# Sign Regulations in Van, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Van, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/van
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Van/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH25SI)

## At a glance

Van, Texas regulates 25 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Pole and Pylon Signs in the Nonresidential (C1, C2, I) zoning district are capped at All others: min 30'. Bottom of sign 10' min from ground tall and 300 sq.ft. max (St., Hwy: 200 sq.ft. max), with a Min. 50' from adjacent premises, 10' any part of sign setback (Sec. Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table). Most commercial signs in Van require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonresidential (C1, C2, I) | 15 | 50 ft. | 300 sq.ft. max (St., Hwy: 200 sq.ft. max) | — |
| MU district | 2 | 15 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — |
| Multifamily (MF-18, MF-24) | 6 | 50 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — |
| Residential (SF-12, SF-7, MU, MH) | 2 | 15 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — |
| I | 8 | All others: min 30'. Bottom of sign 10' min from ground | 300 sq.ft. max (St., Hwy: 200 sq.ft. max) | — |
| MF-18 | 6 | 50 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — |
| MF-24 | 6 | 50 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — |
| SF-12 | 2 | 15 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — |
| SF-7 | 2 | 15 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — |
| MH | 2 | 15 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 25 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### Nonresidential (C1, C2, I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Secondary Wall Sign | Top of parapet wall or roof eave height | 50% of allowed primary wall sign area, maximum 100 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per secondary wall | On 2 walls, no rear walls | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Pole and Pylon Sign | All others: min 30'. Bottom of sign 10' min from ground | 300 sq.ft. max (St., Hwy: 200 sq.ft. max) | — | Min. 50' from adjacent premises, 10' any part of sign | One sign per premises or per street frontage | — | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Individual Freestanding Monument Sign | 8 ft. | 80 sq.ft. | — | 10' any part of sign | 2 freestanding signs per street frontage, 4 maximum | — | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Canopy Sign (covering gas pumps, drive thru lanes or parking areas) | Top of canopy fascia | 32 sq.ft. | — | — | 2 | On 2 sides of canopy only | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Reader Board Sign | 7 ft. freestanding, or on wall/face of primary structure | 50 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per premises | Freestanding or attached | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Horizontal Banner (Temporary) | Highest point of roof | 50 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 | Attached to building | — | Sec. 25-4 Temporary Signs Table |
| New Business "Coming Soon" Banner (Temporary) | Highest point of roof | 32 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per lease space | Attached to building | — | Sec. 25-4 Temporary Signs Table |
| Weekend Builders Advertising Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft. | 6 sq.ft. | — | 5 ft. from curb | 25 max. | — | — | Sec. 25-4 Temporary Signs Table |

### Multifamily (MF-18, MF-24)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Multifamily Entry Monument | 7 ft. | 80 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Residential Construction Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft. | 100 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per major existing street frontage | — | — | Sec. 25-4 Temporary Signs Table |
| New Business "Now Open" Banner (Temporary) | Highest point of roof | 32 sq.ft. | — | — | — | Affixed to store front | — | Sec. 25-4 Temporary Signs Table |
| Balloons over 24" diameter (Temporary) | 50 ft. | Not applicable | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 25-4 Temporary Signs Table |
| Decorative Flag | 6 ft. min. to bottom of flag | 6 sq.ft., 25 ft. max. | — | — | See additional requirements | — | — | Sec. 25-4 Temporary Signs Table |
| Multifamily Units for Rent or Lease Banner | Highest point of roof on building, or 15 ft. max. for freestanding signs | 32 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage, max 2 | — | — | Sec. 25-4 Temporary Signs Table |

### I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Primary Wall Sign | Top of parapet wall or roof eave height | 10% of primary wall area only, maximum 200 sq.ft. | — | — | — | Only on 2 walls, no rear walls | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Secondary Wall Sign | Top of parapet wall or roof eave height | 50% of allowed primary wall sign area, maximum 100 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per secondary wall | On 2 walls, no rear walls | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Pole and Pylon Sign | All others: min 30'. Bottom of sign 10' min from ground | 300 sq.ft. max (St., Hwy: 200 sq.ft. max) | — | Min. 50' from adjacent premises, 10' any part of sign | One sign per premises or per street frontage | — | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Individual Freestanding Monument Sign | 8 ft. | 80 sq.ft. | — | 10' any part of sign | 2 freestanding signs per street frontage, 4 maximum | — | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Multi-tenant Freestanding Monument Sign | 25 ft. | 32 sq.ft. per business | — | — | 1 per street frontage, 2 maximum | — | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Canopy Sign (covering gas pumps, drive thru lanes or parking areas) | Top of canopy fascia | 32 sq.ft. | — | — | 2 | On 2 sides of canopy only | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Reader Board Sign | 7 ft. freestanding, or on wall/face of primary structure | 50 sq.ft. | — | — | 1 per premises | Freestanding or attached | — | Sec. 25-3 Permanent Signs Table |
| Decorative Flag | 6 ft. min. to bottom of flag | 6 sq.ft., 25 ft. max. | — | — | See additional requirements | — | — | Sec. 25-4 Temporary Signs Table |

## Prohibited signs in Van

- No sign may be erected or placed on public right-of-way.
- No sign may be erected or placed on vacant lots or tracts unless written permission has been given by the property owner and such documentation is provided to the designated city official.
- No sign shall be erected which constitutes an obstruction of view to operators of motor vehicles on public streets or entering such streets from private property.
- No permanent or temporary sign shall be located to block visibility at any intersection of public roadways or intersection of public roadway with a private drive.
- All abandoned signs and their supports shall be removed upon notice from the city, within 30 days upon notice.
- All on-site signs not specifically authorized herein are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Unless permitted, portable signs, 'A' frame signs, or sandwich board signs are prohibited except as used by agencies and departments of the City of Van for public service/safety announcements or information and then only with the approval of the mayor or designee.
- Moving, flashing, animated, or rotating signs, signs with moving lights, or signs which create the illusion of movement are prohibited, except for reader boards which convey a message.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers which are parked on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property are prohibited, except signs that are incidental to the primary use or ownership as transportation.
- Signs attached to utility poles or other surfaces which are not the property of the utility or serve a public purpose located within a public right-of-way or easement are prohibited.
- Permanent off-premises signs, as defined by the Highway Beautification Act, are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, with the exception of builder's directional signs or instructional signs, when written permission has been given by the property owner and such documentation is provided to the designated city official.
- Painted signs: No sign shall be permitted to be painted on the wall of any building or on any part of a building.

## Signs exempt from permit in Van

- Public signs required by governmental bodies or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, or ordinance are exempt and may be of any type, number, area, height, location, or illumination as required.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers where the sign is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer as transportation are exempt.
- Warning signs warning the public of the existence of danger but containing no advertising material are exempt, to be removed within three days upon the subsidence of danger.
- Flags of governmental entities or nonprofit organizations are exempt. This includes national or state flags, insignias, legal notices, or informational, directional, or traffic signs required and necessary to government functions.
- Governmental signs including traffic or regulatory devices, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings, and other instructional or regulatory signs related to health, hazards, parking, swimming, dumping, etc. are exempt.
- Address numerals and other signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation, provided content and size do not exceed such requirements, are exempt.
- Athletic signs used as scoreboards in athletic stadiums are exempt.
- Directional signs which direct vehicles and pedestrian traffic, displaying arrows, words, or symbols to indicate direction of facilities, are exempt.
- Directory signs located in or adjacent to entrances or foyers are exempt.
- Instructional signs providing no advertising, which guide persons to public facilities (restrooms, telephones, walkways, parking areas, etc.), are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The city marshal/code enforcement may require the filing of plans or other pertinent information which, in their opinion, is necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter as part of the application for a permanent sign permit.
- Requests for meritorious exceptions (variances) to sign regulations may be heard by the city council, upon recommendation by the planning and zoning commission.

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

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