(a) Application. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use, location, maintenance and removal of every sign or any appurtenances connected or attached to such sign. The provisions shall also apply to the sign structure.
(b) Covered. Signs and sign structures, unless exempted under subsection (c) below, shall comply with the provisions of this code, except that all signs and sign structures must comply with the following provisions:
(1) A04.5 (Unsafe signs declared nuisances; abatement);
(2) 3.02 (Temporary signs: generally);
(3) 3.03 (Cloth signs);
(4) 4.01 (Encroachments in public right-of-way: requirements);
(5) 4.01.4 (Removal of encroachments constituting obstruction);
(6) 4.02.1 (Traffic location restrictions);
(7) 4.02.2 (Traffic location - prohibited signs); and
(8) 4.03 (Prohibited signs).
(c) Not covered. Except for compliance with subsection (b) above, the following signs and sign structures are exempt from the provisions of this code:
(1) Signs on vehicles or trailers, provided, however, signs on vehicles or trailers that are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign are prohibited pursuant to § 4.03;
(2) Temporary signs, as follows:
a. Temporary decorative flags; and
b. Temporary signs erected in accordance with temporary banner policy administered by the transportation and public works department for signs in the public right-of-way, large banner policy administered by the park and recreation department for signs on park property, policy governing erection of banners on Main Street and other temporary banner policies administered by city departments or their designees.
(3) Warning, security and directional signs for parking or vehicle access;
(4) Government signs, flags, insignia, legal notices or informational, directional or traffic signs;
(5) Political signs referring to the candidates or issues involved in a public election, subject to the following conditions:
a. Political signs shall be permitted on private property only with the consent of the property owner and provided the signs:
1. Do not exceed eight feet in height;
2. Do not have an effective area greater than 36 square feet;
3. Do not contain any moving elements; and
4. Are not illuminated.
b. Political signs, including those with messages on both sides of the sign, shall be permitted on public property during the time the public property is used as an election polling location provided the signs:
1. Are not located within 100 feet of an outside door through which a voter may enter the building of a polling location or such other distance as required by the Texas Election Code;
2. Are on individual posts, stakes or holders placed into the ground or are attached to vehicles lawfully parked at the premises of a polling location;
3. Do not have an effective area greater than four square feet;
4. Are not more than two feet in height;
5. Are posted only during the period beginning the first day the polls are open for voting and ending 24 hours after the polls close or the last voter has voted on election day;
6. Are not placed within ten feet of driveways of a polling location;
7. Are not illuminated;
8. Do not block or obscure other signs; and
9. Are not attached, placed or affixed to any building, tree, shrub, planting or landscaping areas, parking areas, driveways on medians with parking areas, pole, fence or other improvement on the public property used as a polling location.
c. Signs located in violation of subsection (c)(5)b. above may be removed by the entity in control of the public property.
(6) Other than electrical signs, signs in windows subject to the following:
a. Signs shall not exceed 10% of the window area; and
b. The window area shall be calculated by multiplying the window width times the height of the window, with a maximum calculated height of 15 feet.
(7) Other than electrical signs, all signs not visible from off the property;
(8) Nameplate and street address signs not exceeding one square foot in area;
(9) One non-illuminated real estate sign, temporary in nature, advertising the sale or lease of real property on which the sign is located or announcing contemplated improvements of real property on which the sign is located; provided, however, that said sign shall not exceed eight square feet in any one- or two-family dwelling district or 60 square feet in area and eight feet in height in any other district; provided, further, however, on corner lots and through lots, one such sign shall be allowed for each street on which the lot has frontage. The sign shall be removed within 30 days after the sale or occupancy of the property;
(10) One non-illuminated estate or garage sale sign, not to exceed two square feet in area, temporary in nature, advertising the sale of items on property for which a garage sale permit has been obtained. The sign shall be removed within 24 hours after the sale ends;
(11) One construction sign, not exceeding four square feet in area in any one- or two-family dwelling district or 40 square feet in area and 12 feet in height in any other district, denoting the owner, architect, financial institution, general contractor, subcontractor or any statement pertaining to the project on the real property on which the sign is located; provided, however, on corner lots and through lots, one such sign shall be allowed for each street on which the lot has frontage. The sign shall be removed within 30 days after completion of the project;
(12) “No dumping,” “No Trespassing,” and “No Solicitation” signs;
(13) Noncommercial residential signs. In addition to the other noncommercial signs permitted by the zoning code, a maximum of four signs not exceeding a total of 16 square feet in area may be erected on any lot used for residential purposes and may contain noncommercial copy. No one sign shall exceed eight square feet in area.;
(14) Signs depicting or relating to a national, local or religious holiday or season if installed, maintained or displayed for not more than 45 consecutive days;
(15) Signs designed and used for display upon or within lighter than air objects, such as balloons, or in conjunction with aircraft;
(16) Signs of not more than two square feet with a ground clearance (total height) of not more than four feet within 20 feet of a driveway or other ingress/egress to private property which restricts parking on said property. Corners of this type of sign shall be mitered or rounded corner signs; and
(17) Signs erected by public utility or transportation organization operating pursuant to a franchise agreement with the city, where such signs are erected or displayed for the purpose of public instruction, traffic control and similar uses incidental to the public interest.