City of Southlake

Sign Ordinance

The Sign Ordinance creates the legal framework for a comprehensive and balanced system of signage in the city.

 

City Council adopted Sign Ordinance 704-E, an amendment to Sign Ordinance 704-D, on September 21, 2010.  The primary purpose of this amendment was to revise the regulations for readerboard signs.  Specifically, a definition for "Bulletin Board Sign" was added, the definition for "Readerboard Sign" was revised, and "Institutional Sign" was removed.  The final ordinance is now available:

Sign Ordinance 704-E (pdf)  

 

Please be aware that many commercial developments in the city are subject to special sign regulations, called Conditional Sign Permits or Master Sign Plans. A partial listing of these developments include Southlake Town Square, Shops of Southlake, Gateway/Wyndham Plaza, Jellico Square, Southlake Corners, Bicentennial Retail Plaza, and Watermere. Please verify with city staff whether or not a Conditional Sign Permit or Master Sign Plan applies to your location. The primary staff contacts are:

• Patty Moos, Landscape & Zoning Inspector (Sign Inspector) - (817) 748-8215
• Lorrie Fletcher, Planner I - (817) 748-8069
• Jenny Crosby, Planner II - (817) 748-8195
• Planning & Development Services - (817) 748-8621

 

Additional Guidance

• Regulations for Commercial Leasing Signs and For Sale Signs

 

Sign Permit Applications

With the adoption of the new ordinance, new sign applications have been created. Please use these forms for all new sign permit requests. Each application includes a summary table with the sign regulations for the particular sign type.

• Temporary Sign Application (includes banners, special purpose signs, sandwich board signs, and new construction for sale/leasing signs)
• Permanent Attached Sign Application (includes attached business signs, blade signs, attached menuboard signs, attached subdivision entry signs, and attached drive through signs)
• Permanent Monument Sign Application (includes business monument signs, menuboards, subdivision entry signs, directory signs, etc.)

 

Sign Variance Applications

Please contact Planning & Development Services staff at 817-748-8069 for complete details on the requirements for sign variances and master sign plan applications.

• Sign Variance (for individual sign variance requests)
• Master Sign Plan (for developments - please refer to Section 8 of Sign Ordinance 704-E for design guidelines)

 

Sign Ordinance History

Prior to Ordinance 704-E, City Council adopted Sign Ordinance No. 704-D at their regular meeting on July 7, 2009.  Ordinance 704-D added regulations for restricted parking signs, sign walkers, and wayfinding signs.  This ordinance also included minor revisions to the monument sign and political sign regulations. 

Prior to Ordinance 704-D, City Council adopted Sign Ordinance No. 704-C at their regular meeting on December 5, 2006 and the new ordinance became effective on December 8, 2006. Some of the most significant changes to the sign regulations included increases to area and letter height standards for attached signs; larger monument signs on S.H. 114, F.M 1938, and Southlake Boulevard; limitations on window signs; and limitations on temporary real estate signs.