345 confirmed rules from the City of Buda'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 Buda
Allowed in some districts. 40 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum setback, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area25%“[spans 2 columns] Total Wall Area Max (%) Individual tenant space 25”4.02.08 D · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Night brightness rules differ. The electronic message sign section allows a higher night brightness than the 2025 rule that caps all signs lit between sunset and sunrise (UDC 4.02.05.F, 4.02.06). Design to the lower limit or ask the city.
Allowed in some districts. 35 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum setback, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area25%Applies to: Channel letters are not named in the code; applies when the letters are a wall sign ("Any sign attached parallel to, but within six inches of, a wall", 5.02.01)“[spans 2 columns] Total Wall Area Max (%) Individual tenant space 25”4.02.08 D · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Night brightness rules differ. The electronic message sign section allows a higher night brightness than the 2025 rule that caps all signs lit between sunset and sunrise (UDC 4.02.05.F, 4.02.06). Design to the lower limit or ask the city.
Allowed in some districts. 74 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area, R-435 sq ftApplies to: Single- and multi-tenant signs (columns Single, Multi)“[spans 3 columns] Area Max (sq ft) R-4, R-5, R-MH, B-1, O-H, O-R 35 35”4.02.08 C, monument sign table · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Night brightness rules differ. The electronic message sign section allows a higher night brightness than the 2025 rule that caps all signs lit between sunset and sunrise (UDC 4.02.05.F, 4.02.06). Design to the lower limit or ask the city.
Allowed in some districts. 46 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area, B-375 sq ftApplies to: Single-tenant sign (column Single)“[spans 3 columns] Area Max (sq ft) B-3, LI, HI 75 100”4.02.08 B, pole and pylon sign table · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Night brightness rules differ. The electronic message sign section allows a higher night brightness than the 2025 rule that caps all signs lit between sunset and sunrise (UDC 4.02.05.F, 4.02.06). Design to the lower limit or ask the city.
Allowed in some districts. 33 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area35 sq ft“[spans 2 columns] Area Max (sq ft) Total sign area 35”4.02.08 E, projecting sign table · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Night brightness rules differ. The electronic message sign section allows a higher night brightness than the 2025 rule that caps all signs lit between sunset and sunrise (UDC 4.02.05.F, 4.02.06). Design to the lower limit or ask the city.
Allowed in some districts. 56 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum clearance, number allowed, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area25 sq ftApplies to: Awning sign“[spans 2 columns] Area Max (sq ft) [blank] 25”4.02.08 H, awning sign table · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Night brightness rules differ. The electronic message sign section allows a higher night brightness than the 2025 rule that caps all signs lit between sunset and sunrise (UDC 4.02.05.F, 4.02.06). Design to the lower limit or ask the city.
Allowed, with conditions. 27 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area25%“[spans 2 columns] Total Wall Area Max (%) [blank] 25”4.02.08 J, window sign table · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Allowed, with conditions. 25 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, number allowed, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area12 sq ft“Display and Illumination. Changeable Electronic Variable Message Signs must meet the following criteria: a. Hard maximum of 12 square feet;”4.02.06 B.2.a · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Electronic message signs. Allowed by right only in the I-35 Business (B-3) district and near I-35, one per lot and built as a monument sign; elsewhere only with Planning and Zoning Commission approval (UDC 4.02.06).
Night brightness rules differ. The electronic message sign section allows a higher night brightness than the 2025 rule that caps all signs lit between sunset and sunrise (UDC 4.02.05.F, 4.02.06). Design to the lower limit or ask the city.
96 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 Buda
Gateway and Historic overlaysWhere a property is in an overlay (such as the Gateway Overlay, O-G) as well as its base district, the more restrictive sign standards and permitted sign types apply. Electronic message signs must also keep a set distance from a Historic Landmark or the Historic Overlay (O-H) (UDC 4.02.06).
Planned developments and combined map labelsProperty zoned PD, parcels with combined labels on the city layer (R3/R4, B2/R5), and Form Districts F1/F2 have no column in the sign tables. Ask the city which sign rules apply.
Common Signage PlanMulti-tenant centers and lots with several buildings need a Common Signage Plan, which limits freestanding signs per street frontage and gives a larger sign area for building signs when the plan meets all requirements (UDC 4.02.10).
Residential districtsCommercial signs are not allowed in the R-1 to R-5 districts except for institutional uses such as churches, schools, government buildings and parks (UDC 4.02.08.A.2).
Outside the city limits (ETJ)Sign permits are also required in Buda's extraterritorial jurisdiction; the sign tables group the ETJ with the Arterial Business (B-2) district.
Development code rewrite under wayBuda is rewriting its Unified Development Code in 2026. Check with the city for changes before ordering a sign.
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