REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN SIGN DISTRICTS.

Austin City Code tit. 25, ch. 25-10, art. 6

in effect

Austin City Code § 25-10-121 HISTORIC SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

§ 25-10-121 - HISTORIC SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, a person may not install a sign in the historic sign district, except: (1) for a sidewalk sign; or (2) in compliance with the requirements of Section 25-10-122 (Historic Landmark Commission Review). (B) The following are prohibited in the historic sign district: (1) a sign, or any portion of a sign, that rotates; and (2) a roof sign. (C) A person may not place a handbill, poster, placard, or other temporary sign on a structure in the historic sign district, except inside a window or on a bulletin board with the consent of the owner or tenant. Source: Section 13-2-866; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 7, 8-28-17.

Austin City Code § 25-10-122 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION REVIEW.

§ 25-10-122 - HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION REVIEW. (A) If a person files an application for a sign permit in the historic sign district and the application complies with all applicable regulations of this chapter and the Building Code, the building official shall immediately notify the historic preservation officer. (B) The historic preservation officer shall review the application and determine whether it complies with the historic sign district guidelines described in Subsection (F), if any. If the application complies with the guidelines, the historic preservation officer shall approve the application. Otherwise, the historic preservation officer shall: (1) immediately notify the presiding officer of the Historic Landmark Commission of the application; and (2) give at least 10 days' written notice to the applicant and land owner of the date, time, and place of the meeting at which the Landmark Commission will consider the application. (C) The applicant or land owner may waive the 10 day notice of the hearing. (D) In reviewing a sign permit application, the Historic Landmark Commission shall consider: (1) the proposed size, color, and lighting of the sign; (2) the material from which the sign is to be constructed; (3) the proliferation of signs on a building or lot; (4) the proposed orientation of the sign with respect to structures; and (5) other factors that are consistent with the Historic Landmark Preservation Plan, the character of the National Register District, and the purpose of historic landmark regulations. (E) The Historic Landmark Commission shall approve a sign permit application if it determines that the proposed sign: (1) will not adversely affect a significant architectural or historical feature of the historic sign district; and (2) as applicable, is consistent with the Historic Landmark Preservation Plan, the character of the National Register District, and the purpose of the historic landmark regulations. (F) The Historic Landmark Commission may adopt historic sign district guidelines that describe typical signs that comply with the criteria prescribed by Subsections (D) and (E). (G) If the Historic Landmark Commission does not review a sign permit application by the 40th day after the date the application is filed, the application is considered approved by the Historic Landmark Commission. (H) The applicant or land owner may appeal a decision of the Historic Landmark Commission under this section to the city council in accordance with Chapter 25-1, Article 7, Division 1 (Appeals). Source: Section 25-10-866; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 041202-16; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 8, 8-28-17.

Austin City Code § 25-10-123 EXPRESSWAY CORRIDOR SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

§ 25-10-123 - EXPRESSWAY CORRIDOR SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) This section applies to an expressway corridor sign district. (B) This subsection prescribes regulations for freestanding signs. (1) One freestanding sign is permitted on a lot. Additional freestanding signs may be permitted under Section 25-10-131 (Additional Freestanding Signs Permitted). (2) The sign area may not exceed: (a) on a lot with not more than 86 linear feet of street frontage, 60 square feet; or (b) on a lot with more than 86 linear feet of street frontage, the lesser of: (i) 0.7 square feet for each linear foot of street frontage; or (ii) 300 square feet. (3) The sign height may not exceed the greater of: (a) 35 feet above frontage street pavement grade; or (b) 20 feet above grade at the base of the sign. (C) A roof sign may be permitted instead of a freestanding sign under Section 25-10-132 (Roof Sign Instead Of Freestanding Sign). (D) Wall signs are permitted. (E) One flag for each curb cut is permitted. (F) For signs other than freestanding signs or roof signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20 percent of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building. Source: Section 13-2-867; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 9, 8-28-17.

Austin City Code § 25-10-124 SCENIC ROADWAY SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

§ 25-10-124 - SCENIC ROADWAY SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) This section applies to a scenic roadway sign district. (B) One freestanding sign is permitted on a lot. (1) The sign area may not exceed the lesser of: (a) 0.4 square feet for each linear foot of street frontage; or (b) 64 square feet. (2) The sign height may not exceed 12 feet. (C) Wall signs are permitted. (D) For signs other than freestanding signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 10 percent of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building. (E) In a Hill Country Roadway corridor, a spotlight on a sign or exterior lighting of a sign must be concealed from view and oriented away from adjacent properties and roadways. (F) Internal lighting of signs is prohibited, except for the internal lighting of individual letters. (G) In addition to the sign setback requirements established by Section 25-10-191 (Sign Setback Requirements), a sign or sign support must be installed at least 12 feet from the street right-of-way, or at least 25 feet from street pavement or curb in the right-of-way, whichever setback is the lesser distance from the street. This subsection does not apply to a sign permitted by Section 25-10-102(F) (Signs Associated with Political Elections). Source: Sections 13-2-867 and 13-2-868; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031030-11; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 10, 8-28-17.

Austin City Code § 25-10-125 NEIGHBORHOOD SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

§ 25-10-125 - NEIGHBORHOOD SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a sign in a neighborhood sign district must comply with this section. (B) A sign may be a wall sign, an awning sign, a berm sign, or a hanging sign. (C) The area of a hanging sign may not exceed eight square feet, and there must be not less than eight feet clearance between the bottom of the sign and the finished grade. (D) A building in a Neighborhood Center Area of a traditional neighborhood zoning district or used for a neighborhood urban center special use in a neighborhood plan combining district may have not more than three signs with a total sign area of not more than 24 square feet. (E) A commercial building in a Mixed Residential Area of a traditional neighborhood zoning district or used for a residential infill special use in a neighborhood plan combining district may have not more than two signs with a total sign area of not more than 12 square feet. (F) A townhouse, condominium, or multifamily building within a Mixed Residential Area of a traditional neighborhood zoning district or used for a residential infill special use in a neighborhood plan combining district may have not more than two signs with a total sign area of not more than eight square feet. (G) A spotlight on a sign or exterior lighting of a sign must be concealed from view and oriented away from adjacent properties and roadways. (H) Internal lighting of a sign is prohibited, except for the internal lighting of individual letters. Source: Section 13-2-867.1; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 000406-81; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 25-10-126 LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

§ 25-10-126 - LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. The only signs permitted in a low density residential sign district are those authorized under Section 25-10-101 (Signs Allowed In All Sign Districts Without An Installation Permit) and Articles 8 (Special Signs) and 9 (Street Banners) of this chapter. Source: Section 13-2-865; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 25-10-127 MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

§ 25-10-127 - MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) This section applies to a multifamily residential sign district. (B) One freestanding sign for each curb cut is permitted. (1) The sign height may not exceed six feet. (2) The sign area may not exceed 35 square feet. (C) Wall signs are permitted. (D) One flag for each curb cut is permitted. The sign height may not exceed 30 feet. (E) For signs other than freestanding signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed the lesser of: (1) 0.5 square feet for each linear foot of street frontage; or (2) 35 square feet. Source: Section 13-2-867; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 11, 8-28-17.

Austin City Code § 25-10-128 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

§ 25-10-128 - NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) This section applies to a neighborhood commercial sign district. (B) One freestanding sign is permitted on a lot. (C) Wall signs are permitted. (D) One flag for each curb cut is permitted. (E) This subsection prescribes the maximum sign area. (1) For a freestanding sign, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed the lesser of: (a) 0.3 square feet for each linear foot of street frontage; or (b) 100 square feet. (2) For signs other than freestanding signs, the sign area may not exceed 10 percent of the facade area of the first 15 feet of building height. (F) The sign height may not exceed the greater of: (1) 20 feet above frontage street pavement grade; or (2) six feet above grade at the base of the sign. Source: Section 13-2-867; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 000309-39; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 12, 8-28-17.

Austin City Code § 25-10-129 DOWNTOWN SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

§ 25-10-129 - DOWNTOWN SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) This section applies to a downtown sign district. (B) One freestanding sign is permitted on a lot. Additional freestanding signs may be permitted under Section 25-10-131 (Additional Freestanding Signs Permitted). (C) Wall signs are permitted. (D) A wall sign may be a projecting sign if the sign complies with this subsection. (1) One projecting sign for each building facade is permitted. (2) The sign area of a projecting sign may not exceed 35 square feet. (3) A sign may extend from the building facade not more than the lesser of: (a) six feet; or (b) a distance equal to two-thirds the width of the abutting sidewalk. (4) For a sign that projects over state right-of-way, the state must approve the sign. (E) One flag for each curb cut is permitted. A flag may be suspended over public right-of-way. (F) This subsection prescribes the maximum sign area. (1) For signs other than freestanding signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20 percent of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building. (2) For a freestanding sign, the sign area may not exceed the lesser of (a) 0.5 square feet for each linear foot of street frontage; or (b) 200 square feet. (G) The sign height may not exceed: (1) for a freestanding sign, six feet; or (2) for a commercial flag, 30 feet. Source: Sections 13-2-867 and 13-2-869; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 13, 8-28-17.

Austin City Code § 25-10-130 COMMERCIAL SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

§ 25-10-130 - COMMERCIAL SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) This section applies to a commercial sign district. (B) One freestanding sign is permitted on a lot. Additional freestanding signs may be permitted under Section 25-10-131 (Additional Freestanding Signs Permitted). (C) A roof sign may be permitted instead of a freestanding sign under Section 25-10-132 (Roof Sign Instead of Freestanding Sign). (D) Wall signs are permitted. (E) One flag for each curb cut is permitted. (F) This subsection prescribes the maximum sign area. (1) For signs other than freestanding signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20 percent of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building. (2) For a freestanding sign, the sign area may not exceed the lesser of (a) 0.7 square feet for each linear foot of street frontage; or (b) for a sign other than a multi-tenant sign, 200 square feet; or (c) for a multi-tenant sign, 250 square feet. (G) The sign height may not exceed the greater of: (1) 30 feet above frontage street pavement grade; or (2) 6 feet above grade at the base of the sign. Source: Section 13-2-867; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 14, 8-28-17.

Austin City Code § 25-10-131 ADDITIONAL FREESTANDING SIGNS PERMITTED.

§ 25-10-131 - ADDITIONAL FREESTANDING SIGNS PERMITTED. (A) This section applies in the expressway corridor, downtown, and commercial sign districts. (B) In this section, "lot" includes contiguous lots used for a single use or unified development. (C) For a lot with total street frontage of more than 400 feet, two freestanding signs are permitted. (D) For a lot fronting on two streets, one freestanding sign is permitted on each street. (E) For a pad site within a unified development, one freestanding sign is permitted in addition to the other freestanding signs permitted by this chapter. Source: Section 13-2-870; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 25-10-132 ROOF SIGN INSTEAD OF FREESTANDING SIGN.

§ 25-10-132 - ROOF SIGN INSTEAD OF FREESTANDING SIGN. (A) This section applies in the expressway corridor and commercial sign districts. (B) A roof sign may be substituted for a freestanding sign. (C) A roof sign may not exceed the lesser height of: (1) five feet above the building facade; or (2) five feet above the maximum height permitted for a freestanding sign. Source: Section 13-2-871; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 25-10-133 UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT SIGNS.

§ 25-10-133 - UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT SIGNS. (A) This section applies to property that is: (1) within the university neighborhood overlay (UNO) zoning district; and (2) outside a historic sign district. (B) This section supersedes the other provisions of this article to the extent of conflict. (C) A sign may not exceed 150 square feet of sign area, except that this limitation does not apply along the following roadways: (1) Guadalupe Street, from Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. to West 29th Street; (2) West 24th Street, from Guadalupe Street to Leon Street; (3) Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., from Pearl Street to the alley one block east of University Avenue; and (4) West 29th Street, from Guadalupe Street to Rio Grande Street. (D) A freestanding sign is prohibited. (E) A roof sign is prohibited. (F) A wall sign is permitted if the sign complies with this subsection. (1) One projecting sign for each building facade is permitted. (2) The sign area of a projecting sign may not exceed 35 square feet. (3) A sign may extend from the building facade not more than the lesser of: (a) six feet; or (b) a distance equal to two-thirds the width of the abutting sidewalk. (4) For a sign that projects over state right-of-way, the state must approve the sign. (G) A sign may not contain electronic images or moving parts. Source: Ord. 20070726-132; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 15, 8-28-17; Ord. No. 20191114-067, Pt. 8, 11-25-19; Ord. No. 20230921-082, Pt. 1, 9-21-23.

Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT25LADE_CH25-10SIRE_ART6REAPCESIDIFetched: 10/27/2026