# Sign Regulations in New Braunfels, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** New Braunfels, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/new-braunfels
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/New_Braunfels/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH106SI)

## At a glance

New Braunfels, Texas regulates 12 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Temporary A-Frame or T-Frame Signs in the WNSD (Walnut Neighborhood Special District) zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall, 8 sq. ft., and 3 feet wide, with a Zero setback (Sec. Sec. 144-3.8-7(i)). Most commercial signs in New Braunfels require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 4 feet | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| WNSD (Walnut Neighborhood Special District) | 4 | 25 feet | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| MP-1 (Main Plaza Overlay District) | 1 | — | 8 sq. ft. each type | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-1A-43.5, R-1A-12, R-1A-8, R-1A-6.6, R-1A-5.5, R-1-A-4, R-2A, SND-1 (Special Neighborhood District-1), ADSD (Advantage Drive Special District) | 2 | 4 feet (as in WNSD and Ch. 106 general) | Typically 32 sq. ft. (see Ch. 106), confirm specifics for each district/land use | — |
| B-1, B-1A, B-1B, TH, TH-A, ZH, ZH-A | 3 | 4 feet | Not specified; subject to Ch. 106 | — |
| C-1, C-1A, C-1B, C-2, C-2A, C-3, C-4, C-4A, C-4B, M-1, M-1A, M-2, M-2A, APD, R-3L, R-3H, MU-A, MU-B, Planned Development District (PD) | 3 | 4 feet | Per Ch. 106 (typically calculated on linear building frontage or square footage, e.g., 1.5 sq. ft. per linear foot of occupied facade) | — |
| Overlay Zoning Districts, Special Districts, WNSD (Walnut Neighborhood Commercial Subdistrict), WNSD (Walnut Neighborhood Mixed Use Subdistrict), Wurstfest Special District, Gruene Lake Village (Special District) | 1 | Varies by overlay/special district (refer to each, e.g., 4 ft. monument, 8 ft. clearance projecting) | See overlay/special district rules (often 32 sq. ft. max for monuments, 8-20 sq. ft. for wall signs, as documented) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### WNSD (Walnut Neighborhood Special District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 4 feet | 32 sq. ft. | — | 6 feet | 1 | Frontage of Walnut Ave. or San Antonio | — | Sec. 144-3.8-7(i) |
| Wall Sign | Located on wall below eave | 20 sq. ft. | — | N/A | 1 | Façade of building facing Walnut Ave. or San Antonio | — | Sec. 144-3.8-7(i) |
| Temporary A-Frame or T-Frame Sign | 4 feet | 8 sq. ft. | 3 feet | Zero | 1 | On private property/frontage of Walnut Ave. or San Antonio | — | Sec. 144-3.8-7(i) |
| Flag/Flag pole Sign | 25 feet | 40 sq. ft. | — | 5 feet | 1 | Frontage of Walnut Ave. or San Antonio | — | Sec. 144-3.8-7(i) |

### B-1, B-1A, B-1B, TH, TH-A, ZH, ZH-A

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential/Commercial) | — | Not specified; subject to Ch. 106 | — | On structure | Dependent on Ch. 106 (typically at least 1 per tenant/occupant frontage) | On principal building facade | — | Sec. 144-3.3-4, -5, -6; Sec. 144-3.4-6, -7, -8, -9; Ch. 106 (Signs) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 4 feet | 32 sq. ft. (typical; confirm via Ch. 106 and site frontage) | — | 6 feet or as specified | 1 per property/street frontage | Street frontage | — | Ch. 106; see also Sec. 144-3.3-4 thru 3.4-9 |
| Directory Sign (Multiple Tenants/Complexes Only) | 4 feet | Per Ch. 106 | — | 6 feet (typical) | 1 per entry | Near principal entry to project/complex | — | Ch. 106. See Sec. 3.3-5, -6, Sec. 3.4-6, 7, 8, 9. |

### C-1, C-1A, C-1B, C-2, C-2A, C-3, C-4, C-4A, C-4B, M-1, M-1A, M-2, M-2A, APD, R-3L, R-3H, MU-A, MU-B, Planned Development District (PD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Commercial/Industrial/Mixed Use) | On building wall; may not project above roof or parapet | Per Ch. 106 (typically calculated on linear building frontage or square footage, e.g., 1.5 sq. ft. per linear foot of occupied facade) | — | On structure | Per business/tenant, per Ch. 106 | On principal building facade | — | Sec. 144-3.3-7 through 3.4-19, Ch. 106, Sec. 144-3.5 (PD), overlay sections |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 4 feet | 32 sq. ft. (typical; larger allowed for wide frontage per Ch. 106) | — | 6 feet (typical) | 1 per street frontage; more allowed per Ch. 106 for large/lots of coverage | Lot frontage or at principal entry location | — | Ch. 106; Sec. 144-3.3-7 to 3.4-19; PD/overlay sections as applicable |
| Projecting/Blade/Awning Sign (where permitted) | — | 8 sq. ft. (typical per overlay, see MP-1), up to 16 sq. ft. per Ch. 106 in some districts | — | See overlay and Ch. 106; projecting signs over ROW have specific requirements | Per business (typically 1, overlay may limit more strictly) | Projecting from facade, over, or adjacent to primary entrance; awnings over doors/windows | — | Ch. 106, Main Plaza/other overlays, Sec. 144-3.7 |

## Prohibited signs in New Braunfels

- No building or structure shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed or altered, nor shall any building, structure or land be used for any purpose other than is permitted in the district in which such building, structure or land is situated.
- No building or structure shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed or altered to exceed the height limit established for the district in which such building or structure is located.
- No lot area shall be reduced or diminished so that the building setbacks or other open spaces shall be less than prescribed by this chapter, nor shall the density of dwelling units be increased in any manner, except in conformity with the area regulations established herein.
- No parking area, parking space, or loading space which existed at the time this chapter became effective and as amended thereafter shall thereafter be relinquished or reduced in any manner below the requirements established by this chapter.
- Every building hereafter erected shall be located on a lot as described in the ordinance. Buildings shall not cross lot lines.
- Uses not listed as permitted or approved by special use permit (SUP) are forbidden unless comparable to those included in the district.
- No use is permitted in any industrial district that would emit or cause radiation, dust, odor, smoke, gas or fumes objectionable to persons of ordinary sensitivity or reasonably hazardous to health, beyond the boundary property lines of the lot or tract upon which the use is located, and which do not generate noise or vibration at the boundary which is generally perceptible in frequency or pressure above the ambient level of noise in the adjacent areas.
- Specific district overlays and special districts may have additional prohibitions as stated within those overlay or special district sections.
- Specific uses in M-2 and M-2A districts (heavy industrial) are prohibited unless approved by city council after receiving reports from relevant departments (e.g., acid manufacture, explosives, cement, etc.).

## Signs exempt from permit in New Braunfels

- Where a lot has less width or area than required, and such lot was in separate ownership prior to September 25, 1967, this requirement will not prohibit the erection of a one-family dwelling.
- Accessory buildings, unless otherwise provided, may be constructed in accordance with accessory use standards.
- Where a lot has less width than required and such lot was in separate ownership prior to February 4, 1984 (in certain zones), this requirement will not prohibit the construction of a use enumerated in those districts.
- Buildings or sites legally in existence prior to code changes may qualify for certain nonconforming rights as determined by the ordinance.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Planned Development (PD) districts require a concept plan and a detail plan showing intended land use, building arrangements, standards, setbacks, and other related details; these plans are required in the PD process.
- A master or detailed plan, including a landscape plan if multifamily or non-residential, is required as part of the Planned Development (PD) district application.
- Special Use Permits (SUP), Type 2, require a site plan drawn to scale that includes detailed arrangements such as parking, buildings, landscaping, and ingress/egress.
- Overlay zoning districts and special districts may require additional plan submissions as defined within their individual ordinances. For example, the Main Plaza Overlay District requires three-dimensional building modeling, and review by the historic preservation officer as part of the permitting process.
- Planned Development district detail plans have an expiration date (5 years from approval) unless construction has begun; phasing plans may be required for developments over 350 acres.
- No explicit mention of a required sign plan, master sign plan, or variance meeting for signage in the zoning district text provided; refer to separate signage (chapter 106) or overlay/special district-specific provisions for signage details as applicable.

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

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