Are LED Signs Allowed in Woodlands, Montgomery County, Texas? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes. Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs are permitted in Magnolia, subject to size, placement, and operational restrictions under the city’s sign ordinance.
🔗 Full Ordinance – Woodlands Municipal Code §19.620
EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Commercial & industrial zones (subject to permit) |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Monument / Freestanding / Wall (on-premises only) |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed? | ❌ No |
| EMCs in ROW? | ❌ No (encroachment not permitted) |
| Minimum setback required | ≥ 5 ft from property line; must not face residential |
| Max brightness | 7,000 nits (day) / 500 nits (night); auto-dimming required |
| Message change interval | ≥ 8 seconds |
| Animation | ❌ No flashing, scrolling, video, or rotating |
| Audio | ❌ Not permitted |
Maximum Sign Sizes – Magnolia (§17.252.040, Jan 2025)
| Use Type | Max Area | Max Height | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMC for single business parcel | 50 sq. ft. | 15 ft | One per frontage; integrated into monument |
| Shopping center adjacent to I-45 | 200 sq. ft. | 45 ft | EMC may occupy full sign face; must face freeway |
| Other on-site freestanding (non-EMC) | 150 sq. ft. | 45 ft | Freeway-adjacent only; elsewhere capped at 20 ft / 50 sq. ft. |
| Building-affixed wall signs | ≤ 10% of wall face | N/A | Must stay below roofline/parapet |
4. Zoning Overview – Magnolia
While EMC rules are tied to use/parcel size rather than zoning alone, the following typically qualify:
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C-1/C-P, C-P-S (Commercial zones)
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Shopping centers along I-45
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Private schools & nonprofit institutions
Permits Required
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Sign Permit (City of Magnolia Planning Department)
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Electrical Permit (if illuminated)
💵 Fees: Vary by sign area and district; electrical permits usually $150–$500.
Operational Standards
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Brightness control: Auto-dimming required
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Message hold: ≥ 8 seconds
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Prohibited effects: Flashing, animation, video, rapid transitions
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Setbacks: ≥ 5 ft from property lines, and ≥ sign height when adjacent to residential
Local Example
📍 Magnolia Parkway Commercial Center – Approved monument EMC integrated into a shopping center sign along I-45, with 200 sq. ft. EMC face at 45 ft height, consistent with freeway-adjacent rules.
Full Ordinance Reference
📜 City of Magnolia Code of Ordinances – §17.252.040 On-Site Advertising Structures and Signs