# Sign Regulations in Carrollton, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Carrollton, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/carrollton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Carrollton/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TITXVLAUS_CH151SIRE)

## At a glance

Carrollton, Texas regulates 37 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft (including base); 12 ft for lots >3 acres or anchor tenants >20,000 sq ft tall and 60 sq ft (lots ≤3 acres); 100 sq ft (lots >3 acres), with a 25 ft from back of curb or edge of pavement; comply with Visibility Ordinance setback (Sec. Sec. 151.30). Most commercial signs in Carrollton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 35 ft (≤3 acres abutting IH-35E); 50 ft (>3 acres abutting IH-35E) | 225 sq ft per sign | — |
| Transit Center District | 13 | 48 in | 225 sq ft | — |
| Old Downtown Commercial District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Area 1 (PD-169: Carroll Avenue addresses) (Single-Family Residential Districts), Area 3 (PD-169: 1017 Clint Street) (Single-Family Residential Districts), Single-Family Residential Districts, Single-Family Residential District (SF-12/20) | 2 | 8 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| Area 2 (PD-169: Belt Line Road addresses west of Larner Street and 1011 Clint Street) (Local Retail District (LR-2)), Local Retail District (LR-2) | 2 | 4 ft | 50 sq ft per 100 ft of wall (facing Belt Line or Clint); 6 sq ft if rear wall (off-street parking) | — |
| Area 4 (PD-169: Belt Line Road addresses east of Larner Street and west of Josey Lane) (Single-Family Residential District (SF-12/20)) | 2 | 4 ft | 15 sq ft | — |
| LI Districts | 1 | 12 ft | 32 sq ft (LI and lots >2 acres); Exception: 96 sq ft for multi-use development/res subdivisions | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft (including base); 12 ft for lots >3 acres or anchor tenants >20,000 sq ft | 60 sq ft (lots ≤3 acres); 100 sq ft (lots >3 acres) | — | 25 ft from back of curb or edge of pavement; comply with Visibility Ordinance | 1 per lot; more per frontage for large/anchor tenants and special cases as outlined | On premises of advertised use | — | Sec. 151.30 |
| Pylon Sign | 20 ft (lots >5 acres or anchor tenants >50,000 sq ft) | 160 sq ft (lots >5 acres) | — | 25 ft from back of curb or edge of pavement; comply with Visibility Ordinance | 1 per lot; see exceptions for lots >3 acres, per frontage, >20 acres, etc. | On premises of advertised use | — | Sec. 151.31 |
| Pole Sign | 35 ft (≤3 acres abutting IH-35E); 50 ft (>3 acres abutting IH-35E) | 125 sq ft (≤3 acres abutting IH-35E); 250 sq ft (first sign, >3 acres abutting IH-35E); 125 sq ft for additional sign on same lot | — | 25 ft from back of curb/edge of pavement; comply with Visibility Ordinance | 1 per lot, more for additional freestanding buildings, >3 acres, per frontage, >20 acres, etc. | Adjacent to IH-35E only | — | Sec. 151.32 |
| Ground Sign | Lots <2 acres: 8 ft; lots >2 acres: 12 ft | Lots <2 acres: 16 sq ft; lots >2 acres or LI Districts: 32 sq ft; exception: 96 sq ft multiple-use dev/res subdivisions | — | 25 ft from curb/edge, 50 ft separation from other signs | 1 per legal lot; >3 acres: one per street frontage | Parallel or double-sided if perpendicular to street | — | Sec. 151.35 |
| Model Home Sign | 5 ft including base | 16 sq ft | — | As close as possible to home | 1 per model home | As close to the home as possible; orientation parallel or double-faced if perpendicular to street | — | Sec. 151.36 |
| Stake Sign (Commercial lot, construction interference) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from curb/edge | 2 per tenant | On private property w/owner consent, min 3 ft from curb/edge | — | Sec. 151.50(A) |
| Stake Sign (Single/two family or HOA) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from curb/edge | 2 per lot | Private property w/owner consent, min 3 ft from curb/edge | — | Sec. 151.50(B) |
| Political Sign - Private Property | 8 ft | 36 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from curb/edge | Not specified | Private property w/owner consent | — | Sec. 151.51(A) |

### Transit Center District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 4 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 15 ft from back of curb | 1 per lot | 1 per lot, 15 ft setback from back of curb | — | Sec. 151.54(C)(1) |
| Projecting Sign - Horizontal | 4 ft | 24 sq ft | 6 ft, not more than 12 in from building | — | 1 per street frontage or as approved | On building, min 7.5 ft clearance from grade, not above roof/parapet | — | Sec. 151.54(C)(2)(a) |
| Projecting Sign - Vertical | 10 ft (≤2 stories); 15 ft (3 stories); 20 ft (4+ stories) | 24 sq ft (≤2 stories); 48 sq ft (3 stories); 72 sq ft (4+ stories) | 4.5 ft, not more than 12 in from building | — | 1 per street frontage or as approved | On building, min 7.5 ft clearance from grade, not above 3rd story | — | Sec. 151.54(C)(2)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Transit Center District) | Not above roof line or parapet | Not >200 sq ft per tenant | Not >75% height and/or width of sign placement area | — | By wall length and exceptions; tenant signage cap applies | On the wall occupied by the business, as approved | — | Sec. 151.54(C)(3) |
| Awning Sign | Front vertical edge: ≤1/3 overall awning height | 75% of height/width of vertical front edge for letters; 8 sq ft for logo | — | — | Not specified | Front vertical edge of awning; logo may be on sloped part (centered) | — | Sec. 151.54(C)(4) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Min 4 ft from curb, 4 ft sidewalk clear | 1 per business | On sidewalks in TCD; min 4 ft from back of curb; min 4 ft clear sidewalk width | — | Sec. 151.54(C)(7) |
| Ground Sign (Vacant Lot, TCD) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft (not wider/taller than 4 ft any dimension) | 4 ft | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot; parallel or double faced if perpendicular | — | Sec. 151.54(C)(9)(a) |
| Ground Sign (Vacant Suite Window, TCD) | 48 in | 8 sq ft | 30 in | — | 1 per window/wall segment | Inside one window per wall segment of vacant suite | — | Sec. 151.54(C)(9)(b) |

### Area 1 (PD-169: Carroll Avenue addresses) (Single-Family Residential Districts), Area 3 (PD-169: 1017 Clint Street) (Single-Family Residential Districts), Single-Family Residential Districts, Single-Family Residential District (SF-12/20)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Residential lot for sale/rent/lease) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 3 ft min from curb/edge | 2 per lot | Private property, min 3 ft from curb/edge | — | Sec. 151.50(B); 151.51 |
| Political Sign | 8 ft | 36 sq ft | — | 3 ft min from curb/edge | Not specified | Private property with consent | — | Sec. 151.51 |

## Prohibited signs in Carrollton

- Signs not expressly allowed pursuant to this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs erected in a manner that may cause confusion, or obstruct the view or interpretation of any official traffic sign, signal or device.
- Window signs, including painted window signs, except as expressly allowed in this chapter.
- Any sign containing or displaying any obscene material.
- Commercial billboards as defined in section 151.05 are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except as otherwise allowed by Carrollton City Code, section 92.32.
- Signs or material placed on or suspended from buildings, poles, sidewalks, vehicles and the like.
- Placing or suspending from any building, light pole, utility pole, structure, sidewalk, parkway, driveway or parking area, any goods, wares, merchandise or other advertising or displaying of such items other than a sign, as defined, regulated and permitted by this code.
- The attachment, suspension or hanging of cloth, paper, banner, flag, device or other similar matter to or on any sign, building, vehicle or structure, when the same shall create litter or a public nuisance.
- Attaching any sign, paper or other material, or painting, stenciling, writing or similar or otherwise marking on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, street, service poles, utility poles or boxes, public property, fence or structure except as otherwise expressly allowed by ordinance.
- No sign, whether required to be permitted or not, shall be illuminated to such an intensity or in such a manner, as to cause a glare of brightness to a degree that it constitutes a hazard or nuisance to traffic. Moving, flashing, blinking, intermittent lighted, changing color, beacons, revolving or similarly constructed signs shall not be allowed except for time and temperature on an otherwise permitted sign.
- No lighted sign shall be erected within 150 feet of a residential district unless the lighting is shielded from view of the residential district.
- No portion of any sign shall be erected on or over public property, unless the same is erected by the city, or with the permission of the city, or as specified in section 151.51(B).
- Any sign erected on a vertical framework supported by and located immediately and entirely over the roof of a building is prohibited except as specified in section 151.34. Signs painted or attached on the roof of a structure are prohibited except as specified in sections 151.34 or 151.54.
- No person shall erect, maintain or permit the erection of any balloon or other floating device anchored to the ground or to any structure within the city except as specified in section 151.38.
- Stake signs, except as specified in section 151.50.
- Portable signs, except as specified in section 151.52.
- Sandwich board signs except as specified in section 151.54.
- Freestanding self-supported advertising signs.
- Sail or feather signs.
- V-shaped signs.
- Skid signs.
- All signs visible from the exterior of a window shall be attached to the window or to the structure and shall comply with section 151.11(N).
- Signs on residential lots are prohibited except as specified in sections 151.36, 151.50, and 151.51.
- Windows where the back side of display shelving, storage or other fixtures is located adjacent to such windows. Windows shall be obscured up to four feet from grade with an opaque window film adhered to the window such that the back side of display shelving, storage or other fixture are not visible through the window. Foil, newspaper, cardboard and other such materials placed in windows shall be prohibited.
- Awning signs are prohibited except as specified in section 151.54.
- Can/box signs are prohibited on all buildings in Carrollton.
- Pan signs are prohibited on retail buildings.
- Signs painted directly on faces of buildings are prohibited except as specified in section 151.54.
- No lighting shall be permitted to outline individual windows.
- No lighting shall be permitted to outline an individual occupancy in a multitenant building.
- No lighting shall be permitted to outline any accessory structures, signs, light poles or other appurtenances onsite.
- No lighting shall be permitted to outline any vertical features of the building separate from the roof line (except rope or other continuous or connected series of lights utilized to outline only the roof line).

## Signs exempt from permit in Carrollton

- One temporary banner not exceeding eight square feet in area shall be allowed for the period of time the suite or building on which such sign is located is available for sale, rental or lease, but in no event for longer than 180 days per calendar year.
- Nameplates, memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones not exceeding two square feet in area when cut or carved into the masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
- Permanent onsite signs limited to: (a) one sign at a drive-through lane entrance, maximum 3 feet in height and 4 square feet in area; (b) one sign at a drive-through lane exit, maximum 3 feet in height and 4 square feet in area, both located behind the required front building setback.
- Multitenant buildings: one sign with a maximum area of 20 square feet, height of 5 feet, setback as required by zoning, tenant panels maximum 4 inches tall, same size and color font, one panel per tenant, decorative metal or similar durable material.
- Legal notices or warning signs posted in compliance with state or federal law including criminal trespass warning signs, open carry signs, and disabled parking signs.
- Designated parking space signs no larger than 12 inches by 18 inches with a maximum overall height of 7 feet.
- Temporary signs warning of a particularly dangerous or hazardous condition containing only sufficient information to warn of such danger or condition.
- Scoreboards, golf course tee signs, and athletic field identification signs.
- Athletic field fencing signs facing into an athletic field intended to be visible only from inside the field, and no taller than the fence or wall upon which the sign is located.
- Signs fabricated into windscreens for tennis courts on City of Carrollton park facilities only for identification purposes.
- Sculptures when installed in compliance with the comprehensive zoning ordinance and construction codes.
- The changing of messages or copy on signs designed and intended to be changed on a regular basis provided the sign is not altered (e.g. theater marquees, electronic reader boards, menus, fuel prices, billboards, directories).
- The removal and replacement of interchangeable panels for signs designed and approved for this specific purpose.
- Window signs/painted window signs with a maximum size not exceeding 25 percent of the total window area for any linear wall segment; limited to one- or two-story retail buildings or the ground floor of a mixed-use building with retail at the ground floor. Blinking signs are prohibited.
- Gasoline/service station informational signage: signs located beneath a canopy are exempt; governmentally mandated signage and signage contained within the individual pumps are also exempt; 10 square feet of signage is permitted per side under the canopy per set of dispensers; signage beneath the canopy not intended to be read from the public right-of-way is exempt; letters less than 3 inches height not counted as part of sign allowance.
- Incidental signs as defined in section 151.05, limited to one per building entrance.
- Banners in conjunction with an approved special event permit as provided in section 151.39.
- Stake signs as provided in section 151.50.
- Political signs as provided in section 151.51.
- Portable and vehicle signs as provided in section 151.52.
- Flags and flagpoles as provided in section 151.53.
- Sandwich board signs as provided in section 151.54.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless exempted; see Sec. 151.10 and Sec. 151.11.
- The Development Services Department approves all signs for multiple-tenant and multiple-building lot-coordinated signage for design compatibility. (Sec. 151.10(B))
- The Building Official may require the filing of plans or other pertinent information for a sign permit application. Standard plans may be filed with the Building Official. (Sec. 151.13)
- In the Transit Center District (Sec. 151.54), all signs requiring a permit must first obtain Development Plan approval prior to issuance of a permit. The development plan must be approved by the City Manager or designee and must include site plan, building elevations, sign copy/dimensions, setbacks, materials, illumination details.
- Denial of a Transit Center District Development Plan may be appealed to the Property Standards Board if filed within 10 days.
- For PD-169, multiple-building lot-coordinated signage is considered in accordance with section 151.10(B). (Sec. 151.55; see also 151.10(B))
- Variances and special exceptions to sign code provisions are handled by the Board of Adjustment. This includes appeals, alternative materials/methods, nonconforming sign reconstruction, hardship cases (Sec. 151.81 and following). Public hearing and notice required.
- Variances apply only where literal enforcement would result in an unnecessary hardship not self-created nor for financial reasons alone, and cannot permit prohibited signs or acts.
- Meritorious exceptions for innovative or visually beneficial signage proposals may be considered by the Board of Adjustment.

## 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 8 zoning districts in Carrollton — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Carrollton+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-carrollton

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