THE DATA
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Houston Sign Code Requirements

• Houston requires permits for most business signs including channel letters, wall signs, pylon signs, monument signs, and digital displays.

Real Estate Sign Exception

Real estate signs are treated differently:

• These real estate signs typically do not require a permit as long as they meet size and timing requirements.
• Commercial and residential real estate signs should be professionally made, should be no larger than 6 square feet for residential homes and 32 square feet for commercial properties. All real estate signs must be taken down within 30 days of the property sale closing date.

General Permitting Rules for Other Signs

• Permits are regulated by the City of Houston Sign Code.
• Submissions often require: engineered drawings, site plans, and property-owner authorization.
• Permits are only issued to whoever is doing the work: either a licensed sign contractor, or the business owner.
• Review times typically range from 7–21 days depending on complexity.
• Installing signage without a permit can result in fines, forced removal, or delays in business inspections.

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WHAT IT MEANS

Navigating Houston Sign Permits With Confidence

For real estate professionals and property managers, these guidelines simplify part of the marketing process. Temporary real estate signs are easier to execute, as they generally avoid the lengthy and sometimes costly permitting process...as long as they follow Houston’s strict size and removal rules. This gives you more flexibility when listing or marketing a property.

However, anything permanent or branded falls under the city’s full sign code, which means you’ll need to plan ahead. Engineering requirements, contractor approvals, and multi-week review timelines can delay installations if you’re not prepared. For businesses opening or rebranding, signage should be treated as part of the early planning, not an afterthought.

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GENERAL ANALYSIS
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Houston’s approach reflects its effort to balance visual safety, neighborhood aesthetics, and commercial growth. Real estate signs get exemptions because they’re temporary, but the city still controls their size and duration to prevent clutter.

On the other hand, commercial signs are regulated more tightly because they:

• Are permanent structures
• Often require structural safety checks
• Impact both the overall look of the environment and nearby traffic visibility

The strict permitting rules aim to ensure signage is safe, uniform, and compatible with Houston’s zoning and engineering expectations. For professionals, the key takeaway is early preparation, especially for large or custom signage that requires engineered plans and city approval.

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YOUR THOUGHTS?
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What are your thoughts on the market? What else would you like to know? Shoot us your thoughts. We plan on sending out these unique market analysis reports regularly to help our agents better grasp what's been going on and more importantly what to expect.

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