Baytown, TX Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Private Property
- Protected under TX Election Code
- Permit Required
- No: exempt from sign permits
- HOA Limits
- Cannot ban; may limit size to 4x6 ft
- Display Period
- 90 days before to 10 days after election
- Code Enforcement
- (281) 420-6585
Summary
Texas Election Code Section 259.002 protects the right to display political signs on private property. Baytown cannot prohibit political signs on residential property. HOAs may regulate size and number but cannot ban them. Signs in the public right-of-way are regulated by city ordinance and may be removed. Signs must be removed within 10 days after an election.
Sec. 259.003. REGULATION OF POLITICAL SIGNS BY MUNICIPALITY. (b) A municipal charter provision or ordinance that regulates signs may not, for a sign that contains primarily a political message and that is located on private real property with the consent of the property owner: (1) prohibit the sign from being placed; (2) require a permit or approval of the municipality or impose a fee for the sign to be placed; (3) restrict the size of the sign; or (4) provide for a charge for the removal of a political sign that is greater than the charge for removal of other signs regulated by ordinance. [...] (d) Subsection (b) does not apply to a sign that: (1) has an effective area greater than 36 feet; (2) is more than eight feet high; (3) is illuminated; or (4) has any moving elements.
Full Breakdown
Texas Election Code Section 259.002 protects the right of property owners to display political signs on their property. Baytown cannot adopt or enforce an ordinance that prohibits political signs on private residential property. The city's sign ordinance in the Unified Land Development Code regulates signs in the public right-of-way and commercial areas. Political signs placed on public property, utility poles, traffic signs, or in the right-of-way may be removed by the city. Texas Election Code Section 259.002 limits HOA restrictions on political signs: associations cannot prohibit them but may impose reasonable size restrictions (up to 4 by 6 feet) and limit the display period to 90 days before and 10 days after the election. Political signs on private property do not require a permit. Signs must not obstruct traffic visibility at intersections. Temporary political signs are exempt from the general sign permit requirements. Contact Code Enforcement at (281) 420-6585 for questions about sign placement in the right-of-way.
Violations & Fines
Political signs placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or on traffic signs may be removed by the city without notice. Signs that obstruct traffic visibility at intersections may be removed immediately. Signs left up more than 10 days after an election may be subject to enforcement. HOAs that ban political signs violate Texas Election Code Section 259.002.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Baytown prohibit political signs on my property?
Can my HOA ban political signs?
Can I put political signs in the public right-of-way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baytown
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Baytown to another location·View the Texas sign regulations overview
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Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle political signs.