# Sign Regulations in College Station, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** College Station, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/college-station
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/College_Station/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SPAGEOR_CH8BU_ARTIIREBUSE_S8-30SESIHEST)

## At a glance

College Station, Texas regulates 27 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Apartment/Condominium/Manufactured Home Park Identification Signs in the Multi-Family (MF), Mixed-Use (MU), R-4, R-6 zoning district are capped at 10' tall and 100 sf, with a 10' from ROW setback (Sec. Sec. 7.5.G, Sign Standards Table). Most commercial signs in College Station require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (15 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rural (R), Wellborn Estate (WE), Estate (E), Wellborn Restricted Suburban (WRS), Restricted Suburban (RS), General Suburban (GS), R-1B | 5 | 15' | 50 sf | — |
| Duplex (D), Townhouse (T), Middle Housing (MH) | 5 | 15' | 50 sf | — |
| Multi-Family (MF), Mixed-Use (MU), R-4, R-6 | 8 | 15' | 500 sf primary tenant (+100 sf if multi-story) | — |
| Manufactured Home Park (MHP) | 6 | 15' | 100 sf | — |
| Office (O), Suburban Commercial (SC), Wellborn Commercial (WC), General Commercial (GC), Commercial Industrial (CI), Business Park (BP), Business Park Industrial (BPI), C-3, R&D, M-1, M-2 | 10 | 15' | 500 sf primary tenant (+100 sf if multi-story) | — |
| College and University (CU) | 5 | 15' | 500 sf (primary tenant), +100 sf if multi-story | — |
| Natural Areas Protected (NAP) | 2 | — | 50 sf | — |
| Redevelopment District (RDD), Planned Mixed-Use District (P-MUD), Planned Development District (PDD) | 6 | 15' | 500 sf (primary tenant) + 100 sf if multi-story | — |
| Wolf Pen Creek (WPC) | 4 | Not above facade; min 8’ clearance from grade; max 3’ projection | 50 sf | — |
| Core Northgate (NG-1), Transitional Northgate (NG-2), Residential Northgate (NG-3) | 6 | Not above wall/facade; min 8' clearance from grade; max 3' projection from building; 4" min clearance from building face | 60 sf | — |
| Corridor Overlay (OV) | 4 | 4' | 500 sf (as underlying district) | — |
| Historic Preservation Overlay (HP) | 2 | 4' (area id), 15' (subdiv) | 50 sf | — |
| High Occupancy Overlay (HOO), Restricted Occupancy Overlay (ROO), Neighborhood Conservation Overlay (NCO), NPO | 2 | Not above wall/porch | 50 sf | — |
| BioCorridor Planned Development District | 2 | — | 50 sf (where not otherwise regulated or pre-empted by BioCorridor rules) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 4' | Banner/flag/balloon: as event permit authorizes (generally up to 36 sf for banner) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 15 zones)

### Multi-Family (MF), Mixed-Use (MU), R-4, R-6

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Apartment/Condominium/Manufactured Home Park Identification Sign | 10' | 100 sf | — | 10' from ROW | 1 per frontage | At primary entrance on each public road frontage of property (can be split among 2 signs at a single entrance if single-sided); on private property | — | Sec. 7.5.G, Sign Standards Table |
| Attached Sign | Shall not exceed one foot above wall, marquee, or parapet to which attached | 500 sf primary tenant (+100 sf if multi-story) | — | N/A | Unlimited if within total allowed area | On building entry facades | — | Sec. 7.5.I, Sign Standards Table |
| Low Profile Sign | 4' | 60 sf | — | 10' from ROW | See 'location_of_sign' | May be used in lieu of 1 freestanding sign if property has <75' frontage, or for each pad site if ≥150' frontage | — | Sec. 7.5.U, Sign Standards Table |
| Projection Sign (MU zone) | Not above parapet; min 8' clearance above walkway | 18 sf for 1-story, +8 sf/story, max 50 sf/sign | Max 3' projection; 4" min clearance from building | — | 1 per frontage | Perpendicular to building, along public right-of-way frontage | — | Sec. 7.5.W, Sign Standards Table |
| Hanging Sign | Min 8' clearance, max per canopy/awning | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per entrance | Suspended from canopies/awnings at building entrances, perpendicular to facade | — | Sec. 7.5.S, Sign Standards Table |
| Non-Commercial Sign | — | 50 sf | — | — | No limit, but subject to overall restrictions | On private property, not in ROW | — | Sec. 7.5.V |
| Development Sign | 15' | 35 sf (collector or residential), 65 sf (arterial), 200 sf (freeway/expressway) | — | 10' from ROW | 1 per building plot | On private property; at project or subdivision frontages | — | Sec. 7.5.L, Sign Standards Table |
| Real Estate/Finance/Construction Sign | 8' | 16 sf (≤150 ft frontage); 32 sf (>150 ft frontage) | — | 10' from ROW | See 'additional_requirements' | On property listed/developed | — | Sec. 7.5.X, Sign Standards Table |

### Office (O), Suburban Commercial (SC), Wellborn Commercial (WC), General Commercial (GC), Commercial Industrial (CI), Business Park (BP), Business Park Industrial (BPI), C-3, R&D, M-1, M-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign | Shall not exceed 1' above wall, marquee or parapet to which attached | 500 sf primary tenant (+100 sf if multi-story) | — | N/A | Unlimited if within total allowed area | On building entry facades | — | Sec. 7.5.I, Sign Standards Table |
| Freestanding Sign | Determined by formula: height = (distance from curb or pavement edge to closest point of sign) / 2, up to max 35' | 50–300 sf (see table) | — | — | One per qualifying frontage with exceptions for large sites | One per building plot with >75' frontage; on private property; setback required | — | Sec. 7.5.P, Table and narrative |
| Low Profile Sign | 4' | 60 sf | — | 10' from ROW | See 'additional_requirements' | For plots with <75' frontage or as option per code; also one per pad site for plots ≥150' frontage | — | Sec. 7.5.U, Sign Standards Table |
| Projection Sign | Not above parapet; min 8' clearance above walkway | 18 sf for 1-story (+8 sf/story, max 50 sf) | Max 3' projection | — | 1 per frontage | Perpendicular to building, along frontage | — | Sec. 7.5.W, Table and narrative |
| Hanging Sign | Min 8' clearance, max per canopy/awning | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per entrance | Suspended from canopies or awnings at building entrances, perpendicular to facade | — | Sec. 7.5.S, Table and narrative |
| Area Identification/Subdivision Sign | 4' (area identification) / 15' (subdivision) | 16 sf (area identification, 10-50 acres) / 150 sf (subdivision, >50 acres) | — | 10' from ROW | Per entry as allowed | At main entrance or intersection of two collector or greater streets; on private property; per plat | — | Sec. 7.5.H, Table and narrative |
| Development Sign | 15' | 35 sf (collector or residential), 65 sf (arterial), 200 sf (freeway/expressway) | — | 10' from ROW | 1 per building plot | On private property; at project or subdivision frontages | — | Sec. 7.5.L, Table and narrative |
| Real Estate/Finance/Construction Sign | 8' | 16 sf (≤150 ft frontage); 32 sf (>150 ft frontage) | — | 10' from ROW | See 'additional_requirements' | On property listed/developed | — | Sec. 7.5.X, Table and narrative |

### Redevelopment District (RDD), Planned Mixed-Use District (P-MUD), Planned Development District (PDD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign | 1' above wall/parapet/marquee | 500 sf (primary tenant) + 100 sf if multi-story | — | N/A | Unlimited if within max allowed area | On building entry facades | — | Sec. 7.5.I |
| Freestanding Sign | (Distance from curb to sign)/2, up to max 35' | 50–300 sf per frontage | — | Per freestanding sign rules | One per qualifying frontage | One per building plot with qualifying frontage | — | Sec. 7.5.P, Table |
| Low Profile Sign | 4' | 60 sf | — | 10' from ROW | Per code | For plots with <75' frontage, or each pad site ≥150' frontage or as per plat | — | Sec. 7.5.U |
| Non-Commercial Sign | — | 50 sf | — | — | No limit, subject to restrictions | On property, not in ROW | — | Sec. 7.5.V |
| Development Sign | 15' | 35 sf (collector/residential), 65 sf (arterial), 200 sf (freeway/expressway) | — | 10' from ROW | 1 per building plot | On private property at project/development entrance(s) | — | Sec. 7.5.L |
| Real Estate/Finance/Construction Sign | 8' | 16 sf (≤150 ft); 32 sf (>150 ft) | — | 10' from ROW | Per code | On property developed/involved | — | Sec. 7.5.X |

## Prohibited signs in College Station

- Portable and trailer signs, and temporary freestanding signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted on rooftops are prohibited.
- Inflated signs, pennants, wind-driven devices (excluding flags), tethered balloons, and/or any gas-filled objects for advertisement, decoration, or otherwise are prohibited, except as permitted for Grand Opening or Special Event signs.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited except as permitted in the Vehicle Signs Subsection.
- Flags containing copy or logo are prohibited in residential zones and on any residentially developed property (except when flags are used as subdivision signs).
- Signs and displays with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights, or erratic or other moving parts, including electronic message boards that change more than once per fifteen (15) minutes, either internal or external to the premise, and oriented and visible to vehicular traffic, are prohibited. (Except for time and temperature signs with size restrictions.)
- Signs containing manual change copy which are greater than thirty (30) percent of the allowable sign area are prohibited.
- Any signs intended to or designed to resemble traffic signs or signals and bear words such as 'stop', 'slow', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning', or other words, erected for purposes other than actual traffic control or warning, are prohibited.
- Any sign located within the site triangle in any district as stated in the Visibility at Intersections in all Districts Subsection (except traffic control or directional signs) is prohibited.
- Any sign that emits sound, odor, or visible matter is prohibited.
- Off-premises signs, including commercial and non-commercial billboards, are prohibited.
- Commercial signs in the extraterritorial jurisdiction: all off-premise and portable signs are prohibited.
- It shall be unlawful to offer and cause to be recorded any plat or replat of land within the city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction unless the same bears the endorsement and approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Administrator, or bears a valid certificate of No Action Taken.
- It shall be unlawful to make any improvements, alterations, or changes of any kind to such property (requiring plat approval) before plat approval.
- The City shall not issue any building, repair, plumbing, electrical, or other permits relating to a property unless plat approval has occurred.
- The City shall not repair, maintain, install, or provide any streets, public utilities, or public infrastructure of any kind to such property before plat approval.
- The City shall not sell or supply water, gas, electricity, or sewerage to property before plat approval.
- No structure that is taller than eight (8) feet in height and that has a roof structure that completely or partially blocks the view to the sky shall be located within the required setback area unless specifically allowed.

## Signs exempt from permit in College Station

- Signs that are not easily identified from beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel on which they are located, or from any public thoroughfare or traveled right-of-way, as determined by the Administrator.
- Official notices posted by government officials in the performance of their duties, including but not limited to traffic signs, street signs, or warning signs.
- Signs related to a primary or secondary educational facility, except as limited within the Prohibited Signs Subsection.
- Temporary signs erected by private property owners for the purpose of warning of a dangerous defect, condition, or another hazard to the public.
- Non-commercial signs on private property or works of art that in no way identify or advertise a product or business, or by their location and placement impede traffic safety, except as stated in the Non-Commercial and Political Signs Subsection.
- Temporary decorations or displays customarily and commonly associated with any national, local, or religious celebration.
- Temporary or permanent signs erected by public utilities or construction companies to warn of pipelines, conduits, or other dangers in public rights-of-way.
- Non-commercial signs carried by a person and not set/affixed to the ground that in no way identify or advertise a product or business, or impede traffic safety.
- Commercial signs carried by a person and not set/affixed to the ground, provided the sign is temporary, on-premises, and not used by the person on the premises for more than three consecutive days, more than four times per calendar year.
- Outdoor advertising display signs for sponsors of charitable events held on public properties, displayed for the duration of the event or not more than three days, with approval of the Administrator.
- Flags used as political symbols.
- Special district identification signs as defined by the Defined Terms Section that in no way advertise a product or business, or impede traffic safety, and are approved by the appropriate development review body.
- On-premises and/or off-premises signs with a City resolution or contract where locations and time frame are designated and the display promotes a positive City image, depicts accomplishments, or creates positive community spirit.
- Temporary signs for neighborhood events sponsored by a registered neighborhood group, subject to restrictions listed.
- Home tour event signs as defined, with limits on duration, repair, size, and location.
- Cleaning, painting, repainting, and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign does not require a permit unless a structural or size change is made. Maintenance includes the replacement of a sign face. (Repainting/replacement in Wolf Pen Creek district requires approval.)
- Repair of conforming signs damaged as a result of accidents or acts of God is exempt from permit fees when restored to their original condition.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before the installation, erection, moving, addition to, or structural alteration of any sign, except as specifically exempted. In the WPC Wolf Pen Creek design district, all substantial maintenance (including the replacement or alteration of signs) is subject to the sign permit review process.
- A sign permit application must be submitted to and approved by the Administrator. The Administrator must review each sign permit application in light of the UDO and act to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the permit.
- Applications for sign permits must conform to section 3.10 (Sign Permits) and must use correct, completed forms and include all requested attachments, as well as pay any applicable fees.
- Master sign plans or sign packages may be required for developments with campus wayfinding signs; all campus wayfinding signs must be submitted as part of a sign package for the development.
- In Design Districts such as WPC Wolf Pen Creek and NG Northgate, sign waivers may be requested and must be reviewed by the Design Review Board.
- Design Review Board reviews waivers limited to relief from district-specific sign requirements and only to extent authorized by UDO.
- Sign permits are not required for Real Estate, Finance, and Construction signs; Directional traffic control signs; Home occupation signs; Non-commercial signs (see list of exempt signs).
- It is the responsibility of the owner or leasing agent to assign allowable attached or freestanding sign square footage to individual tenants. The cumulative total of individual signs for a multi-tenant building may not exceed the allowable area available for attached or freestanding signs.
- Applications for Master Sign Plans or Sign Packages are required for developments meeting criteria such as size, multiple buildings, or campus wayfinding signage, and must be reviewed/approved per UDO and by the Administrator.
- A variance to sign regulations (including certain sign plan requirements) may only be granted by Zoning Board of Adjustment.
- For areas/plans managed by the Design Review Board (e.g., Wolf Pen Creek), waivers from design district sign standards must be heard by the Board, but only for waivers specifically authorized.
- Maintenance or replacement of sign faces in the Wolf Pen Creek Design District requires Administrator or Design Review Board approval.
- Administrative adjustments or variances to sign plan approvals must follow the procedures outlined in Section 3.16 (Variances), and may require hearings before the Zoning 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 15 zoning districts in College Station — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=College+Station+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-college-station

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