Denton, TX Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 33-4(i)
- Shielding required
- Yes, to prevent driver hazard
- Flashing/blinking illumination
- Prohibited
- Digital display billboards
- Prohibited outright
- Enforcement
- Planning & development director
Summary
Denton bans signs illuminated so intensely or without shielding that they hazard drivers or intrude on nearby homes, and bars flashing, moving, or digital illumination on billboards.
(i)Certain illuminated signs.(1)Signs, illuminated form within or without, and which:a.Are illuminated in such a manner, to such intensity, or without proper shielding, so as to constitute a hazard to the operation of motor vehicles upon a public street or substantially interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of residential property; orb.Have any type of intermittent illumination, including flashing, fading, revolving or blinking lights, or any type of moving, traveling or changing message by means of illumination, excluding temporary holiday lights and lights used for time and temperature signs; or(2)Billboards using digital display technology.(j)Portable signs. Any portable sign which is not a properly registered nonconforming portable sign as provided for in this chapter. (Ord. No. 2014-406, § 5, 12-1-14)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37 Update 1 | Development Code: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 33-4(i) of the Denton Code of Ordinances, any sign illuminated from within or without is unlawful if it lacks proper shielding and is bright enough to endanger traffic or intrude on nearby residential enjoyment. The same subsection separately bans intermittent illumination (flashing, fading, revolving, blinking) and digital display technology specifically on billboards, closing off LED conversions as a lighting workaround.
Violations & Fines
Unlawful sign under Sec. 33-4; the director of planning and development enforces removal under Sec. 33-11 and can invalidate a nonconforming sign's registration tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an existing Denton billboard switch to a digital/LED display?
Is any illuminated sign banned in Denton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Denton to another location·View the Texas outdoor lighting overview
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