# Sign Regulations in Santa Fe, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Santa Fe, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/santa-fe
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Santa_Fe/codes/Zoning?nodeId=ART7OUADSIRE)

## At a glance

Santa Fe, Texas regulates 36 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Small Scale NC)s in the NC - Neighborhood Commercial District zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 80 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces (total up to 240 sq ft of display on one structure)., with a Exempt from zoning building setbacks (Sec. 7.04.06); must not be placed on or over public ROW or utility/drainage easements (Sec. 7.04.07); must not create hazardous visual obstruction (Sec. 7.04.01). setback (Sec. Appendix 4‑A, NC Small Scale Qualifications and Standards – row “Sign, maximum area”; row “Sign, maximum height”; row “Sign, anchorage, all”; row “Sign, lighting”; Note 5 Exception 1. Sec. 7.06.01–7.06.02; Sec. 7.08.01–7.08.03.). Most commercial signs in Santa Fe require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AR - Agricultural/Residential District; R-1 - Single-Family Residential District; R-2 Medium Density Residential District; R-3 - Multi-Family Residential District; MH - Manufactured Housing District | 3 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| NC - Neighborhood Commercial District | 12 | 25 ft | 80 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces (total up to 240 sq ft of display on one structure). | — |
| HC - Highway Commercial District | 12 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — |
| TR - Transportation District | 12 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — |
| LM - Light Manufacturing District | 12 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — |
| AU - Adult Uses District | 2 | 25 ft | By incorporation of Neighborhood Commercial District (Large Scale) standards: 80 sq ft per face; up to 3 faces per sign; max sign height 25 ft. | — |
| Planned unit development (PUD) overlay | 1 | Same as underlying district unless varied in approved PUD text. | To be established in the PUD development plan/ordinance; default is the underlying zoning district’s sign standards (e.g., NC, HC, etc.) unless clearly varied in the PUD text and approved by ordinance. | — |
| Public Service District | 2 | As per underlying base district’s sign standards. | As per the underlying base zoning district to which the Public Service overlay is applied. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Digital billboard max height 35 ft (Sec. 7.07.03(B)(2)). | Traditional off‑premise billboards: no new area permitted; existing ones cannot be enlarged. Digital billboards: active copy area ≤580 sq ft or not larger than original face. Conversion requires removal of ≥2 sq ft of traditional face for each 1 sq ft of digital face. | — |

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

### NC - Neighborhood Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Small Scale NC) | 25 ft | 80 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces (total up to 240 sq ft of display on one structure). | — | Exempt from zoning building setbacks (Sec. 7.04.06); must not be placed on or over public ROW or utility/drainage easements (Sec. 7.04.07); must not create hazardous visual obstruction (Sec. 7.04.01). | No explicit numeric cap in NC standards for freestanding signs; multi-tenant directory option restricts other freestanding signs (see below). | On-premise in NC Small Scale development; signs are exempt from building setbacks but remain subject to visibility and easement prohibitions. | — | Appendix 4‑A, NC Small Scale Qualifications and Standards – row “Sign, maximum area”; row “Sign, maximum height”; row “Sign, anchorage, all”; row “Sign, lighting”; Note 5 Exception 1. Sec. 7.06.01–7.06.02; Sec. 7.08.01–7.08.03. |
| Business Directory Sign (NC Small Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft (by reference to general NC sign height limit) | Indirect: per tenant element ≤16 sq ft per face and 32 sq ft total per tenant per sign; overall sign can exceed standard 80 sq ft per face when used as directory sign, but exact maximum is not numerically specified—only that it may exceed standard limits if criteria are met. | — | Same as other NC signs: exempt from yard setbacks but cannot encroach on ROW or easements (Sec. 7.04.06–7.04.07) and must avoid traffic hazards (Sec. 7.04.01). | 1 business directory sign per street frontage per multi-tenant site; when used, 0 additional freestanding signs permitted on that property. | On-premise, at multi-tenant NC Small Scale site, typically near street frontage(s). | — | Appendix 4‑A, NC Small Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |
| Freestanding Sign (Large Scale NC) | 25 ft | 80 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — | Same as all signs – exempt from yard setbacks but subject to ROW/easement prohibitions and visibility rules (Secs. 7.04.01, 7.04.06–7.04.07). | No explicit freestanding sign count cap apart from multi-tenant directory option. | On-premise in NC Large Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4‑A, NC Large Scale Standards – rows “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”; Note 5 Exception 1. |
| Business Directory Sign (NC Large Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft (general NC sign height limit). | Same tenant element limits as NC Small Scale (≤16 sq ft per face; ≤32 sq ft per tenant total). Overall directory sign may exceed basic 80 sq ft per face, but no explicit numeric cap. | — | Same as for other NC signs. | 1 directory sign per street frontage per multi-tenant site; 0 other freestanding signs if directory sign option used. | On-premise at multi-tenant NC Large Scale site. | — | Appendix 4‑A, NC Large Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |
| Freestanding Sign (Small Scale NC) | 25 ft | 80 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces (up to 240 sq ft total display on one structure). | — | Exempt from zoning building setbacks (Sec. 7.04.06); must not be placed on or over public ROW or utility/drainage easements (Sec. 7.04.07); must not create hazardous visual obstruction (Sec. 7.04.01). | No explicit numeric cap in NC standards for freestanding signs; multi-tenant directory option restricts other freestanding signs (see below). | On-premise in NC Small Scale development; signs are exempt from building setbacks but remain subject to visibility and easement prohibitions. | — | Appendix 4-A, NC Small Scale Standards – rows “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”; Note 5 Exception 1. Sec. 7.06.01–7.06.02; Sec. 7.08.01–7.08.03. |
| Business Directory Sign (NC Small Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft (general NC sign height limit). | Per tenant/owner element: ≤16 sq ft per face, ≤32 sq ft total per tenant or owner. Overall directory sign may exceed 80 sq ft per face when this option is used; no explicit total cap. | — | Same as other NC signs: exempt from yard setbacks but cannot encroach on ROW or easements (Sec. 7.04.06–7.04.07) and must avoid traffic hazards (Sec. 7.04.01). | 1 business directory sign per street frontage per multi-tenant site; when used, 0 additional freestanding signs permitted on that property. | On-premise, at multi-tenant NC Small Scale site, typically along each street frontage. | — | Appendix 4-A, NC Small Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |
| Freestanding Sign (NC Large Scale) | 25 ft | 80 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — | Same as all signs – exempt from yard setbacks but subject to ROW/easement prohibitions and visibility rules (Secs. 7.04.01, 7.04.06–7.04.07). | No explicit freestanding sign count cap apart from multi-tenant directory option. | On-premise in NC Large Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4-A, NC Large Scale Standards – “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”; Note 5 Exception 1. |
| Business Directory Sign (NC Large Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft (NC Large Scale sign height). | Same tenant element limits as NC Small Scale (≤16 sq ft per face; ≤32 sq ft per tenant total). Overall directory sign may exceed basic 80 sq ft per face limit when criteria are met. | — | Same as for other NC signs. | 1 directory sign per street frontage per multi-tenant site; 0 other freestanding signs if directory option used. | On-premise at multi-tenant NC Large Scale site. | — | Appendix 4-A, NC Large Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |

### HC - Highway Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (HC Small Scale) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — | Exempt from zoning yard setback (Sec. 7.04.06); cannot be placed on/over ROW or easements (Sec. 7.04.07); must avoid traffic hazards (Sec. 7.04.01). | No explicit numeric limit on number of freestanding signs per site other than multi-tenant directory option and general off‑premise sign prohibition. | On-premise in HC Small Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4‑B, HC Small Scale Standards – rows “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. Sec. 7.07.01–7.07.03; Sec. 7.08.01–7.08.03. |
| Business Directory Sign (HC Small Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft (HC Small Scale general sign height). | Tenant element ≤16 sq ft per face, ≤32 sq ft per tenant total; directory sign may exceed 100 sq ft per face when used under optional criteria (no explicit overall cap stated). | — | Same as HC freestanding signs. | 1 directory sign per street frontage; if used, 0 additional freestanding signs allowed on that property. | On-premise at multi-tenant HC Small Scale site. | — | Appendix 4‑B, HC Small Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |
| Freestanding Sign (HC Large Scale) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — | Exempt from yard setbacks; must comply with ROW/easement and visibility rules in Sec. 7.04.01 and 7.04.07. | No explicit freestanding sign count cap except directory option constraints. | On-premise in HC Large Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4‑B, HC Large Scale Standards – “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”; Note 5 Exception 1. |
| Business Directory Sign (HC Large Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft | Same tenant element limits as Small Scale: ≤16 sq ft per face and 32 sq ft per tenant element; directory sign may exceed basic per-face limit under optional criteria. | — | Same as other HC signs. | 1 directory sign per street frontage; 0 other freestanding signs if directory option used. | On-premise at HC Large Scale multi-tenant site. | — | Appendix 4‑B, HC Large Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |
| Freestanding Sign (HC Small Scale) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces (≤300 sq ft total display area per structure). | — | Exempt from zoning yard setback (Sec. 7.04.06); cannot be placed on/over ROW or water/sewer/drainage easements (Sec. 7.04.07); must avoid traffic hazards (Sec. 7.04.01). | No explicit numeric limit on number of freestanding signs per site other than constraints from the multi-tenant directory sign option. | On-premise in HC Small Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4-B, HC Small Scale Standards – rows “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. Sec. 7.07.01–7.07.03; Sec. 7.08.01–7.08.03. |
| Business Directory Sign (HC Small Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft | Per tenant/owner element ≤16 sq ft per face and 32 sq ft total area per tenant; overall sign may exceed 100 sq ft per face when directory criteria are met; no specific overall cap stated. | — | Same as HC freestanding signs (setback exemption but ROW/easement and safety rules apply). | 1 directory sign per street frontage per multi-tenant site; when used, 0 other freestanding signs permitted. | On-premise at multi-tenant HC Small Scale site along frontage(s). | — | Appendix 4-B, HC Small Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |
| Freestanding Sign (HC Large Scale) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — | Exempt from yard setbacks; ROW/easement and visibility rules still apply (Sec. 7.04.01, 7.04.07). | No explicit freestanding sign count cap beyond directory option choice. | On-premise in HC Large Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4-B, HC Large Scale Standards – “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”; Note 5 Exception 1. |
| Business Directory Sign (HC Large Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft | Tenant element ≤16 sq ft per face and 32 sq ft total per tenant; overall directory sign may exceed 100 sq ft basic limit when criteria met. | — | Same as other HC signs. | 1 directory sign per street frontage; 0 other freestanding signs if directory option used. | On-premise at HC Large Scale multi-tenant site. | — | Appendix 4-B, HC Large Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |

### TR - Transportation District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (TR Small Scale) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — | Exempt from zoning setbacks (Sec. 7.04.06); cannot be on/over ROW or utility/drainage easements (Sec. 7.04.07); must avoid visual obstruction (Sec. 7.04.01). | No explicit number limit; directory option can limit freestanding signs on multi-tenant sites. | On-premise in TR Small Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4‑C, TR Small Scale Standards – rows “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. Sec. 7.07.01–7.07.03; Sec. 7.08.01–7.08.03. |
| Business Directory Sign (TR Small Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft | Tenant element ≤16 sq ft per face; 32 sq ft total per tenant per sign; directory sign may exceed 100 sq ft basic limit (no explicit cap). | — | Same as other TR signs. | 1 directory sign per street frontage; 0 other freestanding signs if directory option used. | On-premise at multi-tenant TR Small Scale property along frontage(s). | — | Appendix 4‑C, TR Small Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |
| Freestanding Sign (TR Large Scale) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — | Exempt from zoning setbacks; ROW/easement and safety rules still apply (Sec. 7.04.01, 7.04.07). | No explicit freestanding sign count limit beyond directory option choice. | On-premise in TR Large Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4‑C, TR Large Scale Standards – “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”; Note 5 Exception 1. |
| Business Directory Sign (TR Large Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft | Same tenant element limits as TR Small Scale (≤16 sq ft per face; 32 sq ft per tenant). Directory sign may exceed basic sign area limits. | — | Same as other TR signs. | 1 directory sign per street frontage; 0 other freestanding signs if directory option used. | On-premise at TR Large Scale multi-tenant property. | — | Appendix 4‑C, TR Large Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |
| Freestanding Sign (TR Small Scale) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — | Exempt from zoning setbacks (Sec. 7.04.06); cannot be on/over ROW or utility/drainage easements (Sec. 7.04.07); must avoid visual obstruction (Sec. 7.04.01). | No explicit number limit; directory option can limit freestanding signs on multi-tenant sites. | On-premise in TR Small Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4-C, TR Small Scale Standards – “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. Sec. 7.07.01–7.07.03; Sec. 7.08.01–7.08.03. |
| Business Directory Sign (TR Small Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft | Per tenant/owner element ≤16 sq ft per face; ≤32 sq ft total per tenant per sign. Directory sign may exceed 100 sq ft basic limit; no explicit total cap. | — | Same as other TR signs. | 1 directory sign per street frontage; 0 other freestanding signs if directory option used. | On-premise at multi-tenant TR Small Scale property along frontage(s). | — | Appendix 4-C, TR Small Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |
| Freestanding Sign (TR Large Scale) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; maximum 3 faces. | — | Exempt from zoning setbacks; ROW/easement and safety rules still apply (Sec. 7.04.01, 7.04.07). | No explicit freestanding sign count limit beyond directory option constraints. | On-premise in TR Large Scale developments. | — | Appendix 4-C, TR Large Scale Standards – “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”; Note 5 Exception 1. |
| Business Directory Sign (TR Large Scale, Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft | Same tenant element limits as TR Small Scale (≤16 sq ft per face; ≤32 sq ft per tenant). Directory sign may exceed basic sign area limits. | — | Same as other TR signs. | 1 directory sign per street frontage; 0 other freestanding signs if directory option used. | On-premise at TR Large Scale multi-tenant property. | — | Appendix 4-C, TR Large Scale Standards – “Signs, multi-tenant facilities, known as ‘business directory signs (optional area increases)’ ”; “Sign, maximum area”; “Sign, maximum height”; “Sign, anchorage, all”; “Sign, lighting”. |

## Prohibited signs in Santa Fe

- No person shall erect, construct, suspend or maintain any sign across, over or above any public right-of-way, sidewalk or any portion thereof except banners for public events when approved by the Chief of Police or his designee.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained in any manner that obstructs a means of egress, any opening necessary for required light or ventilation, or any access required for fire fighting.
- No sign shall be erected in a manner that obstructs the safe flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No sign shall be constructed on any exterior yard so as to constitute a hazardous visual obstruction to traffic in any direction.
- No sign shall be displayed on or attached to any vehicle that requires a state inspection sticker, other than for immediate transfer from or to a permitted location. Any such vehicle displaying advertising and parked off-premise of the business so advertised, that does not carry a valid state inspection sticker or a valid license and is parked conspicuously to the motoring public, is considered an off‑premise sign.
- Signs with flashing, glaring, strobe, chasing, rotating or blinking lights are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with the safe operation of motor vehicles by the nature of their design or the manner of their operation are prohibited.
- No sign confusingly similar to a traffic control sign or device shall be placed in view of any street or thoroughfare.
- The use of words, phrases or symbols such as “stop,” “danger,” “yield,” and similar that may interfere with, mislead or confuse vehicular traffic on a sign is prohibited.
- No signs shall be placed on or over any public right-of-way, water, sewer or drainage easements except signs erected by the Texas Highway Department, Galveston County, the City of Santa Fe, and signs identifying underground pipeline structures.
- No sign on a public right-of-way, water, sewer or drainage easement is allowed to maintain a pre‑existing nonconforming status.
- No signs shall be placed, posted, displayed or otherwise attached upon any street lamp post, street sign, traffic sign or signal, hydrant, tree, shrub, fence or utility pole.
- If portions of a sign face or structure are incomplete or missing and not repaired within 30 days after notice, or if a structural defect is not repaired within 15 days after notice, the sign is deemed abandoned and may not remain in that condition.
- When a sign has structural design flaws or defects that constitute a clear and immediate threat to the public or adjacent property, the Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to secure or dismantle the sign and charge the cost to the owner.
- Temporary signs must be removed within 24 hours after the event advertised; leaving a temporary sign beyond that period is prohibited.
- All permanent or temporary signs must have professional, even lettering with clearly legible font styles.
- Sign design and predominant colors must be unobtrusive and compatible with specified traditional, earth tone and muted color ranges; designs that do not blend harmoniously with surroundings and neighboring architecture are not allowed.
- Permanent on‑premise signs with combined structure and display area over 32 square feet must be anchored against uplift and overturning for 120 mph winds and have plans designed and certified by a qualified engineer; such signs may not be erected without meeting these structural standards.
- Temporary on‑premise signs, including portable signs, must be secured against dislodgment by wind and removed when faded or deteriorated; unsecured or deteriorated temporary signs are prohibited.
- Temporary on‑premise signs may not be erected on public property, rights‑of‑way, utility poles or equipment, traffic control signs, or similar public property and equipment.
- Portable signs may not exceed 32 square feet per sign face, with a maximum of two faces.
- No new permanent off‑premise signs shall be erected or re‑erected within the city limits except as expressly provided in the ordinance or installed by the City of Santa Fe.
- Existing permanent off‑premise signs (excluding digital conversions under the ordinance) that are 50% or more destroyed, as determined by the Building Official, must be removed by the owner and may not be re‑erected.
- No temporary off‑premise signs may be erected within the City of Santa Fe.
- All billboard signs are prohibited except for existing billboards managed under the amortization and digital conversion provisions.
- Billboard signs (not converted and conforming under the digital billboard provisions) that are 50% or more destroyed must be removed by the owner and may not be re‑erected.
- Digital billboards may not display animation, movement, the appearance or optical illusion of movement, blinking, flashing, scintillating lighting, or varying light intensity; displays must be static and change only within the specified dwell‑time limits.
- Off‑premise digital billboards must comply with maximum display area, height, spacing from other billboards, setbacks from platted residential areas, dwell time, brightness, malfunction default, dimming controls, and wind‑load certification; operation or construction contrary to these limits is prohibited.
- Nonconforming signs may not be enlarged, changed, altered, or repaired except in conformity with current regulations, subject to limited restoration allowances for damage up to 50% of reasonable value.
- A legal nonconforming sign that is discontinued or abandoned (including where the associated land use ceases for 90 days) may not be resumed; any replacement sign must conform to current regulations.
- Owners, operators or occupants must be able to provide proof that a nonconforming sign existed prior to enactment; failure to do so precludes claiming legal nonconforming status.
- Failure to remove a certified nonconforming sign by the termination date set in an approved amortization schedule constitutes a violation of the ordinance and is subject to enforcement penalties.
- In AR, R‑1, R‑2, R‑3 and MH zoning districts, no lot may have more than one sign, no sign may exceed 20 square feet in area, and no sign may exceed 5 lineal feet on any side; exceeding these limits is prohibited.
- In Neighborhood Commercial, Highway Commercial, Transportation, and Light Manufacturing districts, free‑standing sign area and height limits in the applicable Small Scale / Large Scale standards (e.g., maximum 80–100 square feet per face, maximum 25 feet in height, maximum three faces per sign) may not be exceeded.
- In Neighborhood Commercial and Highway Commercial, “spectacular signs” are prohibited, and building‑face mounted signs are prohibited above the eave line (subject to the stated neon exception in NC).
- In Transportation and Light Manufacturing districts, spectacular signs are prohibited and building‑face mounted signs are prohibited above the eave line.
- Signs greater than 32 square feet and/or over 10 feet in height must be mounted to below‑grade foundations and designed by a professional engineer; erecting large signs without these anchorage and design requirements is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Santa Fe

- Signs permitted under the sign ordinance are exempt from building setback restrictions imposed by the zoning ordinances.
- Banners for public events may be erected across, over or above a public right‑of‑way or sidewalk when approved by the Chief of Police or his designee; such approved banners are exempt from the general prohibition on signs over rights‑of‑way.
- Customary commercial or industrial logos, locations, phone numbers, identification numbers and slogans carried on the sides of commercial vehicles intended for identification are exempt from the prohibition on vehicular signs, provided the vehicle is not being used as an off‑premise advertising sign.
- Political signs placed on private property with the property owner’s permission are allowed without a sign permit, so long as they comply with height, area, illumination, and movement restrictions and are not placed on public property or in public rights‑of‑way.
- Signs installed by the Texas Highway Department, Galveston County, the City of Santa Fe, and signs identifying underground pipeline structures are exempt from the prohibition on signs on or over public rights‑of‑way and certain easements.
- All signs erected before adoption of the sign ordinance that do not meet current regulations may continue as legal pre‑existing nonconforming signs once registered with the City, subject to the nonconformance and amortization provisions.
- Existing off‑premise billboard signs may be converted to digital billboard signs if all conditions of the Digital Billboard Conversion Agreement and related requirements are satisfied; such converted signs are treated as conforming signs under the ordinance.
- In Neighborhood Commercial, Highway Commercial, Transportation, and Light Manufacturing districts, business directory signs for multi‑tenant facilities are allowed to exceed otherwise applicable sign area limits, if they meet the specified multi‑tenant directory criteria and replace other free‑standing signs on the site.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For permanent on‑premise signs with a combined structure and display area over 32 square feet, construction plans must be designed and certified by a qualified engineer and submitted with the permit application; this functions as a structural sign plan for larger signs.
- Any person desiring to erect or alter a regulated sign must apply for a sign permit, including a sketch showing dimensions and structural details, a plot plan showing the location of the sign and all existing signs on the premises visible from the right‑of‑way, and written consent of the property owner; this constitutes the basic sign submittal/plan requirement.
- All signs erected before the enabling of the ordinance that do not conform must be registered with the City as pre‑existing nonconforming signs; the Code Enforcement Officer must survey, document, and certify these signs annually, and the Planning and Zoning Commission must approve the certification. The Board of Adjustment must hold a public hearing and establish an amortization schedule for each certified nonconforming sign, effectively requiring a case‑by‑case review and schedule rather than a conventional master sign plan.
- For conversion of an existing off‑premise billboard to a digital billboard, the owner must obtain approval of a Digital Billboard Conversion Agreement from the City Manager or designee, documenting removal of qualifying traditional sign face area and specifying the location and dimensions of the digital billboard to be constructed; this agreement operates as a specialized sign plan for digital billboard projects.
- In Neighborhood Commercial, Highway Commercial, Transportation, and Light Manufacturing districts, optional multi‑tenant business directory signs are allowed only under specified conditions (including uniform sign elements and limitations on other free‑standing signs). While no formal 'master sign plan' is named, implementing these options requires coordinated design and layout of all tenant sign elements on a shared structure.
- Planned Unit Development (PUD) Master Plans must account for all residential units and all nonresidential square footage, parking, circulation, and open space but the ordinance text provided does not add sign‑specific master‑plan requirements beyond those in the general sign article; any sign program for a PUD would be controlled by the PUD development agreement and master plan on a case‑by‑case basis.
- The sign ordinance does not explicitly use the terms 'master sign plan' or 'comprehensive sign plan'; instead, sign control across districts is implemented through general sign permitting, structural/engineering plan requirements for larger signs, registration and amortization plans for nonconforming signs, and project‑specific agreements (such as Digital Billboard Conversion Agreements) that function similarly to a sign plan for those particular cases.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/santa-fe