# Sign Regulations in Mount Vernon, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Mount Vernon, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/mount-vernon
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Mount_Vernon/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH17.5SI)

## At a glance

Mount Vernon, Texas regulates 12 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the Downtown Commercial Historic District, Historic Commercial District, Central Business District zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall, 12 sq ft per side, and 3 ft wide (Sec. Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(i)). Most commercial signs in Mount Vernon require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Downtown Commercial Historic District, Historic Commercial District, Central Business District | 9 | 5 ft max | No more than 50% of the canopy's width | — |
| Historic Residential Districts of Mount Vernon | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Downtown Commercial Historic District, Historic Commercial District, Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Above the transom and below the second floor window in the sign frieze. Should not obscure architectural details. Should not cover windows or significant architectural features. | — | Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(c), Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(a), Sec. 5.2-53(e)(1)-(4), Sec. 5.2-53(f)-(g) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 30% of total glass area | — | — | — | Windows (should not cover transoms or block exterior views). | — | Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(b), (h)(3) |
| Projecting Sign | 5 ft max | No more than 15 sq ft in size | — | — | — | Must provide at least 8 ft clearance from sidewalk surface to bottom of sign. May project up to 1/2 the sidewalk width, but no closer to curb than 2.5 ft. | — | Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(d)-(e), Sec. 5.2-53(e) |
| Hanging Sign (Non-Canopy) | — | 8 sq ft max | — | — | — | Must have at least 8 ft clearance between sidewalk and bottom of sign. | — | Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(f)-(g), Sec. 5.2-53(e) |
| Hanging Sign (Under Canopy) | — | No more than 50% of the canopy's width | — | — | — | Under canopy; min clearance 7 ft between sidewalk and bottom of sign. | — | Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(f) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awnings or canopies | — | Sec. 5.2-53(c)(3)-(5), (d)(4)-(5), Sec. 5.2-53(e) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | — | Private property only; not on public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(i) |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per side | 3 ft | — | — | Private property only; not on public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(j) |

### Historic Residential Districts of Mount Vernon

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Residential Use) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5.2-50 paragraph referencing applicability to residential properties |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(k) |
| Plastic Permanent Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5.2-53(d)(2)(h) |

## Prohibited signs in Mount Vernon

- Signs shall not obscure or compete with architectural details of the building.
- Signs should not cover windows or other architectural features.
- Old and obsolete signs should be removed to reduce visual clutter.
- Permanent signs of plastic construction should not be used in the historic commercial district.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Flashing signs shall not be used.
- Internal illumination and back lighted signs shall not be used.
- Internally illuminated awnings shall not be used.
- Unpainted brick shall not be painted.
- Sandblasting (mechanical cleaning/abrasive cleaning) shall not be used on masonry or historic materials.
- Flat, fixed metal awnings and sloped, slatted aluminum awnings are not recommended.
- Modern aluminum doors and clear aluminum window frames or screens are not recommended.
- Burglar bars shall not be used.
- Stucco shall not be used.
- A sandwich board sign shall not be placed on public right-of-way.
- A freestanding sign shall not be placed on public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mount Vernon

- Existing signs within the historic commercial district are grandfathered.
- Aluminum frames of similar profiles may be used for windows where original wooden frames cannot be duplicated.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- New signs shall comply with these design guidelines and with all applicable signage ordinances of the City of Mount Vernon and State of Texas.
- Wall murals may be painted on blank building walls subject to the granting of a certificate of appropriateness by the landmark commission.
- The landmark commission shall allow options for placement of signs to accommodate property owners within the historic commercial district.
- The landmark commission is responsible for issuing a certificate of appropriateness for alterations, including signage.
- Each building must be reviewed on an individual basis both by the property owner and by the landmark commission for appropriateness.

## Full detail

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

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