Sign Permits

• Attached Signs
• Detached Signs
• Sales Office and Model Home Signs
• Electronic Changeable Copy Signs
• Kiosk Signs
• Signs Not Requiring a Permit
• Prohibited Signs

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED SIGN INSPECTIONS THAT ALL SIGN CONTRACTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO SCHEDULE WITH THE CITY OF FORT WORTH AND THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY OCCUR

Also, be aware that if an inspection has not been scheduled and you call in the day of install for inspection the same day, this is considered a same day inspection and will accrue a fee if the schedule is full.

• 505 Sign Location - Required for all attached and detached sign locations before the day of installation. Contractor must schedule this inspection to verify submitted permit documents with onsite location measurements. Detached signs need to have the location clearly marked and staked out before inspection (detached signs are to remain out of all right-of-ways, easements, and visibility triangles). Measurements for detached signs are taken from the property lines and curbs. Contractor’s presence during inspection is not required if staked and marked, unless there is an initial question regarding the placement. Generally, this inspection is scheduled any time after permit issuance and before installation or expiration. After this inspection, an extension of 90 days is added to the permit prior to install/expiration.
  
  
• 502 Sign Pre-Installation – Required for all electrical signs. Pre-inspection for signs on the day of install before installation of the sign. *** Contractor must call the morning of installation between 7:30-8:30 AM so that the inspector can meet onsite with installers, check the appropriate state licensing and sign code compliance. Sign is pre-inspected on the ground before going up and all code requirements for sign components, including labeling and markings. The sign is approved for installation after this inspection is completed. Call William Lunsford at (817) 709-5483 for North Fort Worth and Jaime Gonzalez at (682) 346-2466 for South Fort Worth. Contractor’s presence during inspection is not required for re-faces when face replacement is all that is done.
  
  
• 500 Sign Final - Required for all signs to complete installation of the sign and finalize/close permit. *** Contractor cannot schedule 500 final on the same day with the 502 Sign Pre-Installation even if the contractor expects to complete the installation the same day. When the install is completed and requirements for the 502 Sign Pre-Installation have been met the sign will be approved and the permit will automatically be changed to final status. If the 502 was not scheduled this inspection will receive a Turn Down until all requirements are met and install complete. Call William Lunsford at (817) 709-5483 for North Fort Worth and Jaime Gonzalez at (682) 346-2466 for South Fort Worth morning of installation. Contractor’s presence during inspection is not required for re-faces when face replacement is all that is done.
  
  
• 510 Sign Foundation – Only for detached signs >25’ where engineering is required before installation of the sign. Required for detached signs and billboards where the height of the sign or billboard is greater than >25’-0”ft. high, so that hole depth and diameter along with any foundation requirements, may be verified with the engineered drawings. Schedule and call this inspection before the placement of any concrete. Call William Lunsford at (817) 709-5483 or Jaime Gonzalez at (682) 346-2466.
  
  
• 520 Sign Annual – BILLBOARD INSPECTION (For Inspector’s use only!!!)

***SPECIAL NOTE: During the plan review and permit process, you may have been asked to obtain engineering documents for a particular sign. When this occurs, the inspector will look for whatever callout the engineer has stamped, and you need to have the hardware and correct dimensions for the documented task at the time of install and inspection.

In November 2007, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 17872, which amended the sign regulations to authorize the construction of kiosks for home builders and developers as part of an effort to reduce the proliferation of “bandit” signs used by home builders and developers to advertise their product. The purpose of the City of Fort Worth Kiosk Sign Program is to provide directional signage for home buyers locating subdivisions, housing developments, home builders, public facilities and community events within the City, while discouraging the placement of unsightly and hazardous off-site directional signs.

The City of Fort Worth awarded Baker-Clearview Operating, LLC as the kiosk vendor in charge of manufacturing and installing Kiosk Sign structures and sign panels throughout the City of Fort Worth in accordance with the specifications set forth in the Sign Kiosk Agreement.

There will be Primary Kiosk Sign Structures, (12 feet above average grade), Community Kiosk Sign Structures (8 feet above average grade), and Neighborhood Kiosk Sign Structures (6 feet above average grade). Individual sign panels on the Primary and Community Kiosk Sign Structures shall not exceed 52.5 inches in horizontal length by 10 inches in height. Individual sign panels on the Neighborhood Kiosk Sign Structures shall not exceed 24.5 inches in horizontal length by 12 inches in height. The panels may reflect the names, logos and colors of the home builders, developers or facilities. The monthly rental fee will be $50.00 per sign panel.

Under the new ordinance, on-premise developer signs are not allowed. However, staff recommended a zoning text amendment that would allow developer signs not to exceed 64 square feet on private property at the subdivision entrance. The Zoning Commission will present this proposed amendment to the City Council on May 6, 2008.

Off-premise developer signs are still prohibited unless they have a permit under the old ordinance that has yet to expire. City staff will begin taking enforcement action on any off-premise signs that are non-compliant during the month of April.

For questions regarding renting space on the kiosk signs, locations, and maintenance of the sign structures, please contact George Faris, II, Manager of Baker-Clearview at 817-737-4472.