404 confirmed rules from the City of Brownsville'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 Brownsville
Allowed. 47 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, illumination, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area30% (30% of the gross area of the same facade or tenant space; each facade or tenant space is allowed at least 32 sq ft)“30% of the gross area of the same facade or tenant space. Each facade or tenant space is allowed at least 32 square feet.…”5.3.4C.3.a · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Allowed. 46 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, illumination, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area30% (30% of the gross area of the same facade or tenant space; each facade or tenant space is allowed at least 32 sq ft)Applies to: Channel letters are a listed material of Wall Signs (5.3.4C.3.a); wall sign limits apply“30% of the gross area of the same facade or tenant space. Each facade or tenant space is allowed at least 32 square feet.…”5.3.4C.3.a · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Allowed. 49 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area100 sq ftApplies to: Monument Sign (single tenant), per side, max two sides“Maximum Sign Area per Side (max two sides) Monument Sign: 100 square feet”5.3.4C.3.b · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Freestanding signs depend on the street. Monument height limits depend on whether the street is local, a collector or arterial, or a highway or interstate, and pole or pylon signs are allowed only along highways and major arterials named in the adopted Thoroughfare Plan (TN-MU: only along International Boulevard) (UDC 5.3.4C.3.b, c).
Allowed in some districts. 46 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area630 sq ft (3 sq ft per ft of property frontage; each property allowed at least 300 sq ft; max 630 sq ft)Applies to: Per side, max two sides“3 square feet per foot of property frontage Each property is allowed a sign with a minimum area of 300 square feet but shall…”5.3.4C.3.c · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Freestanding signs depend on the street. Monument height limits depend on whether the street is local, a collector or arterial, or a highway or interstate, and pole or pylon signs are allowed only along highways and major arterials named in the adopted Thoroughfare Plan (TN-MU: only along International Boulevard) (UDC 5.3.4C.3.b, c).
Allowed. 73 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum spacing, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area48 sq ftApplies to: Projecting Sign (5.3.4C.3.e), one story building; total surface area visible from the street, not including support structure“One story building: 48 square feet total surface area visible from the street, not including support structure.”5.3.4C.3.e · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Allowed. 62 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area30% (30% of the gross area of the same facade or tenant space; each facade or tenant space is allowed at least 32 sq ft; other permanent signs on the same facade count against the wall sign area)Note: Awning Sign (5.3.4C.3.f) or Canopy Sign (5.3.4C.3.h)“30% of the gross area of the same facade or tenant space. Each facade or tenant space is allowed at least 32 square feet.…”5.3.4C.3.f · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Allowed. 23 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, illumination, electronic message limits, other limit.
Example: Maximum area10% (10% of the total window area on the same building elevation or tenant space)“The total of all windows signs displayed on a single building elevation or tenant space may not exceed 10% of the total window area…”5.3.4C.3.i · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Allowed in some districts. 36 confirmed rules: permit required, illumination, electronic message limits, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Other limit180“An issued permit becomes invalid if the work on the site authorized by the permit does not commence with 180 days of issuance”City of Brownsville Sign Permit Application / Solicitud de Permiso Para Anuncio (Planning and Redevelopment Department, rev. 04/12/21), Sign Permit Application p. 2 · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Electronic message boards. Section 5.3 has no separate electronic sign type: message boards are allowed only as part of monument or pole/pylon signs away from RE, R-1 and R-2 districts, or inside windows, and must follow UDC 4.6.7 Lighting and TxDOT rules (not shown here).
Allowed. 22 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, number allowed, other limit.
Example: Maximum area, R-3greater of 60 sq ft or 15% of the building facade or tenant space“No banner may exceed sixty (60) square feet in size or 15% of the building facade or tenant space, whichever is greater;”5.3.4B.1.a · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Nonresidential and Mixed-Use districts. Temporary banner rules apply in R-3 and in all Nonresidential and Mixed-Use districts (UDC 5.3.4B.1). The sign code does not list those districts by code, so the district may need to be picked by hand.
33 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 Brownsville
Historic Preservation (HP) OverlaySigns in the HP Overlay district need a Certificate of Appropriateness before installation, and billboards, pole or pylon signs and electronic message boards are prohibited there (UDC 5.3.5C). The overlay is not on the zoning map used here; ask the city whether the property is in it.
Sign permit fee not shownThe sign permit fee is set by the City's Fee Schedule (UDC 5.3.5A.2), but no sign permit fee was found in the city's published fee schedules or on the sign permit application. Ask the Planning and Redevelopment Department for the current fee.
Master Sign PlanA multi-lot development, a single lot with several buildings, or a variance for several signs needs a Master Sign Plan approved by the Planning Director (UDC 5.3.5B). Signs on such properties must follow that plan.
Planned developmentsProperties in a planned development (PD) may have sign conditions in the ordinance that created them. Ask the city which sign rules apply.
Who may applyOnly sign contractors may submit Brownsville's sign permit application, and every permit needs a final inspection (Sign Permit Application, rev. 04/12/21).
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