# Sign Regulations in Palestine, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Palestine, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/palestine
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Palestine/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH39ZO_ARTIIIDEDERE_DIV6SI)

## At a glance

Palestine, Texas regulates 39 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Sign (General Roadway)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 ft (single tenant); 14 ft (multi-tenant) tall and 100 sq ft (single tenant); 150 sq ft (multi-tenant), with a 10 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 39.3.6-9(5)). Most commercial signs in Palestine 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 | 20 | 50 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| Main Street overlay district | 9 | 3 ft (1-story)/proportional | 30% of glass area | — |
| Historic overlay district (HD), Historic landmark district (HL) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Central Business District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential districts | 3 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential districts | 5 | 50 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| Business park | 2 | 70 ft | 300 sq ft per sign face | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (General Roadway) | 10 ft (single tenant); 14 ft (multi-tenant) | 100 sq ft (single tenant); 150 sq ft (multi-tenant) | — | 10 ft from property line | One per street frontage, maximum two per premise | Front setback, min 10 ft from property line; no encroaching into utility easement | — | Sec. 39.3.6-9(5) |
| Pole/Pylon Sign | 50 ft | 400 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | One per street frontage per premises | Only on premises with commercial C.O. adjacent to TX 256 Loop, TX-19, TX-155, US 287, 84, and 79; 100 ft separation from another pole sign on same premises (50 ft from adjacent premises) | — | Sec. 39.3.6-9(7) |
| Directional Sign (General) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per driveway entrance | Premises sign at driveway entrance | — | Sec. 39.3.6-9(8) |
| Flag Sign | 30 ft (50 ft along state highways/FM roads, 70 ft in business park) | 200 sq ft | — | — | One per premises | On premises | — | Sec. 39.3.6-9(3) |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft in residential districts; 100 sq ft in nonresidential | — | — | One per abutting street | Premises sign only | — | Sec. 39.3.6-11(3) |
| Movable Sign (A-frame/Sandwich Board) | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | One per business per street frontage | 10 ft from curb/edge of paving, 15 ft from access drive, 50 ft from any other movable sign; not in public right of way | — | Sec. 39.3.6-11(4) |
| Movable Sign (Bow Banner/Swooper Flag) | 10 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | One per business per street frontage | 10 ft from curb/edge of paving, 15 ft from access drive, 50 ft from other movable sign; not in right of way | — | Sec. 39.3.6-11(4) |
| Residential Yard Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per premises | Premises only | — | Sec. 39.3.6-11(6) |

### Main Street overlay district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signboard | — | 2 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage (entrance) | — | — | One per frontage; up to two on corner buildings | On building sign frieze, horizontal band above store windows | — | Sec. 39.3.6-16(2)(a) |
| Window Sign (Main Street) | — | 30% of glass area | — | — | — | Inside or outside of glass window | — | Sec. 39.3.6-16(2)(b) |
| Projecting Sign (Main Street) | 3 ft (1-story)/proportional | 15 sq ft (1-story bldg); proportional if multi-story | — | — | One per frontage | Perpendicular to building facade | — | Sec. 39.3.6-16(2)(c) |
| Hanging Sign (Main Street) | — | 8 sq ft/each face | — | — | One per entrance facing street | Suspended from awning/canopy; may be double-sided | — | Sec. 39.3.6-16(2)(d) |
| Awning Sign (Main Street) | — | Limited to area described in formula | — | — | May be used in addition to signboard/projecting sign; multiple awnings must match | On valance or portion of awning | — | Sec. 39.3.6-16(2)(e) |
| Freestanding Hanging Sign (Main Street) | — | 15 sq ft max | — | — | One per business | Suspended from post/bracket near sidewalk in areas with buildings setback from street | — | Sec. 39.3.6-16(2)(f) |
| Directory Sign (Main Street) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per street face | Must be in proximity to entry door | — | Sec. 39.3.6-16(2)(g) |
| Sidewalk Sign (Sandwich Board, Main Street) | — | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | One per business | Street frontage only | — | Sec. 39.3.6-16(2)(i) |

### Nonresidential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Nonresidential) | 10 ft (single), 14 ft (multi-tenant) | 100 sq ft (single), 150 sq ft (multi-tenant) | — | 10 ft | One per street frontage, max two per property | Minimum 10 ft setback from property line | — | Sec. 39.3.6-9(5) |
| Pole/Pylon Sign (Nonresidential) | 50 ft | 400 sq ft | — | 10 ft | One per street frontage per premises | Min 10 ft from property line | — | Sec. 39.3.6-9(7) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 30% of elevation | — | — | — | Building elevation (see general wall sign in General Regulations For All Zones) | — | Sec. 39.3.6-8(1) |
| Window Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 30% of window | — | — | — | Within or on window | — | Sec. 39.3.6-8(10) |
| Construction Sign (Nonresidential) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per abutting street | On premises | — | Sec. 39.3.6-11(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Palestine

- No sign of any kind shall obstruct the view of traffic.
- Any sign advertising a business, lessor, owner, product, service or activity no longer located on the premises where the sign is displayed shall be removed within 90 days of the abandonment of the advertised function.
- Signs or other advertising structures may not be erected or maintained in violation of city building, electrical, or sign codes, or other applicable local, state or federal regulations.
- Inflatable signs, bandit signs, and portable signs are prohibited.
- Permanent off-premises signs (billboards) are prohibited except as otherwise permitted; new billboard construction is prohibited in any zoning district and extraterritorial jurisdiction.
- Any search lights, bullhorns, spinners, streamers, string lights or strip lighting, pennant, hot air balloon or similar device intended to move freely in the wind are prohibited.
- Moving/whirling and flashing signs except for reader boards conveying a message are prohibited. Beacons resembling emergency vehicle lights are prohibited.
- Signs, advertisements, posters, placards or handbills may not be placed upon any lamp post, electric light, railway, telephone or telegraph pole, fire hydrant, shade tree, stone cliff, or other natural object, or on any bridge, pavement, sidewalk or crosswalk.
- Signs that resemble traffic control signs or emergency information signs are prohibited.
- No sign or sign structure may constitute a hazard to public safety or health.
- Signs may not obstruct free ingress or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required exit way.
- Signs shall not interfere with any opening required for ventilation, or obstruct openings intended as a means of entrance or exit, or obstruct light or air from any room or building, or block (physically/visually) any public governmental or warning signs.
- Signs may not use words such as stop, look, one way, danger, yield, or similar, in a manner that interferes with, misleads or confuses vehicular traffic.
- Devices or representations attached or painted on a building, fence, pole or other structure for attention-getting, and not originally intended as a sign, are prohibited.
- Home occupation signs advertising a home-based business are prohibited.
- Signs may not be placed on property without permission of the owner or agent.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- New off-premises signs are prohibited except those permitted through a specific use permit, city council-approved license agreement, integrated business development sign plan, business park location, or as temporary signs as permitted.
- Signs and supports, other than governmental signs and supports, may not be located in or extend over a public right-of-way unless authorized by an approved encroachment agreement.
- Signs emitting sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs illuminated to such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair vision are prohibited. Lighting must be shielded to prevent beams from being directed at any portion of a roadway or an occupied residential area (internally lit signs under 150 foot-lamberts excepted).
- It is prohibited to use reader panel signs without total encasement for signs with the bottom less than eight feet in height.
- Signs on vehicles or trailers parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign are prohibited (prima facie evidence: parked for a continuous period exceeding 72 hours).
- Signs with structures larger than reasonably necessary to support the sign are prohibited.
- Signs that restrict the use of a parking space where parking is calculated as total for all businesses are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Palestine

- Public signs specifically required by any law, statute or ordinance.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles or trailers where the sign is incidental to the primary use as transportation.
- Signs attached or affixed to vehicles for sale or rent at vehicle sales/rental lots, advertising the vehicle on which the sign is attached.
- Temporary construction trailers and vehicles on construction sites bearing contractor advertising.
- Signs on vehicles passing through the city for advertising at destinations outside city limits.
- Vehicle signs affixed or painted when the primary vehicle use is for daily transportation or delivery of services.
- Warning signs warning of danger, to be removed within three days of danger subsiding; allowed of any type, number, area, height, location or illumination as deemed necessary.
- Governmental signs (traffic, regulatory, legal notices, warnings, or instructional/regulatory signs regarding health, hazards, parking, etc.).
- Address numerals and other required signs placed in accordance with law or government order.
- Signs used as scoreboards in athletic stadiums.
- Directional signs which direct pedestrian/vehicle traffic (arrows, words, or symbols indicating direction of facilities).
- Directory signs located in or near entrances or foyers.
- Instructional signs providing no advertising, providing guidance to facilities for the public (restrooms, phones, walkways, parking, etc.).
- Seasonal, holiday or festival decorations.
- Flags of any state, nation, political subdivision or entity, non-profit group, corporation or any noncommercial message.
- Repainting, cleaning, or maintenance of a sign.
- Signs painted on glass surfaces not covering more than 50% of the glass area.
- Signs erected by governmental agencies and their lessees.
- Railroad signs.
- Legal notices.
- Non-internally illuminated house numbers not more than six inches in height.
- Temporary signs as specified (for sale or lease, contractor identification, under construction, grand opening).
- Signs erected or maintained as a governmental function, or required by law or ordinance.
- Signs on property owned, leased or controlled by a governmental entity.
- Signs on private property no greater than four square feet in area and four feet in height containing no advertising (except a logo) and that direct traffic, warn of obstacles, or control parking, including entrance and exit signs.
- Incidental, customary, and commonly associated decorations with holidays, displayed only for the event duration.
- Nameplates for residents or occupants not exceeding two square feet.
- Political signs per division, subject to requirements.
- Protection or security signs not exceeding four square feet, denoting security or no trespassing.
- Signs located inside a building that are intended to be viewed by internal patrons only.
- Signs on vehicles required by any governmental agency.
- Signs on licensed commercial vehicles or trailers which are not primarily used as an advertising medium.
- Menu boards or direction signs meant to be read from no more than ten feet away.
- Nondigital, nonelectric exterior signs not visible off the property.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An integrated business development sign plan is required for multi-tenant or business park developments seeking sign palette approval; the plan must include all temporary and permanent proposed signs, locations, sizes, number, materials, colors, style, illumination, landscaping elements, and any additional information required by the city.
- Off-premises signs are only permitted with a specific use permit, a city council approved license agreement, or an integrated business development sign plan (or if located in a business park).
- Requests for signs in the public right-of-way require a right-of-way agreement or license agreement, which includes planning and zoning commission and city council review, public notice, and may result in an official sign placement agreement.
- Alternative screening methods for trash receptacles may be requested as part of the site plan review process and require city council approval.
- Variances or appeals (variance from requirements, aggrieved by decision) must be submitted to the zoning board of adjustment; appeals are made as set forth in section 22-284.
- In the Main Street overlay district, any sign design or variance not covered by provided rules must be brought before the Main Street Advisory Board for approval; variances from the sign ordinance may be issued by the Board.
- Landscape plans (including for ground signs) are required as part of certain development/building permit applications, including showing sign landscaping areas.
- For signs in historic districts or on historic landmarks, any change to exterior elements including signs visible from the public right-of-way requires a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Landmarks Commission or Historic Preservation Officer prior to building permit issuance.

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

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