Temporary signs on nonresidential zoned properties and nonresidential uses.
San Antonio City Code § 28-74
in effectSec. 28-74. - Temporary signs on nonresidential zoned properties and nonresidential uses.
(a) In general.
(1) Temporary signs placed in nonresidential zoning districts and uses identified in subsection 28-72(c) shall comply with this section.
(2) In addition to general sign construction requirements in section 28-72, all temporary nonresidential signs must be securely affixed to a structure or ground. Through authority granted in section 28-5, the director may provide interpretations and adopt written policies and procedures and this includes, but is not limited to, specific installation requirements for different types of signs.
(3) Any banner type of sign placed on a facade must follow the permanent sign placement regulations found in this chapter.
(4) Property owner and development services department approval is required prior to sign placement. Any sign placed without required approval is a violation of this chapter and subject to removal.
(5) Commercial and noncommercial speech are authorized.
(b) Large sign.
(1) Size range. Between ten (10) and sixty-four (64) (maximum) square feet.
(2) Height. Not to exceed sixteen (16) feet.
Comment: Note that engineering requirements referenced in other sections of this chapter are applicable to temporary signs.
(3) Temporary placement.
a. A licensed sign contractor is required to apply for and be issued a permit to place a temporary large sign.
b. The development services department must review the plan for conformity and perform necessary inspections prior to permit issuance.
c. Permit validity period. Duration of the temporary event for which the temporary sign is used for, but not more than five (5) years. The permit can be renewed up to four (4) times (maximum five (5) years) by the applicant upon and submission of evidence that the event is not yet over.
d. The sign erector shall certify in writing that the sign will not interfere with public safety.
(4) Distance limitation.
a. An owner or agent of the commercial business is limited to four (4) temporary permits for large signs displaying commercial off-premises speech per five-mile radius of the commercial location and one (1) temporary permit for displaying commercial on-premises speech. A person is limited to four (4) temporary permits for signs displaying noncommercial speech.
b. There shall be a minimum spacing requirement of one hundred fifty (150) feet between large temporary signs.
Exception: A sign grouping of up to a maximum of four (4) temporary large signs are permitted to be installed less than one hundred fifty (150) feet apart provided 1) the sign grouping does not have more than one hundred twenty-eight (128) square feet of sign face area, and 2) no other temporary signs are installed within three hundred (300) feet of the sign grouping. Each individual sign in the sign grouping shall be less than sixty-four (64) square feet in sign area.
(5) Sign identification requirements. A separate department issued decal or other approved identification means authorizing temporary placement must be displayed on each temporary sign.
(c) Small sign.
(1) Size range. Any sign less than ten (10) square feet.
(2) Height. The total height of the sign may not exceed three (3) feet above the ground.
(3) Temporary placement.
a. An applicant is required to apply for and be issued an individual permit to place a temporary small sign.
b. The development services department must review the application.
c. Temporary placement is authorized from Friday until no later than 9:00 p.m. the following Monday. If a federally recognized holiday falls on a Friday, then the signs are permitted from the preceding Thursday until no later than 9:00 p.m. the following Monday. If a federally recognized holiday falls on a Monday, then signs are permitted from Friday until no later than 9:00 p.m. the following Tuesday. Signs may not be either placed or picked up between the hours from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. or from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays.
d. Signs must be self-supporting and placed into the ground by a single stake or no more than two (2) stakes. Placement on a utility pole, street light pole, sign pole, fence, tree or other manmade or natural feature is prohibited.
(4) Distance limitation.
a. No sign may be placed closer than twenty-five (25) feet from a street intersection or median opening, driveway curb cuts, fire hydrant, or any other public man made feature. Additionally, signs shall not be erected in any location where, by reason of traffic conditions, fire, or explosion hazards, the sign would imperil public safety or hamper the functions of the fire department.
b. Placement on any esplanade or island that is located between a road or highway or otherwise divides traffic is prohibited.
(5) Minimum spacing requirement. Two hundred (200) feet between small temporary signs with permits held by the same permit holder, measured in a straight line. Small temporary signs with permits held by different permit holders must be a minimum of five (5) feet apart.
(6) Sign identification requirements. A separate department issued decal or other approved identification means authorizing temporary placement must be displayed on each temporary sign.
(d) Inflatables. The temporary display of inflatable signs is permitted for a maximum period of twenty-one (21) days per calendar quarter per platted lot. Inflatables shall be limited to a height of thirty (30) feet for the inflatable device, not to include the height of any building or structure on which it might be placed.
(Ord. No. 2017-05-04-0297, § 1(Att. 1), 5-4-17; Ord. No. 2023-6-01-0369, § 1(Att. I), 6-1-23)
Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH28SI_ARTIVERMARE_DIV2REBAUPSICL_SDFTESI_S28-74TESINOZOPRNOUSFetched: 10/27/2026