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Coverage · Bryan, TX

Bryan, Texas sign rules

421 confirmed rules from the City of Bryan'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.

Check an exact address in Bryan

Most limits depend on the zoning district. Enter the address to get every confirmed figure for that lot.

What the confirmed rules cover

One example limit per sign type, with the city's words one click away. Limits often change by zoning district, so look up an address for every figure on that lot.

Wall sign rules in Bryan

Allowed, with conditions
Maximum area · Office, Retail, and MU-2300 sq ft (1 sq ft per linear ft of the occupancy's building frontage, max 300 sq ft)
City's words · Sec. 98-44(3)“One wall sign per occupancy, not to exceed one square foot in sign area for each linear foot of that occupancy's building frontage up…”View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

54 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum spacing, maximum letter height, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

All wall sign figures for an address
  • Electrical permit, license, bond and right-of-way

    Signs with electrical components need an additional electrical permit (Sec. 98-123). Sign contractors need a city license before a permit is issued (Sec. 98-11). Work beyond the curbline or on or above public property that could cost the city loss or expense needs a bond or deposit before the permit is issued (Sec. 98-12). Projecting signs may extend into the public right-of-way only in the DT-N, DT-S and DT-C districts, or elsewhere when attached to a legally nonconforming building built on the property line, and must meet the special use license requirements that Sec. 130-34 refers to in Sec. 62-251. Signs in a TxDOT right-of-way also need TxDOT's permission (Sec. 130-34).

Channel letters rules in Bryan

Allowed
Maximum area · Office, Retail, and MU-2300 sq ft (1 sq ft per linear ft of the occupancy's building frontage, max 300 sq ft)Applies to: Channel letters are wall signs: the wall sign definition (Sec. 98-3) includes individual letter signs.
City's words · Sec. 98-44(3)“One wall sign per occupancy, not to exceed one square foot in sign area for each linear foot of that occupancy's building frontage up…”View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

53 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum spacing, maximum letter height, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

All channel letters figures for an address
  • Electrical permit, license, bond and right-of-way

    Signs with electrical components need an additional electrical permit (Sec. 98-123). Sign contractors need a city license before a permit is issued (Sec. 98-11). Work beyond the curbline or on or above public property that could cost the city loss or expense needs a bond or deposit before the permit is issued (Sec. 98-12). Projecting signs may extend into the public right-of-way only in the DT-N, DT-S and DT-C districts, or elsewhere when attached to a legally nonconforming building built on the property line, and must meet the special use license requirements that Sec. 130-34 refers to in Sec. 62-251. Signs in a TxDOT right-of-way also need TxDOT's permission (Sec. 130-34).

Monument sign rules in Bryan

Allowed, with conditions
Maximum area · RD-5, RD-7, MF, and AO60 sq ftApplies to: Low profile sign (not defined in Sec. 98-3); filed here as the low freestanding sign type. Only for a permissible nonresidential use, including churches and synagogues.
City's words · Sec. 98-43(c)“For permissible nonresidential use, including churches and synagogues, one low profile sign not to exceed 60 square feet in sign area,”View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

43 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

All monument sign figures for an address

  • Innovation corridor overlay. Near John Sharp Parkway (SH 47) and West SH 21, the innovation corridor overlay bans pole and pylon signs and allows only monument signs with a masonry base as permanent ground signs (Sec. 98-184(a), Sec. 130-27(b)). The overlay does not apply to detached dwellings or planned developments (Sec. 130-27(b)(1)). The zoning layer this site uses for address lookup does not show the overlay; ask the city whether a property is inside it.

  • Monument signs downtown. The downtown ban on freestanding signs does not clearly say whether monument signs are covered; ask the city before planning one.

  • Low profile signs are not defined. Bryan's sign chapter allows low profile signs in several districts (Sec. 98-43, Sec. 98-44(2), Sec. 98-46(6)) but never defines a low profile sign; it defines a freestanding sign as one supported on the ground by poles or braces (Sec. 98-3). This page shows the low profile sign limits as the monument sign rules. Ask the city whether your monument sign counts as a low profile sign or as a freestanding sign under the freestanding sign table.

  • Electrical permit, license, bond and right-of-way

    Signs with electrical components need an additional electrical permit (Sec. 98-123). Sign contractors need a city license before a permit is issued (Sec. 98-11). Work beyond the curbline or on or above public property that could cost the city loss or expense needs a bond or deposit before the permit is issued (Sec. 98-12). Projecting signs may extend into the public right-of-way only in the DT-N, DT-S and DT-C districts, or elsewhere when attached to a legally nonconforming building built on the property line, and must meet the special use license requirements that Sec. 130-34 refers to in Sec. 62-251. Signs in a TxDOT right-of-way also need TxDOT's permission (Sec. 130-34).

Pole or pylon sign rules in Bryan

Allowed in some districts
Maximum area · Midtown60 sq ft (1 sq ft per linear ft of lot frontage, max 60 sq ft)Applies to: Freestanding signs, including pole and pylon signs.
City's words · Sec. 98-181, Table 3Table 2 › Freestanding Signs › Standard: • Freestanding signs (including ground signs, monument signs, pole signs, and pylon signs) One freestanding sign per property, not to exceed five feet tall and one square foot in sign area for each linear foot of lot frontage up to a maximum of 60 square feet.View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

141 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

All pole or pylon sign figures for an address

  • Innovation corridor overlay. Near John Sharp Parkway (SH 47) and West SH 21, the innovation corridor overlay bans pole and pylon signs and allows only monument signs with a masonry base as permanent ground signs (Sec. 98-184(a), Sec. 130-27(b)). The overlay does not apply to detached dwellings or planned developments (Sec. 130-27(b)(1)). The zoning layer this site uses for address lookup does not show the overlay; ask the city whether a property is inside it.

  • Low profile signs are not defined. Bryan's sign chapter allows low profile signs in several districts (Sec. 98-43, Sec. 98-44(2), Sec. 98-46(6)) but never defines a low profile sign; it defines a freestanding sign as one supported on the ground by poles or braces (Sec. 98-3). This page shows the low profile sign limits as the monument sign rules. Ask the city whether your monument sign counts as a low profile sign or as a freestanding sign under the freestanding sign table.

  • Freestanding sign table

    In the freestanding sign table at the end of Chapter 98 Article II (Table I, after Sec. 98-46), the last frontage row lists several curb distances in one cell and several heights in another, so it is unclear which limits apply to the largest frontages, and those limits are not shown here. Notes 1 and 4 under the table cap sign height and allow a taller sign set farther from the right-of-way in commercial zones on F.M. 2818 and S.H. 6 East Bypass. Confirm with the city.

  • Electrical permit, license, bond and right-of-way

    Signs with electrical components need an additional electrical permit (Sec. 98-123). Sign contractors need a city license before a permit is issued (Sec. 98-11). Work beyond the curbline or on or above public property that could cost the city loss or expense needs a bond or deposit before the permit is issued (Sec. 98-12). Projecting signs may extend into the public right-of-way only in the DT-N, DT-S and DT-C districts, or elsewhere when attached to a legally nonconforming building built on the property line, and must meet the special use license requirements that Sec. 130-34 refers to in Sec. 62-251. Signs in a TxDOT right-of-way also need TxDOT's permission (Sec. 130-34).

Blade or projecting sign rules in Bryan

Allowed, with conditions
Maximum area · Downtown20 sq ft (0.33 sq ft per linear ft of street frontage of the building the sign refers to, max 20 sq ft)
City's words · Sec. 98-159(b)“The area of the sign(s) shall be limited to a maximum size of 0.33 square feet per linear street frontage of the building to…”View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

36 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum spacing, maximum letter height, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

All blade or projecting sign figures for an address

  • Projecting signs not listed in most districts. The sign lists for the residential, office, retail, MU-2 and industrial districts (Secs. 98-43 to 98-45) and the innovation corridor districts (Sec. 98-183) do not list projecting signs. In commercial districts a projecting sign may be used instead of an allowed wall or freestanding sign (Sec. 98-46(8)), and the downtown and midtown rules provide for projecting or blade signs. In other districts, ask the city whether a projecting sign is allowed.

  • Electrical permit, license, bond and right-of-way

    Signs with electrical components need an additional electrical permit (Sec. 98-123). Sign contractors need a city license before a permit is issued (Sec. 98-11). Work beyond the curbline or on or above public property that could cost the city loss or expense needs a bond or deposit before the permit is issued (Sec. 98-12). Projecting signs may extend into the public right-of-way only in the DT-N, DT-S and DT-C districts, or elsewhere when attached to a legally nonconforming building built on the property line, and must meet the special use license requirements that Sec. 130-34 refers to in Sec. 62-251. Signs in a TxDOT right-of-way also need TxDOT's permission (Sec. 130-34).

Awning or canopy sign rules in Bryan

Allowed, with conditions
Maximum area · Office, Retail, and MU-240%Applies to: Under canopy signs: share of the total elevation area.
City's words · Sec. 98-44(7)“Only one under canopy sign per elevation not to exceed 40 percent of the total elevation area shall be allowed.”View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

37 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum setback, maximum letter height, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

All awning or canopy sign figures for an address
  • Electrical permit, license, bond and right-of-way

    Signs with electrical components need an additional electrical permit (Sec. 98-123). Sign contractors need a city license before a permit is issued (Sec. 98-11). Work beyond the curbline or on or above public property that could cost the city loss or expense needs a bond or deposit before the permit is issued (Sec. 98-12). Projecting signs may extend into the public right-of-way only in the DT-N, DT-S and DT-C districts, or elsewhere when attached to a legally nonconforming building built on the property line, and must meet the special use license requirements that Sec. 130-34 refers to in Sec. 62-251. Signs in a TxDOT right-of-way also need TxDOT's permission (Sec. 130-34).

Window sign rules in Bryan

Allowed
Maximum area · Downtown25%Note: Share of the window surface area.
City's words · Sec. 98-153(a)“A window sign may not cover more than 25 percent of the window surface area.”View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

9 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum letter height, illumination, other limit.

All window sign figures for an address

Electronic message sign rules in Bryan

Allowed, with conditions
Maximum area80 sq ftApplies to: Time and temperature signs: commercial information or content restricted to no more than 80 square feet.
City's words · Sec. 98-5(10)“if the commercial information or content of such signs is restricted to no more than 80 square feet;”View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

25 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

All electronic message sign figures for an address
  • Electrical permit, license, bond and right-of-way

    Signs with electrical components need an additional electrical permit (Sec. 98-123). Sign contractors need a city license before a permit is issued (Sec. 98-11). Work beyond the curbline or on or above public property that could cost the city loss or expense needs a bond or deposit before the permit is issued (Sec. 98-12). Projecting signs may extend into the public right-of-way only in the DT-N, DT-S and DT-C districts, or elsewhere when attached to a legally nonconforming building built on the property line, and must meet the special use license requirements that Sec. 130-34 refers to in Sec. 62-251. Signs in a TxDOT right-of-way also need TxDOT's permission (Sec. 130-34).

Temporary banner rules in Bryan

Allowed, with conditions
Maximum area · Midtown60 sq ft
City's words · Sec. 98-181, Table 3Table 2 › Banners › Standard: • Banner signs may be no larger than 60 square feet. Permits must be obtained and are valid for a period of 14 days with a maximum of three permits within a 12-month period. The permits may be issued consecutively for a total of 6 consecutive weeks within a 12 month period.View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026

23 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

All temporary banner figures for an address
  • Banner rules cite the wrong item

    Sec. 98-5 allows banners only as allowed in Sec. 98-44(7) and Sec. 98-46(9), and Sec. 98-46(9) also points to Sec. 98-44(7), which is the under-canopy sign item; the banner permit rules are in Sec. 98-44(6). Confirm banner rules with the city.

8 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 Bryan

  • Planned developments. If the property is zoned PD (planned development), the PD's approved development plan can set its own signage standards. Where the plan doesn't, the default is signage standards as restrictive as those of the zoning district where the use would ordinarily be allowed (Sec. 130-31). Check the PD ordinance with the city before ordering a sign.

  • Sign permit fee not published. Bryan sets sign permit fees by city council resolution (Sec. 98-126); the code does not state the amount, and the resolutions are on file with the city secretary. Ask the chief building official, who issues sign permits (Sec. 98-123), for the current fee. A higher fee is charged when work starts before the permit is issued (Sec. 98-123).

  • Historic district and downtown. Signs that need a permit in the historic district must be approved by the historic landmark commission before the permit is issued (Sec. 98-119). Downtown signs that do not meet the design standards can go to the historic landmark commission on appeal, or directly for some uses, under Sec. 98-151(c) to (f).

  • Historic preservation overlay. On historic property in a historic preservation overlay district, any change visible from a public right-of-way needs a certificate of appropriateness from the historic landmark commission, and no building permit is issued until it is granted (Sec. 130-30(d)). Chapter 98 does not preempt the sign laws of the historic preservation district (Sec. 98-2). The zoning layer this site uses for address lookup does not show the overlay; ask the city whether a property is inside it.

  • Gas stations. Motor fuel retail sites have their own sign standards in the zoning code that are meant to apply notwithstanding Chapter 98 (Sec. 130-34(t)). They provide for a monument sign built of the same brick or masonry as the building, with the pricing signs meant to be built into it, and outdoor and window advertising counts toward the site's total sign allowance. Those standards are not shown here; ask the city.

  • R-NC district

    The sign chapter does not name the R-NC (Residential - Neighborhood Conservation) district. Ask the city which sign rules apply there.

  • Changing the copy on an existing sign

    The chief building official must be notified in writing before any copy change on a sign or awning, except signs with changeable mechanical or electrical letters (Sec. 98-10). Altering a sign needs a written permit (Sec. 98-123).

  • Midtown custom sign standards

    In the midtown districts an applicant may propose unique sign standards (size, color, type, design, location); staff review them and they need city council approval (Sec. 98-181).

  • Zoning data

    The zoning data used for address lookup may not show recent zoning changes. Ord. No. 2765 (December 9, 2025) retired the PD-H, PD-M, PD-B and PD-I planned development districts (Sec. 130-8(c)); the lookup shows planned developments as PD. Confirm the zoning of the property with the city.

Official sources

Permits: The City of Bryan sign permit office, 979-209-5010. Zoning districts: Bryan zoning map.

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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Bryan, TX sign rules: wall, monument and pole signs · WhatSignFits