Denton, TX Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- New billboards
- Prohibited citywide
- Existing billboards
- Cannot convert to digital
- Enforcement
- Planning and development director
- Digital billboard display
- Listed as unlawful sign type
Summary
Denton prohibits construction of any new billboard citywide and bars converting existing legal billboards to digital or LED display.
Billboard policy. New billboards, as defined herein, are prohibited. Existing legal billboards may not be converted to digital display.
(Ord. No. 2014-406, § 2, 12-1-14)
Sec. 33-2. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Abandoned sign. A sign:
(1) Which, for at least six (6) continuous months, does not identify or advertise a bona fide business, establishment, lessor, service, owner, product or activity;
(2) For which no legal owner can be found; or
(3) Which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies.
Advertising. To convey information or ideas to, to seek the attraction of, or to direct the attention of, the public to any location, event, person, activity, goods, services or merchandise.
Attached sign. A sign, other than a wind device sign, attached to or supported by any part of a building, including but not limited to a wall, roof, window, canopy, awning, or marquee. Wall, roof, and projecting signs shall be considered attached signs.
Billboard. A permanent structure sign in a fixed location which meets any one or more of the following criteria: 1) it is used for general advertising for hire; 2) it is used to display off-site commercial messages; 3) it constitutes a separate principal use of the property, in contrast to an auxiliary or accessory use to the principal use
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. 33-1A(g) of the Denton sign code, new billboards are flatly prohibited within the city, and any billboard that was lawfully in place before the current code took effect cannot be converted to a digital display. Sec. 33-4(i)(2) separately lists billboards using digital display technology among the sign types the city treats as unlawful. The planning and development director enforces the sign chapter.
Violations & Fines
A billboard built or converted to digital display in violation is an unlawful sign under Sec. 33-4, subject to removal and code enforcement action; the director of planning and development administers and enforces the sign chapter under Sec. 33-1A(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an existing Denton billboard switch to a digital LED display?
Can a company build a new billboard in Denton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Denton to another location·View the Texas sign regulations overview
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