Sign permits in Dallas, TX: rules, fees, and how to apply
Sign permits here are reviewed by City of Dallas, TX under Dallas Development Code Ch. 51A, Article VII — Signs (permit requirements at Sec. 51A-7.2205; business districts at Sec. 51A-7.300). This guide covers the 10 rules the city actually checks — each one quoted from the published code with a link to the source — plus what the permit costs, how long review takes, the documents you’ll need, and exactly how to submit. Everything below was verified 2026-07-03 against the city’s own published sources.
Published tiers, some ranges
The city publishes fee tiers, but a few land in honest ranges — we show the range, never an invented number.
Typical review
Detached signs: about 5 working days (field-inspector review)
How you submit
DallasNow (Accela) + ProjectDox for plans
Rules verified
2026-07-03, against Dallas Development Code Ch. 51A, Article VII — Signs (permit requirements at Sec. 51A-7.2205; business districts at Sec. 51A-7.300)
The rules Dallas checks
Every rule below is quoted from the city’s own published source — the exact sentence, never a paraphrase, with a link to read it in context.
When a permit is required
A sign needs a permit in Dallas when its effective area is over 20 sq ft, it's taller than 8 ft, it's lit, it has moving elements, it hangs over a public roadway, it projects more than 18 inches, or it's in a Special Provision Sign District.
“Permit triggers: effective area >20 sq ft, height >8 ft, illuminated, moving elements, over public roadway, projecting >18 in, or in a Special Provision Sign District.”
Source: Dallas How-To: Permanent Sign — when a permit is required
Height limits
Monument signs in business districts top out at 200 sq ft and 35 ft overall height; along expressways, up to 400 sq ft and 40 ft within 100 ft of the right-of-way.
“Monument max 200 sq ft at 35 ft overall height; expressway 400 sq ft at 40 ft within 100 ft of right-of-way (Sec. 51A-7.300).”
Spacing between signs
Detached signs must be at least 200 feet apart (measured radially) on the premise.
“Scaled site map with easements, distances to property lines and between detached signs (200 ft radial separation rule).”
Source: Dallas How-To: Permanent Sign — detached sign separation
Wording and item-count limits
In Dallas business districts, a facade can carry at most 8 words that are 4 inches or taller, per occupant.
“Elevation with exact wording, overall dimensions, and the height and length of each word (maximum 8 words at least 4 inches in height per facade per occupant).”
Source: Dallas Development Code Sec. 51A-7.300 (via the city's How-To guide)
Digital sign (EMC) rules
Digital signs are allowed in Dallas, but you must include written manufacturer certification that brightness is factory-programmed to the city's standards and can't be changed by the end user.
“Digital displays need written manufacturer certification that light intensity is factory-programmed to 51A-7.216 brightness/dimming standards and protected from end-user manipulation.”
Source: Dallas Development Code Sec. 51A-7.216 (via the city's How-To guide)
When a wall sign needs an engineer
Attached signs need Texas PE-stamped engineering (2015 IBC wind load) when they're over 100 sq ft, mounted over 50 ft above grade, or project more than 4 ft.
“Attached signs: stamped engineering (TX PE, 2015 IBC wind load) if over 100 sq ft, mounted over 50 ft, or projecting more than 4 ft.”
Source: Dallas How-To: Permanent Sign — attached sign engineering
When a freestanding sign needs an engineer
Detached signs need Texas PE-stamped engineering when they're over 32 sq ft or taller than 8 ft above grade.
“Detached signs: stamped engineering if over 32 sq ft or more than 8 ft above grade.”
Source: Dallas How-To: Permanent Sign — detached sign engineering
Facade and window coverage limits
In business districts, attached signs are capped at 25% of the primary facade area and 15% of a secondary facade. We need your facade's square footage to run this math.
“Primary facade 25%/secondary 15% of facade area (Sec. 51A-7.300).”
Certificate of Occupancy precondition
Before Dallas will take a sign application, the occupant must have a Certificate of Occupancy on record in the correct name and use for the address.
“Occupant must have a Certificate of Occupancy on record in the correct name and use.”
Historic and special district overlays
Special Provision Sign Districts carry their own sign rules on top of the base code — check the district's provisions before designing.
“…or in a Special Provision Sign District.”
Source: Dallas Development Code Ch. 51A Art. VII — Special Provision Sign Districts
What a sign permit costs in Dallas
Dallas publishes a real tier table by effective area, from $45 (up to 20 sq ft) to $374 (901 sq ft and up), plus a flat $75 review fee for every detached sign. Mid-tier amounts come from the city's table in the how-to guide — we show the published endpoints and the range between them. The city's newer page also cites $296 for attached/reface and $577 for a new detached sign, so confirm against the current schedule.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Premise sign, effective area up to 20 sq ft | $45 |
| Premise sign, effective area 21–900 sq ft (city tier table) | $45–$374(range) |
| Premise sign, effective area 901 sq ft and up | $374 |
| Detached sign review fee | $75 |
How long review takes
Typical: Detached signs: about 5 working days (field-inspector review)
If it runs long: Longer for signs needing engineering review or in a Special Provision Sign District
Source: Dallas How-To: Permanent Sign
Special Provision Sign District
This area has its own sign rules on top of the base code — expect extra review. Check the district on the city's zoning map.
How to submit in Dallas
Apply online through DallasNow (SIGN is a checkbox on the universal permit application) and upload commercial plans through ProjectDox at plansubmittal.dallascityhall.com.
Portal: DallasNow (Accela) + ProjectDox for plans
- Plan submittal (ProjectDox)
- Official how-to guide for permanent signs (18-page PDF)
- Dallas zoning lookup (Special Provision Sign Districts)
Who to call when you’re stuck
- Building Inspection — Sign permits — 214-948-4480
The documents Dallas asks for
Which of these apply depends on the sign — lit signs, freestanding signs, and signs that need engineering each pull in extra paperwork. PermitMySign tracks every slot per job.
Overhead location map (proposed sign + every existing sign on the premise)
Dallas wants an overhead map showing the proposed sign and all existing signs on the premise.
Elevation with exact wording and the height/length of each word
Dallas counts words — the elevation must show the exact wording, overall dimensions, and the height and length of each word.
Construction detail (side view, materials, depth, attachment method)
The reviewer checks how the sign is built and attached.
Electrical detail
Lit signs need an electrical detail, and only a licensed electrical sign contractor or registered electrical contractor can pull the electrical permit.
Texas PE-stamped engineering (2015 IBC wind load)
Attached signs over 100 sq ft, mounted over 50 ft up, or projecting more than 4 ft — and detached signs over 32 sq ft or taller than 8 ft — need engineering stamped by a Texas professional engineer. Software can't stamp drawings — this is a tracked to-do. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Notarized Sign Premise Warranty Form (detached signs)
Detached signs need this form signed by the property owner or manager and notarized, counting every detached sign on the premise. Software can't notarize — we route it as a to-do with an emailable template. (A human step — software can’t do this part, so it becomes a tracked to-do.)
Scaled site map with easements, property-line distances, and distances between detached signs
Dallas wants easements shown plus distances to property lines and between detached signs — there's a 200-ft separation rule.
Manufacturer brightness certification (digital displays)
Digital displays need written manufacturer certification that light intensity is factory-programmed to Sec. 51A-7.216 brightness/dimming standards and protected from end-user manipulation.
Wind load, for the engineer
115 mph (site values vary — verify with your engineer) · 2015 IBC / ASCE 7-10 (per Dallas's stamped-engineering requirement)
Dallas requires sign engineering to the 2015 IBC wind load, which points to the ASCE 7-10 maps — the Dallas area is generally around 115 mph ultimate design wind speed (Risk Category II).
Exposure Category C is common for open and suburban Dallas sites; sites shielded by dense downtown buildings may rate B — it's read off the actual surroundings.
Source: Dallas How-To: Permanent Sign — stamped engineering (2015 IBC wind load) — a starting number for the engineer of record, never a substitute for sealed calculations.
What we couldn’t verify (yet)
Honesty is the product — here’s where Dallas’s own sources left gaps:
- The full mid-tier fee amounts between $45 and $374 exist in the city's published table but weren't extracted line-by-line — fees for 21–900 sq ft show as a range until verified against the current schedule.
Dallas sign permit FAQ
Do I need a permit to put up a sign in Dallas?
A sign needs a permit in Dallas when its effective area is over 20 sq ft, it's taller than 8 ft, it's lit, it has moving elements, it hangs over a public roadway, it projects more than 18 inches, or it's in a Special Provision Sign District.
Source: Dallas How-To: Permanent Sign — when a permit is required
How much does a sign permit cost in Dallas?
Dallas publishes a real tier table by effective area, from $45 (up to 20 sq ft) to $374 (901 sq ft and up), plus a flat $75 review fee for every detached sign. Mid-tier amounts come from the city's table in the how-to guide — we show the published endpoints and the range between them. The city's newer page also cites $296 for attached/reface and $577 for a new detached sign, so confirm against the current schedule.
How long does sign permit review take in Dallas?
Detached signs: about 5 working days (field-inspector review). If it runs long: Longer for signs needing engineering review or in a Special Provision Sign District.
Source: Dallas How-To: Permanent Sign
Does Dallas allow digital signs (EMCs)?
Digital signs are allowed in Dallas, but you must include written manufacturer certification that brightness is factory-programmed to the city's standards and can't be changed by the end user.
Source: Dallas Development Code Sec. 51A-7.216 (via the city's How-To guide)
When does a sign need an engineer in Dallas?
Attached signs need Texas PE-stamped engineering (2015 IBC wind load) when they're over 100 sq ft, mounted over 50 ft above grade, or project more than 4 ft. Detached signs need Texas PE-stamped engineering when they're over 32 sq ft or taller than 8 ft above grade.
Source: Dallas How-To: Permanent Sign — attached sign engineering
How do you submit a sign permit application in Dallas?
Apply online through DallasNow (SIGN is a checkbox on the universal permit application) and upload commercial plans through ProjectDox at plansubmittal.dallascityhall.com.
Rules on this page were verified 2026-07-03 against Dallas Development Code Ch. 51A, Article VII — Signs (permit requirements at Sec. 51A-7.2205; business districts at Sec. 51A-7.300). Cities change their codes — when a claim matters to a real job, PermitMySign shows you the citation so you can check the source yourself.
Checking a real sign in Dallas?
Run it through the free Instant Check — pass, doesn’t pass, or needs human review, with the fee estimate and every verdict tied to the exact line of Dallas’s code. No account needed.