# Sign Regulations in Alvarado, Texas

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Alvarado, Texas, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Alvarado, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/alvarado
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-09

## At a glance

Alvarado, Texas regulates 18 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the A, C-1, C-2, CBD, M-1, M-2, I zoning district are capped at Off-premises 20 ft, On-premises 25 ft, 10 ft from bottom of sign to ground tall and Off-premises 150 sq ft, On-premises 300 sq ft, with a 10 ft (any portion of the sign) setback (Sec. Table 1, Schedule of Permanent Signs).

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A, C-1, C-2, CBD, M-1, M-2, I | 7 | Off-premises 20 ft, On-premises 25 ft, 10 ft from bottom of sign to ground | 200 sq ft in C-1, C-2, CBD, M-1, M-2 | — |
| SF-1, SF-2, TF | 1 | Attached to structure and not to exceed the roofline | 1 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 15 ft measured from sign base or street grade, whichever is greater | Res. = 50 sq ft/ea. face and 100 sq ft total surface. Nonres. = 200 sq ft/ea. face and 400 sq ft total surface | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### A, C-1, C-2, CBD, M-1, M-2, I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Attached to structure and not to exceed the roofline | 25% of wall | — | — | One sign for each exterior wall; not to exceed four in total. | Attached to structure | — | Table 1, Schedule of Permanent Signs |
| Ground Sign | Off-premises 20 ft, On-premises 25 ft, 10 ft from bottom of sign to ground | Off-premises 150 sq ft, On-premises 300 sq ft | — | 10 ft (any portion of the sign) | One for each premises, or for each street frontage | On-premises signs on property with I-35 or Hwy. 67 frontage 70 ft | — | Table 1, Schedule of Permanent Signs |
| Pole Sign | Off-premises 20 ft, On-premises 25 ft, 10 ft from bottom of sign to ground | Off-premises 150 sq ft, On-premises 300 sq ft | — | 10 ft (any portion of the sign) | One for each premises, or for each street frontage | On-premises signs on property with I-35 or Hwy. 67 frontage 70 ft | — | Table 1, Schedule of Permanent Signs |
| Canopy, Marquee or Projection Sign | — | 50% of canopy, marquee or projection | — | — | One for each premises, or for each street frontage | One for each premises, or for each street frontage | — | Table 1, Schedule of Permanent Signs |
| Window Sign | — | No restrictions | — | — | — | — | — | Table 1, Schedule of Permanent Signs |
| Monument Sign | 8 feet | Off-premises 150 sq ft, On-premises 300 sq ft | — | 10 ft (any portion of the sign) | One for each premises (multi-tenant sites see section 30-12) | One for each premises (multi-tenant sites see section 30-12) | — | Table 1, Schedule of Permanent Signs |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft from top of roof, not to exceed a total distance of 40 ft from ground | 200 sq ft in C-1, C-2, CBD, M-1, M-2 | — | — | One for each main structure | One for each main structure | — | Table 1, Schedule of Permanent Signs |

### SF-1, SF-2, TF

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Residential | Attached to structure and not to exceed the roofline | 1 sq ft | — | — | One sign for each exterior wall; not to exceed four in total. | Attached to structure | — | Table 1, Schedule of Permanent Signs |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | Res.= 5 ft Nonres. = 15 ft measured from greater of base of sign or street grade | Res.= 6 sq ft/each face and 12 sq ft total surface. Nonres. = 75 sq ft/each face and 150 sq ft total surface | — | On-premises (10 ft from curb or improved surface) and 15 ft from any point of vehicular access | 1 sign/premises and for lots abutting 2 or more streets, 1 sign for ea. street orientation | On-premises | — | Table 2, Schedule of Temporary Signs |
| Banner | Not to exceed height of main structure | No restriction | — | On-premises | 1 sign per premises, on-premises only | On-premises | — | Table 2, Schedule of Temporary Signs |
| Political Sign | No restriction | No restriction | — | On-premises with permission (10 ft from curb/improved surface) and 15 ft from points of veh. access | No restriction | On-premises with permission | — | Table 2, Schedule of Temporary Signs |
| Portable Sign | 15 ft measured from sign base or street grade, whichever is greater | 25 sq ft/ea face and 50 sq ft total surface | — | On-premises (10 ft from curb or improved surface) and 15 ft from any point of vehicular access. No off-premises signs | 1 sign per premises located on-premises only | On-premises | — | Table 2, Schedule of Temporary Signs |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft measured from sign base or street grade, whichever is greater | Res. = 50 sq ft/ea. face and 100 sq ft total surface. Nonres. = 200 sq ft/ea. face and 400 sq ft total surface | — | On-premises (10 ft from curb or improved surface) and 15 ft from any point of vehicular access. | 1 sign/ premises. For lots abutting 2 or more streets, 1 sign for each street orientation. All located on-premises only | On-premises | — | Table 2, Schedule of Temporary Signs |
| Garage Sale Sign | No restriction | 1-1/2 sq ft/one face | — | So as not to obstruct the view of traffic | 1 sign located on-premises; 5 signs located off-premises with permission of property owner | On-premises | — | Table 2, Schedule of Temporary Signs |
| Yard Sign | Res. = 5 ft Nonres. = 6 ft Measured from greater of base of sign or street grade | Res. = 6 sq ft/ea. face and 12 sq ft total surface | — | On-premises (10 ft from curb or improved surface) and 15 ft from any point of vehicular access | 1 sign/ premises and for lots abutting 2 or more streets 1 sign for ea. street orientation. All located on-premises only | On-premises | — | Table 2, Schedule of Temporary Signs |
| Builder's Sign | Res. = 5 ft. Nonres. = 15 ft measured from greater of base of sign or street grade | Res. = 6 sq ft/ea face and 12 sq ft total surface. Nonres. = 75 sq ft face and 150 sq ft total surface | — | On-premises (10 ft from curb or improved surface) and 15 ft from any point of vehicular access | 1 sign/ premises located on-premises. 2 signs located off-premises with permission of property owner | On-premises | — | Table 2, Schedule of Temporary Signs |

## Prohibited signs in Alvarado

- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or other opening or shall be so placed as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof.
- No sign shall be attached in any form, shape, or manner to a fire escape or shall be so placed as to interfere with an opening which is required for legal ventilation.
- No exposed, uninsulated parts of an electric sign shall be closer than nine feet to the ground immediately below.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect any sign which will project or extend over any street, alley, sidewalk or other public property, or which will be supported by a pole, pipe, or other support located or set on any street, alley, sidewalk, or other public property, without first obtaining a permit.
- Revolving beacons shall not be used in a manner that will create a traffic hazard or where their use may be confused with traffic control devices or emergency vehicle signals.
- Revolving beacons shall not employ lights of color used in traffic signals.
- Pole and monument signs shall not be used in combination on the same premises, except as allowed by section 30-16.
- A-frame or sandwich-board signs are prohibited except as a temporary sign.
- Banners and balloons or inflatable signs are prohibited except as a temporary sign.
- Moving and flashing signs are prohibited except for reader boards which convey a message.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as temporary signs.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property are prohibited.
- Signs attached to utility poles or other surfaces which are not the property of the utility or which serve a public purpose and are located within a public right-of-way or easement are prohibited.
- Signs that advertise or depict nudity, specified sexual activity or specified anatomical areas are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Alvarado

- No permit shall be required to change the advertising copy or message on a painted, printed, or changeable letter sign.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, or repair maintenance shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires a permit unless a structural change is made.
- Public signs required by governmental bodies or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, or ordinance are exempt.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers where the sign is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer as transportation are exempt.
- Signs warning the public of the existence of danger but containing no advertising material are exempt.
- Flags of governmental entities or nonprofit organizations are exempt.
- Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or similar regulatory devices, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings, and other instructional or regulatory signs are exempt.
- Address numerals and other signs required to be maintained by and placed in accordance with law or governmental order, rule or regulations are exempt.
- Signs used as scoreboards in athletic stadiums are exempt.
- Signs which direct vehicles and pedestrian traffic are exempt.
- Signs which are located in or adjacent to entrances or foyers are exempt.
- Signs which provide direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Portable signs may be converted into permanent signs by permanently affixing the portable sign to a foundation or pole. In order to convert a portable sign, the applicant must submit a diagram indicating the structural design of the proposed permanent sign to be reviewed by the code enforcement officer.
- The city council may authorize variances to any restriction set forth in this chapter, including but not limited to the number, type, area, height, or setback of signs, or any other aspect involved in the sign permitting process.
- Any request for a variance shall be made to the city manager, or his designated representative, and be accompanied by a completed application and a nonrefundable filing fee.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Alvarado, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Alvarado+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-alvarado

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