Harris County, TX Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, from County Engineer
- New billboards
- Prohibited near toll roads
- Berm sign height cap
- 12 feet above grade
- Applies to
- HCTRA toll roads only
- Penalty
- Class C misdemeanor, per day
Summary
Harris County requires a written County Engineer permit for any sign visible from a county toll road's main-traveled way, and generally bars new off-premise signs and billboards near those tollways unless covered by an existing operating permit.
No permit may be granted for the following: signs which do not conform to these Regulations; off-premise signs including billboards, leased signs or other advertising signs, except those authorized by an operating permit as provided in this Section; roof signs; projecting signs, except marquee signs, which conform to Section 10;
Full Breakdown
Subchapter 41F governs signs "visible from the main-traveled way of a toll road within Harris County". HCTRA facilities such as the Sam Houston Tollway, Hardy Toll Road and Westpark Tollway, built under Transportation Code Ch. 284, not TxDOT interstates. No one may erect, alter or maintain such a sign without a written County Engineer permit, and off-premise signs, billboards, and leased advertising signs cannot be newly permitted; only signs under a pre-existing operating permit remain lawful. Permitted on-premise wall signs are capped on a distance-scaled table (75 sq ft under 100 feet from the road, up to 1,000 sq ft beyond 500 feet), and berm signs may not exceed 12 feet in height.
Violations & Fines
Erecting, maintaining or altering a sign that violates these regulations is a Class C misdemeanor, with each day of violation a separate offense; the County Engineer can also issue a stop order and revoke the sign permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a billboard visible from the Sam Houston Tollway?
Does this rule cover I-45 or I-10 in Harris County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harris County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Harris County to another location·View the Texas sign regulations overview
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