# Sign Regulations in Galveston, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Galveston, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/galveston
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-06
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Galveston/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=LAND_DEVELOPMENT_REGULATIONS_2015CIGATE_APXALADERE_ART5SI)

## At a glance

Galveston, Texas regulates 23 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Subdivision Signs in the UN, NS, TN, CB - Urban Neighborhood and Business Districts zoning district are capped at 12 feet tall and 150 square feet, with a See Sec. 5.416 setback (Sec. Sec. 5.109, Table 5.109; Sec. 5.416). Most commercial signs in Galveston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-0, R-1, R-2, R-3, MF - Residential Districts | 2 | 12 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| UN, NS, TN, CB - Urban Neighborhood and Business Districts | 7 | 12 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| C, LI, HI - Commercial and Industrial Districts | 11 | 50 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| RES/REC - Resort/Recreation District | 11 | 50 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| PUD - Planned Unit Development Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| H - Historic Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| NCD - Neighborhood Conservation District Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| HDDZ - Height and Density Development Zone Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### UN, NS, TN, CB - Urban Neighborhood and Business Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flat/Wall Sign/Canopy | — | 20 square feet (CB, TN); 40 square feet (UN, commercial properties only) | — | — | 1 | Facing a street right-of-way | — | Sec. 5.109, Table 5.109 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 5.109, Table 5.109; Sec. 5.419 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 48 square feet | — | — | 1 | On site, may extend over right-of-way | — | Sec. 5.109, Table 5.109; Sec. 5.414 |
| Monument Sign | 6 feet | 60 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site, 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 5.109, Table 5.109 |
| Subdivision Sign | 12 feet | 150 square feet | — | See Sec. 5.416 | 2 per intersection | Reserve area | — | Sec. 5.109, Table 5.109; Sec. 5.416 |
| Directional/Informational (On-site) | 8 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On site | — | Sec. 5.109, Table 5.109 |
| A Frame, Sandwich Board or Easel | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per site | On site | — | Sec. 5.109, Table 5.109; Sec. 5.418 |

### C, LI, HI - Commercial and Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flat/Wall Sign/Canopy | — | 200 square feet | — | — | 4 | Facing a street right-of-way | — | Sec. 5.107, Table 5.107 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 | On site, may extend over right-of-way | — | Sec. 5.107, Table 5.107; Sec. 5.414 |
| Pole Sign | 50 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site | — | Sec. 5.107, Table 5.107 |
| Monument Sign | 12 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site | — | Sec. 5.107, Table 5.107 |
| Pylon Sign | 20 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site | — | Sec. 5.107, Table 5.107 |
| Subdivision Sign | 12 feet | 150 square feet | — | At least 25 feet from an intersection | 2 per intersection | Reserve area | — | Sec. 5.107, Table 5.107; Sec. 5.416 |
| Directional (Off-site) | 8 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | 2 per business per direction | Within 1000 feet (B-5.408) | — | Sec. 5.107, Table 5.107; Sec. 5.408 |
| A Frame, Sandwich Board or Easel | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per site | On site | — | Sec. 5.107, Table 5.107; Sec. 5.418 |

### RES/REC - Resort/Recreation District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flat/Wall Sign/Canopy | — | 100 square feet | — | — | 4 | Facing a street right-of-way | — | Sec. 5.108, Table 5.108 |
| Projecting | — | 48 square feet | — | — | 1 | On site, may extend over right-of-way | — | Sec. 5.108, Table 5.108; Sec. 5.414 |
| Pole | 50 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site | — | Sec. 5.108, Table 5.108 |
| Monument | 12 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site, 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 5.108, Table 5.108 |
| Pylon | 20 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On site, 1 per street frontage | — | Sec. 5.108, Table 5.108 |
| Subdivision | 12 feet | 150 square feet | — | At least 25 feet from intersection | 2 per intersection | Reserve area | — | Sec. 5.108, Table 5.108; Sec. 5.416 |
| Directional (Off-site) | 8 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | 2 per business per direction | Within 1000 feet | — | Sec. 5.108, Table 5.108; Sec. 5.408 |
| A Frame, Sandwich Board or Easel | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per site | On site | — | Sec. 5.108, Table 5.108; Sec. 5.418 |

## Prohibited signs in Galveston

- It is unlawful for any person to erect, operate, or otherwise use any sign at a time, place, or manner that is prohibited by this Article.
- It is unlawful for any person to erect, operate, or otherwise use any sign without first obtaining an approved sign permit.
- Any sign that does not comply with the standards for that particular category of sign is prohibited.
- Any sign that simulates lights customarily associated with those used by police, fire, ambulance, or similar emergency vehicles is prohibited.
- Signs that by color, location, or design resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or signals are prohibited.
- Signs that are attached or applied to trees, utility poles, trash receptacles, or any other unapproved supporting structure are prohibited.
- Portable signs that are not securely fixed to an approved supporting structure (excluding Sandwich Boards) are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs (billboards) are prohibited, except as provided for legally existing signs in Section 5.406.
- Rotating or flashing signs are prohibited, unless allowed under Section 5.416.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Construction of new off-premise or electronic signs within the City's ETJ is prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- A sign that uses the words 'stop' or 'danger' to imply the need or requirement for stopping or the existence of danger is prohibited, except when used as part of an attraction title.
- Obsolete signs shall be removed within six months after the use of the property is terminated or the business related to the sign is closed.
- Signs that are neglected, deteriorated, or dilapidated shall be repaired, replaced, or removed within thirty days of notification by the Development Services Department.
- No sign shall be illuminated by flashing, intermittent, or moving lights (illumination may not be animated, moving video, or scrolling advertising).
- Digital signs are only permitted in specific areas of the City as listed in Section 5.407; elsewhere they are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs may not be relocated. New off-premise signs are not allowed.
- A repaired off-premise sign may not be enlarged in area or height.
- A sign permit is required for the installation of a new sign or modification to any existing sign, with the exception of exempt signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Galveston

- Re-facing of an existing sign provided no increase occurs with respect to either the area of any such sign or the manner in which it is structurally supported.
- Vehicle signs.
- Name plates.
- Symbolic flags (national, state, political subdivisions, etc.) and business or institutional flags, not to exceed one business flag per establishment, maximum of three flagpoles per lot with two flags per pole.
- Weather or bait flags.
- Real estate signs.
- Window signs.
- Temporary decorative flags and bunting for convention and commemorations.
- Warning or security signs.
- Directional signs on-site.
- Traffic directional or informational signs erected by a government agency.
- Vertical banners provided it meets the criteria listed in §5.420.
- Political signs (per state law) and political campaign signs (per Campaign Election Code).
- A-Frame or sandwich board sign on private property.
- Government signs on public property.
- Murals or art representation provided it meets the criteria listed in §5.411.
- Signage related to special events as defined by Article II, Section 6 of the Galveston City Code, except private businesses with temporary signage for sales or promotional events during a special event (which require a temporary sign permit).
- Beach vendors that do not set up permanently (remain stationary for more than 24 hours) are exempt provided that no sign displayed exceeds 20 sq. ft.

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Galveston

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Work without a Permit Penalty | Tiered fee — full schedule with a free account | cite: 2 |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Galveston 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 8 zoning districts in Galveston — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Galveston+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-galveston

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/galveston