# Sign Regulations in Kaufman, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kaufman, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/kaufman
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-09

## At a glance

Kaufman, Texas regulates 10 sign types across 19 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Non-Residential Zoning Districts (O, LR, R, CBD, C, WSC, LI, HC) zoning district are capped at 10' tall and 100 sf, with a 5' from front property line, 15' from other property lines setback (Sec. § 44.9.A). Most commercial signs in Kaufman require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (19 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Non-Residential Zoning Districts (O, LR, R, CBD, C, WSC, LI, HC) | 7 | 25' to 75' depending on district and setback | 150 sf for multiple tenants, 100 sf for single tenant | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (A-O, SF-20, SF-10, SF-8, SF-6, TH, MF-1, MF-2, MH) | 2 | 6' | 36 sf | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 3 | Not exceed building facade height | 50 sf | — |
| Washington Street Corridor (WSC) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Agriculture/Open (A-O) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Single Family Residential - 20 (SF-20) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Single Family Residential - 10 (SF-10) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Single Family Residential - 8 (SF-8) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Single Family Residential - 6 (SF-6) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Townhouse Residential (TH) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Multifamily Residential - 1 (MF-1) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Multifamily Residential - 2 (MF-2) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Manufactured Home (MH) | 2 | 6' | 25 sf for lot width ≤ 149', 50 sf for lot width > 150' | — |
| Office (O) | 2 | 25' to 35' depending on setback | 150 sf for multiple tenants, 100 sf for single tenant | — |
| Local Retail (LR) | 2 | 25' to 35' depending on setback | 150 sf for multiple tenants, 100 sf for single tenant | — |
| Retail (R) | 2 | 25' to 35' depending on setback | 150 sf for multiple tenants, 100 sf for single tenant | — |
| Commercial (C) | 2 | 35' to 50' depending on setback | 150 sf for multiple tenants, 100 sf for single tenant | — |
| Highway Commercial (HC) | 2 | 35' to 50' depending on setback | 150 sf for multiple tenants, 100 sf for single tenant | — |
| Light Industrial (LI) | 2 | 35' to 50' depending on setback | 150 sf for multiple tenants, 100 sf for single tenant | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 19 zones)

### Non-Residential Zoning Districts (O, LR, R, CBD, C, WSC, LI, HC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to building wall | — | § 44.8.A.2.a |
| Roof Sign | 15' above roof line | Limited by wall sign area regulations | — | — | 1 | Attached to roof | — | § 44.8.B |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Internal surface of window | — | § 44.8.C |
| Awning Sign | 6' | — | — | — | — | Attached to awning | — | § 44.8.D |
| Canopy Sign | — | 25 sf | — | — | — | Attached to or integral part of canopy face | — | § 44.8.F |
| Monument Sign | 10' | 100 sf | — | 5' from front property line, 15' from other property lines | 1 per street frontage | Freestanding | — | § 44.9.A |
| Pole/Pylon Sign | 25' to 75' depending on district and setback | 150 sf for multiple tenants, 100 sf for single tenant | — | 5' to 15' from front property line, 20' to 50' from adjacent property lines | 1 per street frontage | Freestanding | — | § 44.10 |

### Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sf | — | — | — | Attached to building wall | — | § 44.8.A.2.c |
| Projecting Sign | Not exceed building facade height | 18 sf per sign face | — | At least 8' above sidewalk, 2' from curb line | — | Attached to building, projecting outward | — | § 44.8.E |
| Murals and Ghost Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall | — | § 44.8.G |

### Office (O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to building wall | — | § 44.8.A.2.a |
| Pole/Pylon Sign | 25' to 35' depending on setback | 150 sf for multiple tenants, 100 sf for single tenant | — | 5' from front property line, 20' from adjacent property lines | 1 per street frontage | Freestanding | — | § 44.10 |

## Prohibited signs in Kaufman

- No billboard or sign shall be erected in or project over any street, alley or public space.
- No billboard or sign shall be erected within 50 feet of the boundaries of any premises used for a residence.
- No billboard or sign shall obstruct the lighting of any street, alley or public space.
- No billboard or sign shall interfere with any public utility service.
- No billboard or sign shall create a traffic hazard by obstructing the view.
- No billboard or sign framed with or constructed of wood or other combustible material shall be erected in the fire limits, nor within 50 feet of any frame building.
- It shall be unlawful to place any sign, banner or placard upon any utility pole within the city’s street right-of-way.
- Signs may not contain any combination of forms, words, colors, or lights, which imitate standard public traffic regulatory, emergency signs, or signals.
- Signs attached to, painted or maintained upon any tree or public utility pole or public utility structure.
- Signs attached to or painted on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, or street.
- Signs with animation, strobe lights, beacon lights, rotating or revolving sign structures are not allowed.
- Signs illuminated to an intensity to cause glare or brightness to a degree that could constitute a safety hazard or nuisance.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are parked on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property shall be prohibited.
- The use of old cars, airplanes, boats or other objects mounted atop a pole/pylon, monument, roof or wall exceeding the restrictions on projection or thickness shall be prohibited.
- No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway, street or alley any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official control device or any railroad sign or signal.
- No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway, street or alley any traffic sign or signal bearing any commercial advertising.
- A person may not place or maintain a flashing light or flashing electric sign within 1,000 feet of an intersection except under a permit issued by the state transportation commission.
- It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to attach any cable, wire, rope, sign or any object to any city tree, plant or shrub without written permission from the director of public works.

## Signs exempt from permit in Kaufman

- Nameplates, or signs reflecting the name of a building or structure not exceeding one and a half square feet (1-1/2 sf) in area.
- Memorial signs, plaques or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
- Traffic or street signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger, and emergency, temporary or non-advertising signs as may be approved by the Director or his/her designee.
- Signs located inside a building and which are not displayed so as to be visible from outside the building.
- Changing out the text of a sign for previously permitted signs designed to provide a changeable message area.
- Movement Control Signs may be erected and may be attached or detached and shall be erected in the minimal number required to give adequate direction to pedestrians or motorists.
- Flags, insignia, legal notices, or informational, directional or traffic signs which are legally required or necessary to the essential functions of government agencies.
- Temporary lights and holiday decorations displayed ninety (90) days or less shall be exempt from the terms of this ordinance.
- Political signs shall be allowed without obtaining a permit under certain conditions.
- Signs providing public information concerning special events, bazaars, rallies, or other similar activities sponsored by non-profit organizations.
- Garage sale signs shall be located only on private property with the consent of the property owner.
- Estate sale signs shall be located only on the subject private property.
- Home improvement signs may be erected that display the name of a roofing, fence, pool, landscape or other home improvement contractor currently providing such services on the premises.
- Temporary religious signs may be erected during times of worship provided the sign is placed no earlier than two (2) hours prior to worship and is removed no later than two (2) hours after worship.
- Signs shall be located only on lots containing an occupied single-family, townhouse or multi-family dwelling.
- Any sign held, worn or carried by a person for the purposes of advertising or otherwise drawing attention to an individual, business, commodity, service, activity or product.
- A maximum of two (2) vehicles may be parked, on a suitably paved surface, with signs attached, advertising the sale of the vehicle.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Alternate sign specifications may be approved with a Planned Development District, but any signs not specified will follow the existing Sign Regulations.
- Sign Variances will be processed according to the procedures set forth in Section 9 of this Ordinance.

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

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