Coverage · Austin, TX

Austin, Texas sign rules

411 confirmed rules from the City of Austin's sign code for 9 sign types, each quoted word for word with its code section and a link to the official source. Last checked Nov 14, 2026.

What the confirmed rules cover

Wall sign rules in Austin

Allowed, with conditions. 57 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Maximum area, Expressway Corridor Sign20% (20% of the facade area of the first 15 ft of the building, total for all signs other than freestanding/roof signs on the lot)“For signs other than freestanding signs or roof signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20 percent of the facade…”§ 25-10-123(F) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

All wall sign figures for an address

Channel letters rules in Austin

Allowed, with conditions. 53 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Maximum area, Expressway Corridor Sign20% (20% of the facade area of the first 15 ft of the building, total for all signs other than freestanding/roof signs on the lot)Applies to: Channel letters are not named in Ch. 25-10; wall-sign rules apply“For signs other than freestanding signs or roof signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20 percent of the facade…”§ 25-10-123(F) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

All channel letters figures for an address

Monument sign rules in Austin

Allowed in some districts. 84 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum setback, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Maximum area, Scenic Roadway Sign64 sq ft (0.4 sq ft per linear ft of street frontage, max 64 sq ft)“The sign area may not exceed the lesser of: (a) 0.4 square feet for each linear foot of street frontage; or (b) 64 square…”§ 25-10-124(B)(1) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

All monument sign figures for an address

Pole or pylon sign rules in Austin

Allowed in some districts. 81 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum setback, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.

All pole or pylon sign figures for an address

Blade or projecting sign rules in Austin

Allowed, with conditions. 41 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Maximum area, Downtown Sign35 sq ft“One projecting sign for each building facade is permitted. (2) The sign area of a projecting sign may not exceed 35 square feet.”§ 25-10-129(D)(2) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

All blade or projecting sign figures for an address

Awning or canopy sign rules in Austin

Allowed, with conditions. 49 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Maximum area, Expressway Corridor Sign20% (20% of the facade area of the first 15 ft of the building, total for all signs other than freestanding/roof signs on the lot)Applies to: The sign permit application groups canopy and awning signs with wall signs“For signs other than freestanding signs or roof signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20 percent of the facade…”§ 25-10-123(F) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

All awning or canopy sign figures for an address

Window sign rules in Austin

Allowed, with conditions. 7 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, electronic message limits, other limit.

Example: Maximum area30%Applies to: Temporary sign for a commercial event, sale or similar activity that does not normally occur on the property; property must contain a commercial use“30 percent of the window area, for a sign displayed in a window.”§ 25-10-102(D)(3)(b) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

All window sign figures for an address

Electronic message sign rules in Austin

Allowed in some districts. 24 confirmed rules: permit required, minimum clearance, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Minimum clearance9 ftApplies to: Hazardous sign: a sign within the corner triangle 45 ft along each street frontage from the street intersection needs at least 9 ft clearance“has less than nine feet of clearance and is located within a triangle formed by connecting the intersection point of two streets and the…”§ 25-10-23(B)(7) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

All electronic message sign figures for an address

Temporary banner rules in Austin

Allowed, with conditions. 15 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, other limit.

Example: Maximum area96 sq ftApplies to: Temporary wall sign for a commercial event, sale or similar activity that does not normally occur on the property; property must contain a commercial use“96 square feet, for a sign attached to a building; or”§ 25-10-102(D)(3)(a) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

All temporary banner figures for an address

76 more lines could not be confirmed by our automatic checks, so no figures are shown for them. A lookup lists them with the section to check.

Before you file in Austin

Sign district hierarchyAustin's sign rules depend on the sign district. Historic, expressway corridor (near IH-35 and other limited-access highways) and scenic roadway districts come before the zoning-based districts (Sec. 25-10-82), so the zoning code alone can point to the wrong district. Confirm with the City's Sign District Determination Tool. Source
Address may not match a zoning areaMany Austin street addresses geocode to a point in the street, outside the zoning map's parcels, so the zone may not be found automatically. Pick the sign district or check the City's map. Source
Registered, insured outdoor advertiserSign permits are issued only to outdoor advertisers registered and insured with the City (Sec. 25-10-231), and an illuminated sign needs a registered Electrical Sign Contractor to activate the electrical permit. Source
Historic sign district reviewIn a historic landmark, historic district or National Register District, a sign needs Historic Preservation Office / Historic Landmark Commission review (Secs. 25-10-121, 25-10-122), and extra historic review fees apply.
University Neighborhood OverlayIn the UNO district freestanding and roof signs are prohibited and electronic images are not allowed (Sec. 25-10-133).
2026 sign code amendmentsIn 2026 the City Council took up two Chapter 25-10 amendments. The right-of-way installation sign changes (Ord. 20260326-066) are in the text we used. The status of the billboard relocation amendment (case C20-2025-008, Sec. 25-10-152) is not confirmed. Neither is mainly about on-premise business signs, but confirm with Development Services. Source

Official sources

Permits: The City of Austin sign permit office, 512-974-2000.

Not legal advice. The city has the final say. Planned developments, master sign plans and special sign districts can override the general sign code. Check the linked section before you file.

Rules are extracted from official city documents by AI and checked automatically, not reviewed by a person. How the checks work

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