# Sign Regulations in Livingston, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Livingston, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/livingston
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Livingston/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH10BUST_ARTXIISICO)

## At a glance

Livingston, Texas regulates 20 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Residential Sign (non-commercial, incl. identification/personal)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 42 inches tall and 4 sq ft, with a At least 10 ft from any public right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 10-314(6)). Most commercial signs in Livingston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 42 inches | 32 sq ft | — |
| Main Street District | 9 | 4 ft | 30% of window area (per window) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to and extending not more than six inches from an exterior wall. | — | Sec. 10-311 (Definitions); Sec. 10-316 (Permits); Sec. 10-317 (Construction and design requirements) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to the ground. | — | Sec. 10-311 (Definitions); Sec. 10-316 (Permits); Sec. 10-317 (Construction and design) |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | Maximum three banners or portable signs per lot (in combination) | On-premises only. | — | Sec. 10-314(1) |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | Maximum three banners or portable signs per lot (in combination) | On-premises only, exception for sidewalk signs in Main Street District. | — | Sec. 10-312(a)(4), Sec. 10-314(2), Sec. 10-320(a)(4) |
| Real Estate Sign - Residential | 42 inches | 5 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | On site only; one per lot. | — | Sec. 10-314(5b) |
| Real Estate Sign - Commercial | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1-3 depending on tract size | On property only. | — | Sec. 10-314(5c) |
| Residential Sign (non-commercial, incl. identification/personal) | 42 inches | 4 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from any public right-of-way | Up to three per site | On private property, not within 10 feet of public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 10-314(6) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On site and for informational purposes only; no commercial message. | — | Sec. 10-313(6) |

### Main Street District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Alley Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | At alley entrance to building or business. | — | Sec. 10-320(c)(1), (8) |
| Hanging Sign | — | 8 sq ft per face | — | 7 ft minimum from sidewalk to bottom of sign | — | Suspended from awning, canopy or building facade. Provides minimum of 7 feet clearance above sidewalk. | — | Sec. 10-320(c)(3), (8) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 25 sq ft per face | — | Base at least 7 ft above ground; top below roofline; max 6 ft projection | — | Attached to building and projects from wall. | — | Sec. 10-320(c)(4), (8), (11) |
| Wall Sign (Primary Entrance Side) | — | 2 sq ft per linear foot of wall with primary entrance | — | — | See overall premises sign limit | Same side as building's primary entrance. | — | Sec. 10-320(c)(5)a, (8), (9), (10) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Side) | — | Limited to size allowed on wall containing primary entrance | — | — | See overall premises sign limit | Secondary side or side street not containing primary entrance. | — | Sec. 10-320(c)(5)b, (8), (9), (10) |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area (per window) | — | — | See overall premises sign limit | Affixed to interior or exterior of a window or placed immediately behind a windowpane. | — | Sec. 10-320(c)(6), (8) |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | — | 3 ft | — | One per street entrance; see premises total below | Immediately exterior to building wall, minimum clear sidewalk width of 4 ft must be maintained; must be removed after business hours. | — | Sec. 10-320(b)(1) |
| Banner | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | Counted with sidewalk signs regarding total sign limit per premises | On-premises. | — | Sec. 10-320(b)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Livingston

- All signs not expressly permitted under this article or exempt from regulation are prohibited within the city limits and within its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
- Abandoned signs or dilapidated signs are prohibited.
- Any sign that copies or imitates an official sign or purports to have official status is prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs or substantially interferes with any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress to any building is prohibited.
- Signs imitating standard public traffic, regulatory or emergency signs or signals are prohibited.
- Signs using the words, 'stop,' 'danger' or any other word, symbol or character in a manner which may mislead, confuse or distract the driver of a motor vehicle are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs and billboards constructed after the date of enactment of the ordinance from which this article is derived are prohibited.
- Any sign placed in or projecting in or over the public right-of-way or on a utility pole in the public right-of-way is prohibited, except as expressly allowed in Sec. 10-312(c).
- Signs may not create a traffic hazard and must be constructed and maintained as follows: No sign shall be erected in the clear sight triangle; No sign shall be erected, and there shall be no lighting of signs or premises thereof, in such a manner or in such location as to obstruct the view of, or to be confused with, any authorized traffic signal, notice or control device.
- Signs using the words 'stop,' 'danger' or any other word, symbol or character in a manner which may mislead, confuse or distract drivers are strictly prohibited.
- Any sign or light source constituting a traffic hazard shall be removed at the direction of the community development coordinator or designee.
- A sign shall not have more than 20% of its surface area covered with disfigured, cracked, ripped or peeling paint, poster paper or other material for a period of more than 30 days.
- A sign shall not stand with bent or broken sign facing, with broken supports, with loose appendages or struts, or more than 15 degrees from vertical for a period of more than ten days.
- A sign shall not have weeds, trees, vines or other vegetation growing upon it, or obscuring the view from the public right-of-way for a period of more than 30 days.
- An internally illuminated sign shall not be allowed to stand with only partial illumination for more than 30 days.
- Flags shall not be faded, tattered or torn.
- Neon lighting shall only be permitted in signs for retail and restaurant establishments.
- All signs shall comply with the building code and electrical code provisions as adopted by the city.
- Signs must be constructed of permanent materials and be permanently attached (except for certain temporary and sidewalk signs).
- Sign illumination must be shielded so as not to directly cast light rays into nearby residences, sleeping accommodations, or into the eyes of motor vehicle drivers.
- Any prohibited signs must be removed at the direction of city officials; costs of removal may become a property lien.

## Signs exempt from permit in Livingston

- Any official or public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance, by a public utility company, or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Traffic signs on private property, such as stop, yield or similar signs, which meet Department of Transportation standards and contain no commercial message.
- Holiday decorations with no commercial message displayed as long as said decorations are displayed within a holiday season.
- 'No trespassing,' 'No hunting,' 'No fishing' or 'No loitering' signs, which shall not exceed one square foot in area.
- Any governmental signs.
- Incidental signs placed for informational purposes without commercial message and limited to one square foot in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by a detailed drawing showing the dimensions, design, structure and location of each sign, and such other information as is required to comply with this article. A separate application and permit is required for each sign.
- For properties with multiple occupants, the 'site' for purposes of sign regulation is considered all land included under the original site plan, subdivision plan approval, or all land included under the original sign permit application approval.
- Within the Main Street District, if a sign requiring a permit is to be placed, constructed, erected or modified, prior approval of the Main Street Advisory Board must be obtained with proof thereof submitted to the community development coordinator (Sec. 10-320(d)).
- For Main Street District signs, the owner or their designee must meet with the Main Street manager, complete the written application as required by the Main Street Advisory Board, attend scheduled meetings for presenting the application, and upon approval, obtain required permits before construction.
- Variance from any provision of the sign ordinance may be granted by the city council, following appeal, if requirements are met as described in Sec. 10-316(c)(5).
- Any person may appeal a decision regarding sign applications to the city council at a regular or special meeting with a public hearing.
- A sign permit application for a premises that is not in conflict with the requirements of this article or which has not lapsed remains in effect for the premises.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Livingston, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Livingston+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-livingston

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