325 confirmed rules from the City of University Park'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 University Park
Allowed. 70 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, Nonresidential Zones125 sq ftApplies to: Main entrance/address side of the building“and in no event shall any sign exceed one hundred twenty-five (125) square feet”Sec. 3.09.144(3)(A) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Smaller allowance unless the sign is individual letters. Sec. 3.09.144 gives a smaller wall sign area allowance to business signs that are not made only of individual letters. The wall sign area figure shown here may not include that reduction; check Sec. 3.09.144 for a cabinet or panel sign.
Allowed. 54 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area, Nonresidential Zones125 sq ftApplies to: Main entrance/address side of the building“and in no event shall any sign exceed one hundred twenty-five (125) square feet”Sec. 3.09.144(3)(A) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Allowed, with conditions. 42 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, Nonresidential Zones30 sq ftApplies to: Shopping center sign approved by the building official“Such sign shall be permitted for the street on which the shopping center fronts and shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet in area”Sec. 3.09.148 · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Business signs must be wall signs. Business and building identification signs must be wall signs (a projecting sign may replace the wall sign). Ground signs are only for shopping center, institutional and parking facility signs (Sec. 3.09.143(c)).
Allowed, with conditions. 42 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, Nonresidential Zones30 sq ftApplies to: Shopping center sign approved by the building official“Such sign shall be permitted for the street on which the shopping center fronts and shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet in area”Sec. 3.09.148 · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Business signs must be wall signs. Business and building identification signs must be wall signs (a projecting sign may replace the wall sign). Ground signs are only for shopping center, institutional and parking facility signs (Sec. 3.09.143(c)).
Allowed, with conditions. 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, Nonresidential Zones8 sq ft“Do not exceed eight (8) square feet in area and four (4) inches in thickness;”Sec. 3.09.012(b)(1) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Allowed. 34 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, maximum letter height, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area3 sq ftApplies to: Projecting extension not extending beyond 4 ft from the wall; secondary sign on the perpendicular portion“the portion thereof perpendicular to the wall may be used for a secondary business identification sign not exceeding three (3) square feet in area”Sec. 3.09.013 · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Allowed. 24 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum letter height, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area, Nonresidential Zones25%“shall not obstruct more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the view or light through an opening of a building or comprise more than twenty-five…”Sec. 3.09.149 · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Smaller allowance unless the sign is individual letters. Sec. 3.09.144 gives a smaller wall sign area allowance to business signs that are not made only of individual letters. The wall sign area figure shown here may not include that reduction; check Sec. 3.09.144 for a cabinet or panel sign.
Not allowed. 5 confirmed rules: electronic message limits, other limit.
Changeable copy and moving signs. Signs with movable or changeable type and moving, flashing or changing signs are not allowed, except theater marquees. Banners are allowed only for special events with the building official's approval.
Allowed, with conditions. 8 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, other limit.
Example: Maximum area8 sq ftApplies to: Christmas tree lot, on-premises, during the permitted period“Shall not be exceed eight (8) square feet in area; and”Sec. 3.09.062(14) · View source · last checked Nov 14, 2026
Changeable copy and moving signs. Signs with movable or changeable type and moving, flashing or changing signs are not allowed, except theater marquees. Banners are allowed only for special events with the building official's approval.
39 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 University Park
Special sign districtsUniversity Park has special sign districts created by ordinance (Sec. 3.09.192) for: the Plaza at the University Park, Park Cities Plaza (Airline Road and Mockingbird), Preston Center Plaza, Fidelity Bank, Highland Park High School, Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Park Cities Baptist Church, the Park Cities Family YMCA and the University Campus (UC-1, UC-2) districts. Their own rules apply there; the map does not show them. If the address is one of these, ask the city first.
Planned developmentsPlanned development (PD) zones follow the nonresidential sign rules (Sec. 3.09.141), but a PD ordinance may add its own conditions. A PD lot used for homes follows the residential rules instead (Sec. 3.09.101).
Sign permit feeThe sign permit fee shown comes from an undated city fee list. Confirm the current fee with the city.
Special signsA 'special sign' that departs from the article can be approved one by one by city council ordinance after design review (Sec. 3.09.023).
Colors and contentSigns are limited in number of colors and may not show prices; content is limited to the building or business name and a brief description of the business (Secs. 3.09.017, 3.09.018).
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