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Brownsville, TX Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing statute
Tex. Election Code § 259.003
City permit
Barred on private property
City size cap
Preempted below statutory thresholds
Statutory ceiling
36 feet, eight feet high
HOA signs
Tex. Election Code § 259.002

Summary

Texas Election Code § 259.003 bars Brownsville from banning, permitting, charging for, or size-limiting a political sign on private property placed with the owner's consent. Brownsville's own sign code states it does not regulate political speech.

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; ... (3) restrict the size of the sign.

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

Full Breakdown

Section 259.003 of the Texas Election Code, transferred and redesignated from Local Government Code § 216.903 by House Bill 2554 in 2019, bars a municipal charter provision or ordinance from banning a primarily political sign on private real property placed with the owner's consent, requiring a permit or fee for it, restricting its size, or charging more to remove it than other signs. The protection ends at signs with an effective area greater than 36 feet, more than eight feet high, illuminated, or with moving elements. Brownsville UDC Section 5.3.2A states the sign rules do not regulate political speech. Signs on utility poles or in the right-of-way are Bandit Signs and are prohibited.

Violations & Fines

The city may remove a political sign from the public right-of-way. Any removal charge may not exceed what the city charges for removing other regulated signs, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my HOA make me take down a campaign sign?
Texas Election Code § 259.002 protects display from 90 days before an election through the 10th day after. An HOA may require ground mounting, one sign per candidate, and a maximum of four by six feet.
Can I stake a campaign sign in the median or on the highway shoulder?
No. Signs in a public right-of-way are Bandit Signs under UDC 5.3.4A.4, and TxDOT removes signs placed in state highway right-of-way at the sign owner's cost.
Does Brownsville's 8-square-foot yard sign limit apply to campaign signs?
Election Code § 259.003 bars a city from restricting the size of a political sign on private property until the sign exceeds 36 feet of effective area, eight feet in height, illumination, or movement.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Brownsville

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsHoliday DisplaysFew 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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