Harris County adopted Municipal Extraterritorial Jurisdiction regulations for on-premise signs on May 17, 1988. A sign shall mean any outdoor display, design, pictorial, or other representation which shall be so constructed, placed, attached, painted, erected, fastened or manufactured in any manner whatsoever so that the same shall be used for advertising. The term sign shall include the sign structure. Permits are required prior to placement of on-premise signs located within the unincorporated area of Harris County. These areas include scenic, toll road, and extraterritorial jurisdiction that advertise or identify a business (lease space build out, change of occupancy, etc.), person, activity, goods, products or services primarily sold or offered for sale on premises where the sign is installed and maintained when such premises are used for business purposes.The construction of all off-premise signage shall be prohibited in Harris County.

Sign Categories

•  Toll Road Sign – Visible to a Harris County maintained toll road
  
•  Category A (Scenic Signage) – Signs on a parcel that has frontage of a scenic district road
  
• Category B (Major Thoroughfares) – Signs with frontage major thoroughfare
  
•  Category C (Major Freeway) – Sign with frontage on a freeway that isn’t a Harris County toll road

• Sign Application Flyer Checklist
• SIGN document examples
• Scenic Districts
• Toll roads map

Upon issuance of the construction permit, the applicant is required to complete construction within 180 days.

First time users will need to register for an account. 

Make sure you are selecting the correct application type in order to avoid any unexpected delays! 

Here are the steps for applying through E-Permits:

1. Access the E-Permits platform and log in
2. Navigate to the "Projects" section
3. Click on "Apply"
4. Locate your address on the map by either entering it or zooming in and double-clicking on the location
5. A "Red Pin" will appear on the map, and all associated data will be retrieved by E-Permits. If the address is incorrect, you can correct it on the next page
6. Click on the green "Apply" button
7. In the selection labeled "Application," choose "Commercial,” “Minor Site Development,” and then “Signs ETJ, Scenic & Toll Road"
8. Provide the required detailed information and click on "Next"
9. Complete the application page and click on "Next"
10. Upload all the necessary documents, and once finished, click on "Next"
11. Finally, review the disclaimer, select "Agree," and then click on "Submit Application"

Once you have obtained your sign permit and completed all required construction, please continue to inspections.

Permits are required for all new and renovated signs in the unincorporated areas of Harris County. 

Prior to submitting your application for a sign permit, please look at the sign permit checklist. 

To apply for your permit, you will need to have an account in E-Permits. 

Please gather the following:

• Site plan showing all proposed and existing signs for the business/entity (for new ground signs, a survey is required, and toll road signs need to include the distance to the main lanes of the toll road)
  
• Sign details, including dimensions (if sign is greater than 30 feet, engineered plans are required)
• Verify that the business has an occupancy permit for the space, if applicable

To find existing sign or other permits, you may request them from our records group by clicking on Public Records Center.

Please use the link below to review your project status. You will need your project number (ex. 2301010001).

• Check the status of your project

Signs Final Inspection
The final inspection will be conducted by the Harris County Engineering Department’s Development Inspections Group. To request your inspection, click on Inspections.