# Sign Regulations in Van Horn, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Van Horn, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/van-horn
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Van_Horn/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.60SIRE)

## At a glance

Van Horn, Texas regulates 5 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Billboard (Off-Premises Sign)s in the B1, BR1, BR2 zoning district are capped at 20 ft above grade tall and 384 sq ft, with a 50 ft from residential (R1-R4) property line; 5 ft minimum front yard for signs ≤ 72 sq ft; as required otherwise for structures; 1,500 ft from other off-premises signs along same road; See additional for more. setback (Sec. 17.60.130 (A-J)). Most commercial signs in Van Horn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| B1, BR1, BR2 | 1 | 20 ft above grade | 384 sq ft | — |
| R1, R2, R3, R4 | 1 | 7 ft (including support) | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### B1, BR1, BR2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard (Off-Premises Sign) | 20 ft above grade | 384 sq ft | — | 50 ft from residential (R1-R4) property line; 5 ft minimum front yard for signs ≤ 72 sq ft; as required otherwise for structures; 1,500 ft from other off-premises signs along same road; See additional for more. | — | Along U.S. Highway 90 and I-10 Frontage Roads only; Not within special control areas (see additional requirements) | — | 17.60.130 (A-J) |

### R1, R2, R3, R4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Sign (Schools and Churches) | 7 ft (including support) | — | — | — | — | On-premises of schools and churches only | — | 17.60.070(G) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (On-Premises) | — | — | — | — | — | On-building | — | 17.60.070(F), 17.60.120, 17.60.050 |
| Freestanding Sign (On-Premises) | — | — | — | Same as structure setback in zone, unless sign ≤72 sq ft, then minimum 5 ft front yard setback | — | On-premises, front yard setbacks as for structures unless sign is 72 sq ft or less | — | 17.60.120, 17.60.050 |
| Roof Sign (Special Exception) | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted level with roof plane; other roof signs only by council approval if no alternatives exist | — | 17.60.070(I) |

## Prohibited signs in Van Horn

- No person shall erect, construct, reconstruct, alter, locate or relocate a sign without first having secured a written permit from the building official of the town.
- Any signs and supports located on the public right-of-way, including public streets, alleys, medians and parkways, are prohibited (except as expressly permitted, e.g., on commercial vehicles for purposes other than advertising).
- Banners, twirling signs, sandwich or A-frame signs, sidewalk or curb signs, balloons or other gas filled objects are prohibited (except banners for special events for up to ten days).
- Any sign resembling an official traffic sign, or bearing specific words like 'Stop', 'Go', 'Slow', 'Caution', 'Danger', 'Warning', or similar, causing confusion with traffic control is prohibited.
- Signs that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or that obscure traffic signs, signals, or views of roads/alleys/intersections are prohibited.
- Signs erected or maintained upon trees, or painted/drawn upon rocks or other natural features are prohibited.
- Off-premises wall signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs that are electrical or more than seven feet in height are prohibited. Portable signs are prohibited in all residential zones except for schools and churches.
- Off-premises portable signs are prohibited.
- All roof signs are prohibited, except those whose face/area is mounted level with the roof plane, unless council permits (in which case structural plans are required).
- Signs utilizing satellite dishes, operable or inoperable, are prohibited as signs.
- Any sign (e.g., banner, notice, poster, handbill, advertisement) placed, posted, pasted, installed, or affixed on utility posts, traffic signs, or public property (including public buildings, sidewalks, parkways, easements, curbs), except as authorized by official ordinance, resolution, or valid town authorization, is prohibited.
- Political signs are prohibited if: painted/installed on public property or private property without consent; fail to identify the responsible person/entity; posted more than 60 days before or 10 days after the relevant election.
- Any billboard or sign not displaying the name of the person erecting/owning/controlling it in a conspicuous place is prohibited.
- Signs painted upon vehicles/trailers used primarily as advertising are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Van Horn

- Signs installed or affixed pursuant to authorization granted by a town ordinance, resolution, or other valid, official town authorization are exempt from general prohibitions regarding posting on public property.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Application for a sign permit must include a sign plan. Required information for the sign plan includes: for off-premises signs—building locations, sizes, setbacks, sign schematics, elevation/site plans, zoning, and property owner authorization; for on-premises signs—building and property lines, locations, types, elevation drawings, schematics, and zoning.
- A certified engineer's certification is required for sign permits for signs over 24 feet high.
- No indication in this section requires a master sign plan or a variance meeting, but a sign plan is generally required for any new, reconstructed, or relocated sign as part of the permitting process.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Van Horn, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Van+Horn+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-van-horn

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