Permit needed? At a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Does a permanent business sign need a permit? | In nearly every city below, yes, unless the sign is on that city’s exempt list or under its small-sign threshold. |
| Is any sign small enough to skip it? | In some cities: up to 5 sq ft and not electrical in Seattle, an unlit nameplate of up to 4 sq ft in San Diego, under 6 sq ft and unlit in New York City, 10 sq ft for an unlit permanent sign in Columbus, 20 sq ft and 8 ft tall if unlit in Dallas, 24 sq ft and 8 ft tall for an unlit wall sign in Albuquerque, and 32 sq ft for a non-electric attached sign in San Antonio. |
| Does lighting change it? | Yes. A lit sign needs a permit at any size in Albuquerque, Columbus, Dallas, New York City and Seattle, and in Denver, New York City and Portland the electrical work needs its own permit as well. |
| Window signs? | Several cities exempt them within limits. See window sign rules. |
| Only one permit? | Not always: Denver adds a right-of-way permit for a sign over a sidewalk, street or alley, and in Philadelphia most signs need a building permit as well as the zoning permit. |
What each city says
Each line is taken from the city page, which links the code text. A sign under a small-sign threshold still has to meet the rest of that city’s sign rules.
| City | No permit if | What the city says |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | Unlit wall sign of 24 sq ft or less, no taller than 8 ft | Yes for a new sign over 24 sq ft or taller than 8 ft, and for any illuminated, moving, freestanding, projecting, portable or electronic sign (IDO §14-16-5-12(D)(1)); a copy change on an approved sign of the same size needs none. |
| Atlanta | None stated; see the exempt list | §16-28A.008 lists them, among them temporary signs, signs inside a building, lights and decorations, and flags; they still have to meet the chapter. |
| Austin | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes: a sign installation permit is needed to install, move, structurally alter or structurally repair a sign; routine maintenance, nonstructural repair and re-facing of an existing sign are excepted (§25-10-211(A)). |
| Baltimore | Nothing: the Building Code's list of work exempt from a permit has no sign on it | A permit is required to construct, alter, add to or repair a structure, and the Zoning Code bars erecting, relocating or structurally altering a sign except as it allows (Building Code §105.1, §105.2; Zoning Code §17-201(a)). |
| Boston | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes, to erect, install, construct, move, alter, replace, suspend or display any sign, unless it is exempt under Section 11-3 or Section 11-10. |
| Charlotte | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes, from the Planning Department, to install, construct, enlarge, move or replace any sign not exempt under UDO 22.6. |
| Chicago | None stated; see the exempt list | Among others, an adhesive or static cling window sign and a temporary paper, fabric or vinyl window sign for no more than 60 days, as long as all signage in a single window does not exceed 25% of the glazing area. |
| Columbus | Unlit permanent sign of 10 sq ft or less | A certificate of zoning clearance and an installation permit are required for any illuminated sign, neon graphic or neon outline lighting regardless of size, and for any nonilluminated permanent sign over 10 sq ft in graphic area (§3377.01 C). |
| Dallas | Unlit, 20 sq ft or less and no higher than 8 ft | Only for a sign with an effective area greater than 20 square feet, a height in excess of eight feet, or any illumination (§51A-7.602(a)). |
| Denver | None stated; see the exempt list | Denver says most signs on private property need a zoning permit; a sign over a sidewalk, street or alley also needs a right-of-way permit, and electrical work needs an electrical permit. |
| Fort Worth | One temporary sign of 8 sq ft or less | Yes, before installing any exterior business sign over the exempt size; one permit per sign, applications online only. The no-permit signs in §6.403 include one temporary sign per business of not more than eight square feet and 42 inches tall. |
| Houston | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes, to erect, reconstruct, alter, relocate or use a sign, except the on-premises signs listed in §4605(b), such as signs painted on glass, windows or doors. |
| Indianapolis | None stated; see the exempt list | Usually an Improvement Location Permit from the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services; Sec. 744-903.E lists eleven types that need no permit or fee, among them window, pedestrian, yard and address signs. |
| Jacksonville | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes for freestanding or ground, wall, awning, under-canopy, projecting and roof signs; window graphics generally need no permit but count against the wall allowance. |
| Las Vegas | None stated; see the exempt list | In the City, a sign certificate is required for wall, freestanding, monument, projecting and roof signs; window signs and menu boards need none. In the County a sign permit applies to every sign not listed as exempt. |
| Los Angeles | Unlit ground sign of 20 sq ft or less | LADBS lists four cases, among them a ground sign of no more than 20 sq ft with no electricity or illumination, and a copy change or face replacement that is not structural. |
| Miami | Address and notice signs of 2 sq ft or less | Address signs and notice, directional or warning signs of up to two square feet each. |
| Nashville | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes for most signs. Exempt signs under Title 17.32 need no zoning or building permit, unless they are regulated by size, height, setback, number or duration of placement (Codes sign permit page). |
| New York City | Painted, or under 6 sq ft and unlit | Yes for sign displays and installations (Construction Code §28-105.1), except painted signs or signs smaller than six square feet and not illuminated. |
| Philadelphia | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes: a zoning permit from L&I to erect a sign, to allow its continued placement, or to convert it to a different type, and most signs also need a building permit. |
| Phoenix | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes: unless otherwise provided, all signs require a sign permit from the Planning and Development Department before being erected, displayed, relocated or altered (§705.B.1.a). |
| Portland | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes: a sign permit must be obtained for all permanent signs other than signs on awnings, which need an awning permit (§32.62.010.B); lawn signs, non-electrified directional signs, up to three temporary banners of 32 sq ft or less and portable signs are among the exempt. |
| Sacramento | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes: it is unlawful to erect, alter, install, or relocate a sign within the city without first obtaining a sign permit (§15.148.030), apart from the exempt signs. |
| San Antonio | Non-electric attached sign of 32 sq ft or less | Yes for freestanding, electric and larger signs. The only no-permit attached sign is non-electric, 32 sq ft or less of facing, on private property and not in the Riverwalk Area (§28-30(b)). |
| San Diego | Unlit nameplate of 4 sq ft or less | Yes, a separate sign permit to install or alter any sign, except listed cases such as interior signs, window signs, temporary onsite banners, and unlit nameplates of no more than four square feet (Information Bulletin 111). |
| San Francisco | None stated; see the exempt list | Yes, unless the sign is exempted by Section 603 or listed in §604(c). |
| Seattle | 5 sq ft or less and not electrical | Yes once a sign exceeds 5 sq ft or is connected to electrical power, including outline and border tube lighting. |
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