Sign Permits

Do I need a sign permit?

You need a permit from Planning & Development before you install, replace, enlarge, move or structurally change any sign visible from a public street. Replacing the face panel in an existing permitted cabinet needs no new permit, except in the downtown historic district.

These signs do not need a permit:

• Address numbers, and one nameplate of up to 2 square feet per building.
• Real estate signs up to 6 square feet on residential property, or 32 square feet on other property.
• Garage sale signs on the sale property, during the sale.
• Political signs on private property within the limits of Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code §216.903.
• Window signs covering no more than 25% of a window, and government or legally required signs.

Permanent signs

Permanent signs include wall, awning, projecting, monument and pole signs. Your application needs a site plan, a dimensioned drawing and the property owner’s written consent. Lit signs must be installed by a sign contractor licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

District	Wall signs	Freestanding signs
R-1, R-2, MF, MH, PD	Nameplate only, 2 sq ft	One monument sign per subdivision or complex entrance, 6 ft tall, 32 sq ft
CBD	1.5 sq ft per linear foot of storefront	Not allowed. See the historic district standards below
C-1	1 sq ft per linear foot of frontage	Monument, 6 ft tall, 40 sq ft
C-2	2 sq ft per linear foot of frontage	Monument, 8 ft tall, 64 sq ft; or pole, 30 ft tall, 150 sq ft
HC	3 sq ft per linear foot of frontage	Pole, 65 ft tall, 400 sq ft; or monument, 12 ft tall, 120 sq ft
I-1, I-2	1 sq ft per linear foot of frontage	Monument, 8 ft tall, 64 sq ft

One freestanding sign is allowed per lot, and shopping centers share one. Roof signs, flashing or animated signs, and signs that look like traffic signals are not allowed anywhere. Electronic message signs are allowed in C-2 and HC only, changing no more than once every 8 seconds.

Pole signs at the interstate

The Highway Commercial (HC) district along I-69 and Hot Pocket Way allows pole signs up to 65 feet tall. Pole signs over 30 feet need foundation drawings sealed by a Texas professional engineer.

The tallest sign in the City is the MegaGrab Supercenter pole sign, at 85 feet, approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment as variance V-2014-02. That variance applies to that sign at that location only. It does not set a precedent, and the Board has asked staff to say so on this page.

View the Highway Commercial district on the map

Temporary signs

Banners, feather flags, grand opening signs and similar temporary signs need a temporary sign permit.

• Each business may display temporary signs for up to 30 consecutive days, twice per calendar year, with at least 30 days between periods.
• One banner per street frontage, up to 32 square feet, plus up to four feather flags.
• Signs must be on your own property and securely anchored.
• Write your permit number on the lower right corner of each banner in permanent marker.

Inflatable tube men and other inflatable devices

Inflatable tube men, air dancers, inflatable animals and other air-powered devices are temporary signs. Each one needs a temporary sign permit.

Requirement	Standard
Permit fee	$25 per device
Maximum display	14 consecutive days
Counts toward	One of your two temporary sign periods for the calendar year
Districts	C-2, HC, I-1 and I-2 only. Not allowed in the CBD
Number	One per lot, or two per lot with 200 feet or more of street frontage
Height	20 feet maximum, fully inflated
Location	On private property, at least 15 feet from the curb or edge of pavement
Hours	Business hours only. Deflate the device when you close
Operation	Must be operated in a manner that does not alarm livestock

Downtown historic district

Signs around the Brisket County Courthouse need a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Courthouse Square Commission before a sign permit can be issued. The Commission meets the second Tuesday of the month, as needed; apply at least 14 days ahead.

• Wall signs go in the sign band above the storefront. One projecting sign per storefront is allowed, up to 9 square feet, with 8 feet of clearance over the sidewalk.
• Materials are wood, metal, paint or gold leaf. Internally lit plastic cabinet signs and electronic message signs are not allowed.
• Existing neon signs approved by specific use permit may be repaired in place. The Neon Armadillo Dance Hall sign, for example, is capped at 14 feet by SUP-2003-07.
• Sidewalk A-frame signs need an annual permit: one per storefront, business hours only, leaving 4 feet of clear sidewalk.

View the Central Business District on the map

How to apply

Pick up an application at City Hall, 150 E Brisket St, or request one at permits@dongvile.us. Return it with your drawings and the fee, paid by cash, check or money order. Review takes up to 5 business days for permanent signs and 2 for temporary signs. Monument and pole signs need a footing inspection, and lit signs need a final electrical inspection.

Fees

Permit	Fee
Wall, awning or projecting sign	$75 per sign
Monument sign	$100
Pole sign, up to 30 feet	$150
Pole sign, over 30 feet (HC only)	$250, plus $100 engineered foundation review
Electrical sign inspection	$40
Temporary sign, 30-day period	$25
Inflatable device, up to 14 days	$25 per device
Sidewalk A-frame sign, CBD (annual)	$25
Certificate of appropriateness	No fee
Sign variance, Zoning Board of Adjustment	$350
Sign installed without a permit	Double the permit fee

Last updated September 21, 2026