# Sign Regulations in Pasadena, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Pasadena, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/pasadena
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-06
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/tx/pasadena/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORPATE_CH31STSICO)

## At a glance

Pasadena, Texas regulates 33 sign types across 1 zoning district. Portable Sign (On-Premises)s in the General Regulations zoning district are capped at 6.5 ft (overall outside dimension) tall, Advertising area per side not to exceed 72 sq ft; overall outside dimensions not to exceed 6.5 ft tall by 12.5 ft wide., and 12.5 ft (overall outside dimension) wide, with a Must be outside ROW and sight triangle; anchoring must prevent movement beyond its fall zone; utility clearances apply. setback (Sec. Sec. 31-15(a)-(i); Sec. 31-13(d)). Most commercial signs in Pasadena require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations | 33 | When relocated due to governmental taking: if previously taller than 42.5 ft, reconstructed height may not exceed 42.5 ft at the new location. | Up to 672 sq ft per face, plus cutouts not exceeding 20% of face area; cutouts may extend an additional 5 ft in height and 3 ft in width. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (< 1,100 points) | 12 ft | Up to 60 sq ft per face (or 50 sq ft main face + 30 sq ft reader board); with distance bonus, capped at 120 sq ft (or 160 sq ft with reader board). | — | Must be located entirely outside public right-of-way and outside the sight triangle. Distance bonus applies only when the sign is more than 50 ft from the roadway right-of-way (1 sq ft per linear foot beyond 50 ft). Maintain utility clearances (12 ft from distribution lines; 5 ft from service drops; 5 ft horizontal/8 ft vertical from utility poles). | 1 monument sign per site; up to 2 monuments if frontage on two roads with total frontage ≥300 ft and ≥200 ft separation between monuments. Overall on-premises sign cap per site = 5. | On-premises; all on-premises ground signs must be constructed as monument-style signs (base width ≥ ½ of face width). | — | Sec. 31-13(e)(1)-(2), table; Sec. 31-13(f); Sec. 31-13(a)(4)-(5), (b), (d); Sec. 31-9(a)(5),(7),(10),(12),(15) |
| Monument Sign (≥ 1,100 points) | 14 ft | Up to 100 sq ft per face; with distance bonus, capped at 120 sq ft (or 160 sq ft with a reader board). | — | Outside ROW and sight triangle; utility clearances as required; distance bonus applies only when located more than 50 ft from ROW. | 1 (or 2 if the site qualifies by frontage and spacing). Overall cap per site = 5. | On-premises; constructed as a monument-style sign. | — | Sec. 31-13(e)(2) table; Sec. 31-13(f); Sec. 31-13(a)(4)-(5), (b), (d) |
| Monument Sign (Abutting SH 225 or Beltway 8 Elevated) | Up to 12 ft above the elevated roadway deck (SH 225 or Beltway 8). | Up to 120 sq ft per face; up to 30 sq ft additional per face for architectural embellishment (counted within the sign’s total square footage allowance). | — | Must be outside ROW and sight triangle; maintain utility clearances. | As allowed for monument signs at the site; total on-premises sign cap = 5. | On-premises adjacent to SH 225 or Beltway 8 elevated roadway. | — | Sec. 31-13(e)(1) (SH 225/Beltway 8 exception); Sec. 31-13(f); Sec. 31-13(a)(4)-(5), (b) |
| Roof Sign | May not exceed 6 ft above roof line fascia | Up to 100 sq ft of sign face area | — | General visibility and utility clearances apply; may not project into public right-of-way. | Counts toward the overall on-premises sign cap of 5. | On the roof, attached to and supported by the roof of a building. | — | Sec. 31-13(g); Sec. 31-14(a)(5); Sec. 31-12(f) |
| Multiple Business Sign (< 500 points) | 16 ft | Up to 120 sq ft per side; each single business panel within the MBS may not exceed 50 sq ft. | — | Outside ROW and sight triangle; maintain utility clearances; spacing between MBS on the same frontage: ≥300 ft when height is 16 ft. | One or more per frontage if spacing is met; if frontage <300 ft, max 1 MBS on that frontage. | On-premises serving a multiple business center where two or more businesses operate at the same location/building and each business has a separate address. | — | Sec. 31-13(i)(2)-(5) and table |
| Multiple Business Sign (500–1,099 points) | 19 ft | Up to 200 sq ft per side; each single business panel ≤50 sq ft. | — | Outside ROW and sight triangle; maintain utility clearances; spacing between MBS on the same frontage: ≥400 ft when height is 19 ft. | One or more per frontage if spacing is met; if frontage <300 ft, max 1 on that frontage. | On-premises serving a multiple business center. | — | Sec. 31-13(i)(2)-(5) and table |
| Portable Sign (On-Premises) | 6.5 ft (overall outside dimension) | Advertising area per side not to exceed 72 sq ft; overall outside dimensions not to exceed 6.5 ft tall by 12.5 ft wide. | 12.5 ft (overall outside dimension) | Must be outside ROW and sight triangle; anchoring must prevent movement beyond its fall zone; utility clearances apply. | At most 1 on-premises portable sign per business; display limited to 60 days/year (with duration/spacing limits). | On-premises only. | — | Sec. 31-15(a)-(i); Sec. 31-13(d) |
| Portable Sign (Off-Premises) — Existing/Grandfathered Only | 6.5 ft | Advertising area per side not to exceed 72 sq ft; overall outside dimensions not to exceed 6.5 ft tall by 12.5 ft wide. | 12.5 ft | Outside ROW and sight triangle; maintain utility clearances. | Only as legally permitted prior to the moratorium; new units not allowed. | Off-premises locations that have continuously maintained legal permits; not allowed in primarily residential areas. | — | Sec. 31-13(a)(1), (l), (m); Sec. 31-15(b), (g), (h) |

## Prohibited signs in Pasadena

- Any sign not expressly allowed by this chapter is prohibited.
- Posting, painting, printing, or affixing any sign on or to public property, public rights-of-way, utility poles/structures, medians, esplanades, bridges/overpasses/underpasses, traffic islands, public buildings, or public utility property/easements is prohibited, except official governmental signs.
- No sign may resemble, imitate, obscure, or otherwise interfere with official traffic signs, signals, or devices; use of words or symbols (e.g., stop, look, danger) that mislead or confuse traffic is prohibited.
- Signs may not be located or illuminated so as to obstruct a motorist’s view at intersections or exits, or to obscure/interfere with official traffic control devices; sight-triangle visibility must be maintained.
- Lighted signs must be effectively shielded and may not direct beams or rays of light toward the traveled way such that glare impairs a driver’s vision.
- Spectacular sign features are prohibited, including: strobe/rotating/blinking strobe lights; flashing or rotating spotlights that interfere with traffic; automatically changeable messages faster than every 4 seconds; flashing lights with bulbs over 15 watts.
- No sign may obstruct any means of egress, required openings for light/ventilation/firefighting, or free passage on a roof; no attachment to fire escapes or exterior stairways; minimum clearances over counterbalanced fire escape sections must be maintained; no obstruction of windows above the first story.
- Emitting signs (signs that emit noise, chemicals, or odors) are prohibited citywide.
- Signs may not employ a stereopticon or motion picture machine.
- Encroachments beyond private property do not create easements; any permit allowing a sign to project over a public sidewalk is revocable at any time.
- No sign or sign structure may remain on a vacant building or premises for more than 30 days, except a conforming sign for lease/sale; after 30 days of vacancy the message must be blanked out.
- Any sign that restricts necessary vision for safety is prohibited; minimum clearances are 8 ft over pedestrian areas, 10 ft over passenger vehicle areas, and 14 ft 6 in over general vehicular areas; no obstruction within the defined sight triangle.
- Obscene signs are prohibited.
- Fence signs are prohibited unless structurally and permanently integrated into a masonry or architecturally/aesthetically coordinated fence.
- No sign shall be placed in or extend into a public street, sidewalk, easement, or street right-of-way.
- All signs must be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent accumulation of rainwater in or on the sign.
- All signs must maintain electrical clearance: at least 12 ft horizontally and 12 ft vertically from overhead distribution lines, at least 5 ft horizontally and 5 ft vertically from service drop lines, and at least 5 ft horizontally or 8 ft vertically from telephone/cable poles or cross members.

## Signs exempt from permit in Pasadena

- Handheld placards and similar devices traditionally used for public protest and free speech are outside the scope of regulation.
- No permit is required for the following on-premises signs (unless a spectacular or portable sign): window/door glass-painted signs covering no more than 25% of the glass area; directional/regulatory signs by the city, state (including counties and school districts), or federal government and their lessees; railroad signs; up to two legal notices/house numbers/no trespassing/no parking or similar warnings; one temporary sign under 6 sq ft per address; signs required by law; signs on motor vehicles used by a business for delivery/identification (not vehicles used solely for advertising); painted wall signs stating only street number and proprietor name (max 5% of wall area, below roof line, one per address); interior stadium/arena/recreational area signs intended for patrons; on‑premises real estate signs 5 sq ft or less; Christmas and similar temporary non‑advertising displays (subject to fire/electrical codes); one construction/repair/sale-or-rent sign up to 40 sq ft; one subdivision identification sign per subdivision up to 40 sq ft; one each of United States, Texas, City of Pasadena, and/or one corporate flag per business premises; non‑electrical on‑premises directional/parking/traffic flow signs with company name/logo up to 1.5 sq ft per side (max 40 inches tall), two sides max; on‑premises signs only visible from within the premises and not visible from any public road; a nameplate sign at or within 6 inches of the entrance; on‑premises signs atop fuel pumps under 6 sq ft per side.
- Operating-permit exemption only: on‑premises signs for recognized churches/religious organizations with valid nonprofit status; building face‑mounted signs stating only street number and proprietor name (one per address); on‑premises signs operated by recognized charitable organizations with valid nonprofit status.
- Normal maintenance (including changing electric light bulbs) of a previously permitted sign does not require a sign permit; changing advertising copy requires a permit unless the sign is a marquee, reader board, or portable sign.
- Official State of Texas historical signs and markers are exempt from this chapter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan requirement is stated in this chapter.
- Individual sign permits are required for virtually all sign work (erect, take down, construct, destroy, reconstruct, relocate, remove, alter, or use), unless specifically exempted.
- Permit applications must include site/location details (position relative to buildings, curb lines, sidewalks), scaled blueprints/specs, engineering (for new ground signs over 12 ft or when required), stress sheets/calculations, responsible site supervisor contact, notarized landowner consent, applicable electrical permit, proof of insurance/bonds, permission for inspections, exact sign location, and a landscaping plan with barrier details.
- A landscaping plan is required for all permitted signs; landscape area must at least equal the area of one sign face and be predominantly living plant material (or approved decorative rock/stone if existing paving prevents planting).
- Inspections: site inspection before location, construction inspection, and hole inspection are required (portable signs have a post‑installation inspection).
- Variances: The Sign Appeals Committee may recommend (subject to City Council approval) up to a 40% variance in sign area, height, or setback; may authorize on‑site relocation of a legal sign; or allow one additional on‑premises freestanding sign per site (with spacing limits).
- Appeals/hearings: Denials, revocations, stop‑work, or removal orders can be appealed to the Sign Appeals Committee within 10 days; a 4/5 vote is required to overrule the administrator; further appeal to City Council is available within 10 days.
- If the municipality requires relocation, reconstruction, or removal of a sign, a Municipal Board on Sign Control must be appointed to address compensation/relocation matters (composition and terms specified).

## Full detail

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

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