# Sign Regulations in Denison, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Denison, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/denison
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Denison/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH19SI)

## At a glance

Denison, Texas regulates 37 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Monument Sign - Single Tenant Non-Residential Uses in the Residential Zoning Districts (A, RD, SF-20, SF-10, SF-7.5, SF-5, SF-PH, SF-TH, LD, UD, MH, 2F, MF-1, MF-2) zoning district are capped at 10 ft from grade tall and 90 sq ft, with a 15 ft from all property lines setback (Sec. Sec. 19-91). Most commercial signs in Denison require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 40 ft | 40% of window area per facade | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (A, RD, SF-20, SF-10, SF-7.5, SF-5, SF-PH, SF-TH, LD, UD, MH, 2F, MF-1, MF-2) | 11 | 15 ft | 450 sq ft at <=36 ft height; +5 sq ft per ft above 36 ft, max 600 sq ft | — |
| Non-Residential Zoning Districts (O, NS, LR, CR, RR, C, CA, BP, LI, HI) | 14 | 40 ft | 672 sq ft | — |
| Historic Overlay District (H) | 10 | 10 ft non-res, 4 ft res | 450 sq ft <=36 ft; +5 sq ft/ft above, max 600 sq ft | — |
| Highway Oriented and Corridor District (HO) | 6 | 70 ft | 672 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Zoning Districts (A, RD, SF-20, SF-10, SF-7.5, SF-5, SF-PH, SF-TH, LD, UD, MH, 2F, MF-1, MF-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Non-Residential Uses | Not exceeding wall or building surface | 450 sq ft at <=36 ft height; +5 sq ft per ft above 36 ft, max 600 sq ft | — | — | Total area per facade not to exceed allowance | Any facade except side/rear facing adjacent residential district | — | Sec. 19-80 |
| Roof Sign - Non-Residential Uses | Not projecting above highest point of building | Limited to max wall sign area; total wall + roof not exceed facade allowance | — | — | 1 per building | Mounted to or projecting from canopy/roof over entry | — | Sec. 19-81 |
| Monument Sign - Single Tenant Non-Residential Uses | 10 ft from grade | 90 sq ft | — | 15 ft from all property lines | Min 250 ft spacing from other monument/pole on same property along ROW | On premises | — | Sec. 19-91 |
| Subdivision Entry Sign | Not above wall for attached | 32 sq ft for attached | — | — | 1 monument or 2 attached per entrance | At subdivision entrance; monument in median if approved | — | Sec. 19-106 |
| Development Sign | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 20 ft from property lines | 1 per 50 acres | On-site under development | — | Sec. 19-115 |
| Real Estate Sign | 4 ft | 9 sq ft | — | 3 ft from sidewalk or 10 ft from street | 1 per 2 acres | Between sidewalk and structure or 10 ft from street | — | Sec. 19-116 |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | 3 ft from sidewalk or 10 ft from street | — | On property where sale occurs | — | Sec. 19-55 |
| Home Improvement Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | 3 ft from sidewalk or 10 ft from street | 1 per lot | On lot where work occurs; between sidewalk and structure | — | Sec. 19-56 |

### Non-Residential Zoning Districts (O, NS, LR, CR, RR, C, CA, BP, LI, HI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign - Multiple Tenants | 10 ft from grade | 150 sq ft | — | 15 ft from all property lines | Min 250 ft spacing along ROW | On premises for shopping centers/office buildings | — | Sec. 19-90 |
| Monument Sign - Single Tenant | 10 ft | 90 sq ft | — | 15 ft from property lines | 250 ft spacing | On premises for individual businesses/pad sites | — | Sec. 19-91 |
| Pole Sign - On-Premise | 40 ft | 200 sq ft single tenant, 300 sq ft multiple | — | 10 ft from property lines | Min 200 ft spacing along ROW | On premises | — | Sec. 19-101 |
| Menu Board Sign | 6 ft | 40 sq ft (1 face) | — | 15 ft from property lines | Max 2 per lot | Side/rear of principal building | — | Sec. 19-105 |
| Development Sign | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 20 ft | 1 per 50 acres | On-site | — | Sec. 19-115 |
| Real Estate Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 3 ft from sidewalk or 10 ft from street | 1 per 2 acres | Between sidewalk and structure or 10 ft from street | — | Sec. 19-116 |
| Off-Premise Sign - Area A | 40 ft | 672 sq ft | Max height dimension 14 ft; width:height ratio 2:1 to 4:1 | 20 ft from ROW/property line | — | Along US Hwy 75, Spur 503 in non-res zones | — | Sec. 19-140 |
| Off-Premise Sign - Area B | 40 ft | 400 sq ft | Max height dimension 14 ft; ratio 2:1 to 4:1 | 20 ft | — | Along FM 691, 120, SH 84, US 69, FM 1417, SH 91 in non-res | — | Sec. 19-140 |

### Historic Overlay District (H)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq ft per face | — | 8 ft from back of curb; 8 ft above sidewalk | — | Attached to building, over ROW possible | — | Sec. 19-145 |
| Awning Sign - Historic | Awning 6 ft max | 20% of awning area | 60% of awning length | — | — | Attached to awning on building | — | Sec. 19-146 |
| Wall Sign - Historic | Not above wall/surface | 450 sq ft <=36 ft; +5 sq ft/ft above, max 600 sq ft | — | — | Total per facade not exceed | Parallel to surface; no side/rear facing res | — | Sec. 19-148 |
| Roof Sign - Historic | Not above building high point | Limited to wall max; total not exceed facade | — | — | 1 per building | On canopy/roof over entry | — | Sec. 19-149 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | — | — | 4 ft from sidewalk edge | 1 per business | Sidewalk adjacent to business | — | Sec. 19-152 |
| Menu Board Sign - Historic | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 2 per site | Attached to building surface | — | Sec. 19-159 |
| Real Estate Sign | 10 ft non-res, 4 ft res | 32 sq ft non-res, 9 sq ft res uses | — | As general | 1 per 2 acres | As general | — | Sec. 19-154 |
| Kiosk Sign | 10 ft | — | 6 ft | 5 ft from curb (non-H) or on sidewalk (H) | — | At intersection of major thoroughfares | — | Sec. 19-125 to 19-131 |

## Prohibited signs in Denison

- Any sign which is not specifically allowed by this chapter shall be prohibited.
- Signs imitating traffic or emergency signs.
- Portable signs, unless specifically allowed by this chapter.
- Signs violating other laws or ordinances (e.g., traffic visibility requirements, zoning, building code, or electrical code).
- Signs attached to, painted or maintained upon any tree or public utility pole or public utility structure.
- Signs attached to or painted on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, or street (except street address numbers and sandwich board signs approved under section 19-152).
- Moving, flashing, revolving or color changing signs, unless specifically allowed in this chapter.
- Pole signs, unless specifically allowed by this chapter.
- Off-premise signs, unless specifically allowed by this chapter.
- Signs attached to or painted on the outside of a fence, wall or railing, unless specifically allowed (exception: signs identifying the manufacturer of a fence or similar product not exceeding two square feet).
- Signs illuminated to an intensity causing glare or brightness constituting a safety hazard or nuisance.
- Signs attached to a vehicle advertising the sale of the vehicle parked to attract attention from the public right-of-way (exceptions: up to two vehicles at owner's residence if registered there; does not apply to valid automobile sales lots).
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles or trailers parked on public right-of-way, public property, or private property visible from right-of-way for advertising purposes (exception: incidental signs on vehicles used primarily for transportation).
- Signs placed in or projecting over or into any easement, unless specifically allowed.
- Signs placed in or projecting over or onto any public right-of-way, unless specifically allowed.
- No sign shall be erected in the visibility triangle (exception: pole signs clear from 18 inches to 10 feet from ground, support poles up to 6 inches diameter).

## Signs exempt from permit in Denison

- Nameplates or signs reflecting the name of a building or structure or the company that built or designed it, not exceeding one square foot.
- Memorial signs or tablets or the name of the building and date of erection, cut into masonry or of bronze or other incombustible materials.
- Traffic or street signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and emergency signs, temporary or non-advertising signs approved by city council or city manager.
- Signs located inside a building not visible from outside (mall signs comply with building and electrical codes).
- Movement control signs (up to 5 sq ft, attached words up to 6 inches height, directing movement on the premises; no limits on number except on single-family/duplex lots).
- Protective signs (up to two per premises, 6 sq ft each, detached up to 3 ft height).
- Flags, insignia, legal notices, informational, directional or traffic signs required for government functions; decorative holiday or public demonstration displays without advertising.
- Temporary lights and holiday decorations displayed 90 days or less.
- Political signs (on private property with consent, up to 50 sq ft, 8 ft height, non-illuminated, no moving parts, placed no more than 90 days before election, removed 10 days after).
- Special event or public announcement signs for non-profits (on private property with permission, up to 32 sq ft, 6 ft height, max 24 off-premise, for events in city/ETJ/adjacent, not on residential premises).
- Garage sale signs on the property where sale occurs, up to 9 sq ft.
- Home improvement signs (on lot where work occurs, up to 6 sq ft, one per lot, removed 60 days after erection or work completion, setbacks from sidewalk/street).
- Temporary religious signs (during worship times, ±2 hours, on private property with consent, up to 36 sq ft, setbacks from sidewalk/street).
- Yard signs (on occupied single/two/multi-family lots, up to 6 sq ft, setbacks from sidewalk/street).
- Zoning signs (up to 6 sq ft, setbacks from sidewalk/street).
- Signs held by pedestrians (at least 4 ft from street pavement, on property where event/activity occurs).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Variances to provisions (except Article XIV) heard by building appeals board; Article XIV variances by historic preservation board; requires 3 of 4 criteria: no adverse impact on adjacent property, consistent with chapter intent, needed due to unique property features, unique design; simple majority approval; appeal to city council (3/4 vote); valid 90 days for permit; fee required except for non-profits.
- All sign permits require application with drawings, site plans for monument/pole signs, building facade drawings for attached signs.
- No explicit master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan required; however, for multiple-tenant properties, monument signs may imply coordinated signage but not mandated as a plan.
- Historic overlay signs require approval by historic preservation board; no internal illumination for most signs; colors must comply with historic palette.

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

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