State rules are a framework. Your actual sign permit comes from your city or county. These guides walk through the exact process for specific municipalities — the right department, portal, fees, checklist, and realistic timelines.
Texas
Sign districts determine everything. Find your district first — before designing. Uses AB+C portal.
Austin guideNo zoning — but sign rules still apply through deed restrictions and the city's Sign Code Ordinance.
Houston guideUses the Unified Development Ordinance. Multiple overlay districts. PermitDallas portal.
Dallas guideUnified Development Code. SA One Stop portal. Standard Texas process with a twist: strong historic districts.
San Antonio guideSoutheast
Metro Nashville Codes Administration covers Davidson County. Codes Online portal. Fast mid-size timelines.
Nashville guideOffice of Buildings via ePermitting. Multiple historic overlay districts add review time.
Atlanta guideGrowth Management Division. City of Orlando vs. Orange County: confirm your jurisdiction first.
Orlando guideDevelopment Center, UDO-based. POSSE portal. Pedestrian-oriented zones (MUDD, TOD) have stricter rules.
Charlotte guideMountain & Southwest
Community Planning & Development. Neighborhood character districts throughout the city.
Denver guidePlanning & Development Dept. Citizen Access Portal. Character areas add design review.
Phoenix guideCritical: City of Las Vegas vs. Clark County (Strip). Confirm your jurisdiction before applying anywhere.
Las Vegas guidePacific Northwest
Bureau of Dev. Services. Complex zoning code. Strict digital sign rules. Historic districts widespread.
Portland guideSDCI. Complex multi-layer process. Highest fees in this guide. Landmark districts add weeks.
Seattle guideMidwest
Consolidated Unigov. DMD handles permits. Confirm you're not in an excluded city (Speedway, Lawrence, etc.).
Indianapolis guideBuilding & Zoning Services. Special Sign Districts for Short North, German Village, downtown add review boards.
Columbus guideCPED. 2040 Plan-aligned zoning. Transit corridor overlays. Historic districts widespread in inner city.
Minneapolis guide