Austin, TX Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Max Sign Area
- Max sign area: 8 sq ft per sign, 36 sq ft aggregate
- No Permit
- No permit required for residential temporary signs
- No Public Right
- No public right-of-way placement
- No Illumination Of
- No illumination of temporary signs
- State Preemption Prevents
- State preemption prevents content-based rules
- Content
- Content-neutral after Reed v Gilbert revision
Summary
Austin regulates political signs as temporary signs under Land Development Code Chapter 25-10. Residential properties may display non-illuminated temporary signs up to 8 square feet per sign and 36 square feet aggregate without permits. Texas state law preempts content-based timing rules; Austin applies content-neutral size and placement standards year-round.
Sec. 259.002. REGULATION OF DISPLAY OF POLITICAL SIGNS BY PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATION. (b) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a property owners' association may not enforce or adopt a restrictive covenant that prohibits a property owner from displaying on the owner's property one or more signs advertising a candidate or measure for an election: (1) on or after the 90th day before the date of the election to which the sign relates; or (2) before the 10th day after that election date. (d) This section does not prohibit the enforcement or adoption of a covenant that prohibits a sign that: ... (5) is larger than four feet by six feet.
Full Breakdown
Austin Land Development Code Chapter 25-10 (Sign Regulations) governs all signs including political signs, which are treated as temporary signs. Residential properties may display non-illuminated temporary signs up to 8 square feet per sign and 36 square feet aggregate without a permit. After Reed v Town of Gilbert (2015), Austin revised its code to apply content-neutral standards uniformly across all temporary signs regardless of message.
Texas Transportation Code §393.0025 also preempts municipalities from imposing content-based political-sign rules. Prohibited placement includes the public right-of-way, medians, utility poles, traffic signals, street trees, and city-owned property. Signs may not be illuminated, animated, or include audio. The Development Services Department handles enforcement on private property; Public Works removes signs from the right-of-way without notice. Campaign committees remain responsible for retrieving removed signs.
Violations & Fines
Violations are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $500 per sign per day, plus removal costs. Signs in the public right-of-way are removed by Public Works without notice and held briefly before disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I put up a political sign in Austin?
How big can my political sign be?
Can I place signs along streets or on medians?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Austin
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Austin to another location·View the Texas sign regulations overview
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