# Sign Regulations in Port Arthur, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Port Arthur, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/port-arthur
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Port_Arthur/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH82SI)

## At a glance

Port Arthur, Texas regulates 36 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Flags in the Residential districts (LDR, MDR, HDR, MH) zoning district are capped at 25 ft or no higher than roof, whichever is lower tall and 15 sq ft per flag, with a Must meet principal building setback setback (Sec. Sec. 82-20(3a)). Most commercial signs in Port Arthur require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts (LDR, MDR, HDR, MH) | 12 | 25 ft or no higher than roof, whichever is lower | 100 sq ft | — |
| Multifamily residential district (HDR) | 7 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Manufactured home district (MH) | 4 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Light commercial (LC), Heavy commercial (HC), Neighborhood services (NS) | 10 | 50 ft or not above roofline | 100 sq ft | — |
| Industrial (I), Agriculture (A), Offshore water (OW) | 9 | 50 ft or no higher than principal building roof | 100 sq ft | — |
| Multi-unit complex in a non-residential district | 2 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood services centers | 2 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Downtown district | 1 | — | — | — |
| Master sign plan areas | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Residential districts (LDR, MDR, HDR, MH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Development Monument Sign (4 acres or less) | — | 24 sq ft per entrance | — | Minimum 15 ft from right-of-way | Per entrance | At each entrance onto a major thoroughfare; at least 15 ft from right-of-way. | — | Sec. 82-20(2a, 2d) |
| Residential Development Monument Sign (over 4 to <40 acres) | — | 36 sq ft per entrance | — | Minimum 15 ft from right-of-way | Per entrance | At each entrance onto a major thoroughfare; at least 15 ft from right-of-way. | — | Sec. 82-20(2b, 2d) |
| Residential Development Monument Sign (40 acres or more) | — | 64 sq ft per entrance | — | Minimum 15 ft from right-of-way | Per entrance | At each entrance onto a major thoroughfare; at least 15 ft from right-of-way. | — | Sec. 82-20(2c, 2d) |
| Subdivision Construction Sign (Temporary) | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per subdivision entrance | At each subdivision entrance | — | Sec. 82-20(2e) |
| Flag | 25 ft or no higher than roof, whichever is lower | 15 sq ft per flag | — | Must meet principal building setback | 2 flags, 1 pole per premises | One pole per premises; must meet minimum yard setback for principal building. | — | Sec. 82-20(3a) |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | Owner's property | — | Sec. 82-20(3b1) |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 8.5 in x 11 in | — | — | 1 per property | One window on property | — | Sec. 82-20(3b2) |
| Temporary Election Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per issue/candidate | Owner's property | — | Sec. 82-20(3b3) |

### Light commercial (LC), Heavy commercial (HC), Neighborhood services (NS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Canopy, Marquee, or Projecting Sign | — | 64 sq ft (total all wall/canopy/projecting signs per lot) | — | Minimum 15 ft from right of way | — | Each lot, at least 15 ft from any public right of way | — | Sec. 82-23(a1) |
| Monument Sign | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 15 ft from property lines | One per lot | At least 15 ft from property lines | — | Sec. 82-23(a2) |
| Gasoline Pump Island Logo Sign | — | 32 sq ft per pump island | — | At least 20 ft from right of way | One per island | Gasoline pump island, at least 20 ft from right of way | — | Sec. 82-23(a3) |
| Gasoline Pump Island Price Sign | — | 40 sq ft per pump island | — | At least 20 ft from right of way | One per pump island | Gasoline pump island, at least 20 ft from right of way | — | Sec. 82-23(a3) |
| Non-Commercial Sign | 5 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | On private property with owner consent, not in/on/over street or right of way | — | Sec. 82-23(b2) |
| For Sale/Lease Temporary Sign (Entire Property) | — | 100 sq ft | — | At least 15 ft from right of way | One per property | At least 15 ft from any public right of way | — | Sec. 82-23(b5a) |
| For Sale/Lease Temporary Sign (Individual Unit) | — | 16 sq ft | — | At least 15 ft from right of way | One per unit for sale/lease | At least 15 ft from any public right of way | — | Sec. 82-23(b5b) |
| Flag | 50 ft or not above roofline | 24 sq ft per flag | — | Meet principal building setback or minimum 10 ft, whichever is more restrictive | Max 6 flags and 6 poles | On premises, meet principal building setback or minimum 10 ft | — | Sec. 82-23(b6) |

### Industrial (I), Agriculture (A), Offshore water (OW)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Canopy, or Projecting Sign | — | 64 sq ft (total all wall/canopy/projecting signs per lot) | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 82-24(a1) |
| Monument Sign | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | At least 25 ft from public right-of-way | One per lot | — | — | Sec. 82-24(a2) |
| Gasoline Pump Island Logo Sign | — | 32 sq ft per island | — | At least 25 ft from right of way | One per gasoline pump island | At least 25 ft from right of way | — | Sec. 82-24(a3) |
| Gasoline Pump Island Price Sign | — | 40 sq ft per island | — | At least 25 ft from right of way | One per gasoline pump island | At least 25 ft from right of way | — | Sec. 82-24(a3) |
| Restaurant Menu Sign (Drive-in/Drive-through) | — | 32 sq ft | — | At least 20 ft from right of way | — | Detached or attached; at least 20 ft from right of way | — | Sec. 82-24(a4) |
| Non-commercial Sign | 6 ft | 36 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | On private property with owner consent; not in/on/over street or utility right-of-way | — | Sec. 82-24(b2a1, b2d, b2e) |
| For Sale/Lease Temporary Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | At least 30 ft from right of way | One per property | At least 30 ft from any public right of way | — | Sec. 82-24(b2b) |
| Flag | 50 ft or no higher than principal building roof | 24 sq ft per flag | — | Minimum yard setback for principal building or 10 ft, whichever is more restrictive | Max 6 flags and 6 poles | On premises; meet setback or minimum 10 ft | — | Sec. 82-24(b2c) |

## Prohibited signs in Port Arthur

- No sign may be placed on a property without the consent of the property owner or authorized lessor.
- Signs, unless specifically allowed under their respective section, shall not be illuminated, electronic, digital, or contain moving elements.
- No uplighting is allowed and all lighting must be shielded, if lighting is permitted.
- Signs may not be installed in, on, or over any street, utility, or public right-of-way (unless otherwise allowed for setback compliance).
- A non-commercial sign shall not be lighted or have any moving elements.
- Non-commercial signs may not advertise the sale of goods or services available at the property.
- Any sign shall not advertise the sale of goods, services, or activities that are not available on the building or property on which the sign is attached or placed.
- The responsible party is liable for compliance with sign Code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Port Arthur

- Flags with noncommercial messages, up to the permitted number, area, and height, are allowed without a permit in residential and nonresidential districts as specified by ordinance.
- Temporary signs meeting specific size, number, and duration requirements may be placed on properties without a permit, provided owner consent and compliance with ordinance.
- Equipment signs (words attached to machinery or equipment customary to the business, referring exclusively to products/services dispensed, and projecting no more than one inch from the device) are allowed without a permit.
- One non-commercial sign (pole sign, wall sign, or monument sign), not exceeding specified dimensions, is allowed without a permit per lot in commercial and industrial districts, with owner consent.
- In multifamily and manufactured home parks, individual lessees or owners may display signs allowed in residential districts, with owner consent and on the area they own or lease.
- Home occupation signs, as specified, do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- If a subdivision owner wishes to place model home, selling point, or other temporary signs to advertise lots, application for a master sign plan is encouraged in lieu of multiple variance requests.
- Sign permit applications for residential development and multifamily complex signs must be reviewed for completeness and compliance before approval.
- Master sign plans for areas with a multi-unit complex are highly encouraged to meet unique needs; all owners, tenants, subtenants, and purchasers of individual units within the development must comply with the approved master sign plan.
- Master sign plans are appropriate (and/or required) for planned unit developments, master planned developments, development agreements, large residential or commercial developments, multi-unit complexes, or when seeking several variances to this chapter.

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

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