Eagle Pass, Texas sign rules

Sign limit per business in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 districts. Sec. 15(h)(D)(1) of the Zoning Ordinance sets how many permanent signs each business establishment may have, but Sec. 8 A.(2) sets a lower limit on on-premise signs per establishment in the B-1 Neighborhood business district. Sec. 9 A.(1) allows in the B-2 Central business district the uses of Sec. 8 A.(2) to (18), and Sec. 9.1 A.(1) allows in the B-3 General business district any use permitted in B-1 or B-2, which may carry that lower limit into B-2 and B-3. Ask the city which limit applies before planning several signs for a business in B-1, B-2 or B-3.

Setbacks are written for every sign. Sec. 15(h)(C) keeps every sign a set distance from any property line, with a larger distance at an intersecting street, and Sec. 15(h)(D)(1)D keeps every sign a set distance from adjacent right-of-way lines. Sec. 15(h)(D)(2) also requires every sign, overhead projections included, to be completely within the property. These setback rules do not exempt signs attached to buildings (Sec. 15(g)(F) only frees some flat wall signs from needing a permit). In the B-2 Central business district, Sec. 9 C requires no front or side yard for most non-residential uses, so buildings can stand at the property line. Where the building stands at or near the property line, ask the city before planning a wall, projecting or canopy sign.

Reusing or changing an existing sign. Sec. 15(c) requires a permit to alter or relocate a sign, not only to erect a new one, and Sec. 15(h)(A) requires one to structurally change or reconstruct an on-premise sign. Sec. 15(m) says a sign legally in existence when the chapter was adopted that does not conform to it must be removed, altered or replaced, but the rest of that sentence is garbled in the code text, so it is unclear whether an existing sign that does not meet today's rules may stay or be refaced. Ask the city before reusing an existing pole, cabinet or sign structure.

Sign limit per business in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 districts. Sec. 15(h)(D)(1) of the Zoning Ordinance sets how many permanent signs each business establishment may have, but Sec. 8 A.(2) sets a lower limit on on-premise signs per establishment in the B-1 Neighborhood business district. Sec. 9 A.(1) allows in the B-2 Central business district the uses of Sec. 8 A.(2) to (18), and Sec. 9.1 A.(1) allows in the B-3 General business district any use permitted in B-1 or B-2, which may carry that lower limit into B-2 and B-3. Ask the city which limit applies before planning several signs for a business in B-1, B-2 or B-3.

Setbacks are written for every sign. Sec. 15(h)(C) keeps every sign a set distance from any property line, with a larger distance at an intersecting street, and Sec. 15(h)(D)(1)D keeps every sign a set distance from adjacent right-of-way lines. Sec. 15(h)(D)(2) also requires every sign, overhead projections included, to be completely within the property. These setback rules do not exempt signs attached to buildings (Sec. 15(g)(F) only frees some flat wall signs from needing a permit). In the B-2 Central business district, Sec. 9 C requires no front or side yard for most non-residential uses, so buildings can stand at the property line. Where the building stands at or near the property line, ask the city before planning a wall, projecting or canopy sign.

Sign types the code does not name. Sec. 15 does not name or define channel letters, projecting signs, awning signs or window signs, and sets no size rules of their own for them; only the rules written for every sign are shown. Canopy signs are defined in Sec. 15(b), and the only rule written for them there limits how far they may extend above the roof line of the building. The permit exception in Sec. 15(g)(F) covers only flat signs of solid-face construction placed against and attached to the vertical wall of a building in a non-residential zoning district. Sec. 15(h)(D)(2) requires every sign, including any overhead projection, to stay completely within the property it is on, and Sec. 15(l)(D) forbids any sign that obstructs a door, window or fire escape. Ask the city how these signs are measured and permitted.

Reusing or changing an existing sign. Sec. 15(c) requires a permit to alter or relocate a sign, not only to erect a new one, and Sec. 15(h)(A) requires one to structurally change or reconstruct an on-premise sign. Sec. 15(m) says a sign legally in existence when the chapter was adopted that does not conform to it must be removed, altered or replaced, but the rest of that sentence is garbled in the code text, so it is unclear whether an existing sign that does not meet today's rules may stay or be refaced. Ask the city before reusing an existing pole, cabinet or sign structure.

Sign limit per business in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 districts. Sec. 15(h)(D)(1) of the Zoning Ordinance sets how many permanent signs each business establishment may have, but Sec. 8 A.(2) sets a lower limit on on-premise signs per establishment in the B-1 Neighborhood business district. Sec. 9 A.(1) allows in the B-2 Central business district the uses of Sec. 8 A.(2) to (18), and Sec. 9.1 A.(1) allows in the B-3 General business district any use permitted in B-1 or B-2, which may carry that lower limit into B-2 and B-3. Ask the city which limit applies before planning several signs for a business in B-1, B-2 or B-3.

Wind load certificate for taller signs. Sec. 15(h)(D) says every sign other than exempt signs must meet the wind load requirements of the International Building Code. Permit applications for taller signs must include a certificate signed by the sign owner that the sign will withstand the wind load pressures set out in a table, but that table is not printed in the code. Ask the Building Department for the wind load figures.

Reusing or changing an existing sign. Sec. 15(c) requires a permit to alter or relocate a sign, not only to erect a new one, and Sec. 15(h)(A) requires one to structurally change or reconstruct an on-premise sign. Sec. 15(m) says a sign legally in existence when the chapter was adopted that does not conform to it must be removed, altered or replaced, but the rest of that sentence is garbled in the code text, so it is unclear whether an existing sign that does not meet today's rules may stay or be refaced. Ask the city before reusing an existing pole, cabinet or sign structure.

Sign limit per business in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 districts. Sec. 15(h)(D)(1) of the Zoning Ordinance sets how many permanent signs each business establishment may have, but Sec. 8 A.(2) sets a lower limit on on-premise signs per establishment in the B-1 Neighborhood business district. Sec. 9 A.(1) allows in the B-2 Central business district the uses of Sec. 8 A.(2) to (18), and Sec. 9.1 A.(1) allows in the B-3 General business district any use permitted in B-1 or B-2, which may carry that lower limit into B-2 and B-3. Ask the city which limit applies before planning several signs for a business in B-1, B-2 or B-3.

Wind load certificate for taller signs. Sec. 15(h)(D) says every sign other than exempt signs must meet the wind load requirements of the International Building Code. Permit applications for taller signs must include a certificate signed by the sign owner that the sign will withstand the wind load pressures set out in a table, but that table is not printed in the code. Ask the Building Department for the wind load figures.

Reusing or changing an existing sign. Sec. 15(c) requires a permit to alter or relocate a sign, not only to erect a new one, and Sec. 15(h)(A) requires one to structurally change or reconstruct an on-premise sign. Sec. 15(m) says a sign legally in existence when the chapter was adopted that does not conform to it must be removed, altered or replaced, but the rest of that sentence is garbled in the code text, so it is unclear whether an existing sign that does not meet today's rules may stay or be refaced. Ask the city before reusing an existing pole, cabinet or sign structure.

Sign limit per business in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 districts. Sec. 15(h)(D)(1) of the Zoning Ordinance sets how many permanent signs each business establishment may have, but Sec. 8 A.(2) sets a lower limit on on-premise signs per establishment in the B-1 Neighborhood business district. Sec. 9 A.(1) allows in the B-2 Central business district the uses of Sec. 8 A.(2) to (18), and Sec. 9.1 A.(1) allows in the B-3 General business district any use permitted in B-1 or B-2, which may carry that lower limit into B-2 and B-3. Ask the city which limit applies before planning several signs for a business in B-1, B-2 or B-3.

Setbacks are written for every sign. Sec. 15(h)(C) keeps every sign a set distance from any property line, with a larger distance at an intersecting street, and Sec. 15(h)(D)(1)D keeps every sign a set distance from adjacent right-of-way lines. Sec. 15(h)(D)(2) also requires every sign, overhead projections included, to be completely within the property. These setback rules do not exempt signs attached to buildings (Sec. 15(g)(F) only frees some flat wall signs from needing a permit). In the B-2 Central business district, Sec. 9 C requires no front or side yard for most non-residential uses, so buildings can stand at the property line. Where the building stands at or near the property line, ask the city before planning a wall, projecting or canopy sign.

Sign types the code does not name. Sec. 15 does not name or define channel letters, projecting signs, awning signs or window signs, and sets no size rules of their own for them; only the rules written for every sign are shown. Canopy signs are defined in Sec. 15(b), and the only rule written for them there limits how far they may extend above the roof line of the building. The permit exception in Sec. 15(g)(F) covers only flat signs of solid-face construction placed against and attached to the vertical wall of a building in a non-residential zoning district. Sec. 15(h)(D)(2) requires every sign, including any overhead projection, to stay completely within the property it is on, and Sec. 15(l)(D) forbids any sign that obstructs a door, window or fire escape. Ask the city how these signs are measured and permitted.

Reusing or changing an existing sign. Sec. 15(c) requires a permit to alter or relocate a sign, not only to erect a new one, and Sec. 15(h)(A) requires one to structurally change or reconstruct an on-premise sign. Sec. 15(m) says a sign legally in existence when the chapter was adopted that does not conform to it must be removed, altered or replaced, but the rest of that sentence is garbled in the code text, so it is unclear whether an existing sign that does not meet today's rules may stay or be refaced. Ask the city before reusing an existing pole, cabinet or sign structure.

Sign limit per business in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 districts. Sec. 15(h)(D)(1) of the Zoning Ordinance sets how many permanent signs each business establishment may have, but Sec. 8 A.(2) sets a lower limit on on-premise signs per establishment in the B-1 Neighborhood business district. Sec. 9 A.(1) allows in the B-2 Central business district the uses of Sec. 8 A.(2) to (18), and Sec. 9.1 A.(1) allows in the B-3 General business district any use permitted in B-1 or B-2, which may carry that lower limit into B-2 and B-3. Ask the city which limit applies before planning several signs for a business in B-1, B-2 or B-3.

Setbacks are written for every sign. Sec. 15(h)(C) keeps every sign a set distance from any property line, with a larger distance at an intersecting street, and Sec. 15(h)(D)(1)D keeps every sign a set distance from adjacent right-of-way lines. Sec. 15(h)(D)(2) also requires every sign, overhead projections included, to be completely within the property. These setback rules do not exempt signs attached to buildings (Sec. 15(g)(F) only frees some flat wall signs from needing a permit). In the B-2 Central business district, Sec. 9 C requires no front or side yard for most non-residential uses, so buildings can stand at the property line. Where the building stands at or near the property line, ask the city before planning a wall, projecting or canopy sign.

Sign types the code does not name. Sec. 15 does not name or define channel letters, projecting signs, awning signs or window signs, and sets no size rules of their own for them; only the rules written for every sign are shown. Canopy signs are defined in Sec. 15(b), and the only rule written for them there limits how far they may extend above the roof line of the building. The permit exception in Sec. 15(g)(F) covers only flat signs of solid-face construction placed against and attached to the vertical wall of a building in a non-residential zoning district. Sec. 15(h)(D)(2) requires every sign, including any overhead projection, to stay completely within the property it is on, and Sec. 15(l)(D) forbids any sign that obstructs a door, window or fire escape. Ask the city how these signs are measured and permitted.

Reusing or changing an existing sign. Sec. 15(c) requires a permit to alter or relocate a sign, not only to erect a new one, and Sec. 15(h)(A) requires one to structurally change or reconstruct an on-premise sign. Sec. 15(m) says a sign legally in existence when the chapter was adopted that does not conform to it must be removed, altered or replaced, but the rest of that sentence is garbled in the code text, so it is unclear whether an existing sign that does not meet today's rules may stay or be refaced. Ask the city before reusing an existing pole, cabinet or sign structure.

Sign types the code does not name. Sec. 15 does not name or define channel letters, projecting signs, awning signs or window signs, and sets no size rules of their own for them; only the rules written for every sign are shown. Canopy signs are defined in Sec. 15(b), and the only rule written for them there limits how far they may extend above the roof line of the building. The permit exception in Sec. 15(g)(F) covers only flat signs of solid-face construction placed against and attached to the vertical wall of a building in a non-residential zoning district. Sec. 15(h)(D)(2) requires every sign, including any overhead projection, to stay completely within the property it is on, and Sec. 15(l)(D) forbids any sign that obstructs a door, window or fire escape. Ask the city how these signs are measured and permitted.

Electronic message signs. The code does not mention electronic message or changeable copy signs. Sec. 15(l)(K) prohibits lights that flash, move, blink, flicker or vary in intensity or color, and Sec. 15(l)(J) prohibits apparent movement by electrical or electronic means except on time, temperature and date signs. Ask the city before planning an LED or digital sign.

Reusing or changing an existing sign. Sec. 15(c) requires a permit to alter or relocate a sign, not only to erect a new one, and Sec. 15(h)(A) requires one to structurally change or reconstruct an on-premise sign. Sec. 15(m) says a sign legally in existence when the chapter was adopted that does not conform to it must be removed, altered or replaced, but the rest of that sentence is garbled in the code text, so it is unclear whether an existing sign that does not meet today's rules may stay or be refaced. Ask the city before reusing an existing pole, cabinet or sign structure.

Banners. Sec. 15(g)(G) exempts from the permit only banners approved by the city manager, installed with wires or steel cables on places the city manager designates and not obstructing the public right-of-way. The code sets no size, number or display period of its own for banners. Ask the city before putting up a banner.