# Sign Regulations in Garland, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Garland, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/garland
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-06
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/40084086)

## At a glance

Garland, Texas regulates 36 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Sign (Exempt)s in the Mixed-Use Districts (UR, UB) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall, 10 sq ft per side; maximum width 30 inches, and 30 inches wide, with a Within 5 ft of building; maintain ≥4 ft clear walkway setback (Sec. § 4.67(E)(1)–(6)). Most commercial signs in Garland 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 | 8 | 15 ft | 200 sq ft aggregate for standard flags; optional single 375 sq ft flag along specified freeways | — |
| Residential Districts (AG, SF-E, SF-10, SF-7, SF-5, SFA, 2F, MF) | 6 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Nonresidential Districts (NO, CO, NS, CR, LC, HC, IN) | 17 | No greater than the awning’s front vertical face (front only for bubble awnings, measured to the point where awning is <45° to ground plane). | Up to 200 sq ft (subject to formula) | — |
| Mixed-Use Districts (UR, UB) | 13 | Up to 35 ft; up to 40 ft may be approved when within 100 ft of elevated freeway and visibility impeded (alternative compliance). | Up to 200 sq ft (subject to formula) | — |
| Downtown District (DT) | 2 | 7 ft (including base) | 50 sq ft per sign face | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft | 32 sq ft (single sign) | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per 1,500 linear ft of total street frontage (or portion thereof) | Allowed in every zoning district while a development project is under construction on the same premises; not allowed on lots that already contain a Model Home sign | — | § 4.78(H)(1)–(6) |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) — Option 1 (Standard allowance) | 7 ft total (including base). Site may be bermed/raised planter up to 2 ft above average grade. | 50 sq ft per sign face (sign panel area) | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per street frontage | Allowed in all zoning districts; prohibited on individual single-family or two-family residential lots. | — | § 4.78(K)(1)–(4); § 4.68(E), § 4.68(I), § 4.69(D) |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) — Option 2 (Additional signs when no pylon/pole sign is used) | 7 ft total (including base). Site may be bermed/raised planter up to 2 ft above average grade. | 50 sq ft per sign face (sign panel area) | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per 300 ft of total street frontage (maximum 3 signs), only if no pylon or pole sign is used | Allowed in all zoning districts; prohibited on individual single-family or two-family residential lots. | — | § 4.78(K)(5); § 4.68(E), § 4.68(I), § 4.69(D) |
| Window Sign (Exempt) | — | Commercial/retail buildings: window signs may cover no more than 25% of total window surface area per leased space; aggregate maximum 25% of total window surface area for each facade visible from public street or alley. | — | — | No explicit numeric cap; limited by 25% window area rules | On or within 3 ft behind a window; visible from exterior; allowed in all districts for applicable uses subject to limits above. | — | § 4.67(G)(1)–(2); § 4.69(D) |
| Traffic or Movement Control Sign (Exempt) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | Minimum 3 ft from any right-of-way line | No explicit limit | Allowed in all multifamily, single-family attached, mixed-use, and nonresidential zoning districts; and for any lawful nonresidential use located in agricultural, single-family, or two-family districts. | — | § 4.67(D)(1)–(5) |
| Vehicle Sign (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | N/A | Allowed when vehicle is lawfully operable and not used primarily to create additional on-premises signage. | — | § 4.67(F); § 4.70(E)(1)–(3) |
| Noncommercial Flags (Commercial/Industrial/Retail Districts) | Standard freestanding flags: up to 12 ft or the building height, whichever is less. The single freeway-adjacent flag may be up to 80 ft high on a permitted pole. | 200 sq ft aggregate for standard flags; optional single 375 sq ft flag along specified freeways | — | ≥15 ft from edge of street/back of curb or at least the height of the pole, whichever is greater | No explicit numeric cap; limited by aggregate area | Any property in commercial, industrial, or retail zoning districts; the optional 375 sq ft/80 ft flag only on lots immediately adjacent to IH-635, IH-30, or SH‑190. | — | § 4.70(B)(2)(a)(i)–(iv) |
| Noncommercial Flags (Residential Zoning Districts) | Freestanding flags may not exceed the height of the primary structure on the lot. | — | — | ≥15 ft from edge of street/back of curb | No explicit numeric cap | Any residentially zoned property (AG, SF-E, SF-10, SF-7, SF-5, SFA, 2F, MF). | — | § 4.70(B)(2)(b)(i)–(ii) |

### Nonresidential Districts (NO, CO, NS, CR, LC, HC, IN)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | No greater than the awning’s front vertical face (front only for bubble awnings, measured to the point where awning is <45° to ground plane). | May not exceed the lineal width of the awning’s front vertical face; total combined area of attached signs (wall, awning, canopy) per facade may not exceed attached sign allowances. | — | Vertical clearances as above | Not separately capped; controlled by facade area cap | Allowed in all nonresidential districts. | — | § 4.78(B)(1)–(4) |
| Canopy Sign | May not extend beyond the vertical face of the canopy | Up to 25 sq ft, and no more than 75% of canopy face | — | Vertical clearances as above | 1 per canopy face | Allowed in all nonresidential districts. | — | § 4.78(E)(1)–(6) |
| Temporary Signs (Nonresidential Properties) | Freestanding temporary signs (balloons/inflatables/wind devices): up to the height of the building or 12 ft, whichever is less. Building-attached temporary signs may not exceed building height. | Up to 200 sq ft aggregate (subject to formula) | — | Freestanding temporary signs: ≥15 ft from edge of street/back of curb | Maximum 3 temporary signs on a property at one time | Allowed on nonresidential properties (and in commercial areas of mixed-use districts). | — | § 4.78(C)(1)–(6) |
| Menu Board (Drive‑Through/Drive‑In) | Freestanding: 8 ft; Wall-mounted over a sidewalk: top edge ≤7 ft above nearest sidewalk grade | 45 sq ft per menu board | — | Prohibited in front building setback; prohibited in side/rear yard where adjacent to residential zoning | Freestanding: 2 per establishment or per lane; Drive‑in: 1 per stall + up to 2 for drive‑through lane; Wall‑mounted: 1 per business | Allowed in zoning districts where the associated use is allowed by right or by SUP. | — | § 4.78(J)(1)–(5) |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) — Option 1 (Standard allowance) | 7 ft (including base) | 50 sq ft per sign face | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per street frontage | Allowed on any nonresidential lot frontage. | — | § 4.78(K)(1)–(4); § 4.68(E) |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) — Option 2 (Additional signs when no pylon/pole sign is used) | 7 ft (including base) | 50 sq ft per sign face | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per 300 ft of frontage (max 3) if no pylon/pole sign | Allowed on any nonresidential lot frontage only if no pylon/pole sign is used on the site. | — | § 4.78(K)(5) |
| Multi‑Tenant Complex Sign (Monument Style) | Up to 35 ft; up to 40 ft may be approved by Planning Director when within 100 ft of an elevated portion of IH‑635, IH‑30, or SH‑190 and visibility is impeded (alternative compliance). | 200 sq ft per side (monument style) | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per 20 acres in the development and 1 per street frontage | Allowed on unified-lot development sites of at least 5 acres in nonresidential districts; one sign must be mounted on a single structural element on one of the represented lots. Freestanding businesses represented on the complex sign and with ≥5,000 sq ft building area may also have one monument sign on their own lot. | — | § 4.78(L)(3)(a)–(f); § 4.77 |
| Multi‑Tenant Complex Sign (Masonry Pylon Style) | Up to 35 ft; up to 40 ft may be approved when within 100 ft of elevated freeway and visibility impeded (alternative compliance). | 150 sq ft per side (pylon style) | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per 20 acres and 1 per street frontage | Allowed on unified-lot development sites of at least 5 acres in CO, CR, LC, HC, IN. Not allowed in NO or NS (those districts allow only monument-style freestanding signs). | — | § 4.78(L)(3)(a)–(f); § 4.78(P)(3); § 4.77 |

### Mixed-Use Districts (UR, UB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Exempt) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft per side; maximum width 30 inches | 30 inches | Within 5 ft of building; maintain ≥4 ft clear walkway | 1 per street frontage per business/property | Allowed in all mixed‑use zoning districts; must be placed within 5 ft of the building housing the advertised use and in close proximity to the main entrance. | — | § 4.67(E)(1)–(6) |
| Awning Sign | At or below the awning’s front vertical face | No wider than the awning’s front vertical face; counts toward facade’s attached sign cap. | — | Vertical clearances as above | Not separately capped | Allowed in all mixed‑use districts. | — | § 4.78(B)(1)–(4) |
| Canopy Sign | May not extend above vertical face of canopy | Up to 25 sq ft and ≤75% of canopy face | — | Vertical clearances as above | 1 per canopy face | Allowed in all mixed‑use districts. | — | § 4.78(E)(1)–(6) |
| Temporary Signs (Mixed‑Use) | Freestanding: up to building height or 12 ft, whichever is less; building-attached: may not exceed building height | Up to 200 sq ft aggregate (subject to formula) | — | Freestanding temporary signs: ≥15 ft from edge of street/back of curb | Maximum 3 temporary signs at one time | Mixed‑use districts (attached banners anywhere; freestanding temporary only in commercial areas). | — | § 4.78(C)(1)–(6) |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) — Option 1 (Standard allowance) | 7 ft (including base) | 50 sq ft per sign face | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per street frontage | Allowed on any mixed‑use lot frontage. | — | § 4.78(K)(1)–(4); § 4.78(P)(3); § 4.68(E) |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding) — Option 2 (Additional signs when no pylon/pole sign is used) | 7 ft (including base) | 50 sq ft per sign face | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per 300 ft of frontage (max 3) if no pylon/pole sign | Allowed on mixed‑use sites only if no pylon/pole sign is used (pylon signs are prohibited in UR/UB). | — | § 4.78(K)(5); § 4.78(P)(3) |
| Multi‑Tenant Complex Sign (Monument Style) | Up to 35 ft; up to 40 ft may be approved when within 100 ft of elevated freeway and visibility impeded (alternative compliance). | 200 sq ft per side | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property or right-of-way line | 1 per 20 acres and 1 per street frontage | Allowed on unified-lot development sites of at least 5 acres in mixed‑use districts. | — | § 4.78(L)(3)(a)–(f); § 4.78(P)(3); § 4.77 |
| Programmable Sign (Electronic) — Monument Sign Only | Same as host monument sign height allowance | Same as host monument sign area allowance | — | Same as host monument sign (≥5 ft) | 1 per site; up to 2 if 2+ frontages or >300 ft frontage (both must be monument signs) | Mixed‑use districts (UR, UB) on properties not adjacent to IH‑635, IH‑30, or SH‑190. | — | § 4.78(O)(1)–(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Garland

- Any sign not expressly authorized by the code, or erected without a required sign permit, is prohibited.
- Posting, pasting, nailing, painting or otherwise placing commercial advertising matter on buildings, poles, fences, trees, sidewalks, parkways, driveways, parking areas or other public property is prohibited (except compliant address numbers).
- Illuminated signs that cause glare or brightness constituting a traffic hazard or nuisance are prohibited.
- Signs may not exceed 0.3 footcandles above ambient light measured 250 feet from the sign face, unless otherwise expressly allowed.
- Moving, flashing, animated, intermittently lighted, color‑changing, beacon (except FAA‑required), revolving, swinging, fluttering or similar signs are prohibited unless expressly allowed.
- Roof signs are prohibited except where expressly provided.
- Temporary and portable signs are prohibited except for temporary signs expressly allowed for limited periods.
- Searchlights are prohibited.
- Location prohibitions: signs must maintain at least 10 feet clearance from overhead/underground utilities; not attach to or interfere with fire escapes/exits/standpipes; not obstruct required building openings; be completely outside public rights‑of‑way and easements unless otherwise authorized; not block fire lanes/hydrants/connections; not obstruct traffic sight lines.
- Encroaching into or over a public right‑of‑way or easement is prohibited without a City license agreement.
- Obscene, indecent, or immoral matter on any sign is prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Attached/attached‑wall programmable (electronic) signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Electronic programmable signs are prohibited from displaying animated/moving/flashing/scrolling/fading/dissolving images, from showing images for less than 8 seconds or using transitions longer than 2 seconds, from messages requiring multiple displays to read, and from including audio.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited when the vehicle is used primarily to create additional on‑premises signage, when the vehicle cannot lawfully operate on public streets and is visible from the right‑of‑way, or when the vehicle is parked on vacant property and visible from the right‑of‑way.
- Freestanding sign supports made of untreated wood or unpainted/nongalvanized steel are prohibited.
- Unless expressly authorized, a premises may not have more than one freestanding sign, and a business may not advertise on both a multi‑tenant sign and another freestanding sign on the same premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Garland

- Maintenance to a lawfully placed sign that does not enlarge or materially alter the face (including copy change for the same establishment) — no permit required.
- Temporary or seasonal signs on single‑family residential lots (excluding multifamily tracts) — no permit required.
- Address signs required by code — no permit required.
- Small on‑site traffic or movement control signs on private property meeting height (≤3 ft), area (≤6 sq ft), zoning/location, and setback (≥3 ft from ROW) standards — no permit required unless illuminated (then a permit is required).
- Sandwich board (A‑frame) signs meeting size, width, placement/clear path, one‑per‑frontage, and hours‑of‑operation limits — no permit required (allowed in mixed‑use districts).
- Vehicle signs that comply with the sign code — no permit required.
- Window signs meeting coverage limits and lighting restrictions — no permit required.
- Noncommercial flags — no permit required; subject to aggregate area, height and setback limits, wind‑load requirements, and district‑specific standards (including one larger flag adjacent to IH‑635/IH‑30/SH‑190 with limits).
- Murals (original art displays with ≤30% commercial speech) — no permit required unless the mural extends from the wall (then a structural permit is required); murals are prohibited in residential districts.
- Governmental signs erected/maintained by the City, state, or federal government are not subject to these regulations and are authorized in every district.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A unified-lot sign agreement (in City-provided form, filed with county deed records) is required for owners of contiguous lots to share a multi-tenant complex sign; the agreement treats lots as one unified lot for signage purposes and waives rights to additional freestanding signs.
- Subdivision entrance signs require Plan Commission approval (or administrative approval by the Building Official if attached to a screening wall and non-animated/non-illuminated).
- Historic sign designation requires application, Plan Commission recommendation, and affirmative City Council vote (5 members generally; 7 members for signs 25-50 years old); an historic sign permit is then issued.
- A sign permit is required for erection, alteration, or relocation of signs (except exempt signs); plans and specifications must be submitted, and for certain signs (e.g., >8 ft freestanding or structurally risky attached) must be sealed by a licensed Texas engineer.
- For digital billboard conversion, a digital billboard permit application and demolition permit are required, with compliance to exchange ratios and other standards.

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Garland

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| New, repair or reface; attached or detached signs | $140 | cite: 4 |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Garland 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 5 zoning districts in Garland — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Garland+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-garland

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