Sec. 10-402. Exempt Signs

The following signs are exempt from regulation under this code:

   a.   Any public notice, or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance;

   b.   Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the lot or parcel on which such sign is located;

   c.   Works of art that do not include a commercial message;

   d.   Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, except in multi-family and non-residential districts;

   e.   Decorative landscape lighting only;

   f.   Traffic control signs on private property, such as Stop, Yield, and similar signs that meet U.S. DOT or TXDOT standards;

   g.   Address and postbox numerals conforming to incidental sign regulations;

   h.   Government signs erected by the city, county, state, or federal government in furtherance of their governmental responsibility;

   i.   Legal notices;

   j.   Memorial signs or tablets and building markers displayed on public or private buildings and tablets or headstones in cemeteries; and

   k.   Signs prepared by or for the local, state, or federal government marking sites or buildings of historical significance.

   (Ord. No. 0-2009-19; 3/11/09) (Ord. No. 0-2010-20, 3/10/10)

Sec. 10-403. Prohibited Signs

All signs not expressly permitted under this code or exempt from regulation hereunder in accordance with the previous section are prohibited in the city. Such signs include, but are not limited to:

   a.   Beacons;

   b.   Portable signs;

   c.   Inflatable signs and balloons, if located within a multi-family or non-residential district;

   d.   Flashing, fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating, or otherwise moving signs;

   e.   Signs, temporary or otherwise, affixed to a tree or utility pole;

   f.   Signs violating the "sight triangle" provisions (see Sec. 10-218);

   g.   Off premise advertising signs, except as expressly permitted in this Section;

   h.   Three-dimensional or statuary signs;

   i.   Streamers; and

   j.   Snipe signs.

(Ord. No. 0-2010-20, 3/10/10) (Ord. No. 0-2010-119; 11/10/10)

Sec. 10-404. Sign Measurements

The following principles will control the computation of sign area and sign height:

   a.   Computation of Area of Single-Faced Signs

      The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) will be computed as the area of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, or triangle in a horizontal plane that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets the requirements of this code and is clearly incidental to the display itself.

   b.   Computation of Area of Multi-Faced Signs

      The sign area for a sign with more than one face will be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are substantially similar, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure the sign area will be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.

   c.   Computation of Height

      The height of a sign will be computed as the mean distance from the base(s) of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade will be construed to be the lower of (1) existing grade prior to construction or (2) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.

   d.   Computation of Maximum Total Permitted Sign Area

      The permitted sum of the area of all individual signs must be computed by applying the zoning district formulae contained in sections 10-408 and 10-409 for maximum area per sign, to the lot frontage, building frontage, or wall area, as appropriate. Lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed to calculate both street frontages into the allowable allocation to be identified by the master signage plan.

   e.   Computation of Maximum Number of Signs

      Pursuant to the tables in sections 10-408 and 10-409 each lot is allocated the maximum number of signs allowed per district. Where indicated, additional signs beyond the identified allowance will be determined by the linear frontage of the lot. (Ord. No. 0-2010-119; 11/10/10)

Sec. 10-405. Sign Lighting

   a.   Illumination of all outdoor signs and advertising of permanent or temporary duration, must be accomplished by means of indirect light. Illumination of any type may not be animated, chasing, or flashing.

   b.   When any sign is illuminated, the light(s) must be properly installed, shaded, or concealed, so that the light emitted will illuminate the sign face and will not interfere with the vision of motorists nor shine directly onto residentially zoned property or abutting residential uses.

Sec. 10-406. Sign Construction and Maintenance Standards

All signs must be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the following standards:

   a.   All signs must comply with applicable provisions of the Tyler City Code at all times.

   b.   Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of this code, all signs must be constructed of durable materials and must be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.

   c.   All signs must be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance with all building and electrical codes, and in conformance with this code, at all times.

   d.   All signs must maintain a minimum clearance from electric power lines of ten feet horizontally and 15 feet vertically, or as may otherwise be required by the utility provider. Any relocation of power lines to provide this clearance will be at the expense of the sign owner or as otherwise required by the electrical utility.

   e.   Any spotlights allowed to illuminate signs or sign illumination must be shielded such that their light source cannot be seen from abutting roads or properties.

Sec. 10-407. Abandoned Signs

   a.   The city may consider a sign abandoned and cancel the permit or refuse to renew the permit if:

      1.   a structure is without advertising matter or displays obsolete advertising matter for a period of 365 consecutive days;

      2.   in the opinion of the building official the sign has fallen into disrepair, become dilapidated, faded to the point of being illegible, or become overgrown by trees or other vegetation; or

      3.   the permit renewal fees have not been paid in accordance with this subchapter, after demand by the department.

   b.   The payment of property taxes or retention of the sign as a balance sheet asset will not be considered in determining whether the sign permit should be canceled.

   c.   A nonconforming sign may not be replaced or rehabilitated without being brought into conformance with the requirements of this section.

   d.   A sign that has been determined to be abandoned by a building official or code enforcement officer but is otherwise in conformance with this section may be replaced or rehabilitated in adherence to the requirements of this section.

   e.   Signs eligible for an historic sign designation are not subject to this section. (Ord. No. 0-2010-119; 11/10/10)

Sec. 10-408. Sign Standards in Residential Districts

Sign Type district/use	Max. Number	Max. Area (sq. ft.) or Max Width (ft.)	Max. Height (feet)	Minimum Setback	Additional Requirements
PERMANENT SIGNS
Wall Sign / Façade Sign
Single-Family and Two-Family Districts	1	1			Permit/license/bond not required. Sign may be substituted with freestanding sign of same size with a maximum height of 6 feet and minimum setback of 5 feet. (Ord. No. 0-2016-76;08/24/16)
Freestanding Sign
Residential development entry sign in all residential districts	2	100	8	5
R-MF and PMF districts	1/ frontage	32	10	2	May be substituted with façade sign of same size with a maximum projection of 1.5 feet, or combination thereof. Planned developments must comply with approved Site Development Plan. (Ord. No. 0-2023-29; 4/26/23)
Properties developed with Public/Civic uses in all Residential	1/frontage	32	8	5	May be substituted with facade sign of same size per street frontage, or combination thereof; for included uses see Sec. 10-48.
Electronic message center (EMC), Institutional uses, for properties with Public/Civic uses in all residential districts.	l	24	8	5	See Sec. 10-415 For included uses see Sec. 10-48. (Ord No. 0-2009-100, 9/23/09) (Ord No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Directional signs
Multi-family developments	1/entrance	8	6	2	Company logo or insignia limited to two square feet of sign. May be substituted with a wall sign of the same size. (Ord. No. 0-2015-67; 6/24/15)
Flags
In all residential districts	3	24	35		See Sec. 10-411
Temporary Signs
R-MF and PMF	1 /frontage	50	6	5	See Sec. 10-416. One banner is allowed per lot, per street frontage. If the lot has more than 500 feet of frontage, one banner per 500 feet of frontage may be displayed on the same lot (Ord No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Banners for properties participating in charitable and humanitarian events		50	6		Planning director to determine number. See Sec. 10-416. (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Developments under construction in all residential districts	1/ frontage	100	25	5	Displayed only during construction phase; additional sign per 30 acres to be removed upon completion of project. (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Properties for sale or lease in single-family and two-family districts	1/ frontage	6	3	2	(Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Properties for sale or lease in multi-family districts	1/frontage	32	15	2	Developments of 10 acres or more are allowed one 64 SF sign per 500 ft. of frontage. (Ord No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)

(Ord. No. 0-2010-20, 3/10/10)(Ord. No. 0-2010-119; 11/10/10) (Ord. No. 0-2012-38, 4/25/12)(Ord. No. 0-2015-67; 6/24/15) (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16) (Ord. No. 0-2023-29; 4/26/23)

Sec. 10-409. Sign Standards in Nonresidential Districts

Sign Type district/use	Max. Number	Max. Area (sq. ft.)	Max. Height (feet)	Max. Projection or Min. Setback (ft)	Additional Requirements
PERMANENT SIGNS
Wall Sign / Façade Sign				Projection
RPO district	1/business or tenant	16		1	Max. aggregate gross sign area; 48 sq. ft.; when total floor area exceeds 7,500 sq. ft., 1 additional 32 sq. ft. business directory sign is allowed.
All uses in PCD, PMXD-1 and PMXD-2 districts	1/500’ of frontage or fraction thereof	100		1.5	Base zone standards apply; can be modified w/ approved Site Development Plan. In no case shall a sign be allowed to exceed the sign standards for C-2. (Ord. No. 0-2011-45, 6/8/11)
C-1 district
100-1999 sq. ft. in façade area	1 / façade	100		1.5
2000+ sq. ft. in façade area	1 / façade	9% of façade		1.5	Additional 3% of façade area may be used for ancillary signs.
INT, OSP, C-2, DBAC, and M-1 and M-2 districts	1 / façade
100-1999 sq. ft. in facade area	1/ façade	100	na	1.5	Min. clearance 8 ft. above first floor ground level.
2000+ sq. ft. in façade area	1/ façade	9% of façade	na	1.5	Additional 3% of façade area may be used for ancillary signs.
On lower two floors of multi-story building		100	4		Tenant must have a direct, outside entrance or storefront. No letter, insignia, or symbol may exceed 48” in height.
On upper floor of façade	1	9% of façade above the first floor	4		No letter, insignia, or symbol may exceed 48" in height. See Sec. 10-410, (Ord. No. 0-2012-83, 10/10/12) (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Awning Signs In all commercial, institutional, office, and manufacturing districts	1/ frontage		6	Max 4 ft. projection from wall	See Sec. 00-414
Projecting Signs (includes blade signs) INT, C-1, C-2, PCD, M-1, and M-2 districts	1/ tenant	24	4	See chart	Vertical Clearance	Max Projection
					<7 ft.	3”
					7-8 ft.	12”
					>8 ft.	4’
Projecting Signs (includes blade signs) In PMXD-1. PMXD-2, and DBAC districts	1/ frontage	48	15	See chart
Electronic message center (EMC) on marquee, DBAC	1/ marquee face	40	n/a	n/a	Requires Special Use Permit; DBAC properties within the downtown planning area defined in the Comprehensive Plan See Sec. 10-415 (Ord. No. 0-2013-41; 5/22/13)
Projected Image Sign in DBAC	1/facade	80%	n/a	n/a	Requires Special Use Permit, See Sec. 10-419
Roof Sign	1/frontage	10% of building projection	4		Must be in compliance with a Master Sign Plan; In lieu of freestanding sign, freestanding sign allowance must be from same elevation; Constructed of individually cut lettering and/or graphics without backing panel.
Interstate Higway Signs				Setback
C-1, C-2, PCD, PMXD-1, PMXD-2	1/lot	400	150	5	only for properties at least one acre in size and within 660 feet of Interstate Highway right-of-way. (Ord. No. 0-2019-62; 8/14/19)
Freestanding Signs				Setback
AG and AR District	1/frontage	8	8	5
All uses in RPO district	1/ frontage	32	25	5
All uses in PCD, PMXD-1, and PMXD-2 districts	1/ frontage	200	35	5	Consistent with approved base zoning and Site Development Plan
Development signs, C-1, C-2, DBAC, PCD, PMXD-1, PMXD-2, M-1, and M-2 districts	1/ thoroughfare with direct access	300	35	5	Applies to developments of 10 to 50 acres or more (Ord. No. 0-2012-83, 10/10/12)
Developments with drive-thru lines in C-1, C-2, DBAC, PCD, PMXD-1, PMXD-2, M-1, and M-2 district	2/per drive-thru line per business	32	6	8	Must be spaced at least 10' from any other sign. (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Electronic message center (EMC), C-1 district	1/ lot	32	8	5	Additional allowance based on established thoroughfare speed See Sec. 10-415 (Ord. No. 0-2013-41; 5/22/13)
Electronic message center (EMC), C-2, DBAC, PCD, PMXD-1, PMXD-2, M-1, and M-2 district	1/ lot	64	8	5	See Sec. 10-415
Electronic message center (EMC) properties developed with Public/Civic uses in INT	1 / lot	24	8	5	Additional allowance based on established thoroughfare speed. See Sec. 10-415 (Ord. No. 0-2013-41; 5/22/13) For included uses see Sec. 10-49 (Ord. 0-2009-100, 9-23-09) (Ord No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Major Development signs, C-1, DBAC, PCD, PMXD-1, PMXD-2, M-1 and M-2 Districts	1/thoroughfare with direct access	500	50	5	Applies to Developments of 50 acres or more (Ord. No. 0-2012-83; 10/10/12)
All other uses in INT, OSP, C-1, C-2, DBAC, M-1, and M-2 district (Ord. No. 0-2011-45, 6/8/11)	1/ frontage	100	35	5	Signs up to 10 feet in height must have a setback of at least 2 feet; signs between 10 feet and 35 feet in height must have a setback of at least five feet. (Ord No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16) Additional signage for multiple tenants: 2 sq. ft. per 10 ft. of frontage, up to 200 sq. ft. when district allows building height >35ft., sign may be affixed at allowed building height. 1 reader board sign allowed per lot, up to 32 sq. ft.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
In all nonresidential districts	1 / entrance	8	6	2	Company logo or insignia limited to two square feet of sign. May be substituted with a wall sign of the same size. (Ord. No. 0-2011-45, 6/8/11)(Ord. No. 0-2015-67; 6/24/15)
FLAGS
In all nonresidential districts	3	24	35	5	See Sec. 10-411
TEMPORARY SIGNS
C-1, C-2, DBAC, PCD, PMXD-1, PMXD-2, INT, M-1, M-2	1/frontage	50	60	2	One temporary sign is allowed per lot, per street frontage. If the lot has more than 500 feet of frontage, one temporary sign per 500 feet of frontage may be displayed on the same lot. (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Commercial Banners - Pole-mounted banners (displayed vertically) in C-1, C-2, DBAC, PCD, PMXD-1, PMXD-2, INT M-1 and M-2	Set of 10 = 1 Banner	8	4	2	Pole-mounted banners must be placed interior to the lot See Sec. 10-416 (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Banners for properties participating in charitable and humanitarian activities in all districts		50	6		Planning director to determine number See Sec. 10-416 (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Developments under construction in non-residential districts	1/ frontage	100	25	5	Displayed during construction phase; additional sign per 30 acres to be removed upon completion of project (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Development sign	1/ 30 acres	100	25	5	Removed upon completion of project
Properties for sale or lease in non-residential districts	1 per frontage	32	15	2	Developments of 10 acres or more allowed one 64 SF sign per 500 ft of frontage. (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16)
Sandwich board signs in DBAC	1	8	6		Must not obstruct pedestrian traffic
BILLBOARDS
In M-1, M-2 districts and ETJ	1/ lot within city limits, In ETJ, subject to spacing requirements.	672	35	See Sec. 10-430(b)	See Sec. 10-430 (Ord. No. 0-2023-29; 4/26/23)

(Ord. No. 0-2010-20, 3/10/10) (Ord. No. 0-2010-119, 11/10/10)(Ord. No. 0-2011-45, 6/8/11)(Ord. No. 0-2012-83, 10/10/12)(Ord. No. 0-2013-41; 5/22/13)(Ord. No. 0-2015-67; 6/24/15) (Ord. No. 0-2016-76; 8/24/16) (Ord. No. 0-2019-62; 8/14/19) (Ord. No. 0-2021-23; 3/24/21) (Ord. No. 0-2023-29; 4/26/23)(Ord. No. 0-2024-68; 7/24/24)

Sec. 10-410. Master Signage Plans

   A master signage plan is an administrative permit which establishes standards (size, design, location, etc.) for all exterior signs associated with a multi-tenant/multi-building development with two or more tenants, whether on a single lot or multiple lots. The sign standards of the code provide clear regulations for the permitting, design, location, construction, modification, use, maintenance, and removal of signs in the City of Tyler.

   a.   Applicability

      A master signage plan is required for all multiple-tenant buildings, planned district developments and all multi-building or multi-occupant commercial developments.

   b.   General Requirements

      1.   The lot or lots involved must be contiguous constitute a single cohesive development.

      2.   The sign or signs must be located on a lot that one of the advertised businesses occupies. Alternately the property owner may secure an easement, and provide written evidence of such, from the owner or entity responsible for an adjacent property where a sign may be placed.

      3.   The sign must be designed in the overall architectural style of the buildings within the development.

      4.   The signs may be any sign type that is otherwise allowed by this code.

      5.   Private streets within the boundaries of the development are treated as public rights- of-way for purposes of determining allowable signage.

      6.   Individual pad or lease sites, defined in an approved site plan, are treated as separate lots for purposes of determining allowable signage; however, it is intended that a business will not be allowed advertising on both the multiple tenant (shared) sign and another free-standing business identification sign.

      7.   In addition to signage that would otherwise be allowed on a lot for business identification purposes, one additional monument sign not exceeding eight feet in height and 32 square feet in area may be located at each intersection of public roadways and/or private roadways for purposes of directing traffic to various areas and businesses within the development.

      8.   All other provisions of this code will be applicable to this sign category, including but not limited to, allowed number based on road frontage (multiple lot developments are treated as a single lot for this purpose), allowable size as a function of zoning district, spacing, illumination, materials, etc.

      9.   A wall sign displaying the name of a shopping center may be allowed for developments with less than 2,000 square feet in façade area as long as the proposed principal sign and tenants' signs do not exceed the maximum areas which all tenants with direct outdoor entrance or storefront could have individually. (Ord. No. 0-2012-83; 10/10/12)

   c.   Application Submittal Requirements

      1.   Master Application Form

      2.   $80 Filing Fee

      3.   The applicant shall provide two paper copies and one digital copy of the proposed site plan consistent with the information from the Site Development Plan Check List.

   d.   Review Process

      A master sign plan is an administrative permit issued by the planning director. The processing of a master sign plan will involve the following steps:

      1.   Formal application

      2.   Review for completeness of application

      3.   Staff review

      4.   Final action

   e.   Signs Subject to the Master Sign Plan

      Any sign for which a permit is required and that is part of a development for which a master sign plan has been approved must demonstrate at the time of application that such signs conform to the master sign plan.

   f.   Appeal

      1.   Per Article VIII, Division G of this code, an appeal of an administrative decision such as a master sign plan) may be filed by any person aggrieved by the administrative decision; and any officer, department, board or bureau of the city affected by the decision. The appeal is filed with the planning department and must specifically set forth all grounds for the appeal.

      2.   An appeal of an administrative decision must be made within 30 days after the date of the decision. Such decision will become final following expiration of the 30-day period if no appeal is filed.

      3.   The appeal authority for administrative decisions is the zoning board of adjustment.

(Ord. No. 0-2011-45, 6/8/11)