Sign Regulations in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Detached On-Premises Sign, Attached On-Premises Sign, Detached On-Premises Sign (House of Worship/School Facility). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 9, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Waco, Texas
Sample Sign Requirements in Waco
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political Sign (R-1, R-2) | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Political Sign (R-3, O) | — | 18 sq ft | — |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft | 125 sq ft combined total | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
24
- Detached On-Premises Sign
- Attached On-Premises Sign
- Detached On-Premises Sign (House of Worship/School Facility)
- Mobile Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Waco
Other Cities in Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Waco 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 Waco, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Waco, regulated sign types include Detached On-Premises Sign, Attached On-Premises Sign, Detached On-Premises Sign (House of Worship/School Facility), Mobile 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 Waco 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 Waco are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Waco has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Waco, Texas Sign Rules at a Glance
Waco, Texas regulates 24 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Development Sign (Residential development, 25+ lots or 20+ acres)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 400 sq ft, with a 100 ft from residential dwelling not in project setback (Sec. Sec. 28-1048(b)(2)). Most commercial signs in Waco require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Waco, Texas
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Waco (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 25 ft | 400 sq ft | — |
| R-1, R-2 | 3 | 12 ft (25 ft if >600 ft frontage on limited access highway/interstate/arterial) | 60 sq ft (up to 120 sq ft with >600 ft frontage on specified roads) | — |
| R-3 | 3 | 12 ft | 60 sq ft (up to 120 sq ft with >600 ft frontage on arterial/highway) | — |
| O | 3 | 12 ft | 60 sq ft (up to 120 sq ft with >600 ft frontage on arterial/highway) | — |
| C, M | 4 | 50 ft (on/300 ft of interstate); 35 ft (on controlled-access/primary/arterial); 25 ft (any other street) | 400 sq ft or 11:2 sq ft per foot of frontage on arterial/highway; otherwise 120 sq ft (or 60 sq ft for second sign; 180 sq ft if only one sign is used in place of two) | — |
| C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5, M-2, M-3 | 6 | 45 ft | 672 sq ft | — |
| Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) | 5 | — | 672 sq ft | — |
| Brazos River Corridor Overlay District (BRC), Downtown District | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-E | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Waco(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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Sign (R-1, R-2) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Any zoning district | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1045 |
| Political Sign (R-3, O) | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | — | Any zoning district | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1045 |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft | 125 sq ft combined total | — | — | — | On property during construction | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1048(a) |
| Development Sign (Office, Commercial, Industrial development) | 25 ft | 400 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property to be developed | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1048(b)(1) |
| Development Sign (Residential development, 25+ lots or 20+ acres) | 25 ft | 400 sq ft | — | 100 ft from residential dwelling not in project | 1 | On site for development | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1048(b)(2) |
| Development Sign (Residential, 10-24 lots or <20 acres) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 100 ft from residential dwelling not in project | 1 | On site for development | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1048(b)(3) |
| Banner/Flag/Pennant/Balloon (Temporary Attached) | — | 10% of wall area (attached signs combined with permanent signs) | — | — | — | Attached to building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1048(d) |
| Garage, Yard, Estate Sale Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 2 | At sale location as per Section 28-932 | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1048(e) |
C, M
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached On-Premises Sign | 50 ft (on/300 ft of interstate); 35 ft (on controlled-access/primary/arterial); 25 ft (any other street) | 400 sq ft or 11:2 sq ft per foot of frontage on arterial/highway; otherwise 120 sq ft (or 60 sq ft for second sign; 180 sq ft if only one sign is used in place of two) | — | 5 ft (front, side, rear) | 1 per 450 ft frontage +1/300 ft additional; second sign at intersection | On lot | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1092(d) |
| Attached On-Premises Sign | — | 10% of wall area (cumulative per occupant/use) | — | — | 1 per building wall per occupant | On building wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1093(d) |
| Attached On-Premises Canopy Sign | — | 10% of canopy face | — | — | 1 per canopy face | On canopy face | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1093(d)(4) |
| Detached On-Premises Sign (House of Worship/School Facility) | 12 ft (25 ft with >600 ft frontage on arterial/highway) | 60 sq ft (up to 120 sq ft with >600 ft frontage on arterial/highway) | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises per street front | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1094 |
C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5, M-2, M-3
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Premises Sign (Small Conventional) | 20 ft | 72 sq ft | — | 5 ft (front yard) and at least 15 ft behind curblines (whichever greater) | — | Must be on allowed/eligible streets as per Sec. 28-1071(k) | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1072(a) |
| Off-Premises Sign (Small Digital) | 40 ft | 382 sq ft | — | 10 ft (front yard) and at least 20 ft behind curbline (whichever greater) | — | C-3, C-5, M-2, M-3 only; must be on eligible streets | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1072(b), 28-1077 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Medium Conventional) | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | — | 10 ft (front yard), minimum 20 ft behind curbline | — | C-3, C-5, M-2, M-3 only; must be on eligible streets | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1073 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Large Conventional) | 45 ft | 672 sq ft | — | 10 ft (front yard), minimum 20 ft behind curbline | — | C-3, C-5, M-2, M-3 only; must be on eligible streets | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1074(a) |
| Off-Premises Sign (Large Digital) | 45 ft | 672 sq ft | — | 10 ft (front yard), minimum 20 ft behind curbline | — | C-3, C-5, M-2, M-3 only; must be on eligible streets | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1074(b), 28-1077 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Other variations/conversions) | — | — | — | — | — | Must follow street and eligibility list | — | Unlock | Sec. 28-1078 |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Waco — 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 Waco — start freeProhibited Signs in Waco
- No sign or part of any sign may have lights which flash, move or rotate in such a manner as to be confused with traffic-control signals or emergency vehicle signals, or in a manner that confuses, misleads or distracts traffic motorists.
- Beacons may not be placed on any sign or be made a part of any sign.
- No sign that resembles an official traffic-control sign, signal or device or that bears the words 'stop,' 'go slowly,' 'caution,' 'danger,' 'detour,' or other wording for official traffic-control signs or devices may be used within the city.
- No sign shall be allowed to project over a building or extend above or be placed on top of a building or parapet wall except under certain conditions.
- No sign or flag may be placed on or over the area located within ten feet of the paved portion of a street or if unpaved, the area located within ten feet of the portion of the street ordinarily used for vehicular travel, the median of a street, across the public right-of-way line extended across a railroad right-of-way, or on utility poles, except as specifically listed.
- No sign may be placed on or over that portion of the public right-of-way required by section 16-64 of the Code without the prior consent of the person responsible for maintaining that right-of-way.
- No permanent sign may be placed on or over the public right-of-way except signs listed as exceptions.
- No sign shall be constructed or placed in such a manner as to create a traffic hazard.
- All other temporary signs are strictly prohibited, except for political signs under sec. 28-1045.
- A pole (or sign supports) without a face area or with a face area which does not display a message designed to advertise or convey information to the public is prohibited and shall be removed within 30 days from notice.
- All abandoned signs and their supports shall be removed within 30 days from the date of abandonment.
- General advertising not related to the shared mobility system or the operator or sponsor of the system may not be displayed on shared mobility signage.
- Signs and sign supports that constitute a nuisance or hazard to the public health or safety are prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Waco
- Official traffic-control signs, official governmental markers, national, state, city, or educational institution flags, or governmental signs are not considered signs and are exempt from this article.
- Bench signs located on public property are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions if approved via city contract.
- Permanent signs attached to buildings that encroach into public right-of-way are exempt from prohibition if an agreement with the city is in place (with indemnification and removal cost provisions).
- Directional signs not larger than nine square feet in area and four feet in height are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions if an agreement with the city is in place (with indemnification and removal cost provisions).
- Flags attached to certain specified light poles in listed right-of-way corridors are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions if an agreement with the city is in place (with indemnification and removal cost provisions).
- Flags or banners on light poles in the public improvement district to promote economic development and urban revitalization with a city agreement are exempt.
- Projecting signs and sidewalk signs in the Downtown District are exempt from general right-of-way prohibitions if compliant with relevant code section.
- Monument signs denoting specific neighborhoods or associations (not larger than 32 sq. ft.) are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions if city-council-approved agreement is in place (with indemnification and removal cost provisions).
- Shared mobility information signs, shared mobility sponsorship signs, and shared mobility parking areas are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions and allowed in any zone if contract or agreement with the city exists.
- Signs painted on the walls of buildings are exempt from the abandoned sign removal provision.
- Government signs: the article does not prevent display of national or state flags, insignia, legal notices, or required governmental informational, directional, or traffic signs.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Waco
- All signs having an area greater than four square feet, height in excess of four feet, illuminated signs, signs with moving elements, or signs projecting more than 18 inches require a permit from the building inspection department.
- Permit applications must include a scaled drawing of the proposed sign, a list of existing signs on the premises visible from the right-of-way, a drawing of the lot/building facade with proposed sign location, and construction/specification details.
- Permits will only be issued if the proposed sign complies with all requirements of the section.
- Signs 35 feet and higher must have a professional engineer's seal.
- Variance requests (such as for setbacks, height, size in limited conditions) may be submitted with a permit application and require a public hearing with the Board of Adjustment.
- The development plan required by section 28-171 is NOT required for a sign variance application.
Source: municode municipal code