The City of Coppell strictly regulates the placement and duration of the temporary sign to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare.  The medians and right-of-ways are to be free of clutter and traffic hazards that may confuse, distract, or impair the motorists' ability to see pedestrians, obstacles, other vehicles, or important traffic signs.

Sign Zones

One of the major amendments to the Ordinance is the creation of Sign Zones or specific locations around the city where signs can actually be placed.  Builders and developers, religious institutions, and community event notice signs may only be placed within identified sign zones.  All other temporary signs must be placed within a sign zone when the sign is located at an intersection where a zone exists.  These sign zones will be identified on the adjacent curb or pavement by "buttons" if a curb does not exist.

Signs within the sign zone may only be placed in the direction of travel as the intersection is approached. The following intersections are designated as Sign Zones:

Bounty Hunters Wanted For I-SPY

The City of Coppell Code Enforcement office is responsible for regulating signage on the rights-of-way.  Code enforcement officers pick up and dispose of illegal and outdated signs, and issue citations to violators who continue to illegally place their signs.  The manpower needed to remove illegal signs costs taxpayers thousands of dollars each year.  Coppell is not the only city with the problem of illegally placed signs.  Every city in the United States is plagued with these signs on roadways, telephone and utility poles, and even private property.    In an effort to eliminate or reduce the placement of illegal signs in our community, Code Enforcement has created a new program that will enlist the assistance of local civic clubs, churches, non-profits and community groups.  The name I-SPY stands for (Illegal Signs Pay You) began on February 4, 2006.  City of Coppell is among only a few cities within the United States to have begun this type of bounty program.    The I-SPY program will pay qualifying groups $150 for a weekend of work.  Participants must register with the City through a recognized group, wear safety vests that will be furnished by the City and two members from each group must attend a short training program.  Each group member must be at least 16 years old and have adult supervision.    Groups interested in registering to participate in I-SPY should contact the City of Coppell's Code Enforcement Department 972-304-3500.

Temporary Sign Restrictions

A. Definitions

• On Premises--Premises, dwelling means a lot zoned SF, TH or 2F that is occupied by a residential housing structure.
• Public Right of Way--Dedicated road or street including the easement for that road or street.
• Sign--Any device, flag, banner, light, figure, picture, letter, word, message, symbol, plaque, poster, display, design, painting, drawing, billboard, wind device or other thing visible from outside the premises on which it is located and that is designed, intended or used to inform, to advertise or to attract the attention of persons not on those premises.

B. General Sign Restrictions No sign will be allowed within any street median or attached to any tree, to any public utility pole, or to any street or traffic control sign.  Signs are NOT allowed to be illuminated or have moving elements, balloons or streamers attached.  (Ordinance 91500-A-129, Zoning Ordinance Code Book, Coppell, Texas)

C. Residential Property Sale and Rental Signs The owner or occupant may not erect illuminated signs nor can there be moving elements attached to the signs for real estate sale, any rental signs,and personal property sale signs are only allowed in the required front yard of platted property zoned SF, 2F or TH until the ownership has been transferred or the property is leased.  SIGNS MUST BE PLACED ON PREMISE ONLY.  On lots where a sidewalk exists within the street right-of-way, signs shall be located between the sidewalk and the house, but no closer than three feet from the sidewalk.  On lots where no sidewalk exists within the street right-of-way, the sign shall be located at least 15 feet from the edge of the street pavement.  On lots that abut streets where sidewalks exist the signs shall be located no closer than 15 feet to any street pavement.  Lots shall be limited to three signs not exceeding six square feet.  No permit is required.

Real estate agents and homeowners may erect temporary signs on private or public rights of way that refer to open houses within the city and may contain only a directional arrow and the words “OPEN HOUSE.”  Signs may measure no more than two-square feet in effective area and no taller than 36 inches in height as measured from the ground. Signs can only be out between the hours of 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 p.m. Sunday.

Business real estate signs can only be out between the hours of 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 p.m. Sunday.  Signs shall not exceed two square feet in effective area or 36 inches in height, as measured from grade.  Signs may be placed within the public right-of-way provided that they do not project out over the street or sidewalk.  Signs must be placed within a Sign Zone as described by Section 6-15-8, Sign Zone, of this ordinance, if such a Sign Zone is available at the location.

D. Commercial Builder and Developer Signs Builders and developers may erect temporary off-premise signs only between the hours of 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 p.m. Sunday.  Signs shall not exceed six square feet in effective area of 36 inches in height, as measured from grade.  No more than ten signs will be allowed per subdivision.  Signs can only refer to development within the city of Coppell.  Signs are only allowed in a Sign Zone.

E. Sign Placement in a Business Window The total area of window signs is limited to ten percent of the entire area of all windows within the facade.  The outlining of a window on two or more of any sides with lighting, luminescent gaseous tubing, or by any similar means shall establish 100 percent of the total window area as a sign.

F. Religious Institutions Religious institutions may erect temporary off-premise signs referring to location and service schedules, telephone numbers or internet web address.  Signs may only be erected between the hours of 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 p.m. Sunday.  Signs shall not exceed six-square feet in effective area and 36 inches in height, as measured from grade.  Signs are only allowed in a sign Zone.  No permit or fee is required.

G. Garage Sale Signs Homeowners may erect temporary off-premise signs referring to a garage sale held on their property.  Garage sale signs may only be erected between the hours of 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 p.m. Sunday.  Sign faces cannot exceed six square feet or be any higher off the ground than 36 inches.  Signs may be placed within the city right-of-way, provided that they do not project out over the street or sidewalk.  Signs must be placed within a Sign Zone if available at the location.  No sign will be allowed within any street median or attached to any tree, public utility pole, street sign, traffic control sign or devise or other sign. No permit or fee is required.

H. Community Event Notices Bona-fide non-profit organizations, school related events or athletic events conducted at a local public facility may erect temporary off-premise signs referring to an activity or function of the organization.  These signs cannot be erected for more than ten days except that athletic event signs shall only be erected on the day of the event.  Sign faces shall not exceed six square feet in effective area or taller than 36 inches in height as measured from the ground.  Signs may only be placed within Sign Zones.  No sign will be allowed within any street median or attached to any tree, public utility pole, street sign, traffic control sign or devise or other sign.  A permit shall be required for these signs; however, no permit fee will be assessed.  If a for-profit business hosts or sponsors an event benefiting a non-profit organization, the font used for the non-profit organization’s name must be three times larger than that of the sponsoring business.

I. Removal of Improper Signs Any sign erected in such a manner that it violates the aforementioned shall be construed a public nuisance and the City may, without notice, remove and dispose of the sign.

Temporary Sign Dimensions

Signs within the sign zone must meet specific sizing dimension for them to be considered legal and allowable within the sign zones: