# Sign Regulations in Waco, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Waco, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/waco
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Waco/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH28ZO_ARTVIIISI)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Political Sign (R-1, R-2) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Any zoning district | — | Sec. 28-1045 |
| Political Sign (R-3, O) | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | — | Any zoning district | — | Sec. 28-1045 |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft | 125 sq ft combined total | — | — | — | On property during construction | — | Sec. 28-1048(a) |
| Development Sign (Office, Commercial, Industrial development) | 25 ft | 400 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property to be developed | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | Sec. 28-1048(d) |
| Garage, Yard, Estate Sale Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 2 | At sale location as per Section 28-932 | — | Sec. 28-1048(e) |

### C, M

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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 | — | 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 | — | Sec. 28-1093(d) |
| Attached On-Premises Canopy Sign | — | 10% of canopy face | — | — | 1 per canopy face | On canopy face | — | 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 | — | 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 | 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) | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | Sec. 28-1074(b), 28-1077 |
| Off-Premises Sign (Other variations/conversions) | — | — | — | — | — | Must follow street and eligibility list | — | Sec. 28-1078 |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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