Sign Regulations in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas has specific sign regulations covering 29 sign types across 21 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include On-premise Signs, Monument Sign, Electronic Changeable Copy Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 5, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Fort Worth, Texas
Sample Sign Requirements in Fort Worth
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illuminated Nameplate Sign | — | 1 square foot | — |
| Non-illuminated On-premise Sign | 25 feet above grade | 30 square feet | minimum of ten feet behind the property line; not within 20 feet of drives providing ingress and egress |
| Temporary Sign | — | 60 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Fort WorthFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
29
- On-premise Signs
- Monument Sign
- Electronic Changeable Copy Sign
- Wall/Attached Signs
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
21
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Fort Worth
Other Cities in Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Fort Worth vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Fort Worth, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Fort Worth, regulated sign types include On-premise Signs, Monument Sign, Electronic Changeable Copy Sign, Wall/Attached Signs, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Fort Worth vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Fort Worth are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Fort Worth has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
AI-Powered Research
Ready to Research Fort Worth Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Fort Worth, Texas sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Fort Worth, Texas Sign Rules at a Glance
Fort Worth, Texas regulates 29 sign types across 21 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Commercial Districts (ER, E, FR, F, G, H) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall, 96 square feet, and 16 feet wide, with a setback 1 ft per ft height from adjacent property lines setback (Sec. § 6.409(a)(1)(b)(e)(f)(g)). Most commercial signs in Fort Worth require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Fort Worth, Texas
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Fort Worth (21 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural District (AG) | 2 | 25 feet above grade | 30 square feet | — |
| Community Facilities District (CF) | 3 | — | 60 square feet | — |
| Manufactured Housing District (MH) | 1 | 8 feet above grade | — | — |
| Residential Districts (A-2.5A, A-43, A-21, A-10, A-7.5, A-5, AR, B, R1, R-2, CR, C, D, UR) | 3 | 20 feet | 64 square feet | — |
| Commercial Districts (ER, E, FR, F, G, H) | 8 | 25 ft at ROW +1 ft per ft setback up to 35 ft (admin up to 50 ft for 20 ft above lanes) | 500 square feet per facade | — |
| Industrial Districts (I, J, K) | 7 | 25 ft at ROW +1 ft per ft setback up to 35 ft (admin up to 50 ft for 20 ft above lanes) | 500 square feet per facade | — |
| Planned Development District (PD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Conservation Overlay District (CD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Preservation Overlay Districts (HSE, HC, DD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Urban Design Overlay District-Downtown (DUDD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Panther Island Peripheral Overlay District (PIP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| I-35W North Corridor Overlay District (I-35W) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Airport/Airfield Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Mixed-Use Districts (MU-1, MU-2) | 4 | 8 ft (monument); 20 ft (pylon); 35 ft (freeway) | 25% of sign face | — |
| Panther Island District (PI) | 3 | 8 feet including base | 60 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Near Southside District (NS) | 3 | 8 feet including base | 60 square feet per sign face | — |
| Camp Bowie District (CB) | 4 | 6 feet | Ground floor commercial: max 100 sq ft per tenant; Upper floor commercial: max 125 sq ft per tenant; Live-work/home occupation: max 20 sq ft | — |
| Trinity Lakes District (TL) | 3 | 6 feet | Ground floor commercial: max 100 sq ft per tenant; Upper floor commercial: max 125 sq ft per tenant; Live-work/home occupation: max 20 sq ft | — |
| Berry/University District (BU) | 3 | 6 feet (sign base min 2 ft, max 4 ft) | 64 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Stockyards District (SY) | 3 | max 24 ft above sidewalk (wall sign) | 64 sq ft per sign face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 6-12 feet by 4 feet (ladder type) | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Fort Worth(sample of 3 of 21 zones)
Commercial Districts (ER, E, FR, F, G, H)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 500 square feet per facade | 75% of lineal footage of building or space | — | one or more per facade | on each facade of occupied space | — | Unlock | § 6.408(a)(b)(f) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | limited to 75% of lineal footage | — | — | on awning | — | Unlock | § 6.408(c) |
| Roof Sign | 4 feet above roof or parapet | — | — | — | — | upon the roof | — | Unlock | § 6.408(e)(d) |
| Monument Sign | 8 feet | 96 square feet | 16 feet | setback 1 ft per ft height from adjacent property lines | 1 per platted lot; additional on corners/through lots per street frontage; on >100 ft frontage, additional if 100 ft apart; on unified >300 ft, additional if 300 ft apart | on platted lot or unified agreement property | — | Unlock | § 6.409(a)(1)(b)(e)(f)(g) |
| Pylon Sign | 8 ft at ROW +1 ft per ft setback, up to 20 ft | 200 square feet | 12 feet | 1 ft per ft height from adjacent property lines | as per monument | on platted lot or unified agreement property adjacent to designated freeway (prohibited on SH 121) | — | Unlock | § 6.409(a)(2)(c)(e)(f)(g) |
| Freeway Sign | 25 ft at ROW +1 ft per ft setback up to 35 ft (admin up to 50 ft for 20 ft above lanes) | 320 square feet | 24 feet | 1 ft per ft height from adjacent property lines | as per monument | immediately adjacent to designated freeway (prohibited on SH 121 scenic corridor) | — | Unlock | § 6.409(a)(3)(d)(e)(f)(g) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 60 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | on private property | — | Unlock | § 6.404(a) |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | — | 25% of sign face | — | — | — | on detached signs limited to monument (or pylon/freeway where allowed) | — | Unlock | § 6.411 |
Industrial Districts (I, J, K)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 500 square feet per facade | 75% of lineal footage of building or space | — | one or more per facade | on each facade of occupied space | — | Unlock | § 6.408(a)(b)(f) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | limited to 75% of lineal footage | — | — | on awning | — | Unlock | § 6.408(c) |
| Roof Sign | 4 feet above roof or parapet | — | — | — | — | upon the roof | — | Unlock | § 6.408(e)(d) |
| Monument Sign | 8 feet | 96 square feet | 16 feet | setback 1 ft per ft height from adjacent property lines | 1 per platted lot; additional on corners/through lots per street frontage; on >100 ft frontage, additional if 100 ft apart; on unified >300 ft, additional if 300 ft apart | on platted lot or unified agreement property | — | Unlock | § 6.409(a)(1)(b)(e)(f)(g) |
| Pylon Sign | 8 ft at ROW +1 ft per ft setback, up to 20 ft | 200 square feet | 12 feet | 1 ft per ft height from adjacent property lines | as per monument | on platted lot or unified agreement property adjacent to designated freeway (prohibited on SH 121) | — | Unlock | § 6.409(a)(2)(c)(e)(f)(g) |
| Freeway Sign | 25 ft at ROW +1 ft per ft setback up to 35 ft (admin up to 50 ft for 20 ft above lanes) | 320 square feet | 24 feet | 1 ft per ft height from adjacent property lines | as per monument | immediately adjacent to designated freeway (prohibited on SH 121 scenic corridor) | — | Unlock | § 6.409(a)(3)(d)(e)(f)(g) |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | — | 25% of sign face | — | — | — | on detached signs limited to monument (or pylon/freeway where allowed) | — | Unlock | § 6.411 |
Mixed-Use Districts (MU-1, MU-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-premise Attached Signs | — | 10% of facade area per facade; max 500 sq ft per facade; aggregate cap 1,340 sq ft | 75% of lineal footage of building or commercial space (whichever less) | — | one or more per facade | on each facade of occupied space | — | Unlock | § 6.408; form-based district standards |
| Project Identifier/Wayfinding Attached Signs (MU-1/MU-2 additional) | — | 10% of facade area per facade; max 500 sq ft per facade | — | — | one or more per facade | on each facade of occupied space | — | Unlock | §§ 4.1300(h)(1), 4.1302(h)(1) |
| On-premise Detached Signs | 8 ft (monument); 20 ft (pylon); 35 ft (freeway) | Lesser of 1 sq ft/linear ft street frontage or: 120 sq ft (minor arterial/neighborhood), 165 sq ft (major arterial), 195 sq ft (principal arterial), 600 sq ft (freeway/toll road) | 16 ft (monument); 12 ft (pylon); 24 ft (freeway) | 1 ft setback per ft height from all adjacent property lines | 1 per platted lot or unified sign agreement area; additional on corner/through lots (1 per street frontage); on lots with >100 ft frontage, additional if min 100 ft apart | — | — | Unlock | §§ 6.409, 6.410; form-based district standards |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | — | 25% of sign face | — | — | — | on detached signs limited to monument (or pylon/freeway where allowed) | — | Unlock | § 6.411 |
PermitPal covers all 21 zoning districts in Fort Worth — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 21 zones for Fort Worth — start freeProhibited Signs in Fort Worth
- Off-premise signs, unless provisions for such signs are contained within these regulations
- Signs erected in violation of city building, electrical or sign codes or other applicable local regulations
- Signs erected in violation of federal or state law
- Pole signs
- Portable signs, except those allowed under §§ 6.403 and 6.404
- Animated signs, flashing signs, running message, twinkle or running light signs, and revolving signs or any other sign that moves (Electronic changeable copy signs may be permitted by special exception from the board of adjustment in accordance with § 6.411)
- Signs illuminated to such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair vision (Lighting shall be shielded upward to prevent beams or rays from being directed at any portion of a traveled roadway or an occupied residential area; nothing herein shall be construed to permit the lighting of signs near airports which would conflict with any regulations adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration; this requirement shall not apply to internally lit signs with a lighting intensity of less than 150-foot lamberts)
- Signs erected in or projecting into the public right-of-way unless an encroachment agreement is executed in accordance with the requirements of the sign code (Chapter 29 of the city code) and any other ordinances regulating encroachments
- Signs on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign (It shall be prima facie evidence that the primary purpose of a vehicle or trailer is to display a sign if the vehicle or trailer is parked on a site for a continuous period exceeding 72 hours)
- “V” type signs with a face that protrudes from the opposite face at an interior angle greater than 25 degrees (This restriction shall not be construed to prevent oval, cylindrical or box type signs)
- Signs with sign structure larger than is reasonably necessary to support the sign
Exempt Signs in Fort Worth
- Signs on vehicles or trailers, provided, however, signs on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign are prohibited pursuant to § 6.405
- Temporary signs, as follows: (1) Temporary decorative flags; (2) Temporary signs erected in accordance with temporary banner policy administered by the transportation and public works department for signs in the public right-of-way, large banner policy administered by the park and recreation department for signs on park property, policy governing erection of banners on Main Street, and other temporary banner policies administered by city departments or their designees; (3) One temporary sign is permitted per business during its business hours subject to conditions including display on private property within ten feet of the front door, not exceeding eight square feet or 42 inches in height, constructed of rigid weather resistant materials, not illuminated, no moving elements, not in public open space easement, and not impeding pedestrian traffic (with provisions for display in public right-of-way under specific conditions)
- Warning, security and directional signs for parking or vehicle access
- Government signs, flags, insignia, legal notices or informational, directional or traffic signs
- Political signs referring to the candidates or issues involved in a public election, subject to conditions: located on private real property with consent of owner, not exceeding eight feet in height, effective area not greater than 36 square feet, not illuminated, no moving elements
- Signs in windows subject to: (1) maximum of 25% of window area on each building facade (signs exceeding 10% included in maximum on-premise signage calculation per § 6.408(f)); (2) limited to first floor of multi-story building; (3) window area calculated per § 6.406(c)
- Other than electrical, all signs not visible from off the property
- Nameplate and street address signs not exceeding one square foot in area
- One non-illuminated real estate sign, temporary in nature, advertising sale or lease of real property on which located or announcing contemplated improvements, not exceeding eight square feet in one- or two-family dwelling district or 60 square feet and eight feet in height in other districts (one per street frontage on corner/through lots; removed within 30 days after sale/occupancy)
- One non-illuminated estate or garage sale sign, not exceeding two square feet, temporary, advertising sale of items on property with garage sale permit (removed within 24 hours after sale ends)
- One construction sign, not exceeding four square feet in one- or two-family dwelling district or 40 square feet and 12 feet in height in other districts, denoting owner, architect, etc., on property (one per street frontage on corner/through lots; removed within 30 days after project completion)
- “No Dumping,” “No Trespassing,” and “No Solicitation” signs
- Noncommercial residential signs: maximum of four signs not exceeding total of 16 square feet on residential lots (no one sign exceeding eight square feet)
- Signs depicting or relating to a national, local or religious holiday or season if installed, maintained or displayed for not more than 45 consecutive days
- Signs designed and used in conjunction with aircraft
- Signs of not more than two square feet with ground clearance not more than four feet within 20 feet of driveway or ingress/egress restricting parking on property (corners mitered or rounded)
- Signs erected by a public utility or transportation organization pursuant to franchise agreement with city, for public instruction, traffic control and similar uses incidental to public interest
Sign Permit Fees & Timelines in Fort Worth
| Item | Details | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee for new signs (Current) | $33 | — |
| See all Fort Worth sign permit fees & timelines — start free | ||
Source: amlegal municipal code