# Sign Regulations in Lake Dallas, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lake Dallas, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/lake-dallas
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Lake_Dallas/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH80SI)

## At a glance

Lake Dallas, Texas regulates 23 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Menu Board Signs in the Non-residential zoning district, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, MA zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 48 square feet, with a Min. front 20 ft, side 10 ft, rear 25 ft. setback (Sec. Sec. 80-20(7)c.1, d, e). Most commercial signs in Lake Dallas require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Non-residential zoning district, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, MA | 14 | 30 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Downtown Overlay District | 2 | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| IH-35E Business Corridor District | 4 | 45 feet | 600 square feet (20 ft x 30 ft) | — |
| R-3 | 1 | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Residential zoning district | 1 | — | 60 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 42 inches (for 5 sq ft signs) | 100 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Non-residential zoning district, C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, MA

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner Sign | — | No greater than length, width, and height of front entrance of the business | — | — | 1 at a time | Must be attached securely to a wall at location identified in the sign permit; cannot be attached to stakes, poles, frames, or temporary supports | — | Sec. 80-20(2) |
| Frame Sign | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — | — | — | Permitted on a temporary basis for all uses. | — | Sec. 80-20(4) |
| Wind Device Sign (Non-inflatable) | 8 feet | — | — | Min. 5 ft from property line and from other wind device signs. | 1 per lot at a time, or 1 per CO holder on multi-tenant lots | On developed property with a non-residential use; not in required parking, driveway, fire lane, or on public property. | — | Sec. 80-20(5) |
| Wind Device Sign (Inflatable) | 30 feet | — | 5 feet | Min. 5 ft from property line and from other wind device signs. | 1 per lot at a time, or 1 per CO holder on multi-tenant lots | On developed property with a non-residential use; not in required parking, driveway, fire lane, or on public property. | — | Sec. 80-20(5)e.2/3 |
| Monument Sign | 12 feet | 60 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Permitted with non-residential uses in non-residential zoning; one per street frontage; design/materials must match building on lot. | — | Sec. 80-20(6)c.2 and d.2 |
| Menu Board Sign | 6 feet | 48 square feet | — | Min. front 20 ft, side 10 ft, rear 25 ft. | 2 | Only for drive-through/drive-in businesses; min. front setback 20 ft, side 10 ft, rear 25 ft. | — | Sec. 80-20(7)c.1, d, e |
| Roof Sign | 8 feet | 60 square feet | — | — | — | Only in conjunction with non-residential use; mounted to or projects from canopy/parapet wall/secondary roof over entry. | — | Sec. 80-20(9) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 15 square feet | — | Min. 3 feet from curb or edge of street. | 1 per business or tenant | Only during business hours for the lot; at least 3 ft from curb or edge of street. | — | Sec. 80-20(10) |

### IH-35E Business Corridor District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 20 feet | 120 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage; design/materials to match buildings on lot. | — | Sec. 80-20(6)c.4 and d.4 |
| Menu Board Sign | 6 feet | 60 square feet | — | Min. front 20 ft, side 10 ft, rear 25 ft. | 2 | Only for drive-through/drive-in businesses; min. front setback 20 ft, side 10 ft, rear 25 ft. | — | Sec. 80-20(7)c.2, d, e |
| Pole Sign (Fronting IH-35) | 45 feet | 600 square feet (20 ft x 30 ft) | 30 feet | — | — | Fronting IH-35 only; within IH-35E Business Corridor. | — | Sec. 80-23(2)a-b |
| Pole Sign (Other Locations IH-35E Business Corridor) | 18 feet | 600 square feet (20 ft x 30 ft) | 30 feet | — | — | Other locations in IH-35E Business Corridor (not fronting IH-35) | — | Sec. 80-23(2)a-b |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Frame Sign | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — | — | — | Permitted on a temporary basis for all uses and in all zoning districts. | — | Sec. 80-20(4) |
| Flags | — | — | — | — | One business/corporate flag per development | — | — | Sec. 80-7(13), Sec. 80-21(1) |
| Instructional Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 80-21(2) |
| Political Sign | 8 feet | 36 square feet aggregate per lot (private lots); 36 square feet (right-of-way); 6 square feet at polling sites | — | — | — | On private property with owner consent; in city parkway if not a safety hazard; designated locations at polling sites; not on city-owned/leased property except as allowed. | — | Sec. 80-9 |
| Window Sign | — | Not to obscure more than 25% of visible window area for any façade | — | — | — | On or inside window in commercial/retail districts | — | Sec. 80-7(9), 80-10 |
| Incidental Sign | 42 inches (for 5 sq ft signs) | 5 square feet (private property convenience signs); 2 square feet otherwise | — | — | — | On private property for convenience of public (e.g., beware of dog, address, restroom) | — | Sec. 80-7(14), Sec. 80-13(12) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 4 feet | 8 square feet | — | — | — | Behind property line only | — | Sec. 80-13(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Lake Dallas

- No sign shall be constructed so as to block, obstruct or interfere in any way with a means of exit or window from any building.
- No sign shall block, obstruct or interfere in any way with pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a sidewalk, street, fire lane, driveway or parking lot or space.
- Neglected signs are considered a public nuisance and are prohibited.
- It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, entity or corporation to fail to repair or remove a neglected sign after receiving written notification to do so.
- Abandoned signs or abandoned sign structures remaining beyond authorized periods are declared to be a public nuisance and must be removed.
- No person shall keep or permit to be kept any sign in a dilapidated or deteriorated condition.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered or converted without a permit except as otherwise provided by this chapter.
- Billboard signs are prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited except for those located within the IH-35 Business Corridor District and in compliance with specified conditions.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, including signs pertaining to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service or product not located or offered on the premises.
- Nonconforming signs may not be altered, moved, or relocated without a permit, or repaired if damaged in excess of specified thresholds, unless made to comply with the ordinance.
- Signs that do not comply with permitted sign types and accompanying conditions are considered prohibited signs.
- Signs must be maintained to consistently have a neat appearance and must not have faded, ripped, or damaged panels or graphics.
- No sign shall be erected, attached, or maintained on public property except as otherwise provided.
- Signs shall not be placed or erected in a manner that may result in a potential safety hazard of any type.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lake Dallas

- Signs located entirely within buildings that are not visible from the exterior of the building.
- Holiday decorations provided such decorations are removed within one calendar month following the date of the holiday.
- City traffic signals, signs, and similar devices.
- Official legal notices.
- Public warning signs, traffic control signs, traffic directional signs, public service signs indicating danger or aids to safety, or similar signs erected by the city or similar entity.
- Recreational scoreboards for sports attractions (if electronic, an electrical permit shall be required).
- Signs displayed within the interior of a building which are displayed so as to not be visible from outside the building.
- Street numbers or addresses not exceeding six square feet.
- Signs not exceeding eight square feet which advertise the sale, rental, availability or lease of the premises on which the sign is located.
- Window signs conforming to the requirements of this chapter.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials of similar quality and characteristics as determined by the director of development services.
- Sign facing when replaced for the same business and there is no change in area, shape, lighting or color.
- Replacement of letters on non-illuminated wall signs with identical letters (same area, shape, and color) provided that a permit was obtained for the sign intended to be replaced.
- Flags or emblems of a business or corporation when accompanied by both the national and state flags and prescribed size/placement rules are followed.
- Signs not exceeding a sign area of five square feet and a height of 42 inches displayed on private property for the convenience of the public (e.g., beware of dog, restrooms, freight entrances, or similar signs).
- Temporary political signs specifically authorized by V.T.C.A., Local Government Code § 216.903, as amended.
- Special event signs promoting city events, civic and other nonprofit organizations.
- Nameplate signs not exceeding three square feet.
- The changing of advertising copy or message on a painted or printed sign, including theater marquee signs and similar signs specifically designed for replaceable copy.
- Painting, repainting or cleaning of a sign structure or changing the advertising copy or message on a display surface unless a structural change is made or the display surface is enlarged.
- One temporary rigid wall sign not exceeding eight square feet in area, advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into the masonry or made of noncombustible material and integral to the structure (not exceeding four square feet).
- On-site directional signs not exceeding eight square feet in area, four feet in height, not containing advertising, located behind the property line.
- Political signs.
- Traffic signs, municipally owned signs, legal notices, warning and emergency signs, and temporary or non-advertising signs as may be approved by the city council or zoning administrator when placed in compliance with the Uniform Manual on Traffic Control Devices or applicable city ordinances.
- Scoreboards, provided such signs meet all other requirements.
- Religious emblems installed in compliance with zoning and construction codes.
- Seasonal decorations other than banners or other signs, for a maximum of 60 days, provided traffic visibility is not affected.
- Bulletin boards not exceeding 32 square feet in area for public, charitable, educational or religious institutions (max. 15 feet high, and subject to location requirements).
- Incidental signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign applications must accompany a sign plan showing: building locations, dimensions and elevations; size, location, and type of both existing and proposed signs; nearest street intersections and driveway locations; zoning designation; name of applicant, sign owner, and sign constructor or erector; corner clear vision areas (if applicable); and engineering data on signs and/or sign structures (if applicable).
- A plot plan must be filed concurrently with the application for a sign permit, showing the size and location of each sign and whether such sign is electrical.
- The director of development services may require the filing of additional plans or pertinent information when necessary to ensure compliance.
- For certain sign types (e.g. monument signs, menu board signs, subdivision signs), city council approval of a site plan and/or final plat is required prior to permit issuance.
- Scaled plans or dimensional sign detail must be submitted in duplicate with each application for an exception/variance, including drawing of sign message or copy, elevation plan of the building showing proposed and existing signs and their dimensions, and a site plan indicating property lines, sign visibility triangles, rights-of-way, sign locations, and proximity to other signs.

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

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