Waco sign permit requirements
What the Waco sign code and sign ordinance allow, summarised from ARTICLE VIII. - SIGNS. 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?
§ 28-1052Permit required for all signs greater than 4 sq ft in area, over 4 ft in height, illuminated, with moving elements, or projecting more than 18 inches from a wall/roof/parapet/eave
“Permits are required for the following signs:”
Wall sign — maximum area
§ 28-1063(d)In C and M districts, cumulative size of attached signs may not exceed ten percent of the wall area (one attached sign per building wall per occupant/use)
“The cumulative size of the signs may not exceed ten percent of the wall area.”
Wall sign — % of facade
§ 28-1063(d)10 percent of the wall area (C and M districts)
“The cumulative size of the signs may not exceed ten percent of the wall area.”
Freestanding sign — maximum area
§ 28-1062(d)For premises fronting a primary arterial or limited-access freeway: 1.5 sq ft per foot of frontage, or 400 sq ft, whichever is less (plus one additional sign up to 60 sq ft per separate building). For premises fronting any other street: 120 sq ft, or 180 sq ft if only one sign in place of the allowed two
“For premises with frontage on a primary arterial street, or limited-access freeway, a ratio of 11:2 square feet in area for each foot of frontage, or 400 square feet in area, whichever is less.”
Freestanding sign — maximum height
§ 28-1062(d)C and M districts: 50 ft if fronting on/within 300 ft of an interstate highway; 35 ft on a controlled-access highway (non-interstate) or primary arterial/arterial; 25 ft on any other street
“For premises with frontage on or within 300 feet of an interstate highway, a height of 50 feet.”
Freestanding sign — setback
§ 28-1062(d)C and M districts: front, side and rear yard setback is five feet
“The front, side and rear yard setback is five feet.”
Illumination
§ 28-1062(d)(5)In C and M districts, attached and detached on-premises signs may be illuminated; if located closer than 50 feet to an R district, the sign may not flash and must be designed so it does not shine or reflect light into adjacent residences
“If located closer than 50 feet to an R district, the sign may not flash and must be designed so it does not shine or reflect light into adjacent residences. The sign may be illuminated.”
Digital / electronic message centres
§ 28-1065Digital on-premises signs: each message displayed at least eight seconds, change of message accomplished within two seconds, must change simultaneously on entire face; must auto-adjust intensity to ambient light; may not flash, use intermittent/moving lights, or display animated/moving video/scrolling advertising
“Each message on a digital off-premises sign shall be displayed for at least eight seconds and a change of message shall be accomplished within two seconds.”
Prohibited sign types
§ 28-1043Signs with lights that flash, move or rotate so as to be confused with traffic-control/emergency signals; beacons on signs; signs resembling official traffic-control signs. All other temporary signs (other than those specifically allowed and political signs) are strictly prohibited
“No sign or part of any sign may have lights which flash, move or rotate in such a manner as to be confused with traffic-control signals or emergency vehicle signals, or in a manner that confuses, misleads or distracts traffic motorists. Beacons may not be placed on any sign or be made a part of any sign.”
Which zoning district this describes
§ 28-1062(d)Regulations vary materially by district (R-1/R-2, R-3, O, and C and M). Values reported here are for the C and M (commercial and manufacturing) districts
“C and M districts. Detached on-premises signs in the C and M districts shall be subject to the following:”
Not covered in the sign chapter we read: projecting sign — maximum area, projecting sign — clearance, window signs — maximum coverage. 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 Waco, TX?
- Permit required for all signs greater than 4 sq ft in area, over 4 ft in height, illuminated, with moving elements, or projecting more than 18 inches from a wall/roof/parapet/eave
- How big can a wall sign be in Waco, TX?
- In C and M districts, cumulative size of attached signs may not exceed ten percent of the wall area (one attached sign per building wall per occupant/use)
- What percentage of a building facade can a sign cover in Waco, TX?
- 10 percent of the wall area (C and M districts)
- How big can a freestanding sign be in Waco, TX?
- For premises fronting a primary arterial or limited-access freeway: 1.5 sq ft per foot of frontage, or 400 sq ft, whichever is less (plus one additional sign up to 60 sq ft per separate building). For premises fronting any other street: 120 sq ft, or 180 sq ft if only one sign in place of the allowed two
- How tall can a freestanding sign be in Waco, TX?
- C and M districts: 50 ft if fronting on/within 300 ft of an interstate highway; 35 ft on a controlled-access highway (non-interstate) or primary arterial/arterial; 25 ft on any other street
- How far back from the road must a sign sit in Waco, TX?
- C and M districts: front, side and rear yard setback is five feet
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