Sign Administration

Houston Sign Administration regulates and permits all advertising signs within the City of Houston. The Houston Sign Code was originally adopted in May 1980 and revised in July 2020. The code provides standards for the use, quality, construction, and location of advertising signs throughout the City. The height, size, and lighting of signs is determined by the category of the street from which the sign will be viewed. The Code also regulates off-premise signs (also known as billboards) in the city, as well as extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

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1002 Washington Ave., 4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002

Sign Administration is responsible for:

• Reviewing plans for the use, quality, construction, and location of proposed signs
• Inspecting the construction and installation of signs
• Permitting the alteration, repair, and erection of signs
• Licensing contractors who install signs

Application Process

The application process must be completed online. Many questions can be answered on the telephone or meeting in person with a Plan Analyst. All inspections, with the exception of the site inspection, must be scheduled by 4 pm the day prior to inspection. Electrical signs must receive a final inspection from the Electrical Inspection section in order for the final construction to be performed by the Sign Inspector.

Sign Permits

Permits must be obtained before signs can be erected, altered, or repaired. Permits are only issued to licensed sign contractors.

No new permits can be issued for off-premise signs (Exception: Section 4612(b) of the Houston Sign Code). Relocation permits are issued for certain off-premise signs. These specific signs can be permitted for a single three-year period, provided that all applicable provisions are met.

Signs which can be installed by someone other than a licensed sign contractor, but may still need permits, include:

• Non-electrical ground signs no taller than 8 feet and larger than 60 square feet in size
• Non-electrical marquee or wall signs that are mounted on surfaces no higher than 16 feet above grade
• Signs which meet all other aspects of the sign code, such as the number of signs per business, and assuring that placement on private property does not create a traffic hazard or encroach on utility easements
• The permits are issued to the individual provided that all of the work must be performed by the business owner.

The proposed location can be marked or staked on the property or shown on a site plan with dimensions from fixed objects. A survey must be provided for new ground signs. Compliance with the following items is determined during the site inspection:

• Determination of the category of street: local, major thoroughfare, or freeway or in a scenic or historic district, or on a predominately residential right-of-way
• Location does not exceed the total number of signs or classification of signs. The sign location is not in the 45-foot visibility triangle and does not obstruct the view of oncoming traffic for a minimum of 250 feet
• The proposed location is wholly contained on private property
• A minimum of 3 feet is maintained from any fire hydrant
• All underground utilities are clearly marked from all overhead power or communication lines
• Proper clearance is maintained from all overhead power or communication lines.

The balance of the construction, electrical and operating fees are charged upon approval of the site inspection and permit application. Most of the fees are based on size and are calculated during plan review.

A construction inspection (hole inspection) is required:

• For drilled footings larger than 18 inches in diameter or 6 feet in depth,
• If rebar and/or anchor bolts are being used (which requires engineering in the application packet), or
• For any new ground sign that is engineered.

Electrical Inspections

Electrical inspections are required for electrical signs. A shop inspection is required for all electrical signs prior to the installation. Once the sign has been energized, a final electrical or installation inspection is required.

A final inspection is performed after the final approval is obtained from Electrical Inspections. The installation of the signs is inspected to ensure that the sign was erected in a safe and workman-like manner and in accordance with the plans and all applicable requirements of the code. Upon final approval, the operating permit is affixed to the sign structure or the nearest window.