be:
i. 
Located within 500 feet of the subdivision entry or in a median within the subdivision entry. For purposes of this Subsection, the "subdivision entry" means an imaginary line connecting the street corner intersections of the property lines along any street at the perimeter of the subdivision or development and a street or drive internal to the subdivision or development; and
ii. 
Placed so as not to obstruct visibility from any driveway curb cut, alley return, or driveway-alley combination.
C. 
Maximum area. The maximum square footage for each permitted subdivision entry sign shall be 25 square feet.
D. 
Allocation toward sign allowance. A subdivision entry sign is not counted towards any other zoning district maximum.
E. 
Design.
i. 
Subdivision entry signs shall be of a pedestal or monument type.
ii. 
Construction materials shall be compatible with other structural forms and materials located within, and representative of, the subdivision. Elevation drawings shall be submitted for staff review prior to issuance of a building permit, showing construction materials and detail.
iii. 
Subdivision entry signs may be mounted on subdivision perimeter walls.
4. 
Multi-information signs. Two or more items of information may be included on a single sign face.
5. 
Construction materials. Construction materials shall be compatible with other structural forms on the development lot. Elevation drawings shall be submitted for staff review and approval prior to issuance of a building permit, showing construction materials and detail.
6. 
Setback from driveways and alleys.
A. 
The sign shall be at least 10 feet from any driveway curb cut, alley return, or driveway-alley combination.
B. 
The sign shall be placed so that the visibility will not be obstructed from any driveway curb cut, alley return, or driveway-alley combination.
7. 
Side setback.
A. 
This Subsection applies to the HDR, Mixed-Use, NC, AC, HC, LI, GI, OF, and IP districts.
B. 
The minimum setback from the side property shall be 0.25 of the lot frontage.
8. 
Separation. Two monument or pole signs are permitted on one street frontage when 400 feet of frontage is provided. The total area of both signs shall not exceed the maximum sign area listed in the table below and the minimum separation between signs is 200 feet.
9. 
Visibility. No sign shall be placed within the visibility triangle as defined in Section 39.02.023, Measurements.
10. 
Sign area computation. To compute the allowable square footage of sign area, only one side of a double face sign is considered.
11. 
Electronic message displays. Electronic message display signs are allowed for monument signs, subject to Section 39.03.024, Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Signs.
d. 
Canopy.
1. 
General description. Any sign painted, printed, attached, or otherwise applied to the surface of an awning or canopy.
2. 
Extension from canopy. Signs attached to a canopy/awning shall not extend more than three feet above the top of the canopy.
3. 
Suspension under canopy. Signs attached to and suspended from the underside of a canopy/awning shall not extend more than one foot below the bottom edge of the canopy.
e. 
Wall.
1. 
General description. A sign that:
A. 
Is fastened to a wall of a building or other structure so that the wall becomes the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of, the sign; and
B. 
Does not project more than 18 inches from a building surface, unless projecting horizontally from the building surface, such as a projecting or blade sign.
2. 
Land uses. Wall signs in a residential district shall be allowed only in association with nonresidential uses, agricultural uses, and multiple-family uses.
3. 
Placement. All signs shall be placed flat against the wall of a building and shall not project above the parapet wall or side wall of the building.
4. 
Sign area computation.
A. 
To compute the allowable square footage of sign area, only one side of a double face sign is considered.
B. 
For multi-tenant buildings in the NC, AC, OF, HC, IP, LI, GI, MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, and MU-5 districts, the maximum percentage for tenant space is applied to the primary facade of each individual tenant space on the ground floor of the building. For corner lots, each street-facing facade is considered a "primary facade" for purposes of this Subsection.
5. 
Illumination. All wall signs may be back lighted, indirectly lighted, internally lighted, or lighted by spots.
6. 
Electronic message displays. Electronic message displays are subject to Section 39.03.024, Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Signs.
f. 
Mural.
1. 
General description. A sign that is painted onto the exterior wall of a nonresidential or mixed-use building.
2. 
Sign area computation. For multi-tenant buildings in the NC, AC, OF, HC, IP, LI, GI, MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, and MU-5 districts, the maximum percentage for tenant space is applied to the primary facade of each individual tenant space on the ground floor of the building. For corner lots, each street-facing facade is considered a "primary facade" for purposes of this Subsection.
3. 
Facing residential districts or uses. A mural in the NC, AC, OF, LI, GI, HC, or IP district or in an MU district that faces a residential use or zoning district shall have a maximum sign area of 20 percent of the facade or 10 percent of the tenant space.
4. 
Residential districts. A mural is only permitted in a residential district in association with an educational services use.
g. 
Marquee.
1. 
General description. A sign that:
A. 
Is affixed to a permanent roof-like structure suspended, constructed of rigid materials, and supported by and extending from the facade of a building;
B. 
Does not project more than six feet from a street-facing buildingfacade.
2. 
Clearance. Marquee signs shall maintain an eight-foot minimum clearance from the ground to the bottom of the sign.
3. 
Placement. Marquee signage may be distributed to all three visible sides of the marquee.
4. 
Illumination. Marquee signs may be back lighted, indirectly lighted, internally lighted, or lighted by spots.
5. 
Electronic message displays. Electronic message displays are subject to Section 39.03.024, Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Signs.
h. 
Hanging sign.
The maximum sign height for a hanging sign refers to the distance from the top of the sign to the highest ground surface immediately below the bottom of the sign.
i. 
Incidental and miscellaneous signs.
Refer to Section 39.03.024, Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Signs.
j. 
Regulations and signs permitted in base residential (RE, SF-1, SF-2, MDR, and HDR) districts.
The following signs in Base Residential (RE, SF-1, SF-2, MDR, and HDR) Districts shall meet the regulations in this Section and the standards prescribed in Table 39.03.023-1, Base Residential Districts Sign Standards.
Table 39.03.023-1
Base Residential Districts Sign Standards
EMD = Electronic Message Display | max = maximum allowed | min = minimum required | ft. = feet | sq. ft. = square feet | — = not applicable
Zoning District
Sign Type
Sign Permit Required
Number of Signs (max)
Sign Area
(max)
Sign Width
(max)
Sign Height
(max)
Sign Setback
(min)
On-Site Spacing
(min)
Sign Projection
(max)
EMD Allowed
RE, SF-1, SF-2, MDR, and HDR
Subdivision Entry
Yes
2 per entry to subdivision
25 sq. ft.
No max
8 ft.
10 ft.
200 ft. from other related subdivision signs
—
No
Monument
Yes
1 per lot, per street frontage
Based on frontage:
up to 50 ft. = 15 sq. ft.
51–75 ft. = 20 sq. ft.
76–100 ft. = 30 sq. ft.
100–125 ft. = 40 sq. ft.
> 125 ft. = 50 sq. ft.
No max
Based on frontage:
0–100 ft. = 5 ft.
>100 ft. = 10 ft.
10 ft.
50 ft. from any other freestanding sign
—
No
Wall
Yes
No max
10% of façade
50% of building facade
—
—
—
18 inches; 0' horizontal projection from wall
No
Mural
Yes
1 per building
75% of facade or 1,500 square feet, whichever is less
75% of facade
30 ft. from grade
—
—
—
No
k. 
Regulations and signs permitted in base public and nonresidential (NC, AC, OF, HC, IP, LI, and GI) districts.
The following signs in Base Public and Nonresidential (NC, AC, OF, HC, IP, LI, and GI) Districts shall meet the regulations in this Section and the standards prescribed in Table 39.03.023-2, Base Public & Nonresidential Districts Sign Standards.
Table 39.03.023-2
Base Public & Nonresidential Districts Sign Standards
EMD = Electronic Message Display | max = maximum allowed | min = minimum required = ft. = feet | sq. ft. = square feet | — = not applicable
Zoning District
Sign Type
Sign Permit Required
Number of Signs
(max)
Sign Area
(max)
Sign Width
(max)
Sign Height
(max)
Sign Setback or Placement
(min)
On-Site Spacing
(min)
Sign Projection
(max)
EMD Allowed
NC, AC, OF, LI, GI, HC and IP
Monument
Yes
1 per lot, per street frontage
Based on frontage:
up to 300 ft. = 50 sq. ft.
300–450 ft. = 120 sq. ft.
451–625 ft. = 180 sq. ft.
>625 ft. = 250 sq. ft.
15 ft.
Based on frontage:
up to 300 ft. = 15 ft.
301–450 ft. = 25 ft.
451–625 ft. = 30 ft.
>625 ft. = 35 ft.
Based on height:
Up to 10' in height = 10' setback
Between 10'–15' in height = 20' setback
Between 15'–20' in height = 25' setback
Between 20'–25' in height = 30' setback
Between 25'–30' in height = 40' setback
Between 30'–35' in height = 45' setback
50 ft. from any other freestanding sign
—
Yes
Canopy
Yes
1 per canopy
—
75% of canopy width
3 feet above roofline
—
—
18 inches
No
Freestanding Canopy
Yes
2 per canopy
—
75% of canopy width
3 feet above roofline
—
—
18 inches
Yes
Wall
Yes
No max
20% of facade 10% per tenant - see d., Wall, above
75% of facade or tenant space
—
—
—
18 inches
No
Mural
Yes
No max
750 sq. ft.
35 ft.
—
—
—
—
No
Pole: Frontage on arterial or collector
Yes
1 per lot, per street frontage
Based on frontage:
up to 300 ft. = 50 sq. ft.
300-450 ft. = 120 sq. ft.
451-625 ft. = 180 sq. ft.
>625 ft. = 250 sq. ft.
15 ft.
Based on frontage:
up to 99 ft. = 5 ft.
>99 ft. = 5 ft., plus 1 foot of sign height for each 20 ft. of lot frontage. In no case shall sign height exceed 30 ft.
Front: 10 ft. or 1.43 ft. for each foot of sign height, whichever is greater.
Side: .25 of the lot frontage
—
—
Yes
Pole: Frontage on expressway
Yes
1 per lot, per street frontage
15 ft.
Based on frontage:
up to 99 ft. = 20 ft.
> 99 feet = 20 ft., plus 1 foot of sign height for each 40 ft. of lot frontage. In no case shall sign height exceed 35 ft.
Front: 1.22 ft. for each foot of sign height
Side: .25 of the lot frontage
—
—
Yes
Projecting (Blade)
Yes
1 per building facade
24 sq. ft.
3 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft. clearance
—
48 inches
No
l. 
Regulations and signs permitted in base mixed-use (MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, and MU-5) districts.
The following signs in Base Mixed-Use (MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, and MU-5) Districts shall meet the regulations in this Section and the standards prescribed in Table 39.03.023-3, Base Mixed-Use Districts Sign Standards.
Table 39.03.023-3
Base Mixed-Use Districts Sign Standards
EMD = Electronic Message Display | max = maximum allowed | min = minimum required | ft. = feet | sq. ft. = square feet | — = not applicable
Zoning District
Sign Type
Sign Permit Required
Number of Signs
(max)
Sign Area
(max)
Sign Width
(max)
Sign Height
(max)
Sign Setback or Placement
(min)
On-Site Spacing
(min)
Sign Projection
(max)
EMD Allowed
MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, and MU-5
Monument
Yes
1 per lot, per street frontage
50 sq. ft.
10 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft.
50 ft. from any other freestanding sign
—
Yes
Canopy
Yes
1 per canopy
50 sq. ft.
75% of Canopy Width
3 ft. above roofline
—
—
18 inches
No
Wall
Yes
No max
20% of facade 10% per tenant - see d., Wall, above
75% of facade or tenant space
—
—
—
18 inches
No
Mural
Yes
No max
50% of facade 10% per tenant - see e., Mural, above No max, when located on a side or rear facing wall
75% of facade or tenant space No max, when located on a side or rear facing wall
—
—
—
—
No
Marquee Sign
Yes
1 per street facing building facade
50 sq. ft. per side or 100 sq. ft. total, whichever is lesser
No max
4 ft.
8 ft. clearance
—
6 ft.
Yes
Projecting (Blade)
Yes
1 per building facade
24 sq. ft.
3 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft. clearance
—
48 inches
No
Hanging
Yes
—
6 sq. ft.
3 ft.
15 ft. above grade
8 ft. clearance
—
—
No
Incidental
Yes
No max
100 sq. ft.
No max
10 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft. from any other incidental sign
—
No
m. 
Billboards (poster panels or bulletins, multi-prism signs, or painted or printed bulletins).
Billboards are only permitted subject to the following conditions.
1. 
Billboards shall be constructed to meet the construction standards as established in the City's Building Code.
2. 
Billboards require a Specific Use Permit and are only permitted in the LI and GI zoning districts, as provided in Section 39.02.016, Land Use Matrix. A Specific Use Permit shall not be issued for the billboard unless an existing land use permitted in the LI or GI zoning district, excluding railroad right-of-way, is within 500 feet of the request.
3. 
The maximum area of any billboard shall be 750 square feet.
4. 
There shall be a minimum separation of 700 feet between all billboards on the same side of the street, provided, however, this shall be increased to 1,500 feet on expressways.
5. 
Billboards shall have a front setback of at least the greater of:
A. 
43 feet; or
B. 
The greatest setback of all the front buildings on the lot on which the billboard is located, or if none, then that of the lotscontiguous to the lot upon which the billboard is located.
6. 
Billboards shall have a maximum height of 35 feet.
7. 
All lighting of billboards shall be so shielded as not to produce intensive or excessive light or glare on adjacent property.
8. 
Billboards shall be prohibited from being placed within the Canyon Lakes Policy Zone and within 1,500 feet of any property line of the Memorial Civic Center area.
9. 
Billboards with electronic message displays shall be subject to all operational requirements for electronic message display signs.
Figure 39.03.023-4,
Sign Types
Subdivision Entry
Monument
Canopy
Wall
Mural
Marquee
Projecting/Blade
Hanging
Pole
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023; Ordinance 2024-O0110 adopted 8/27/2024; Ordinance 2024-O0130 adopted 9/24/2024; Ordinance 2025-O0095 adopted 8/18/2025)
a. 
Banners.
The City allows miscellaneous signs and regulates them by zoning district. Miscellaneous signs include banners. Banners, including pennants, shall meet the standards prescribed in Tables 39.03.024-1 through 39.03.024-3, and the following.
1. 
Attachment. Banner signs shall be secured at all points to the wall of the building.
2. 
Material. Banner signs shall consist of a weather/wind-resistant material.
3. 
Maintenance. Banner signs that are not maintained in good condition are deemed a public nuisance.
4. 
Timeframe. Allowed for no more than 28 days during any calendar year.
5. 
Land use. Banners shall only be permitted in association with nonresidential, agricultural, and multiple-family uses.
b. 
Flags.
The City allows flags and regulates them by zoning district.
1. 
Public, nonresidential, and multiple-family uses.
A. 
Attachment. Flags shall be attached to a permanently affixed flag pole.
B. 
Clearance. Each flag shall maintain a 12-foot minimum clearance from the ground to the bottom of the flag.
C. 
Material. Flags shall consist of a weather/wind-resistant material.
D. 
Maintenance. Flags that are not maintained in good condition are deemed a public nuisance.
2. 
Single-family uses.
A. 
Attachment. Flags shall attach to a permanently affixed feature.
B. 
Material. Flags shall consist of a weather/wind-resistant material.
c. 
Incidental signs.
1. 
Message or content. The City allows incidental signs on private property within its corporate limits. An incidental sign is a sign with copy located on a panel and mounted on a pole or a wall or similar structure, with or without a structural frame, which is normally incidental to the allowed use of the private property, but it can contain any message or content. [Note: examples of customary uses for incidental signs include directional signs, real estate signs, auxiliary signs, noncommercial opinion signs, menu boards, garage sale signs, holiday decorations, property or tenant identification names or numbers, names of occupants, signs on mailboxes or newspaper tubes, signs posted on private property relating to circulation or private parking, political signs or signs warning the public against trespassing or danger from animals, or similar signs. This subsection is provided to clarify the regulations and does not limit the content of incidental signs.]
2. 
Maximum area. The maximum sign area allowed in the table below shall be the square footage for the combination of all allowed signs.
d. 
Temporary signs.
1. 
Maximum area and height.
A. 
The maximum width and height is 18 inches by 24 inches, whether in landscape or portrait orientation.
B. 
The maximum sign area allowed in the table below shall be the square footage for the combination of all allowed signs.
e. 
Electronic message display.
Electronic message display signs are allowed for freestanding signs and are subject to the following operational requirements:
1. 
Operational limitations. Electronic message displays shall contain static messages only and shall not have movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement, of any part of the sign structure, design, or pictorial segment of the sign, including the movement or appearance of movement of any illumination or the flashing, scintillating or varying of light intensity.
2. 
Message change sequence. A maximum of 0.3 seconds is allowed between each message/page displayed on the sign. No message is to appear to be written on or erased from the display piecemeal, i.e., less than the entire message at once.
3. 
Minimum display time. Each message/page on the sign must be displayed for at least eight seconds.
f. 
GOBO projection signs.
1. 
Purpose. This Subsection allows signs that distinguish the City's mixed-use districts as regionally unique retail, entertainment, and cultural destinations where innovative and vibrant signs enliven the pedestrian experience, promote economic development, and identify them as exciting urban environments.
2. 
Generally.
B. 
Because GOBO projection signs are temporary in nature, they do not count toward the calculation of maximum allowable signs or sign area.
3. 
Location.
A. 
Each principal building in a Base Mixed-Use (MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, and MU-5) district may display one GOBO projection sign.
B. 
Additionally, each ground floor use may project one static GOBO projection sign onto the adjacent sidewalk.
C. 
GOBO projection signs may not project upon parts of buildings that are used for residential or lodging purposes.
4. 
Dimensions.
A. 
GOBO projection signs shall not project above the top floor of a building.
B. 
Animated videos in a GOBO projection sign shall not exceed 1,600 square feet.
5. 
Hours of operation. GOBO projection signs may only project from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. the following day.
6. 
Visibility. GOBO projection signs shall be oriented so that they are not visible from a limited-access highway.
g. 
Feather signs.
The City allows feather signs in Base Public and Nonresidential zoning districts subject to the standards prescribed in Table 39.03.024-2, Base Public & Nonresidential Districts Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Sign Standards, and the following.
1. 
Material. Feather signs shall consist of a weather/wind-resistant material.
2. 
Maintenance. Feather signs that are not maintained in good condition are deemed a public nuisance.
3. 
Timeframe. Allowed for no more than 28 days, three times a year, during any calendar year.
4. 
Separation. There shall be a minimum separation of 50 feet of frontage between feather signs, whether such signs are on the same parcel or different parcels.
h. 
A-frame signs or easels and portable signs.
A-frame signs or easels and portable signs shall be allowed to be displayed only during business hours.
i. 
Regulations and temporary signs permitted in base residential (RE, SF-1, SF-2, MDR, and HDR) districts.
The following temporary signs in Base Residential (RE, SF-1, SF-2, MDR, and HDR) districts shall meet the regulations in this Section and the standards prescribed in Table 39.03.024-1, Base Residential Districts Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Sign Standards.
Table 39.03.024-1
Base Residential Districts Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Sign Standards
EMD = Electronic Message Display | max = maximum allowed | min = minimum required | ft. = feet | sq. ft. = square feet | — = not applicable
Zoning District
Sign Type
Sign Permit Required
Number of Signs
(max)
Sign Area
(max)
Sign Width
(max)
Sign Height
(max)
Sign Setback
(min)
On-Site Spacing
(min)
Sign Projection
(max)
EMD Allowed
RE, SF-1, SF-2, MDR, and HDR
Banners
No
2 per lot
50 sq. ft.
No max
—
—
—
—
No
Incidental
No
4 per lot
32 sq. ft.
No max
4 ft.
10 ft.
—
—
No
Temporary
No
2 per lot
18 x 24 inches (3 sq. ft.)
18 or 24 inches
18 or 24 inches
5 ft.
30 ft.
—
No
Flags
No
—
—
8 ft.
—
5 ft.
—
—
No
j. 
(Reserved)
k. 
Regulations and temporary signs permitted in base public and nonresidential (NC, AC, OF, HC, IP, LI, and GI) districts.
The following temporary signs in Base Public and Nonresidential (NC, AC, OF, HC, IP, LI, and GI) districts shall meet the regulations in this Section and the standards prescribed in Table 39.03.024-2, Base Public & Nonresidential Districts Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Sign Standards.
Table 39.03.024-2
Base Public & Nonresidential Districts Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Sign Standards
EMD = Electronic Message Display | max = maximum allowed | min = minimum required | ft. = feet | sq. ft. = square feet | — = not applicable
Zoning District
Sign Type
Sign Permit Required
Number of Signs
(max)
Sign Area
(max)
Sign Width
(max)
Sign Height
(max)
Sign Setback
(min)
On-Site Spacing
(min)
Sign Projection
(max)
EMD Allowed
NC, AC, OF, LI, GI, HC and IP
Incidental
Yes
No max
100 sq. ft.
No max
10 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft. from any other incidental sign
—
No
Temporary
No
No max
100 sq. ft.
No max
4 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft. from any other incidental or temporary sign
—
No
Banners
No
2 per lot
50 sq. ft.
No max
—
—
—
—
No
Flags
No
—
—
8 ft.
—
5 ft.
—
—
No
Feather
No
3 per lot
24 sq. ft.
3 ft.
8 ft.
5 ft.
—
—
No
l. 
Regulations and signs permitted in base mixed-use (MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, and MU-5) districts.
The following signs in Base Mixed-Use (MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, and MU-5) districts shall meet the regulations in this Section and the standards prescribed in Table 39.03.024-3, Base Mixed-Use Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Sign Standards.
Table 39.03.024-3
Base Mixed-Use Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Sign Standards
EMD = Electronic Message Display | max = maximum allowed | min = minimum required | ft. = feet | sq. ft. = square feet | — = not applicable
Zoning District
Sign Type
Sign Permit Required
Number of Signs
(max)
Sign Area
(max)
Sign Width
(max)
Sign Height
(max)
Sign Setback
(min)
On-Site Spacing
(min)
Sign Projection
(max)
EMD Allowed
MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, and MU-5
Incidental
Yes
No max
100 sq. ft.
No max
10 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft. from any other incidental sign
—
No
Temporary
No
No max
100 sq. ft.
No max
4 ft.
10 ft.
10 ft. from any other incidental or temporary sign
—
No
Banners
No
2 per lot
50 sq. ft.
No max
—
—
—
—
No
A-Frame or Easel
No
1 per ground-floor entrance
12 sq. ft.
3 ft.
6 ft.
—
—
—
No
Flags
No
3 per lot
40 sq. ft.
8 ft.
—
5 ft.
—
—
No
Portable
No
1 per lot
4 sq. ft.
2 ft.
4 feet
—
—
—
No
Figure 39.03.024-1
Temporary, Incidental, and Miscellaneous Sign Types
A-Frame or Easel or Portable Sign
Banner
Flag
Incidental
Temporary
Feather Flag
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023; Ordinance 2025-O0095 adopted 8/18/2025)
a. 
Installation.
Signs and sign structures shall meet the standards of the City's Building Code. Signs must be maintained in a safe, readable, and proper operating condition. Dilapidated or otherwise unsafe signs are not allowed to remain on any premises.
b. 
Abandoned signs or damaged signs.
1. 
Owner duties. The property owner shall:
A. 
Remove all abandoned signs and their supports within 60 days from the date of abandonment; and
B. 
Repair or remove all damaged signs within 30 days after notification by the City.
2. 
Extension. The Director of Code Enforcement may grant an additional 90-day time extension for the removal of an abandoned or damaged sign.
3. 
City demolition and removal. If the Director of Code Enforcement determines that any sign is in violation of this Division, he or she shall give written notice via certified mail to the owner responsible for such sign according to the tax records. If the permittee, owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the premises fails to remove or repair the sign or contact the Director of Code Enforcement to come into compliance within 30 days after notice is sent, such sign may be removed. The Director of Code Enforcement shall send the noticed property owner a statement showing the amount owed to the City for demolition and/or removal. If not paid within 30 days of notice, the City shall file a lien against the property in the amount of the cost for demolition and/or removal.
c. 
Nonconforming sign abatement.
1. 
Deemed nonconforming. The following signs are deemed nonconforming on the effective date of this UDC and shall be brought into compliance or removed within six months of the effective date of this Division.
A. 
Signs with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights, which are located within 50 feet of any street right-of-way except electronic message displays meeting the requirements of this Division.
B. 
Signs with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights, which are located within 1,000 feet of any street intersection except electronic message displays meeting the requirements of this Division.
C. 
Any sign which is affixed to sign supports prohibited in this Division.
D. 
Banners, pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, sandwich, or "A" frame signs, sidewalk or curb signs, balloons, or other gas-filled objects, except as provided in this Division.
E. 
Flags, except as provided in this Division.
F. 
Any sign which resembles an official traffic sign or signal, or which bears the words "Stop," "Go Slow," "Caution," "Danger," "Warning," or similar words.
G. 
Signs which, by reason of their size, location, movement, coloring, or manner of illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic-control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal or device.
H. 
Portable or wheeled signs.
I. 
Any sign which emits sound, odor, or visible matter which is distracting to persons within the public right-of-way.
J. 
Any signs and their supports that are located on public property and that are in violation of this Division are deemed a trespass on public property. The Director of Code Enforcement may remove those signs immediately. This removal should preserve the value of signs and supports whenever possible. If the Director of Code Enforcement directs an independent contractor to remove signs and supports, the Director of Code Enforcement shall minimize the cost of that work to the extent reasonably possible.
K. 
Electronic message displays.
2. 
Owner notification. The Director of Code Enforcement shall notify the owners of any removed signs and supports found in violation of this Division, except signs made of paper or cardboard or their supports. The first attempt at notice is within three days of the removal of the sign and supports. The Director of Code Enforcement shall use the manner of notice that is most effective under the circumstances, including the use of certified mail, hand delivery, or publication. Refusal of certified mail which is properly addressed and posted does not void the notice. Publication may be used when the addressee or their whereabouts are unknown. The Director of Code Enforcement shall provide publication in the same manner as prescribed for a zone change in the Texas Local Government Code for service of process by publication. Notice by publication is sufficient regardless of its effect as actual notice.
3. 
Contents of owner notification. The notice shall inform the recipient that the City is in possession of certain signs and supports, why they were removed, and where they may be reclaimed, costs owed to the City for removal if any, as well as the information contained in the remainder of this Section.
4. 
Removed sign storage. With the exception of signs made of paper or cardboard and their supports which may be disposed of immediately, removed signs and supports shall be stored for up to 14 days beginning the first day of effective notice, whether actual or constructive. The Director of Code Enforcement will levy a storage charge of five dollars per day beginning the fourth day of that 14-day period. Before the storage period expires, the owner of the sign and supports may reclaim their property upon payment of any storage charges and the cost of removal. If the sign and supports are not reclaimed by the expiration of the storage period, the Director of Code Enforcement shall determine the manner of disposal. If the Director of Code Enforcement determines that the sign and supports are not capable of being sold, then they may be discarded. If the sign and supports are sold, the Director of Code Enforcement shall apply the proceeds in the following order of priority, up to the remaining balance:
A. 
The storage charge and removal charge if any;
B. 
The remaining balance to the past owner of the sign and supports, if reasonably possible; and
C. 
To the general fund of the City.
5. 
Altered signs. If the height, area, location, or supports of an existing sign are altered, the sign shall be brought into compliance at the time of alteration.
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023)
a. 
Generally.
1. 
Applicability to ETJ. In accordance with Texas Local Government Code Section 216.902, the sign and billboard provisions of this Division are hereby extended to apply and control within the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the City.
2. 
Limits of ETJ. The ETJ is as defined in the Texas Local Government Code, and specifically includes all areas lying outside the corporate limits of the City, but within five miles of the corporate limits. Annexations extending the corporate limits, without further action, automatically extend into the ETJ area so that it becomes subject to the provisions of this Division.
3. 
Comparable use determination.
A. 
The requirements for signs and billboards for each zoning district within the City apply to each area of use of property within the ETJ when the Director of Planning determines that the use is comparable to a use allowed by any district within the corporate limits, based on the submittal of an application for Comparable Use Determination in accordance with the applicable provisions in Article 39.07, Development Review Procedures. In that case, the same sign and billboard requirements that govern the least intense zoning district where the comparable use is permitted apply to the ETJ area determined to be comparable to that specifically zoned district. For example, Automobile/Vehicle Service is permitted in the AC, LI, and GI zoning districts. Therefore, for purposes of regulation of signs, the use would be treated as if it were located in the AC zoning district.
B. 
The comparable use area within the ETJ shall only include the area actually used for the comparable use, and any area immediately adjacent to that area and reasonably necessary for that use.
C. 
All areas within the ETJ, inclusive of vacant property, are deemed comparable to the Residential Estates (RE) district until an application for Comparable Use Determination is submitted and acted upon by the Director of Planning or until that area is actually annexed.
b. 
Sign permit and construction.
1. 
Sign permit. Prior to construction, the applicant shall secure a Sign Permit in accordance with Section 39.07.024, Sign Permit and Master Sign Plan.
2. 
Construction. Signs or billboards shall be constructed in strict conformity to the terms and conditions of the order or decision and the requirements of this UDC.
c. 
Existing signs.
1. 
Effective date. All signs and billboards located in the ETJ on the effective date of this UDC or located within areas added to the ETJ by subsequent annexation upon the effective date of each subsequent annexation, are declared nonconforming and entitled to remain under and subject to the rules applicable in this UDC to other nonconforming signs if those signs are registered with the City within the time and manner provided below.
2. 
Registration. Within six months after the effective date of this UDC as to areas designated as within the current ETJ or within six months after the effective date of a subsequent annexation that extends the area of the ETJ, all signs or billboards desired to be designated as nonconforming shall be registered as provided below. Signs or billboards not registered within six months are conclusively presumed illegal and not nonconforming. The property owner shall remove those signs immediately without cost to the City.
3. 
Declaration of nonconforming sign. Registration of nonconforming signs and billboards shall be accomplished upon filing (within the time provided) of a Declaration of Nonconforming Sign upon forms to be provided by the City. Those forms shall require any information as necessary or helpful to a determination by the Director of Planning, including but not limited to:
A. 
A written legal description of the parcel location;
B. 
A scaled drawing or photograph of all signs showing:
i. 
Dimensions;
ii. 
Height;
iii. 
Setback (front and side) from property lines; and
iv. 
Location on the parcel in relation to adjacent streets and other public property.
C. 
A certification that the sign or signs presented as nonconforming are the only nonconforming signs on the property;
D. 
The names of all owners, lessees, or any other person, firm, or corporation claiming any interest in the area sought to be defined as nonconforming; and
E. 
If the applicant is other than the fee simple owner as reflected by the Deed Records of Lubbock County, then instruments reflecting his authority to file the application shall be furnished.
4. 
Posting. The Director of Planning shall post a copy of the application in a display area open to the public at or near its offices. Each posted application shall contain a notice to the public as to how the nonconforming designation may be challenged.
5. 
No challenges received. If after verification of the contents, there are no challenges received within 15 days of the date of posting, the Director of Planning shall post, approve, and file the application within 30 days.
6. 
Challenges received. If an application is challenged, or, if the Director of Planning determines that the application contents are insufficient, the Director of Planning may require the applicant to provide additional information as needed to determine whether the application complies with this Section. Requests for additional information shall be mailed to the applicant by certified mail within 25 days after the application is posted. If the validity of the declaration of nonconforming use is still not reasonably reflected by the information before the Director of Planning after the additional information is received, or if the application is challenged, the Director of Planning shall set a date for a hearing upon the application. The Director of Planning shall give notice to the applicant and person who challenges the application. The hearing date shall be at least 10 days after the date of mailing the notice.
7. 
Final decision. If the Director of Planning determines that the sign was in place on the effective date of this UDC after the hearing is closed, then the Director of Planning shall accept the application. If the Director of Planning determines that the sign was not in place upon the effective date of this UDC, then the application shall be denied.
8. 
Appeal. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Director of Planning may appeal the decision to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in accordance with Section 39.07.039, Appeal of Administrative Decision, and the Texas Local Government Code.
9. 
Substitute. The Director of Planning may designate a substitute to act in their place for the purpose of any hearing required above if they are ill, disabled, or absent.
(Ordinance 2023-O0054 adopted 5/9/2023)