# Sign Regulations in Wilmer, Texas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wilmer, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/wilmer
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-10
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/40404328#40404328)

## At a glance

Wilmer, Texas regulates 25 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Construction Sign (All zones except SF or MF)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 15 ft max tall and 100 sq ft max, with a 15 ft from street right-of-way setback (Sec. § 3.04.124). Most commercial signs in Wilmer require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 15 ft max | 200 sq ft max effective area | — |
| Business Districts (O, R, C, TC, LI, HI, PD with O, R, C, TC, LI, I1, HI prefixes) | 8 | 8 ft max | 400 sq ft max per sign; sum of all attached signs per premises not to exceed 400 sq ft for signs located > 36 ft high | — |
| Nonbusiness Districts (SF, TH, 2F, MF) | 9 | — | 36 sq ft max effective area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Movement Control Sign (Exempt) | — | 3 sq ft max effective area | — | — | No limit on number | On any premises other than single-family or duplex premises; may be attached or detached | — | § 3.04.008(1)(A)-(D); § 3.04.007; § 3.04.009(7) |
| Protective Sign (Exempt) | Detached signs: 2 ft max height | 2 sq ft max effective area | — | — | Max 2 per premises | On any premises | — | § 3.04.008(2)(A)-(C) |
| Real or Personal Property Sale Sign (Residential - SF or MF) | — | 6 sq ft max each; max 3 signs | — | 15 ft from street curbline if no sidewalk | Max 3 per lot | Required front yard of platted SF or MF lots; if sidewalk exists, place between sidewalk and structure; if no sidewalk, no closer than 15 ft to any street curbline | — | § 3.04.122(a) |
| Real Estate Sale Sign (Business Zoned Property) | — | 6 sq ft max | — | 15 ft from any property line | Max 1 per 2 acres or portion | No closer than 15 ft from any property line on business-zoned property | — | § 3.04.122(b) |
| Political Sign (Dwelling Premises) | — | 36 sq ft per side | — | — | No limit | Dwelling premises; if sidewalk exists, place between sidewalk and structure | — | § 3.04.122(c)(1)-(2) |
| Temporary Construction Sign (All zones except SF or MF) | 15 ft max | 100 sq ft max | — | 15 ft from street right-of-way | Max 1 per premises | On premises where construction is occurring; 15 ft minimum from street right-of-way | — | § 3.04.124 |
| Temporary Off-Premises Sign (Subdivision Directional) | — | 6 sq ft max effective area | — | — | Max 10 per subdivision within the city | May be placed in city right-of-way; must not project over street or sidewalk; never in street medians | — | § 3.04.126(1); § 3.04.009(10) exception |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign - Highway Frontage (I-45) | — | 200 sq ft max effective area | — | 15 ft from all property lines | Max 1 per tract | On tracts fronting Interstate Highway 45; minimum tract size 2 acres; at least 15 ft from all property lines | — | § 3.04.123; § 3.04.003(b) (state license near I-45 if required) |

### Business Districts (O, R, C, TC, LI, HI, PD with O, R, C, TC, LI, I1, HI prefixes)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Monument Sign - Shopping Center (Multiple Tenants, ≥ 1 acre) | 8 ft max | 75 sq ft max | — | 15 ft from street right-of-way; 75 ft from property lines other than those fronting the street right-of-way; 500 ft from other monument signs on the property | Max 2 per premises | Detached monument on premises; shopping centers with multiple tenants; premises size ≥ 1 acre | — | § 3.04.032(1); § 3.04.004; § 3.04.006; § 3.04.009(6)-(7) |
| Detached Monument Sign - Shopping Center (Multiple Tenants, < 1 acre) | 6 ft max | 50 sq ft max | — | 15 ft from street right-of-way; 75 ft from property lines other than those fronting the street right-of-way; 500 ft from other monument signs on the property | Max 2 per premises | Detached monument on premises; shopping centers with multiple tenants; premises size < 1 acre | — | § 3.04.032(2); § 3.04.004; § 3.04.006; § 3.04.009(6)-(7) |
| Detached Monument Sign - Individually Platted Land or Pad Site | 6 ft max | 36 sq ft max | — | 15 ft from street right-of-way; 75 ft from property lines other than those fronting the street right-of-way | Max 1 per site | Detached monument on individually platted land, including individual pad sites within a shopping center | — | § 3.04.032(3); § 3.04.004; § 3.04.006; § 3.04.009(6)-(7) |
| Detached Monument Sign - Gasoline Service Station (Price Per Gallon) | 6 ft max | 50 sq ft max | — | 15 ft from street right-of-way; 75 ft from property lines other than those fronting the street right-of-way | Not specified | Detached monument displaying price per gallon; gasoline price signs must be mounted on monument signs only | — | § 3.04.032(4); § 3.04.004; § 3.04.006; § 3.04.009(6)-(7) |
| Attached Sign - ≤ 36 ft Height | — | 300 sq ft max per sign; sum of all attached signs per premises not to exceed 300 sq ft for signs located ≤ 36 ft high | — | — | May be on each facade; total area limits apply | On any facade; attached to building elements (wall, roof, window, canopy, awning, arcade, marquee) that enclose usable space | — | § 3.04.033(1)-(3); § 3.04.004; § 3.04.006; § 3.04.009(6)-(7) |
| Attached Sign - > 36 ft Height | — | 400 sq ft max per sign; sum of all attached signs per premises not to exceed 400 sq ft for signs located > 36 ft high | — | — | May be on each facade; total area limits apply | On any facade above 36 ft mounting height | — | § 3.04.033(1)-(3); § 3.04.004; § 3.04.006; § 3.04.009(6)-(7) |
| Temporary Banner Sign (Business) | — | — | — | — | Max 1 banner per permit episode; up to 4 permits | On business premises | — | § 3.04.034 |
| Real Estate Sale Sign (Business Zoned Property) | — | 6 sq ft max | — | 15 ft from any property line | Max 1 per 2 acres or portion | No closer than 15 ft from any property line on business-zoned property | — | § 3.04.122(b) |

### Nonbusiness Districts (SF, TH, 2F, MF)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Monument Sign - Churches/Model Homes/Apartments/Town Homes/Schools/Government Facilities | — | 36 sq ft max effective area | — | Minimum 15 ft from city right-of-way | Base max 1; +1 for each additional 750 ft frontage; min spacing 750 ft between signs | Detached monument sign on qualifying premises (institutional/model home/apartment/townhome/school/government) | — | § 3.04.062(1)-(2); § 3.04.006 |
| Attached Sign - Churches/Model Homes/Apartments/Town Homes/Schools/Government Facilities | — | 36 sq ft max effective area | — | — | Max 1 per premises | On qualifying premises as listed | — | § 3.04.063(1)-(2); § 3.04.006 |
| Real or Personal Property Sale Sign (Residential - SF or MF) | — | 6 sq ft max each; max 3 signs | — | 15 ft from street curbline if no sidewalk | Max 3 per lot | Required front yard of platted SF or MF lots; if sidewalk exists, place between sidewalk and structure; if no sidewalk, no closer than 15 ft to any street curbline | — | § 3.04.122(a) |
| Political Sign (Dwelling Premises) | — | 36 sq ft per side | — | — | No limit | Dwelling premises; if sidewalk exists, place between sidewalk and structure | — | § 3.04.122(c)(1)-(2); § 3.04.061(b) |
| Temporary Off-Premises Sign (Subdivision Directional) | — | 6 sq ft max effective area | — | — | Max 10 per subdivision within the city | May be placed in city right-of-way; must not project over street or sidewalk; never in street medians | — | § 3.04.126(1); § 3.04.009(10) exception; § 3.04.061(a) |
| Temporary Off-Premises Sign (Open House) | — | 6 sq ft max effective area | — | — | — | May be placed in city right-of-way; must not project over street or sidewalk; never in street medians | — | § 3.04.126(2); § 3.04.009(10) exception; § 3.04.061(a) |
| Subdivision Entry Sign | — | 36 sq ft max effective area | — | — | — | At entry to subdivision; either detached monument or attached to screening/decorative wall | — | § 3.04.125; § 3.04.061(b) |
| Movement Control Sign (Exempt, Nonbusiness Districts) | — | 3 sq ft max effective area | — | — | No limit on number | On any premises other than single-family (SF) or duplex (2F) premises; may be attached or detached | — | § 3.04.008(1)(A)-(D); § 3.04.007 |

## Prohibited signs in Wilmer

- Signs that imitate standard public traffic regulatory or emergency signs or signals are prohibited.
- Balloons, streamers, bunting, banners, flags (except flags allowed under the ordinance’s flag section), or signs with moving parts, unless specifically allowed elsewhere in the ordinance, are prohibited.
- Signs erected in violation of the city’s building or electrical code are prohibited.
- Signs attached to or maintained upon any tree or public utility pole or structure are prohibited.
- Signs attached to or painted on the outside of a fence, railing, or wall that is not a structural part of a building are prohibited.
- Signs attached to or painted on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, or street (except house address numbers) are prohibited.
- Signs illuminated to an intensity that causes glare or brightness constituting a hazard or nuisance are prohibited.
- Signs that move, flash, light intermittently, change color, or revolve, unless specifically allowed by the ordinance, are prohibited.
- Pole signs and flag poles, unless otherwise specifically allowed by the ordinance, are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed for subdivision/open house signs.
- Signs erected in the public right-of-way are prohibited except as specifically allowed for subdivision/open house signs.
- Displaying obscene, indecent, or immoral matter on any sign is prohibited and must be removed within 24 hours of notice.
- Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard is considered a public nuisance and is subject to removal and impoundment.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wilmer

- Movement control signs are exempt: allowed at any occupancy or premises other than single-family or duplex; may be attached or detached; no limit on number; each must be no more than 3 square feet; attached sign letters no more than 6 inches high; message must direct vehicular or pedestrian movement within or onto the premises; no advertising or identification content.
- Protective signs are exempt: up to two per premises; each no more than 2 square feet; detached signs no more than 2 feet in height; letters no more than 4 inches high.
- Vehicular signs are exempt: must not contain flashing or moving elements; must not project beyond the vehicle surface; must not obstruct the driver’s vision from any angle.
- Government signs are exempt: flags, insignia, legal notices, and informational/directional/traffic signs that are legally required or necessary to essential government functions.
- Residential real or personal property sale signs are exempt from permit: nonilluminated; up to three per lot; each no more than 6 square feet; located in the required front yard (between sidewalk and structure where sidewalks exist; otherwise at least 15 feet from the street curbline).
- Business real estate sale signs are exempt from permit: nonilluminated; up to one sign per two acres; each no more than 6 square feet; located at least 15 feet from any property line.
- Political signs at dwelling premises are exempt from permit: no limit on number; each no more than 36 square feet per side; must be removed within 10 days after the election; placement between sidewalk and structure where sidewalks exist.
- Subdivision signs are exempted as a permitted category: must be detached monument signs or attached to a screening/decorative wall at subdivision entry; require building official approval; maximum effective area 36 square feet.
- Temporary off-premises subdivision signs are exempt from permit and fee: refer only to a subdivision; allowed from Friday 12:00 noon to Monday 12:00 noon; each no more than 6 square feet; may be placed in the city right-of-way if not projecting over the street or sidewalk; not allowed in medians; no more than 10 per subdivision citywide; may not list or refer to individual builders or developers.
- Temporary off-premises open house signs (real estate agents) are exempted as a permitted category: allowed from Friday 12:00 noon to Monday 12:00 noon; must contain the words “Open House”; each no more than 6 square feet; may be placed in the city right-of-way if not projecting over the street or sidewalk; not allowed in medians.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the ordinance.
- Sign permit applications must include a scaled drawing of the proposed sign and all existing signs on the premises visible from the right-of-way, a lot plan or building facade drawing showing the proposed sign location, and specifications.
- Subdivision signs require approval by the building official.
- Temporary banner signs require a permit; the application must state the erection and removal dates and include a drawing showing the sign location.
- A variance process is available: the City Council may allow deviations from size, location, or construction requirements; an administrative fee applies; signs constructed under an approved variance are considered conforming.
- For signs with electrical wiring, an electrical permit is required prior to issuance of the sign permit, and compliance with the city’s electrical code is required.

## Full detail

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

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