# Sign Regulations in Port Aransas, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Port Aransas, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/port-aransas
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Port_Aransas/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIPOARCO_CH19SI)

## At a glance

Port Aransas, Texas regulates 28 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Properties Conducting Temporary, Transient Rentals (Wall, Bracket, Monument, or Freestanding Sign)s in the Residential Use Properties zoning district are capped at Below eaves of roof or 3 ft. for freestanding sign tall and 4 sq. ft., with a Not permitted in front yard setback setback (Sec. Table 19-51B). Most commercial signs in Port Aransas require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 20 ft. | Max 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential Use Properties | 4 | Below eaves of roof; not more than 12 ft. above top of mailbox | 4 sq. ft. | — |
| Subdivision/Condominium Development | 1 | 8 ft. | Primary Entry: One sign at 40 sq. ft. OR two like signs at 25 sq. ft. each. Secondary Entry: One sign at 20 sq. ft. OR two like signs at 12 sq. ft. each. | — |
| Commercial and Mixed Use Properties | 10 | 20 ft. | Total 100 sq. ft.; no one figure > 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Service Stations (including convenience stores) | 1 | Below eaves of roof; 4 ft. for monument/pole | 10 sq. ft. per sign; 30 sq. ft. per facade, 2 facades max (not to exceed total of 40 sq. ft.) | — |
| Multi-tenant/mixed use (Business/Condo/Apt Identification Directory) | 1 | 20 ft. | Primary: 40 sq. ft. per individual use, not to exceed 100 sq. ft. Secondary: 20 sq. ft., not to exceed 40 sq. ft. | — |
| State Hwy 361: 45 mph zone | 2 | 20 ft. | 200 sq. ft. for multi-tenant business (80 sq. ft. max per business) or residential complex | — |
| State Hwy 361: 55 mph zone | 2 | 20 ft. | 300 sq. ft. for multi-tenant business (maximum 120 sq. ft. per business or residential complex) | — |
| Non-residential districts | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Banner in public right-of-way | No limit | No limit | — | — | No limit | Public right-of-way | — | Table 19-51A |
| Temporary Sign - Construction Sign | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Table 19-51A |
| Temporary Sign - Holiday Decoration | No limit | No limit | — | — | No limit | — | — | Table 19-51A |
| Temporary Sign - Motor vehicle for sale | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per vehicle | Attached to vehicle | — | Table 19-51A |
| Temporary Sign - Pennant Strings, Balloons, Inflatable Figures | No limit | No limit | — | — | No limit | — | — | Table 19-51A |
| Temporary Sign - New business | Below eaves of roof | Max 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Table 19-51A |
| Temporary Sign - Political Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per sign, except existing billboards may be larger | — | — | No limit | Private property only | — | Table 19-51A |
| General - All Types | 20 ft. | 40 sq. ft. for individual signs | — | At or behind property line; 15 ft sideyard setback for on-premises signs | — | — | — | Sec. 19-52, subsections (b)-(l) |

### Residential Use Properties

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Nameplate Sign (Wall/Mailbox) | Below eaves of roof; not more than 12 ft. above top of mailbox | 2 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 2 | Affixed to wall or mailbox | — | Table 19-51B |
| Properties Conducting Temporary, Transient Rentals (Wall, Bracket, Monument, or Freestanding Sign) | Below eaves of roof or 3 ft. for freestanding sign | 4 sq. ft. | — | Not permitted in front yard setback | 1 | — | — | Table 19-51B |
| Bed and Breakfast (Wall, Monument, Bracket, or Freestanding) | Below eaves of roof; 3 ft. for freestanding sign | 4 sq. ft. per sign | — | Not permitted in front yard setback | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Table 19-51B |
| Home Occupation (Wall, Bracket, Monument, Freestanding) | Below eaves of roof or 3 ft. for freestanding | 4 sq. ft. per sign | — | Not permitted in front yard setback | 1 per occupation and max 2 per residence | — | — | Table 19-51B |

### Commercial and Mixed Use Properties

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall/Canopy/Bracket - Individual Tenant Business | 20 ft. | Primary sign max 40 sq. ft. on lots with multiple street frontages secondary signage maximum 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 on each street frontage | 1 on each street frontage | — | Table 19-51C |
| A-frame Sign (Commercial Use Only) | 5 ft. | 12 sq. ft. each side (including frame) | — | — | 1 per tenant | 1 per tenant | — | Table 19-51C |
| Banners (Attached to building wall) | Below eaves of roof | 20 sq. ft. per banner not to exceed a total of 40 sq. ft. | — | — | By Area | On building wall | — | Table 19-51C |
| Time and Temperature Signs (Pole, Wall, or Freestanding) | 20 ft. | 10 sq. ft. total | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Table 19-51C, Section 19-55(e)(1) |
| Three Dimensional Figures (No Advertising) | 20 ft. | Total 100 sq. ft.; no one figure > 50 sq. ft. | — | — | No limit if no advertising | Freestanding/associated with any part of building | — | Table 19-51C |
| Wall Sign - Theater Identification | Below eaves of roof | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Table 19-51C |
| Changeable Copy Sign - Theater Marquee | Below eaves of roof | 8 sq. ft. for each screen or stage (not to exceed 40 sq. ft. total) | — | — | 1 per use | 1 per use | — | Table 19-51C |
| Poster Case (Glass Enclosed) | 10 ft. | 20 sq. ft. for each poster case | — | — | 1 per stage or screen | On wall | — | Table 19-51C |

## Prohibited signs in Port Aransas

- No sign shall encroach into a public right-of-way.
- All signs must be placed at or behind the property line and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Illuminated signs must not have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or illuminating devices with changing intensity, brightness, or color.
- Colored lights cannot be used in a manner that could be confused with traffic control devices.
- Reflective bulbs and incandescent lamps over 15 watts shall not be exposed to public right-of-way or adjacent property.
- Snipe signs (signs affixed to public infrastructure or property) are prohibited.
- Obscene or offensive signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except for legal A-frames.
- Advertising signs on fences, public benches and bus stops are prohibited.
- Signs may not be erected in a manner that interferes with fire escapes, exits, ventilation, doors, required infrastructure, or creates hazards.
- Signs that interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs painted on non-street-legal vehicles parked more than 24 hours and used primarily to advertise are prohibited.
- Animated, moving, flashing, blinking, reflecting, revolving, or similar signs are prohibited.
- Electronic graphic signs are prohibited except for specifically allowed time/temperature signs.
- Inflated signs, balloons, and figures are prohibited except as explicitly allowed for temporary signs.
- Signs emitting audible sounds, odors, or visible matter are prohibited except as explicitly allowed for temporary signs.
- Signs on public right-of-way or public property are prohibited unless expressly allowed.
- Signs that interfere with safety are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to temporary structures such as container vans or construction sheds, relating to on- or off-site business activities, are prohibited.
- Sign copy containing obscene or sexually oriented material is prohibited.
- Temporary signs must be non-illuminated (for real estate signs; and may generally apply widely as a maintenance standard).

## Signs exempt from permit in Port Aransas

- Time and temperature devices are exempted from sign area calculations.
- Double-faced signs are only measured by their larger face, not both sides.
- Framing, structural trim, or decorative trim is not included in measured sign area (unless excessive as determined by administrative official).
- Existing signs in place at the time of ordinance execution are considered legally nonconforming and do not have to meet new requirements until replacement (per footnote in Table 19-51C for three dimensional figures and potentially other historic legal nonconformities).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs may be required to submit plans signed by a structural engineer certifying structural soundness, or be approved by the city engineer, for permitting if demanded by the city.
- Three-dimensional signs exceeding six inches projection require review and approval by the building official for compliance with rules and regulations.
- Master sign plan or specific sign plan requirements are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, but structural plans and engineering may be required for permitting any sign, as noted in Sec. 19-52(b).
- Specific mention of sign plan submission applies for structural/windload compliance and for three-dimensional sign review.

## 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 9 zoning districts in Port Aransas — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Port+Aransas+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-port-aransas

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