Sign Regulations in Irving, Texas
Irving, Texas has specific sign regulations covering 50 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include All Signs (General Standards), Prohibited Signs (All Zones), Awning Sign (Wall Sign Category). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: December 31, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Irving, Texas
Sample Sign Requirements in Irving
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Signs (General Standards) | — | — | General: comply with landscape ordinance setbacks. Along specified highways: no sign (other than qualifying monument) within 30', 40', or 25' of ROW per street list in §7-2(26). |
| Awning Sign (Wall Sign Category) | — | Included in aggregate wall sign limit: total wall signs ≤25% of area of largest façade of building/lease space. | Same as building; cannot project into ROW beyond licensed limits in §7-2(6). |
| Banner Sign (Special Event) | — | 70 sq ft | ≥25' from property line; also subject to general visibility rules near ROW (§7-2(13)). |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for IrvingFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
50
- All Signs (General Standards)
- Prohibited Signs (All Zones)
- Awning Sign (Wall Sign Category)
- Banner Sign (Special Event)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Irving
Other Cities in Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Irving 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 Irving, 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 Irving, regulated sign types include All Signs (General Standards), Prohibited Signs (All Zones), Awning Sign (Wall Sign Category), Banner Sign (Special Event), 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 Irving 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 Irving are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Irving has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Irving, Texas Sign Rules at a Glance
Irving, Texas regulates 50 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Standard)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 7' including base (9' with enhancements). For lots >3 acres or anchor tenants >20,000 sq ft: 12' (15' with enhancements). For lots abutting IH-635, Loop 12, SH-114, SH-183: 20'. tall and Up to 70 sq ft sign face (90 sq ft with performance-based enhancements). For lots >3 acres: 100 sq ft (125 sq ft with enhancements). For lots abutting IH-635, Loop 12, SH-114, SH-183: 150 sq ft., with a May be in landscape/setback; along certain major roads must respect 25'/30'/40' minimum from ROW unless qualifying monument exception under Chapter 33A applies; must not violate intersection sight triangles. setback (Sec. §7-3(7)(a)–(f); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(7)). Most commercial signs in Irving require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Irving, Texas
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Irving (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 28 | ≤125' (top of structure to ground/pavement below). | Up to 400 sq ft per sign within unified area, subject to size tiers and spacing: 0–100 sq ft, 101–200 sq ft, 201–400 sq ft. | — |
| Residential district (all single-family and duplex-family districts except multi-family) – including R-40, R-15, R-10, R-7.5, R-6, R-ZLa, R-3.5, R-SFA, R-2.5, R-TH, R-MH, R-XF, AG | 6 | ≤35' flagpole (US flagpole unlimited). | ≤150 sq ft per flag (except US flag unlimited). | — |
| R-MF-1 Multi-family Residential (R-MF-1); R-MF-2 Multi-family Residential (R-MF-2); R-MF-O Multi-family Residential Overlay (R-MF-O) | 5 | ≤35' (US flagpole exempt). | ≤150 sq ft per flag (US flag exempt). | — |
| P-O Professional office (P-O); C-O Commercial office (C-O); C-N Neighborhood commercial (C-N); C-C Community commercial (C-C); C-OU-1, C-OU-2, C-OU-3 Commercial outdoor districts; C-W Commercial warehouse (C-W); FWY Freeway (FWY); ML-20, ML-20a, ML-40, ML-120 Light industrial; C-P Commercial Park (C-P); TOD Transit-Oriented Development (TOD); HCD Heritage Crossing District (HCD); PUD Planned Unit Development (PUD); S-P-1 Site plan-1; S-P-2 Site plan-2; Urban Business Overlay; State Highway 161 Overlay; State Highway 183 Overlay; Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Overlay | 11 | ≤40' | Same as monument signs for base districts, or up to 400 sq ft under unified sign agreement. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Irving(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 | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Sign (Special Event) | — | 70 sq ft | — | ≥25' from property line; also subject to general visibility rules near ROW (§7-2(13)). | 1 banner per building per special event, plus 1 additional on street frontage >300', max 2 on that frontage. | Ground-mounted, set back ≥25' from property line; also design guidelines say securely attached to building and not projecting beyond edge of building (apply in combination). Not installed on fences. | — | Unlock | §7-3(2)(a)–(h); §7-3(10); §7-3(15); §7-4(19); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(2) |
| Monument Sign (Standard) | 7' including base (9' with enhancements). For lots >3 acres or anchor tenants >20,000 sq ft: 12' (15' with enhancements). For lots abutting IH-635, Loop 12, SH-114, SH-183: 20'. | Up to 70 sq ft sign face (90 sq ft with performance-based enhancements). For lots >3 acres: 100 sq ft (125 sq ft with enhancements). For lots abutting IH-635, Loop 12, SH-114, SH-183: 150 sq ft. | — | May be in landscape/setback; along certain major roads must respect 25'/30'/40' minimum from ROW unless qualifying monument exception under Chapter 33A applies; must not violate intersection sight triangles. | 1 per platted lot per street side for first 300' frontage; 2 max per street side with >300' frontage. | On platted lots with street frontage; may be in designated landscape and setback area. | — | Unlock | §7-3(7)(a)–(f); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(7) |
| Multi-Tenant Directory Monument Sign | Same as monument sign type: 7–20' depending on conditions and enhancements. | Same as monument sign type for given frontage/lot context (70–150 sq ft per §7-3(7)). | — | Same as monument sign. | 1 for unified area <5 acres; 2 for ≥5 acres, plus unified-agreement spacing rules. | Unified business/commercial/corporate location; monument style in lieu of another pole or monument sign. | — | Unlock | §7-3(8)(a)–(c); §7-7(c)(2)–(3); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(8) |
| Pole Sign (Highway Frontage) | 35' (measured from grade of curb adjacent to highway ROW) | 150 sq ft | — | ≥20' from ROW or greater where landscape ordinance requires; additional major-road setbacks in §7-2(26) may be more restrictive. | ≤1 per highway frontage per platted lot or tract. | Only on lots abutting IH-635, State Highway Loop 12, SH-114, SH-183; sign must be adjacent to highway. | — | Unlock | §7-3(9)(a)–(f); §7-2(23); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(9) |
| Flag and Flagpole | 35' flagpole height (no maximum for US flagpole). | 150 sq ft per flag (no maximum for US flag). | — | ≥15' from back of curb and pavement edge; must not protrude over ROW. | ≤3 flagpoles and ≤3 flags per lot. | On private lot; roof-mounted flags prohibited; must not protrude over ROW. | — | Unlock | §7-3(12)(a)–(e); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(12) |
| Directional Sign (Vehicular) | 2.5' (to top of sign) | 5 sq ft | — | ≥5' from public ROW; must meet general temporary sign height limit within 15' of ROW unless wall mounted exemption applies (§7-2(13)). | 1 per entrance per platted property (street-visible). | On private property entrances and internal circulation routes; must meet visibility and sight-triangle standards. | — | Unlock | §7-3(16)(a)–(f); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(16) |
| Unified Sign Agreement – Multi-Tenant Directory Sign (Enhanced) | ≤40' | Up to 400 sq ft per sign within unified area, subject to size tiers and spacing: 0–100 sq ft, 101–200 sq ft, 201–400 sq ft. | — | As for monument/multi-tenant signs and landscape ordinance. | Number governed by spacing and site frontage; no explicit numeric cap beyond practical spacing and pole-sign prohibition. | Within development covered by approved unified sign agreement (multiple lots treated as one premises). | — | Unlock | §7-7(b)–(e) esp. (c)(2)–(3) |
| Sports Facility Advertising Structure | ≤125' (top of structure to ground/pavement below). | Flat surfaces used for facility ID or advertising: total height of all flat surfaces ≤50'; width ≤100'. | ≤100' flat advertising width per §7-15(a)(3). | Must not create traffic or other safety hazards; exact setbacks determined case-by-case via permit and traffic review. | — | On same site as qualifying sports facility (≥5,000 seats; owned by specified institutions). | — | Unlock | §7-15(a)–(d) |
Residential district (all single-family and duplex-family districts except multi-family) – including R-40, R-15, R-10, R-7.5, R-6, R-ZLa, R-3.5, R-SFA, R-2.5, R-TH, R-MH, R-XF, AG
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Permanent) – Residential Use | — | ≤70 sq ft | — | Must comply with general monument and landscape setbacks; not closer than what landscape ordinance allows for monument signs. | Typically one per entry feature; code does not state numeric cap by subdivision but location within 50' of intersection effectively limits count. | Within 50' of subdivision street intersection within residential districts. | — | Unlock | §7-3(18); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(18) |
| Residential Subdivision Sign (Temporary Marketing) – Residential Use | — | ≤70 sq ft per side | — | ≥15' from ROW. | No more than 1 such sign at each side of each entry. | At entries to residential subdivision actively marketing lots, in residential districts. | — | Unlock | §7-3(13)(a); §7-11; Appendix A Sec. 7-3(13) |
| Model Home Sign – Residential Use | — | ≤32 sq ft | — | Must avoid sight easements and visibility triangles. | 1 per model home. | On premises of model home in residential districts; not in sight easement. | — | Unlock | §7-3(13)(b); §7-11; §7-16(3); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(13) |
| Temporary Construction / For Sale / For Rent / Coming Event Signs – Residential Use | — | Property <1 acre: 32 sq ft; 1–20 acres: 64 sq ft; ≥21 acres: 200 sq ft. | — | Must meet sight-triangle and general setback rules; no numeric residential-specific setback beyond those given for subdivision signs. | — | Residential lots and subdivisions advertising sale/rent or construction in residential districts. | — | Unlock | §7-11; §7-16(3); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(13) |
| Directional Sign – Residential Use (Internal) | ≤2.5' | ≤5 sq ft | — | ≥5' from public ROW; subject to temporary sign height limit within 15' of ROW unless wall-mounted (§7-2(13)). | 1 per entrance per platted property. | Private drives and subdivision entries within residential districts. | — | Unlock | §7-3(16); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(16) |
| Flag and Flagpole – Residential Use | ≤35' flagpole (US flagpole unlimited). | ≤150 sq ft per flag (except US flag unlimited). | — | ≥15' from back of curb and edge of pavement. | ≤3 flagpoles and ≤3 flags per lot. | Residential lots; not roof-mounted; not over ROW. | — | Unlock | §7-3(12); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(12) |
P-O Professional office (P-O); C-O Commercial office (C-O); C-N Neighborhood commercial (C-N); C-C Community commercial (C-C); C-OU-1, C-OU-2, C-OU-3 Commercial outdoor districts; C-W Commercial warehouse (C-W); FWY Freeway (FWY); ML-20, ML-20a, ML-40, ML-120 Light industrial; C-P Commercial Park (C-P); TOD Transit-Oriented Development (TOD); HCD Heritage Crossing District (HCD); PUD Planned Unit Development (PUD); S-P-1 Site plan-1; S-P-2 Site plan-2; Urban Business Overlay; State Highway 161 Overlay; State Highway 183 Overlay; Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Overlay
| 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 Signs – Commercial / Office / Industrial Use | — | ≤25% of façade area per tenant/building. | — | Wall planes must respect district building setbacks; any projection into ROW subject to §7-2(6). | Controlled by area limit, not numeric cap. | On building façades of offices, retail, warehouses, industrial, etc., in listed non-residential districts. | — | Unlock | §7-3(14); §7-4(22); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(14); §7-18 (overlay conflict resolution) |
| Monument Sign – Commercial / Office / Industrial Use | 7–20' depending on lot conditions and enhancements. | 70–150 sq ft depending on acreage and highway adjacency; up to 125 sq ft on large lots with enhancements. | — | Landscape ordinance setbacks and special highway setbacks (§7-2(26)) apply; overlays may add stricter setbacks (most stringent applies). | 1 per street side per 300' frontage; max 2 per side. | At street frontages for commercial/office/industrial parcels in listed zones. | — | Unlock | §7-3(7); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(7); §7-18 |
| Multi-Tenant Directory Monument Sign – Commercial / Office / Industrial Use | Monuments: 7–20'; unified-multi-tenant: ≤40'. | Same as monument signs for base districts, or up to 400 sq ft under unified sign agreement. | — | Same as monument; spacing per §7-7(c)(2). | Per §7-3(8): 1 for unified area <5 acres, 2 for ≥5 acres; additional unified-area constraints apply. | Shared entrances or internal drives of unified commercial developments, business parks, centers, etc. | — | Unlock | §7-3(8); §7-7(c)–(d); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(8) |
| Pole Sign – Commercial / Office / Industrial Parcels Abutting Freeways (IH-635, Loop 12, SH-114, SH-183) | ≤35' | ≤150 sq ft | — | ≥20' from ROW, and must meet 30'/40'/25' highway setbacks in §7-2(26) if more restrictive. | ≤1 per qualifying highway frontage per platted lot. | On lots in listed zones that abut specified highways and have highway frontage. | — | Unlock | §7-3(9); §7-2(23)–(26); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(9) |
| Electronic Sign – Commercial / Office / Industrial Use (Monument / Wall / Canopy) | Host sign height per monument or wall standards. | Electronic area ≤40 sq ft; host sign area per monument or wall limits. | — | ≥100' from residential zoning; monument setbacks and wall-building setbacks still apply. | — | Monuments or building façades in listed zones, ≥100' from residentially zoned property. | — | Unlock | §7-3(6); §7-3.1; §7-21; §7-18 |
| Directional Signs – Commercial / Office / Industrial Use | ≤2.5' | ≤5 sq ft | — | ≥5' from ROW; compliance with visibility triangles. | 1 per entrance (street-visible). | Entries, internal circulation pathways, parking areas for businesses, offices, warehouses, etc. | — | Unlock | §7-3(16); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(16) |
| Flags and Flagpoles – Commercial / Office / Industrial Use | ≤35' pole (except US flag). | ≤150 sq ft per flag (except US flag). | — | ≥15' from curb/pavement edge. | ≤3 flagpoles and ≤3 flags per lot. | On commercial/industrial parcels; not on roofs; not over ROW. | — | Unlock | §7-3(12); Appendix A Sec. 7-3(12) |
| Unified Sign Agreement – Multi-Tenant Directory Signs – Commercial / Office / Industrial Use | ≤40' | ≤400 sq ft per multi-tenant directory sign within unified area. | — | As monument signs and applicable overlays; maintain spacing and sight lines. | Controlled by spacing standards; no numeric cap beyond physical limits. | Within unified commercial/business developments across multiple lots in listed zones. | — | Unlock | §7-7(a)–(f) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Irving — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Irving — start freeProhibited Signs in Irving
- It is unlawful for any responsible person to own, operate, use, erect, benefit from, permit, or maintain any sign that is not in compliance with all applicable general provisions of §7-2.
- Each sign must pertain to the identification of the primary uses and/or primary services provided or primary products sold on the premises on which the sign is located; off-premises advertising is prohibited except where expressly allowed, with an affirmative defense for noncommercial, directional, governmental, or community service signs.
- Each sign must comply with applicable building and electrical codes and all other laws in effect when installed; all electrical power sources for all signs installed after November 30, 2000, must be located underground.
- Signs must be professionally manufactured, contain unified graphics, and architecturally complement the building; hand-painted signs are prohibited; plywood and similar materials are prohibited except for temporary signs (§7-11) and directional signs.
- No sign’s copy, face, lettering, or location may be altered by changing or renovating the message until a sign permit for the work has been issued, except for changing interchangeable characters on manual-change boards, changing images on an electronic sign, or when the sign does not require a permit.
- No person may erect a sign until a sign permit has been issued if a permit is required by the chapter; no permit for a general business sign may be issued to a business without a valid certificate of occupancy.
- No sign, sign structure, or sign support may project over any public right-of-way, unless a city-council right-of-way license is obtained and all listed clearance and sidewalk conditions are met.
- No person may use a bench, tree, rock, bridge, public utility pole, unoccupied building, or fence as a sign support.
- No sign may be placed so it is in the direct line of vision of any driver or pedestrian looking at any signal light or traffic control device from any point in a traffic lane within fifty feet of that device, unless specifically approved in writing by the director of traffic and transportation.
- No sign display or attention-attracting device may include a revolving beam or beacon of light resembling an emergency vehicle light or otherwise visible to traffic, unless such a beam or beacon is required or permitted by law.
- Lighting used to illuminate a sign may not shine, produce intense glare, or produce direct illumination onto a public right-of-way or adjacent property, except where back-lighting passes through translucent material and is not bright enough to create a hazard, nuisance, or interfere with driver vision.
- No sign may obstruct the view of a driver or pedestrian on, or entering, a public or private street, except where the director of traffic and transportation has issued a written opinion that the sign does not violate this requirement and the sign remains substantially unchanged.
- Each temporary sign within fifteen feet of a public right-of-way must not exceed a height of two and one-half feet from ground or curb to the top of the sign and must not be located in an intersection, except wall signs on compliant walls.
- Owners of signs located in a public or utility easement must remove such signs at their own expense on demand of the city or utility and must design, construct, and maintain any sign in an easement so as not to interfere with the easement.
- No portion of any sign may be nearer than eight feet to any above-ground telephone cable, power line, or street-light standard.
- No sign may be nearer than six feet from any part of a fire escape, required fire exit, or its supporting member; signs may not be guyed to or supported by any part of a fire escape.
- Each sign must be protected from vehicle damage as required by the director.
- It is unlawful to own, operate, use, maintain, display, erect, locate, relocate, or keep any abandoned, obsolete, dilapidated, or destroyed sign.
- It is unlawful to own, operate, use, maintain, display, erect, locate, relocate, or keep a sign whose faces form an inside angle greater than ninety degrees, except under the stated corner-lot exception.
- No person may obscure a sign with any material unless the covering and the covering period are authorized by the director or the director of traffic and transportation.
- Sign envelope size measurements for all signs must comply with Figure 1 as referenced by the chapter.
- On property parallel and adjacent to Railtran’s track right-of-way, only wall signs that comply with §7-3 are permitted; all other sign types are prohibited in that context.
- No pole sign or monument sign twenty feet or taller may be erected or maintained unless permitted on the basis of structural-engineer-sealed plans and designed to current code and 70-mph wind resistance.
- No person may artificially increase grade elevation by berms or other contouring to elevate the height of a pole or monument sign unless authorized by the director.
- All signs, whether or not they require a permit, must be maintained in a safe, presentable, sound structural and operational condition at all times; noncompliant signs are subject to removal or repair.
- Except where specific sign setback standards in the chapter apply, signs must comply with the setback requirements of the landscape ordinance, including prohibitions on constructing or reconstructing most signs within specified distances of listed highways and roads.
- No outdoor sign may bear words, marks, descriptions, or other devices used to advertise an alcoholic beverage or the business of a person who sells or distributes alcoholic beverages, except as permitted by Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code §108.52(c).
- Any sign not specifically authorized in Chapter 7 is prohibited.
- Any sign placed in the median of any street, road, or highway is prohibited.
- Any sign placed on the right-of-way of a public road not maintained by the city is prohibited, unless its placement is authorized by state law.
- Any sign placed on city-owned public property is prohibited, except a temporary sign on privately occupied residential property owned by the city or when authorized by the City of Irving.
- Any sign placed on the right-of-way of a city-maintained road or highway not in the state highway system is prohibited, unless authorized by state law or the City of Irving, or when on a lawfully operated or parked commercial vehicle or trailer as described.
- Any sign or structure with flashing, blinking, revolving beam, beacon, or traveling lights is prohibited unless specifically authorized elsewhere in the chapter.
- Any single balloon or other gas- or air-filled object with an envelope larger than twenty-four inches in any dimension is prohibited.
- Any sign which, by size, location, motion, content, coloring, or illumination, could distract traffic, be confused with an official traffic control device or emergency/road-equipment lights, or hide a traffic or street sign, signal, or device is prohibited.
- Portable or wheeled signs, sandwich or A-frame signs, sidewalk or curb signs (including those on legs, axles, or other structures) are prohibited, except certain governmental, utility, or public-transportation signs as specified.
- Any sign that emits sound, odor, or visible matter that may distract persons within the public right-of-way is prohibited.
- Any sign on a trash container or dumpster is prohibited, except a sign containing only the name and related information of the servicing company.
- Any poster, sign, banner, or flag placed on public utility poles or supports is prohibited, subject to the limited affirmative defense noted.
- Any sign or banner used for advertising alongside or across any street when any portion of it extends above the roadway is prohibited.
- Any revolving sign is prohibited.
- Any sign that is or becomes dilapidated, in danger of falling, or otherwise unsafe is prohibited.
- Any sign that does not comply with applicable building, electrical, or other city codes is prohibited.
- Billboards installed after June 3, 1999 are prohibited.
- Pennants and streamers are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited (except in the limited Downtown Development District painted-wall exception to painted signs, not roof structures).
- Banners are prohibited except as authorized for special events under §7-3(15).
- Signs on utility boxes are prohibited.
- Any sign draped over a vehicle is prohibited.
- Painted wall signs are prohibited, except as allowed by Downtown Development District regulations.
- Abandoned, obsolete, or dilapidated signs and their supporting structures must be removed; such signs/structures are unlawful and may be removed by the city.
- It is unlawful to erect, maintain, use, or allow temporary construction site, for sale, for rent, or coming-event signs without a permit, beyond one year, or beyond the envelope-size limits tied to acreage.
- It is unlawful to erect or repair an outdoor sign, banner, or a sign within a shopping-mall common area without a permit (unless exempted under §7-16 or routine maintenance).
- It is unlawful to permit, maintain, or use any sign or banner erected without a required permit on premises owned, controlled, or used by that person.
- Only licensed sign contractors may obtain sign permits when electrical or structural work is involved.
- It is unlawful to engage in sign contracting without a valid sign contractor’s license.
- It is unlawful to erect, maintain, or use advertising structures at sports facilities that exceed the dimensions, heights, or materials allowed or that lack a required permit and council approval.
- It is unlawful to fail to maintain a sign and sign structure in sound structural condition, good repair, safe and secure condition; leaning/varied signs beyond specified angles must be repaired or removed.
- At no time may a sign’s internal lighting or internal structure be exposed unless the sign is actively under repair.
- Upon change of tenant or owner or upon vacancy, signs must be removed or blanked/maintained as required (e.g., no visible routed/raised messages, coverings must fully obscure old copy).
- It is unlawful to park an inoperable advertising vehicle on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property visible from a right-of-way.
- It is unlawful to park an operable advertising vehicle on a public right-of-way or public property visible from a right-of-way except while actively loading/unloading/moving/delivering and not more than 72 consecutive hours.
- It is unlawful to park an operable advertising vehicle on the same private lot between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for more than three consecutive days.
- Any person violating any provision of Chapter 7 is subject to fines, and each day of violation is a separate offense.
Exempt Signs in Irving
- Noncommercial, directional, governmental, and community service signs are exempt from the on-premises primary-use content limitation in §7-2(1) (they may display messages not related to the primary use on the premises).
- Altering a sign only by changing interchangeable characters on a manual-change message board or by changing the image on an electronic sign is exempt from the permit requirement for changing copy in §7-2(4), provided the sign otherwise does not require a permit.
- Wall signs located on walls that meet all applicable setback and height requirements are exempt from the temporary-sign height limitation within fifteen feet of a right-of-way in §7-2(13).
- Signs placed in public or utility easements may exist subject to removal on demand; they are not per se prohibited but must be removed when ordered under §7-2(14).
- Electronic signs legally installed before adoption of §7-3(6) may remain nonconforming but must meet the performance standards in §7-3(6)(d) within 90 days of passage or any earlier deadline set by a special sign case or zoning change.
- Existing billboards lawfully installed prior to June 3, 1999 on controlled-access freeways may be modified to digital billboards if a special sign permit is obtained and all §7-4.2 conditions are met.
- Existing advertising structures at sports facilities may be modified to digital displays if a special sign permit is obtained from the city council and all performance standards in §7-15(d) are met.
- Inoperable/operable advertising vehicles may temporarily be visible from public rights-of-way under the specific operational-use and time-limit conditions described in §7-9.
- Signs legally nonconforming at the time of their construction may continue as nonconforming signs until a listed terminating event in §7-5(c), subject to amortization deadlines in §7-5(d)–(f).
- It is an affirmative defense to the ban on signs in certain rights-of-way and on city property (§7-4(1)–(4)) that the sign is required or erected by a governmental authority.
- It is an affirmative defense to the prohibition on signs in city right-of-way in §7-4(3) that temporary signs of not more than four square feet may be placed in the public right-of-way from 12:01 a.m. Thursday to 12:01 a.m. the following Monday.
- It is an affirmative defense to the prohibition on signs in the right-of-way of roads maintained by the city (§7-4(4)) that the sign is on a commercial vehicle or commercial trailer lawfully operated or parked; this does not legalize prohibited advertising vehicles beyond that defense.
- It is an affirmative defense to the prohibition on portable and similar signs (§7-4(8)) that the sign is required, authorized, or erected by a municipal, state, or federal government, public utility, or public transportation authority.
- It is an affirmative defense to the prohibition on flashing, blinking, or revolving beams/beacons (§7-4(5) and §7-2(10)) that the sign or device is specifically authorized elsewhere in Chapter 7 or required/permitted by law.
- It is an affirmative defense to the prohibition on certain signs on dumpsters (§7-4(10)) that the sign contains only the company name and related information of the dumpster or trash-container service company.
- It is an affirmative defense to the prohibition on posters, signs, banners, or flags on public utility poles (§7-4(11)) that the banner sign is in compliance with the cross-referenced subsection allowing such banners.
- It is an affirmative defense to the prohibition on draping a sign over a vehicle (§7-4(21)) where another specific allowance in the chapter applies to the vehicle sign (e.g., lawful commercial vehicle signage in a right-of-way under §7-4(4)).
- It is a rebuttable presumption, not an absolute rule, that a sign is abandoned if it meets the ordinance’s definition; owners may rebut this presumption (§7-6(b)).
- It is an affirmative defense to the requirement for a sign contractor’s bond in §7-13(c) if the contractor instead shows proof of current liability insurance meeting the specified limits with the city as additional insured and certificate holder.
- It is an affirmative defense to §7-12(a) (permit requirement for repair) that the work being done on a sign is routine maintenance.
- It is an affirmative defense to certain visibility and angle limitations (e.g., traffic sight-line limitations in §7-2(9) and §7-2(12), and right-of-way projections in §7-2(6)) when written approvals or opinions are obtained from the director of traffic and transportation and/or city council, and the sign remains unchanged from the approved condition.
- A sign that would otherwise be illegal may avoid prosecution if the alleged violation arose solely from right-of-way acquisition by a governmental agency and the property has a valid billboard-relocation exemption under §7-4.1(b).
- Under §7-16, the following categories of signs do not require a sign permit at all: governmental signs for public instruction, location/direction, street/highway designation, or traffic control; certain public-utility or transportation signs approved by the director of traffic and transportation and city council; real-estate signs with an envelope of 32 square feet or less; temporary signs promoting a regional athletic event; signs completely within an enclosed building; single balloons not exceeding 24 inches in any dimension attached to a vehicle or structure; hand-held signs and signs/symbols/displays on persons or animals; signs on newspaper vending machines and curbside residential newspaper holders that do not obstruct pedestrian/vehicular movement; signs on the field side of athletic-field scoreboards and fences; and vehicle-parking-related signs.
- Under §7-17, wherever a commercial sign is allowed, a noncommercial sign may be substituted and is treated identically for time, place, manner, permit, and fee purposes (protecting noncommercial speech from content-based discrimination).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Irving
- For unified sign agreements under §7-7, a sign plan covering the entire area included in the agreement is required and must be submitted to the director for approval.
- The unified-sign-agreement sign plan must show the location, size, and height of all proposed and existing signs within the agreement area.
- The unified-sign-agreement sign plan must include a description of the development demonstrating attributes of a unified commercial or business development (common name identification, shared parking access, shared sign structures, cohesive physical layout) as required by §7-7(b)(1).
- A copy of the approved sign plan must be attached to the unified sign agreement; the plan may be amended administratively so long as the initial eligibility criteria continue to be met.
- Under §7-7(c)(1), once a unified sign agreement is approved, all existing signs within its area must either be removed or brought into compliance with Chapter 7, and all new signs must comply with the chapter and the attached sign plan.
- Sign Design Guidelines Appendix A states that signs and sign plans will be reviewed for consistency with the Guidelines and the standards in Chapter 7 during the city’s review of sign permit applications or other related permits.
- Chapter 7 provides that electronic signs not meeting the standard criteria in §7-3(6) may only be installed if a special sign permit (a case-by-case approval) is obtained from the city council under §7-3.1.
- Existing billboards converted to digital billboards require a special sign permit from the city council under §7-4.2, followed by a provisional permit and then a full sign permit after TxDOT approval.
- Existing advertising structures at sports facilities that are to be modified to digital displays require a special sign permit approved by the city council under §7-15(d).
- Variances from Chapter 7 height, area, setback, or material regulations require a variance application to the director and approval by the city council under §7-21, including payment of the stated filing fee.
- For any pole sign or monument sign twenty feet or taller, permit issuance is contingent on an application sealed by a structural engineer licensed in Texas and demonstrating compliance with building code and wind-load requirements (§7-2(23)).
- Special event sign permits (for special event signs including banners and vertical-banner signs) are required for certain temporary promotional signage, limited to two events per year per address, with the specific durations and conditions described in §7-3(15).
- Mural signs require a permit and approval from the director prior to installation under §7-3(17).
- Menu board signs require a permit for each sign, though they do not count toward the number of pole signs allowed on a property (§7-3(5)(d)).
- Under §7-12, any erection or repair of outdoor signs, banners, or signs in mall common areas requires a sign permit (unless exempted), and applications must include plans and drawings, including sight-visibility plans when the sign is near a right-of-way or sight easement.
- Nonconforming signs subject to amortization or reconstruction may have compensation determined by the sign control board under §7-5(g), but reconstruction and compliance still require standard sign permitting under Chapter 7.
Source: ecode360 municipal code