Coverage · Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth, Texas sign rules

438 confirmed rules from the City of Fort Worth'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 13, 2026.

What the confirmed rules cover

Wall sign rules in Fort Worth

Allowed, with conditions. 59 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum clearance, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Maximum area, "CF" Community Facilities1 sq ft of sign area per 10 linear ft of frontage along each dedicated street; at least one 12 sq ft sign is always allowed“not more than one square foot of sign area for each ten linear feet of frontage along said street”Sec. 6.407(f)(2)b. · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026

Large retail stores. Signs for large retail stores follow separate rules (Sec. 5.134), not the general attached and detached sign rules.

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Channel letters rules in Fort Worth

Allowed, with conditions. 56 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum clearance, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

Large retail stores. Signs for large retail stores follow separate rules (Sec. 5.134), not the general attached and detached sign rules.

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Monument sign rules in Fort Worth

Allowed, with conditions. 71 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Maximum area, Commercial and Industrial Districts (E Through K)96 sq ft“(3) Maximum advertised message area. Ninety-six square feet.”Sec. 6.409(b)(3) · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026

Large retail stores. Signs for large retail stores follow separate rules (Sec. 5.134), not the general attached and detached sign rules.

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Pole or pylon sign rules in Fort Worth

Allowed in some districts. 70 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Maximum area, Commercial and Industrial Districts (E Through K)Lesser of 1 sq ft of signage per linear ft of street frontage or the cap for the street type (120 / 165 / 195 / 600 sq ft)“The maximum allowable sign area shall be the lesser of one square foot of signage per linear foot of street frontage or:”Sec. 6.409(f)(1) · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026

Pole and pylon signs. Pole signs are prohibited in Fort Worth. Pylon signs are allowed only under a unified sign agreement approved by the city, and freeway signs only on lots right next to a designated freeway.
Large retail stores. Signs for large retail stores follow separate rules (Sec. 5.134), not the general attached and detached sign rules.

All pole or pylon sign figures for an address

Blade or projecting sign rules in Fort Worth

Allowed. 54 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, minimum setback, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

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Awning or canopy sign rules in Fort Worth

Allowed. 48 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

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Window sign rules in Fort Worth

Allowed. 11 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, illumination, other limit.

Example: Maximum area25%Applies to: Per building facade“Window signs may occupy a maximum of 25% of the window area on each building facade.”Sec. 6.403(f)(1) · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026

Window signs. The zoning ordinance and the sign code give different limits for window signs that need no permit. Window signs above the lower limit count toward the attached-sign total.

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Electronic message sign rules in Fort Worth

Allowed in some districts. 36 confirmed rules: permit required, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.

Example: Permit feeapplication fee + display area fee + height above grade fee + electrical amperage fee“Permit Fee for New signs = Application Fee + Display Area Fee + Height Above Grade Fee + Electrical Amperage Fee”Ord. 26-28781, Table 1-K · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026

Electronic message signs need a special exception. Electronic changeable copy signs need a special exception from the Board of Adjustment before the sign permit can be issued (Sec. 6.411). They are not allowed in the Chisholm Trail Parkway scenic corridor.

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197 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 Fort Worth

Form-based districts have their own sign standardsNear Southside, Trinity Uptown / Panther Island, Berry/University, Camp Bowie, Stockyards and Trinity Lakes districts have their own sign standards in the zoning ordinance, and many need design review. The general commercial figures shown here may not apply there. Check the district's standards with the city first. Source
Planned developmentsSigns in a PD (planned development) follow the PD ordinance and Sec. 4.300 of the zoning ordinance, not the general rules shown here. Check the PD ordinance or ask the city.
Mixed-use and urban design districtsMU-1 and MU-2 districts add their own detached-sign rules, and urban design districts (including downtown) have their own sign standards and design review. Where the district standards are silent, the most restrictive general rule applies. Source
Scenic corridors and historic areasScenic preservation areas and corridors (downtown, Stockyards, Cultural and Medical districts, and listed arterial and freeway corridors, Sec. 6.402), historic districts and conservation districts can add review or restrict some sign types. Source
Sign permit feeThe city's sign fee table on the Sign Permits page is older than the current fee ordinance, and the two differ. The fee is the sum of an application fee, a display-area fee, a height fee and (for lit signs) an amperage fee. Confirm the fee with the city. Source

Official sources

Permits: The City of Fort Worth sign permit office, 817-392-8028. Zoning districts: Fort Worth 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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