# Sign Regulations in Friendswood, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Friendswood, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/friendswood
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-06
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/tx/friendswood/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_APXASI)

## At a glance

Friendswood, Texas regulates 34 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Individual Business)s in the CSC, NC, LNC, DD, PUD, RSC, A-1, LI, I - Nonresidential Districts zoning district are capped at 7 ft (above highest finished grade at the front property line) tall and 50 sq ft, with a Supports at least 3 ft from property line; not within the vision triangle; no encroachment on public property. setback (Sec. Sec. 22(c)(1) and (4); Sec. 7(b); Sec. 13(d)). Most commercial signs in Friendswood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 8 ft | 36 sq ft (sign surface area; structure excluded) | — |
| SFR, SFR-E, MFR-L, MFR-M, MFR-H, GHD, MHR - Residential District | 8 | 7 ft (if ground-mounted) | Combined total not to exceed 50 sq ft for up to two signs | — |
| CSC, NC, LNC, DD, PUD, RSC, A-1, LI, I - Nonresidential Districts | 15 | 7 ft (above highest finished grade at the front property line) | Up to 100 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| OPD, BP - Office Park District, Business Park District | 14 | 7 ft (above highest finished grade at the front property line) | 240 sq in per tenant (sum across tenants) | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Contractor Sign (During active work) | 7 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Place no closer than 3 ft from the edge of the property and/or any sidewalk; never in state/city right-of-way or street median. | — | On the property where actual construction is taking place. | — | Sec. 15(a)(1), 15(a)(4) |
| Temporary Direction Sign (Civic Event) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per lot | On private property with the permission of the property owner. | — | Sec. 15(e) |
| Temporary Outdoor Use Sign (Banner) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Option: 1 banner in lieu of up to 6 small signs | On the parcel where the permitted temporary outdoor use will take place and on parcels where off-site parking will be provided (no placement in city rights-of-way). | — | Sec. 15(e-1) |
| Temporary Outdoor Use Sign (Small Signs) | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 6 signs (Option alternative to 1 banner) | On the parcel where the permitted temporary outdoor use will take place and parcels where off-site parking will be provided (no placement in city rights-of-way). | — | Sec. 15(e-1) |
| Temporary Political Sign | 8 ft | 36 sq ft (sign surface area; structure excluded) | — | — | — | On private real property with owner consent. Prohibited on public property and within public rights-of-way, except in designated areas at least 100 ft from the main entrance to a polling place during a voting period. | — | Sec. 15(f) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to 4 signs | On private property with the permission of the property owner; prohibited on public property and in city rights-of-way. | — | Sec. 15(g) |
| Open House Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to 4 signs per open house | On private property with the permission of the property owner; prohibited on public property and in city rights-of-way. | — | Sec. 15(h) |
| Temporary Street Banner Sign (Over Friendswood Dr at Stevenson Park) | — | Max 25 ft wide by 4 ft high | 25 ft | — | 1 per eligible organization per calendar year | Only in front of Stevenson Park and across Friendswood Drive from city-designated poles. | — | Sec. 15(i) |

### CSC, NC, LNC, DD, PUD, RSC, A-1, LI, I - Nonresidential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant) | — | Determined by formula | — | No projection beyond property line; no encroachment over public property; 8 ft vertical clearance if projecting >18 in over private areas used by the public. | Total wall sign area per establishment governed by formula | Attached to the exterior of the business establishment’s building on the side with the primary entrance (business frontage). | — | Sec. 22(b)(1); Sec. 5(c); Sec. 7(e); Sec. 13 |
| Monument Sign (Individual Business) | 7 ft (above highest finished grade at the front property line) | 50 sq ft | — | Supports at least 3 ft from property line; not within the vision triangle; no encroachment on public property. | 1 per business establishment; plus 1 additional monument sign allowed when the total constructed building area on-site exceeds 40,000 sq ft. | On the lot of the business establishment; near frontage consistent with setbacks and visibility standards. | — | Sec. 22(c)(1) and (4); Sec. 7(b); Sec. 13(d) |
| Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant Business Establishment) | 7 ft (above highest finished grade at the front property line) | Up to 100 sq ft (per formula) | — | Supports at least 3 ft from property line; not within the vision triangle; no encroachment on public property. | 1 per multi-tenant business establishment | On the lot of the business establishment. | — | Sec. 22(c)(2) and (4); Sec. 13(d) |
| Shared Monument Sign (Contiguous Lots) | 7 ft | Up to 100 sq ft (per formula) | — | Supports at least 3 ft from property line; not within the vision triangle. | 1 shared sign for contiguous lots | Placed on either of the contiguous lots. | — | Sec. 22(c)(3)–(4); Sec. 13(d) |
| Monument Sign - Second Monument (Buildings ≥40,000 sq ft) | 7 ft | Per applicable monument sign type (individual or multi-tenant) | — | Supports at least 3 ft from property line; not within the vision triangle. | 1 additional monument sign allowed when the total constructed building area on-site exceeds 40,000 sq ft. | On-site consistent with setbacks and vision triangle requirements. | — | Sec. 22(c)(5) |
| Portable Sign (Grand Opening - New Business) | — | 32 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from edge of property and/or any sidewalk; not in state/city right-of-way or street median. | 1 per site at a time | On nonresidential property; not within right-of-way or median. | — | Sec. 14(a), 14(c)–(f) |
| Portable Sign (Annual Allowance - Nonresidential) | — | 32 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from edge of property and/or any sidewalk; not in right-of-way or median. | 1 per site at a time; max 21 days/year | On nonresidential property; not within right-of-way or median. | — | Sec. 14(b)–(f) |
| Construction Signs (Nonresidential Project - Temporary) | — | 16 sq ft per sign (tracts ≤2 acres); 32 sq ft per sign (tracts >2 acres) | — | Temporary signs must be at least 3 ft from edge of property and/or any sidewalk; never in right-of-way or median. | Up to 2 per project | On the premises where the nonresidential project is located. | — | Sec. 15(b) |

### OPD, BP - Office Park District, Business Park District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant) | — | Determined by formula | — | — | Total wall sign area per establishment governed by formula | Attached to the exterior wall on the side with the primary entrance (business frontage). | — | Sec. 22(b)(1); Sec. 5(c); Sec. 7(e); Sec. 13 |
| Monument Sign (Individual Business) | 7 ft (above highest finished grade at the front property line) | 50 sq ft | — | Supports at least 3 ft from property line; not within the vision triangle. | 1 per business establishment | On the lot of the business establishment. | — | Sec. 22(c)(1), 22(c)(4); Sec. 13(d) |
| Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant Business Establishment) | 7 ft | Up to 100 sq ft (per formula) | — | Supports at least 3 ft from property line; not within the vision triangle. | 1 per multi-tenant business establishment | On the lot of the business establishment. | — | Sec. 22(c)(2), 22(c)(4) |
| Shared Monument Sign (Contiguous Lots) | 7 ft | Up to 100 sq ft (per formula) | — | Supports at least 3 ft from property line; not within the vision triangle. | 1 shared sign for contiguous lots | Placed on either of the contiguous lots. | — | Sec. 22(c)(3)–(4) |
| Monument Sign - Second Monument (Buildings ≥40,000 sq ft) | 7 ft | Per applicable monument sign type (individual or multi-tenant) | — | Supports at least 3 ft from property line; not within the vision triangle. | 1 additional monument sign allowed when the total constructed building area on-site exceeds 40,000 sq ft. | On-site consistent with setbacks and visibility standards. | — | Sec. 22(c)(5) |
| Directory Monument Sign - Option (In lieu of Wall Signs) | 5 ft | 240 sq in per tenant (sum across tenants) | — | — | 1 per building (when used in lieu of wall signs) | Within 20 ft of the building in which there are multiple tenants in an office complex or business park. | — | Sec. 22(d) |
| Portable Sign (Grand Opening - New Business) | — | 32 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from edge of property/sidewalk; not in right-of-way or median. | 1 per site at a time | On nonresidential property; not within right-of-way or median. | — | Sec. 14(a), 14(c)–(f) |
| Portable Sign (Annual Allowance - Nonresidential) | — | 32 sq ft | — | At least 3 ft from edge of property/sidewalk; not in right-of-way or median. | 1 per site at a time; max 21 days/year | On nonresidential property; not within right-of-way or median. | — | Sec. 14(b)–(f) |

## Prohibited signs in Friendswood

- Erecting, structurally altering, relocating, leasing, renting, or owning a sign without first obtaining required permits or otherwise satisfying the ordinance requirements (unless expressly exempt).
- Projecting or extending any part of a sign over a public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public property.
- Attaching a sign to a building so that any part of the sign exceeds the highest roofline or parapet of the building.
- Placing or maintaining any sign that constitutes a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, obstructs clear vision, or could be confused with/obscure an authorized traffic control device.
- Attaching, placing, painting over, changing the wording of, or covering any official traffic sign; leaning materials on traffic signs.
- Placing signs within the required vision triangle at street corners.
- Placing any sign on public property (including streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, easements, medians, bridges, or public buildings) without express City Council consent.
- Billboards (including new off‑premises signs and new CEVMS).
- Signs with obscene, indecent, or immoral content.
- Obsolete signs.
- Animated signs.
- Signs with attached banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, flash tags, or similar devices.
- Signs attached to exposed amenities such as benches or trash containers.
- Use of stereopticon or motion picture machines to project images visible from public streets or sidewalks in conjunction with a sign.
- Snipe signs.
- Signs on the side or rear of a building or property when facing a contiguous residential area.
- Placing signs on private property without the property owner's consent.
- Flashing signs.
- Ground signs other than monument signs.
- Miniature/mini/Christmas/rope string lights or exposed LED storefront lights in or framing windows (interior or exterior), including attached to window frames, except from November 15 to January 15.
- Flag banners.
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons greater than 18 inches in diameter.
- Mounding sign pads to achieve additional height.
- Handheld signs with a commercial message on any public right‑of‑way or other public property.
- Illuminated signs whose light is not shielded/directed to avoid beams onto traveled ways, that impair drivers’ vision, or that obscure/interfere with official traffic control devices; lighting sources must not be directly visible from residential property.
- Backlit awnings (any down‑lit awning must be opaque).
- Using vehicles, trailers, or inoperable/irregularly used motor vehicles as substitute sign structures; any vehicle with advertising must be in an approved parking space, not on public rights‑of‑way, and not parked more than 72 hours continuously.

## Signs exempt from permit in Friendswood

- The following signs are exempt from most provisions of the sign code (still subject to Sections 5–13):
- Professional nameplates/occupational signs in commercial or public institutional buildings, up to 2 sq ft.
- Identification nameplates/signs on apartment, boarding, or rooming houses, up to 2 sq ft.
- One dwelling nameplate denoting occupants, up to 2 sq ft and at least 3 ft from the property line.
- Memorial and/or historical signs designated by federal, state, or local governments.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, or danger signs by governmental entities.
- Signs required by law or regulation (federal, state, or local).
- Warning or no‑trespassing signs on private property, up to 2 sq ft.
- On‑premises directional/traffic regulation signs (e.g., entrance/exit, clearance), up to 2 sq ft; may be lighted consistent with lighting rules.
- Street banners erected by the city for bona fide public events.
- City‑approved entrance signs at/near city limits listing institutional names; plus up to four off‑premises directional signs per institution, each up to 4 sq ft, with property‑owner permission (civic/religious organizations).
- Signs on motor vehicles when the primary use is transportation of persons/property, not parked primarily to display the sign, and not parked on a site for a continuous period exceeding 72 hours.
- Flags of the United States, Texas, other political subdivisions; flags of religious, fraternal, or charitable organizations; historic/political/religious/military flags on residential property with owner consent.
- Company flags displaying only a company logo, affixed to a flagpole, with flag length not exceeding one‑quarter of the flagpole height.
- Decorations for stores, storefronts, and yards from November 20–January 10 (holiday season) and June 27–July 7 (Independence Day).
- Sculptures, statues, or works of art that are not identifiable as advertising (no trademarks/logos/campaign links/other business activity).
- Noncommercial message signs: no more than four per property, with a combined total area not exceeding 36 sq ft.
- Automated teller machine (ATM) cabinet signage (e.g., graphic wraps) and ATM directional signs.
- Permit not required: routine electrical/repainting/cleaning maintenance of a sign.
- Permit not required: changing the message on a lawful changeable copy sign.
- Permit not required: residential real estate signs for single‑family units (subject to Sec. 15.d(2)).
- Permit not required: residential real estate signs for multi‑family units (subject to Sec. 15.d(3)).
- Permit not required: temporary direction signs for qualifying charitable/nonprofit events (subject to Sec. 15.e).
- Permit not required: temporary political signs compliant with state law and Sec. 15.f.
- Permit not required: garage sale signs (subject to Sec. 15.g).
- Permit not required: open house signs (subject to Sec. 15.h).

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Friendswood

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All sign permits; when work starts without a permit | Work started without a permit shall be double the permit fee. | Sec. 2.d(3) |
| Appeal | Appeals must be perfected within thirty (30) days after the decision of the sign administrator. (starts when Date of the sign administrator’s decision) | Sec. 28.a |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Friendswood is available in PermitPal (free account)._

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

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