Sign permitting · Dallas Fort Worth
Sign Permitting in Dallas Fort Worth, From Code Research to Approval
Every DFW city writes its own sign code, and many properties add rules of their own. We research what applies to your address, secure landlord approval, prepare the drawings and submit and track the permit, so your sign is not left waiting on paperwork.
Do I need a permit for a business sign in DFW?
In most Dallas Fort Worth cities, yes. Permanent exterior signs usually need a sign permit, and illuminated signs add electrical work that must be done by a licensed electrical sign contractor. Each city writes its own sign code, and landlords often have tenant sign criteria on top. We research both for your address, prepare the package and submit it.
What the service includes
Permitting, handled end to end.
Sign code research
We look up the rules for your specific address: which sign types the zoning allows, how sign area is measured, where signs can be placed and any limits on lighting. Overlay districts and planned developments can add requirements beyond the base code.
Landlord and owner approval
Shopping centers, office parks and planned developments often have tenant sign criteria and a review of their own. We prepare the submittal to those criteria and work through comments with the property manager.
Permit drawing package
A city submittal typically calls for a site plan showing the sign location, a scaled elevation of the sign on the building, dimensions and area calculations, and attachment or foundation details. We assemble it from the approved design and the engineering set.
City submission and tracking
We file the application, answer reviewer comments and revise drawings when asked, and keep you informed as the permit moves through review.
Electrical permits for lit signs
Illuminated signs carry an electrical scope. Depending on the city, it is reviewed under a separate electrical permit or within the sign permit. In Texas, that work must be performed by a licensed electrical sign contractor. Signs Express holds that license: Texas Electrical Sign Contractor #18921.
Inspections
Many permits close with an inspection once the sign is installed. We coordinate it and address anything the inspector notes.
Variances, in general terms
When a sign cannot meet the code as written, some cities offer a variance or special exception. It is a separate review, often with a public hearing, and approval is never assured.
Why it matters
A sign without approval is a sign at risk.
Installing without a permit can bring a stop-work order, fines or an order to take the sign down. A landlord can also treat a sign that ignores the criteria as a lease issue. In either case, you risk paying for the same sign twice.
Permitting is also where schedules quietly slip. An incomplete submittal comes back with comments, each round of revisions adds time, and a sign designed before anyone read the code may need redrawing. Research first and a complete package are what keep a sign on track for an opening.
How it works
Our permitting process.
- 01
Research the address
Zoning, the city sign code, any overlay or planned development rules and the landlord's criteria are gathered before the design is final.
- 02
Design within the limits
The research sets the size and placement the design works inside, so the drawing you approve is one the city can approve too.
- 03
Landlord approval
Where the property has criteria, the design goes to the landlord or owner first, and we secure their approval or authorization.
- 04
City submittal
The complete package goes to the city with drawings, engineering and electrical information.
- 05
Review and revisions
We answer comments, revise drawings and resubmit until the permit is issued.
- 06
Install and inspect
With the permit in hand, installation is scheduled and any required inspection is arranged to close the permit.
Deliverables
What you receive.
- A code summary for your address and sign type
- A landlord submittal prepared to the property's sign criteria
- A permit drawing package: site plan, elevations, dimensions and details
- Engineering and electrical information included where required
- The submitted application, with status updates through review
- Revised drawings in response to reviewer comments
- The issued permit and inspection coordination
Who approves what
Three approvals, three different reviewers.
A single sign can need sign-off from the property, the city and the electrical review. Each one checks something different.
| Compare | Landlord approval | City sign permit | Electrical review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reviewed by | The property owner or manager | City building or planning staff | The city, as its own permit or within the sign permit |
| What they check | Fit with tenant sign criteria: size, color, lighting, mounting | Zoning, sign type, size, placement and structure | How the sign is powered, wired and connected |
| When it applies | Leased space and managed properties | Most permanent exterior signs | Illuminated signs |
| What we provide | Design drawings prepared to the criteria | The permit drawing package with engineering | Electrical layout, with the work done by a licensed electrical sign contractor |
Order matters. Landlord approval usually comes first, because many cities ask for the property owner's authorization with the sign permit application.
From the portfolio
Work this service made possible.
Project examples
See it on real projects.
Keep exploring
Sign types this service supports
Channel Letters
Individually built, LED-lit letters that turn a fascia into a nighttime landmark.
Monument Signs
Low, freestanding signs that mark the entrance and match the architecture behind them.
Pole & Pylon Signs
Freestanding signs raised on poles or pylons, so drivers see your name in time to turn.
Illuminated Exterior Signs
LED-lit letters, cabinets, monuments and pole signs that keep your name readable after sunset.
Related services
Part of the same project.
Engineering
Attachment, foundation and electrical details that let a sign be permitted, built and trusted in North Texas weather.
Site Surveys
Measurements, photos, power and access checked on site, so every drawing starts from facts.
Project Management
One point of contact who sequences approvals, fabrication and installation around your construction and opening dates.
Sign Design
Concepts shown on photos of your own building, developed into drawings a shop can build.
Industries
Where this matters most.
Retail
Fascia letters, road-sign panels, window graphics and in-store signs that help a shop win the glance from the parking lot.
Real Estate
Entrance monuments, multi-tenant center signs, tenant panels and leasing signs for owners, developers and property managers.
Healthcare
Clear, trusted signs for clinics, dental offices, medical spas and rehab centers, from the building to the reception desk.
Free project review
Find out what your city allows.
Send the property address and the sign you have in mind. We will check the code and any landlord criteria and tell you what it takes to get it approved.
- A photo of the building or site, even from a phone
- Your logo or brand files, if you have them
- The city where the sign will be installed
- Landlord sign criteria, if the space is leased
Straight answers
Permitting: common questions.
Something else on your mind? Call (469) 901-3108 or send the details through the quote form.
How long does a sign permit take?
There is no standard answer. Review times depend on the city, its current workload, the sign type and how complete the submittal is. Once we have researched your address, we give you a realistic expectation for that city. A complete first submittal is the most reliable way to avoid extra rounds of review.
How much does a sign permit cost?
Each city sets its own fees, and the basis differs from place to place: sign type, size or the value of the work can all play a part. Lit signs may add an electrical permit fee. We confirm the fees that apply to your project during code research.
Is permitting a monument or pole sign different from a wall sign?
Usually, yes. A wall sign is reviewed mainly for its size and placement on the building. A freestanding sign adds questions about where it sits on the lot, how tall it is and how its structure and foundation are built, so the submittal typically carries a site plan and engineering. Both are judged against the sign rules for the zoning district.
What if the sign I want does not meet the code?
First, we look for a design that does: a different wall, a smaller letter set or a monument in place of a pole. If there is a strong case for the original, some cities have a variance or special exception route. We explain what that process involves for your city before you decide whether to pursue it.
Who applies for the permit, me or you?
We do. We prepare the drawings, complete the application and submit it on your behalf. You may be asked to sign a tenant or owner authorization, and your landlord may need to sign as well.
My landlord already approved the sign. Is that enough?
No. Landlord approval and a city permit are separate. The landlord checks the sign against the lease and the property's criteria. The city checks it against the sign code and building rules. A sign needs both, and a landlord-approved design can still need changes before the city signs off.
Can I put my sign up while the permit is pending?
Not a permanent sign. A city can require an unpermitted sign to come down, even if a permit is later issued with changes. If you need visibility for an opening, most cities regulate temporary signs and banners separately, and those rules are worth checking.
Do you handle permits in every DFW city?
We handle sign permitting across Dallas Fort Worth, including Dallas, Carrollton, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Arlington and Fort Worth. Each city runs its own process, so the research is done fresh for every address rather than assumed from the last project.
Start with the space. End with a landmark.
Your next landmark starts here.
Tell us what you are building and where. One team takes it from survey to switch-on.