Sign Regulations in Southlake, Texas
Southlake, Texas has specific sign regulations covering 32 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Residential Real Estate Sign/For Sale/For Lease or Rent, Temporary Model Home Sign/Residential Sales Trailer, Temporary Subdivision Marketing Sign/Open House Sign. Height restrictions apply. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 2, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Southlake, Texas
Sample Sign Requirements in Southlake
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Model Home Sign/Residential Sales Trailer | 5 ft | 64 sq.ft. for two-sided sign; 32 sq.ft. per sign face | — |
| Temporary Subdivision Marketing Sign/Open House Sign | 3 ft | 8 sq.ft. total; 4 sq.ft. per sign face | — |
| Temporary Residential Builder Sign | 3 ft | 8 sq.ft.; 4 sq.ft. per sign face | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for SouthlakePartial Coverage
Sign Types Covered
32
- Temporary Residential Real Estate Sign/For Sale/For Lease or Rent
- Temporary Model Home Sign/Residential Sales Trailer
- Temporary Subdivision Marketing Sign/Open House Sign
- Temporary Residential Builder Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Southlake
Other Cities in Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Southlake vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Southlake, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Southlake, regulated sign types include Temporary Residential Real Estate Sign/For Sale/For Lease or Rent, Temporary Model Home Sign/Residential Sales Trailer, Temporary Subdivision Marketing Sign/Open House Sign, Temporary Residential Builder Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Southlake vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Southlake are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Southlake has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Southlake, Texas Sign Rules at a Glance
Southlake, Texas regulates 32 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Regional Boulevards)s in the Regional Boulevards (F.M. 1709, F.M. 1938) zoning district are capped at 8 ft total; 6 ft face tall, 120 sq.ft. total; 60 sq.ft. per face, and 16 ft wide, with a 12 ft setback (Sec. Sec. 15.5-27(b), Table 6).
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Southlake, Texas
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Southlake (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 8 ft | 72 sq.ft.; 36 sq.ft. per sign face | — |
| Industrial areas (B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2, S-P-1, S-P-2, industrial uses, non-conforming industrial uses) | 2 | — | 25 sq.ft. | — |
| Downtown (DT), Transitional Zoning District (TZD), Employment Center Zoning (ECZ) | 1 | — | 8 sq.ft. total; 4 sq.ft. per sign face | — |
| Residentially zoned property (RCS, SF-1A, SF-1B, SF-2, SF-30A, SF-30B, SF-20A, SF-20B, R-PUD, MF-1, MF-2) | 2 | 6 ft | 24 sq.ft.; 12 sq.ft. per sign face | — |
| Main Streets (within DT, TZD, ECZ) | 3 | 14" letter height | 100 sq.ft. | — |
| Regional Boulevards (F.M. 1709, F.M. 1938) | 3 | Max 36" letter height | 300 sq.ft. | — |
| Freeways (S.H. 114) | 3 | Max 42" letter height | 400 sq.ft. | — |
| All other streets | 3 | Max 24" letter height | 200 sq.ft. | — |
| Internal driveways/parking aisles | 4 | 21" letter height | 100 sq.ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Southlake(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 | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Model Home Sign/Residential Sales Trailer | 5 ft | 64 sq.ft. for two-sided sign; 32 sq.ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per site | Ground; at or behind property line | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-25(4), Table 1, Item 1 |
| Temporary Subdivision Marketing Sign/Open House Sign | 3 ft | 8 sq.ft. total; 4 sq.ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 on-site sign; not exceeding 4 off-site signs | Ground; at or behind property line. Not on public ROW. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-25(4), Table 1, Item 2 |
| Temporary Residential Builder Sign | 3 ft | 8 sq.ft.; 4 sq.ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per site | Ground; at or behind property line | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-25(4), Table 1, Item 3 |
| Temporary Residential Real Estate Sign/For Sale/For Lease or Rent | 6 ft | 24 sq.ft.; 12 sq.ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 ground sign per site | Ground; at or behind property line; not on ROW. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-25(4), Table 1, Item 4 |
| Temporary Land Sign | 5 ft measured from street grade | 64 sq.ft.; 32 sq.ft. per sign face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Ground; at or behind property line; not on ROW. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-25(4), Table 1, Item 5 |
| Temporary Garage/Yard/Estate Sale Sign | 3 ft | 8 sq.ft.; 4 sq.ft. per sign face | — | — | 4 per sale; not more than 3 off-site | Ground at/behind property line | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-25(4), Table 1, Item 6 |
| Temporary Political Sign | 8 ft | 72 sq.ft.; 36 sq.ft. per sign face | — | — | No limit | Placed on private property, not on city or TXDOT R.O.W. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-25(4), Table 1, Item 7 |
| Permanent Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per site | Mounted flat against wall at home occupation entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-25(4), Table 1, Item 8 |
Regional Boulevards (F.M. 1709, F.M. 1938)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Regional Boulevards ≤100 ft) | 18" letter height | 300 sq.ft. | — | — | Max 2 per lease/tenant space | Middle 75% of façade or centered on articulated surface. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-27(b), Table 4 |
| Wall Sign (Regional Boulevards >100 ft from ROW) | Max 36" letter height | 300 sq.ft. | — | — | Max 2 per lease/tenant space | Middle 75% of façade or centered on articulated surface. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-27(b), Table 4 |
| Monument Sign (Regional Boulevards) | 8 ft total; 6 ft face | 120 sq.ft. total; 60 sq.ft. per face | 16 ft | 12 ft | 1 per 500 ft frontage, max 2 | 1/500 ft of frontage, max 2; setback 12 ft from ROW | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-27(b), Table 6 |
Internal driveways/parking aisles
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Internal driveways/parking aisles ≤100 ft) | 14" letter height | 100 sq.ft. | — | — | Max 2 per lease/tenant space | Middle 75% of façade or centered. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-27(b), Table 4 |
| Wall Sign (Internal driveways/parking aisles >100 ft) | 21" letter height | 100 sq.ft. | — | — | Max 2 per lease/tenant space | Middle 75% of façade or centered. | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-27(b), Table 4 |
| Menuboard (Internal Streets/Drives) | — | 24 sq.ft.; one sign face per sign | — | — | Up to 2 per site | Side or rear of principal building, must be min. 18 ft apart if two signs | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-27(b), Table 5, Item 2 |
| Drive Through Sign (Internal Streets/Drives) | — | 4 sq.ft. | — | — | 2 per site | Side, rear or adjacent to drive aisle; not visible from all adjoining streets | — | Unlock | Sec. 15.5-27(b), Table 5, Item 4 |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Southlake — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Southlake — start freeProhibited Signs in Southlake
- Signs attached to light fixtures, poles, curbs, sidewalks, gutters, streets, utility poles, public buildings, fences, railings, public telephone poles, or trees (excluding political signs on private property) are prohibited unless approved by city council.
- Signs which prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape are prohibited.
- Signs erected or displayed in a manner obstructing free and clear vision at any location, street, intersection, or driveway are prohibited.
- Any sign interfering with vehicular or pedestrian traffic because of position, size, shape, movement, color, fashion, manner, or intensity of illumination, or which could be confused with any authorized traffic signal or device (including use of certain words or colors) is prohibited.
- Signs erected or displayed on or over public right-of-way or other public property are prohibited (except wayfinding signs and those erected by or with the permission of the city or other government for public purposes).
- Signs directly painted on buildings are prohibited unless under five square feet for building identification.
- Obscene signs (appealing to prurient interest, patently offensive, or without redeeming social value) are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except for sandwich board signs compliant with section 15.5-26.
- Signs with exposed neon tube are prohibited except for open/closed window signs.
- Signs illuminated to such intensity or in such a manner as to cause glare or brightness constituting a hazard or nuisance to traffic are prohibited.
- Exposed LED lights or similar lighting in or framing windows are prohibited, including those attached to window frames.
- Signs that move or flash, have moving or flashing components, are intermittently lighted or have changing colors, revolve, or are similarly constructed are prohibited.
- Readerboard signs are prohibited, except for bulletin board signs, drive through signs, and gasoline pricing signs compliant with section 15.5-27(b).
- Illuminated signs within 150 feet of single-family residentially zoned property are prohibited unless shielded and not exceeding light intensity standards.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Any sign attached to a trailer, skid, or similar mobile structure, or a vehicle sign where the primary use is to provide a base for a sign or act as the sign itself, is prohibited excepting identification signs on vehicles for normal business use or bumper stickers.
- Sign walkers are prohibited.
- Structural or non-structural additions or attachments to monument signs are prohibited, except for authorized structural modifications with a valid permit.
- Boxed cabinet signs, capsule, or pill box signs attached to buildings are prohibited.
- Awning signs are prohibited.
- Commercial signage on grocery cart corrals is prohibited (except "return cart here" signs under six square feet).
- Signs illuminated with anything other than white light or similar type are prohibited unless approved by the administrative official.
- Lighting projected onto a building is prohibited (except customary exterior building and site illumination and permitted sign illumination).
- Upper story signs are prohibited unless approved as part of a Master Sign Plan or variance.
- Signs attached to vehicles advertising sale of the vehicle that are parked to attract the attention of or inform public right-of-way users are prohibited.
- Vertically oriented signs are prohibited unless permitted by ordinance.
- Channel cut letters (internally or externally illuminated) mounted to a sign backer are prohibited.
- Graffiti is specifically prohibited. Property owners must remove graffiti within 72 hours of notice.
- Flat panel signs located in non-industrial areas are prohibited.
- Any sign not specifically permitted by this article is prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Southlake
- Warning and security signs, including those placed by a public utility for safety, welfare, or convenience, are exempt.
- Government signs and signs for non-profit organizations sponsored by government, including flags, insignia, legal notices, informational, directional, and traffic signs required by law or for essential government functions, are exempt.
- "No dumping" and "no trespassing" signs less than two square feet in area per sign face are exempt.
- Signs placed inside ball field fencing by the city in public parks, intended for advertising to raise funds for recreation programs (copy only on interior-facing side), are exempt.
- Signs attached to a temporary structure used for outdoor sales or services or signs approved in a specific use permit authorizing outdoor sales/services are exempt.
- Signs attached to a donation bin are exempt.
- Signs associated with fundraisers/sales (as an authorized accessory use) are exempt.
- Non-illuminated names of buildings, dates of erection, monument statues, commemorative tablets, and the like, when carved into a permanent type of construction and made integral to an allowed structure or flush to the ground, are exempt.
- Monumental commemorative sculpture or graphic art, including non-commercial inscriptions or dedications, permanently attached/incorporated into facades of community centers, religious institutions, schools, libraries, museums, hospitals, or similar structures, are exempt.
- Any traffic sign, public notice, or warning required by federal, state, or local law/regulation/ordinance is exempt.
- Traffic control signs on private property (such as Stop, Yield, etc.), containing no commercial message, are exempt.
- Address signs no greater than five square feet in area are exempt (those over five square feet are subject to sign area/permit requirements).
- Retail store window displays of merchandise, freestanding 3D promotional items (with or without proprietary words/symbols solely describing merchandise), and display fixtures not affixed to windowpanes are exempt.
- Holiday decorations and periodic event signs for schools, religious organizations, and colleges with no commercial message are exempt.
- Restricted parking signs required or authorized by ordinance or law, including handicap parking signs, are exempt.
- Outdoor exposed string lights (patio lights) in commercial outdoor dining/patio areas per Section 15.5-7.2, Table 5, Item 6, are exempt.
- Corporate flags are exempt subject to the following conditions: no more than one corporate flag per eligible parcel; cannot be larger than a government flag (and not to exceed 20% of permitted flagpole height); must be flown at or below government flag if present; may display only the name, emblem, or logo of the corporation (not slogans/tag lines); not permitted for agricultural, residential, or retail uses.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Southlake
- A Master Sign Plan is required when an applicant wants to designate an area with unique sign characteristics and standards (sign type, design, location, etc.) based on performance criteria, subject to city council approval.
- All signs in a development with an approved Master Sign Plan must comply with that plan's approved standards.
- A Master Sign Plan application must include a complete sign palette, sign locations, sizes, materials, colors, types of illumination, and complementary landscaping/ornamental structures.
- The Master Sign Plan application is considered by city council following a recommendation by the sign board.
- Window signs that do not meet the permit exemption standards (e.g., number, size limits) are prohibited unless approved as part of a Master Sign Plan.
- Upper story signs are prohibited unless approved as part of a Master Sign Plan or variance.
- Applications for variances (to any sign ordinance restriction) are considered by city council following a sign board recommendation; applications must state justification and show harmony with the ordinance.
- If a variance to signage is requested in conjunction with a Master Sign Plan, it must be identified in the application with supporting justification.
- Permanent and temporary signs, unless specifically exempted, require approval of a sign permit from the city.
Source: municode municipal code