# Sign Regulations in Brownwood, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Brownwood, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/brownwood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Brownwood/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SPBLAUSRE_CH90SI)

## At a glance

Brownwood, Texas regulates 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Electronic Billboards in the Commercial District, Industrial District zoning district are capped at Same as billboard tall and Same as billboard, with a Same as billboard setback (Sec. Sec. 90-164(f)). Most commercial signs in Brownwood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, MH) | 7 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural District (A-1) | 2 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District | 14 | 35 ft, 42 ft if along interstate/state highway | 300 sq ft, 400 sq ft if along interstate/state highway | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 7 ft | Uniform sizes per TX Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential District (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, MH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Nameplate Sign | 8 ft | 2 sq ft (single-family/duplex), 0.5 sq ft per unit (multi-family) | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 90-172 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On premises | — | Sec. 90-103(3) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | — | On lot for sale/lease, or development | — | Sec. 90-103(7) |
| Freestanding Institutional Sign | 25 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises | — | Sec. 90-144 |
| Wall Sign (Institutional) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On building | — | Sec. 90-144 |
| Political Sign | 8 ft (residential), 5 ft (polling place) | 36 sq ft (residential), 9 sq ft (public property/polling place) | — | — | — | Private property only (with permission); limited public property per polling regulation | — | Sec. 90-168 |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 90-133(a) |

### Commercial District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign | — | 8 sq ft per sign | — | Min 6 ft behind curb; behind property line | 1 per location, 2 per corner | Behind property line, minimum 6 ft behind curb | — | Sec. 90-162 |
| Billboard | 35 ft, 42 ft if along interstate/state highway | 300 sq ft, 400 sq ft if along interstate/state highway | — | Front: min 35 ft from property line or greatest building setback; Side: 10 ft; 150 ft from residential/agriculture district; 1000 ft from specified facilities | — | Commercial/Industrial Districts, except areas specifically prohibited | — | Sec. 90-164 |
| Electronic Billboard | Same as billboard | Same as billboard | — | Same as billboard | Single face per direction | Commercial/Industrial Districts, not within prohibited areas | — | Sec. 90-164(f) |
| Portable Sign | — | No explicit size in section, see 'Portable sign, small' for up to 64 sq ft | — | 10 ft from curb or 0 ft from property line, whichever is greater | — | Setback 10 ft from curb or 0 ft from property line, whichever is greater | — | Sec. 90-169 |
| Roof Sign | 32 ft above roof | — | — | 7 ft from inside line of exterior wall | — | On-premises, on roof | — | Sec. 90-173 |
| Electronic Message Sign | — | 100 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per property | On premises, any sign structure type | — | Sec. 90-176 |
| Public Information Sign | Bottom not to exceed 9 ft from grade | 6 sq ft | — | — | Subject to council approval | — | — | Sec. 90-171 |
| Portable Sign (Small) | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | — | Commercial/Industrial; follow same location as regular portable signs | — | Sec. 90-103(10) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Community Service Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 90-103(2) |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 90-103(4) |
| Traffic Control Sign (Private Property) | 7 ft | Uniform sizes per TX Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec. 90-174 |
| Holiday Display | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 90-103(2) |
| Public Utility Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 90-103(6) |
| Safety/Warning/Directional Sign | — | Uniform sizes per TX Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 90-103(9) |
| Temporary Sign (Construction/Other) | — | — | — | — | — | As necessary | — | Sec. 90-103(2), Sec. 90-133(a) |

## Prohibited signs in Brownwood

- Prohibition of searchlights as signs, except permitted for up to ten days for grand openings or special occasions.
- Prohibition of any sign which resembles official traffic signs or signals, or bears the term 'stop', 'go slow', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning' or similar words, or any sign which, by reason of its size, color, location, movement or manner of illumination, may be confused with a traffic control sign, signal or device.
- Prohibition of lighted signs within 100 feet of a residential district, unless lighting is shielded from view in the direction of the residential district.
- Prohibition of signs erected closer than six feet to any telephone cable, power line or streetlight standard.
- Prohibition of signs containing statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral nature.
- Prohibition of spectacular signs (signs that rotate, move, or have flashing lights) and signs which emit audible sound, odor or visible matter.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door or opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be attached to a fire escape, nor be placed in a manner so as to interfere with any opening required for legal ventilation.
- No sign shall be erected on or over public property in a manner which interferes with any fire hydrant, traffic light or streetlight, or which hampers the functions of the fire department.
- No sign shall be permitted within six feet of high voltage overhead electric lines or within ten feet if operating machinery, per state law and national safety codes.
- No sign will be permitted in areas identified as floodways or the 100-year floodplain without compliance with special development permit requirements.
- No sign may be placed on or over a public right-of-way, on utility poles, or in a manner creating a hazard to traffic, except under specific exceptions for the development area given in the ordinance.
- No pole, post, or standard used to support any sign or floodlight shall be set in or upon any sidewalk, street or other public property.
- No sign shall be located on or project over a building except for roof signs as specifically permitted.
- No sign shall contain illumination or lighting that is not shielded to prevent adverse effects on pedestrians, drivers, or operators of aircraft.
- No sign illumination may interfere with official traffic signs or signals, or be flashing.
- No sign may project or extend beyond required setback lines.

## Signs exempt from permit in Brownwood

- Legal signs in existence before the effective date of the ordinance (grandfathered).
- Temporary holiday displays associated with national, local or religious holidays or celebrations.
- Home occupation signs: one nonilluminated nameplate not exceeding one square foot in area for legal home occupations.
- Official signs erected by federal, state, or local government, and notices issued in the performance of a public duty.
- Political signs (subject to section 90-168 for additional requirements).
- Public utility signs giving information about the location of underground utilities or public facilities.
- Real estate signs that are temporary, not exceeding 64 square feet, advertising sale, lease, or development of the property on which located.
- Residential nameplate signs indicating name/address of occupants, not exceeding two square feet.
- Safety, warning and directional signs for hazards and on-premises traffic, not exceeding uniform sizes specified in the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Small portable signs not exceeding 64 square feet and/or ten feet in height.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit must be obtained from the city before erecting any sign, except for the exemptions listed in section 90-101(2) and section 90-103.
- An application for a sign permit must include a scaled drawing of the proposed sign and a lot plan or building facade indicating the proposed sign location, as well as a list of all existing signs visible from the right-of-way.
- A permit is also required to alter, rebuild, enlarge, extend, replace or relocate a sign when the value of the work exceeds 50% of the cost of erecting a new sign of the same type at the same location.
- Applications for sign permits may include a request for variance when the applicant believes requirements cause hardship (with specific limitations on which variations are permitted).
- Prior to the issuance of a permit for an electronic billboard or electronic message sign, the applicant must provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity is preset not to exceed the specified maximum levels.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 4 zoning districts in Brownwood — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Brownwood+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-brownwood

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