# Sign Regulations in Surfside Beach, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Surfside Beach, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/surfside-beach
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Surfside_Beach/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH36SI)

## At a glance

Surfside Beach, Texas regulates 21 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Real Estate Signs in the R-1 residential zoning district are capped at 5 feet (if not attached to dwelling) tall and 4 square feet (per sign) (Sec. Sec. 36-6(b)(1)). Most commercial signs in Surfside Beach require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 residential | 11 | 5 feet (if not attached to dwelling) | 80 square feet total (max 16 sq ft per homebuilder/developer) | — |
| NC neighborhood commercial zone | 1 | — | 12 square feet | — |
| Commercial zones | 5 | May not project above roofline more than 50% above building height | 32 to 64 square feet | — |
| Integrated business developments (within commercial zoned districts) | 4 | May not project above roofline more than 50% above building height | 32 to 64 square feet (total for integrated development) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 32 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### R-1 residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | 5 feet (if not attached to dwelling) | 4 square feet (per sign) | — | — | 2 per single-family unit or lot | Anywhere on the premises, not projecting beyond property line. | — | Sec. 36-6(b)(1) |
| Vacant Land Sales Sign (Temporary Monument) | — | 32 square feet per sign | — | Minimum 10 ft from any street frontage; minimum 40 ft from street intersections | 1 per street frontage | Anywhere on the tract or parcel, subject to setback. | — | Sec. 36-6(b)(2) |
| Contractor Identification Sign (Temporary) | 5 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per contractor | Anywhere on the premises, not projecting beyond property line. | — | Sec. 36-6(b)(3) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Temporary Monument) | — | 80 square feet total (max 16 sq ft per homebuilder/developer) | — | — | 1 per subdivision entrance | At subdivision entrance | — | Sec. 36-6(b)(4) |
| Subdivision Section Directional Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | As approved | At intersections or as per approved plan | — | Sec. 36-6(c) |
| Resort Rental Sign | — | 4 square feet per sign | — | — | 2 per residence | Permanently affixed to the dwelling | — | Sec. 36-6(d) |
| Permanent Monument Sign (Subdivision Entrance) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per major entrance | Major entrance to the subdivision | — | Sec. 36-6(e)(1) |
| Permanent Monument or Wall Sign (Multiple-dwelling complexes) | — | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet (monument sign) | 1 per complex | Monument: must be set back 10 ft from property line; Wall: flush mounted | — | Sec. 36-6(e)(2) |

### Commercial zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | May not project above roofline more than 50% above building height | — | — | — | No limit on number, on each building face | On all building faces | — | Sec. 36-7(2)a |
| Monument Sign | — | 32 to 64 square feet | — | — | 1 per business establishment | On premises | — | Sec. 36-7(2)b |
| Vacant Land Sales Sign (Monument) | — | — | — | Minimum 10 ft from street frontage | — | Anywhere on the parcel, subject to setback | — | Sec. 36-7(1)b |
| Temporary Monument Sign (Under Construction) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | Development <10 ac: 1; ≥10 ac: 2 | On commercial development site | — | Sec. 36-7(2)c.1 |
| Temporary Wall Sign (Grand Opening) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per grand opening | Wall of the business establishment | — | Sec. 36-7(2)c.2 |

### Integrated business developments (within commercial zoned districts)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | May not project above roofline more than 50% above building height | — | — | — | No limit | On all building faces | — | Sec. 36-7(3)a |
| Monument Sign | — | 32 to 64 square feet (total for integrated development) | — | — | Total sign area applies | On premises | — | Sec. 36-7(3)b |
| Temporary Monument Sign (Under Construction) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | Development <10 ac: 1; ≥10 ac: 2 | On development site | — | Sec. 36-7(3)c |
| Temporary Wall Sign (Grand Opening) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per establishment per event | Wall or window of business or development | — | Sec. 36-7(3)d |

## Prohibited signs in Surfside Beach

- It is unlawful to erect, structurally alter, or relocate any sign within the village without first satisfying the requirements of this chapter.
- It is unlawful to erect, place, replace, build, rebuild, reconstruct, or move any sign within the village without first obtaining a sign permit unless otherwise provided.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Signs which advertise or otherwise direct attention to a product, service, activity, person, institution or business which no longer occupies or is conducted, sold, manufactured, produced or offered upon the premises where the sign is displayed are prohibited.
- Signs which move or contain visible moving parts are prohibited, except time and temperature components of permitted monument signs that are not otherwise intended as attention-getting devices.
- Signs containing obscene statements, words, or pictures that offend public morals or decency are prohibited.
- Signs or portions thereof located on or projecting/extended over any public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public property are prohibited, except subdivision signage as permitted and signs required or authorized by governmental authority.
- Signs which interfere with, obstruct the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device are prohibited.
- Portable or wheeled signs are prohibited.
- Signs with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights or messages are prohibited.
- Signs attached to or located upon exposed amenities are prohibited, except manufacturer/distributor information not exceeding ten percent of one surface.
- Signs placed in wetlands are prohibited.
- No sign shall resemble any official marker erected by any governmental unit, or by reason of position, shape, or color conflict with the functioning of, or be confused with, any traffic sign, signal, or emergency vehicle.
- Use of words such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses any driver or traffic is prohibited.
- No sign shall contain lights which are not effectively shielded as to prevent glare or impairment to drivers, or that otherwise interfere with motorists.
- No sign shall be erected nearer than eight feet vertically from any utility pole or ten feet horizontally from any energized primary voltage cable.
- No person shall place, construct, reconstruct, erect or use any sign on private or public property without permission of the property owner or controlling governmental entity.

## Signs exempt from permit in Surfside Beach

- Any sign erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function or required by law, ordinance, or governmental regulation.
- Commemorative plaques and identification emblems of recognized historical societies and organizations.
- Decorations clearly incidental, customary and commonly associated with a national, local, ethnic, or religious holiday; such decorations may be displayed only for the customary celebration period.
- Nameplates not exceeding two square feet for residents or occupants of commercial, industrial, and professional buildings or dwellings, apartments, boardinghouses, roominghouses, or similar facilities.
- Monument signs erected by residential homeowner associations at major entrances to the subdivision, not exceeding 16 square feet in area.
- Monument signs erected onsite by public and private developments for entrance, exit, parking, and traffic direction purposes, not exceeding two square feet in area, provided they are not otherwise prohibited or regulated.
- Protection or security signs denoting no trespassing or security devices, not exceeding four square feet.
- Flags of any governmental entity, provided they are flown in accordance with established etiquette.
- Political signs, which must comply with the Texas Election Code.
- Signs located inside a building, designed and located to be viewed by the public outside.
- Signs on vehicles regulated by the village or any governmental unit.
- Signs on licensed commercial vehicles, including trailers, provided they are not used intentionally as parked/stationary outdoor signs, nor designed for advertising as their primary purpose.
- Directory signs, menu boards, and similar signs designed to be read at a distance of no greater than ten feet.
- Banners and balloons for individual business establishments in commercial zones, with restrictions: no more than one banner at a time, 32 square feet maximum banner area, unobstructed vehicular/pedestrian traffic, and construction of weather resistant materials.
- Civic and church signs, including village-approved signs at or near village limits listing institutions, churches and points of interest, and up to four church/institution directional signs not exceeding four square feet each.
- Temporary directional signs limited to two per property, not exceeding 16 square feet each.
- Permit exceptions: Changing advertising copy or message of a painted sign; changing the advertising message/copy of an electric sign designed for replaceable copy; electrical, repainting or cleaning maintenance of a sign; repair of a sign unless the cost exceeds 50% of sign value; temporary signs; contractor and real estate signs not exceeding four square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All applications for sign permits must be accompanied by a plan or plans drawn to scale showing sign dimensions, supporting members, height, location relative to building and lot boundaries, and nearby electrical transmission lines.
- Sign permits are required prior to erection, placement, replacement, building, rebuilding, reconstruction, or moving of most signs, except for specifically exempted sign types.
- Subdivision section directional signs: Developers or builders requesting subdivision section directional signs must attach a proposed plan for the location of directional signs to their sign permit application.
- Identification signs for private community/recreational facilities located within a subdivision development must be included in the subdivision sign plan.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Surfside Beach — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Surfside+Beach+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-surfside-beach

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