1. What are scenic districts, and what purpose do they serve?

During the 1980's, Houston City Council designated several freeways, major thoroughfares and neighborhoods as scenic districts. These were done as amendments to Chapter 46, Houston's sign code. The purpose of scenic districts is to protect designated areas from the proliferation of signage and to create a more visually appealing urban environment.

2. How many scenic districts and/or scenic roads does Houston have?

There are 22 scenic areas - nine scenic districts and 13 scenic roads.

3. Where are the scenic districts?

Lindale Park
Tanglewood
Central Business (Downtown)
Post Oak (Uptown)
Gateway 59 / Midtown
FM 1093
Richmond / Weslayan
Highway 288 (Phase 2)
Beltway 8

4. Where are the scenic roads?

Hardy Toll Road
Highway 288
Allen Parkway
Memorial Drive
Woodway Drive
North & South Braeswood
North & South MacGregor
T. C. Jester
Heights Boulevard
Richmond / Wilcrest
Dairy Ashford Road

5. What are the regulations for scenic districts in Houston?

Billboard relocations are prohibited.
Single business on-premises signs taller than 14 feet are prohibited.
Cellular towers are prohibited.

6. How are scenic districts designated?

By ordinance, through city council sponsorship, or by a petition process of the citizens in the area.

7. By what method were the current scenic districts designated?

Gateway 59 was done by petition; others were sponsored by city council.

8. How many signatures are required for a petition?

Collect 1,000 signatures of residents in the scenic application area plus the signatures of property owners that represent at least 20% of the total area. Signatures must be obtained within a 60-day period and submitted to the City within 90 days of the date of the first signature.

Click here to download a PDF map of Houston's Scenic Districts