Texas City, TX Outdoor Lighting: Light Trespass & Shielding (2026)

Section 155.046 of the Texas City Code of Ordinances is the glare rule for signs in Texas City, Galveston County. Subsection (A) says no sign or other advertising structure shall be illuminated with lights which glare into or upon the surrounding area or any residential premises, or distract operators of vehicles or pedestrians on the public right-of-way. Subsection (B) extends the rule to any private sign attached to or located on public property or in a public right-of-way or easement.

Two limits define the scope. First, it is a sign rule: the Sign Regulations define an illuminated sign as one with characters, letters, fixtures, designs or outlines illuminated externally by electric lights or internally by luminous tubes, and define other advertising structure as a marquee, canopy, awning or street clock. Second, it is a standard without a number: § 155.046 prints no footcandle, lumen or hours limit, so the test is whether the light glares into or upon residential premises.

Lit signs also pass through permitting. Section 155.020 makes all illuminated signs subject to the Electrical Code and its requisite permit fees, and § 155.021(H) requires any required electrical permit with the sign application. The Building Inspector inspects each sign periodically under § 155.004 to ascertain whether it is in violation of the chapter, and § 155.086 has the Building Official give written notice, with ten calendar days to remove or alter a prohibited sign.

A related shielding rule appears for mobile food units. Section 115.088(10) requires that lighting must be shielded so as to not be directly visible to a residential use. Kiosk signs under § 155.071(F) shall not be illuminated at all.