Austin sign permit requirements
What the Austin sign code and sign ordinance allow, summarised from CHAPTER 25-10. - SIGN REGULATIONS.. Every figure below shows the ordinance's own wording, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
Is a permit required?
Sec. 25-10-211Permit required to install, move, structurally alter, or structurally repair a sign; not required for signs allowed under Sec. 25-10-101 or routine maintenance/re-facing.
“A person may not install, move, structurally alter, or structurally repair a sign unless the building official has issued a sign installation permit. This prohibition does not apply to:”
Wall sign — maximum area
Sec. 25-10-130For signs other than freestanding signs, total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20% of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building (commercial sign district).
“For signs other than freestanding signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20 percent of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building.”
Wall sign — % of facade
Sec. 25-10-13020% of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building (commercial sign district).
“For signs other than freestanding signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20 percent of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building.”
Freestanding sign — setback
Sec. 25-10-191Depends on sign support diameter: ≤12 in no setback; >12–24 in at least 3 ft; >24–36 in at least 5 ft; >36 in at least 12 ft from street right-of-way.
“A sign support 12 inches or less in diameter is not required to be set back from a street right-of-way.”
Window signs — maximum coverage
Sec. 25-10-10230% of the window area, for a temporary sign associated with a commercial event/sale displayed in a window.
“30 percent of the window area, for a sign displayed in a window.”
Prohibited sign types
Sec. 25-10-103Off-premise signs (unless authorized), signs on vehicles parked to display them, festoons/streamers/pinwheels, portable non-affixed signs, tethered/gas-filled balloons, intermittent/flashing light signs (except electronically controlled changeable-copy), and mobile billboards.
“an off-premise sign, unless the sign is authorized by another provision of this chapter;”
Which zoning district this describes
Sec. 25-10-81Values are for the commercial sign district (land not in any other sign district). Austin uses sign districts rather than zoning districts, and standards vary materially by district (historic, expressway corridor, scenic roadway, neighborhood, residential, downtown, commercial).
“The commercial sign district includes land that is not in any other sign district.”
Not covered in the sign chapter we read: freestanding sign — maximum area, freestanding sign — maximum height, projecting sign — maximum area, projecting sign — clearance, illumination, digital / electronic message centres. That doesn't mean the city has no rule — it may sit elsewhere in the code.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us — corrections from local sign shops are how this stays accurate.
Common questions
- Do you need a permit for a sign in Austin, TX?
- Permit required to install, move, structurally alter, or structurally repair a sign; not required for signs allowed under Sec. 25-10-101 or routine maintenance/re-facing.
- How big can a wall sign be in Austin, TX?
- For signs other than freestanding signs, total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20% of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building (commercial sign district).
- What percentage of a building facade can a sign cover in Austin, TX?
- 20% of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building (commercial sign district).
- How far back from the road must a sign sit in Austin, TX?
- Depends on sign support diameter: ≤12 in no setback; >12–24 in at least 3 ft; >24–36 in at least 5 ft; >36 in at least 12 ft from street right-of-way.
- How much of a window can be covered by signs in Austin, TX?
- 30% of the window area, for a temporary sign associated with a commercial event/sale displayed in a window.
- Are temporary signs and banners allowed in Austin, TX?
- Temporary wall sign for a commercial event/sale allowed max 30 days (at least one day being a scheduled special event), max 96 sq ft on a building or 30% of window area.
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