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Brownsville, TX Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Home holiday display
No city permit required
Sign code coverage
Seasonal decorations excluded
Christmas tree lot permit
15 days maximum
Sales per season
One per lot
Lot area used
30% of parking maximum

Summary

Brownsville's sign code states it does not impose restrictions on seasonal or religious decorations or symbols, and the legacy sign chapter exempts holiday decorations from permits. Commercial Christmas tree and pumpkin lots need a 15-day seasonal sales permit.

The regulations in this section are not intended to regulate religious or political speech or to impose restrictions on seasonal or religious decorations, or symbols, or any legal events or expressions protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Source: Brownsville Code of Ordinances & Unified Development CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

UDC Section 5.3.2A places seasonal and religious decorations, symbols, and First Amendment expression outside the scope of the sign regulations, and Section 5.3.4B.3.h repeats that the temporary ground sign rules draw no distinction for seasonal decorations. Chapter 328, the 2006 Sign Ordinance still carried in the code, lists holiday or special event decorations, including state or country flags, among signs that require no permit. Decorations must stay out of the public right-of-way and clear of the sight visibility triangle in Section 5.4. Selling Christmas trees or pumpkins is a seasonal sale under Section 4.4.5.4: 15 days per permit, one sale per lot per season, and no more than 30 percent of a surface parking area.

Violations & Fines

Decorations in the right-of-way or blocking a sight visibility triangle or fire lane draw a code notice and removal. An unpermitted seasonal sales lot is a zoning offense fined up to $2,000 per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Brownsville limit how long holiday lights can stay up?
No. The UDC sign section excludes seasonal and religious decorations from its rules and sets no take-down date for residential holiday displays.
Is an inflatable Santa a prohibited inflatable sign?
Section 5.3.4A prohibits balloon and inflatable signs, but Section 5.3.2A places seasonal decorations outside the sign regulations. Contact Planning and Redevelopment before installing an inflatable at a business.
What do I need to sell Christmas trees on a commercial lot?
A seasonal sales permit for up to 15 days, one sale per lot per season, using no more than 30 percent of the surface parking and blocking no fire lanes.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Brownsville

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsPolitical SignsFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingFew RestrictionsFire Regulations: Wildfire ZonesFew RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Brownsville rules

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