Texas Comptroller Manual of Accounts - Fiscal 2024
Revenue Object 3052 – Highway Beautification Fees

Revenue from the license and permit fees for the following commercial signs are accounted for under this revenue code:

1.Interstate Signs - License and permit fees charged persons erecting or maintaining commercial signs within 660 feet of an interstate highway.

2.Signs on Rural Roads - License and permit fees charged persons erecting or maintaining commercial signs on roads in unincorporated areas and under state or local jurisdiction.

License fees for both categories of signs are determined by the Commission according to a scale graduated in number of commercial signs owned (under Chapters 391 and 394). Permit fees determined by the Commission are not to exceed the amount necessary to cover administration costs. Any person engaged primarily in erecting commercial signs, must file a surety bond in the amount of $2,500 for each county in which the person has outdoor commercial signs (not to exceed a total of $10,000 per person). These surety bonds would be used to reimburse for cost of removing a sign unlawfully erected or maintained.

License and permit fees together may not exceed $10 for signs by certain nonprofit organizations.

Penalties
Persons can be assessed a fine between $500 and $1,000 per day for erecting a sign without obtaining the necessary licenses or permits. Civil penalties for violations are between $150 and $1,000 for rural signs and $500 to $1,000 for those near interstates (collected under Revenue Object 3717). The Commission may impose administrative penalties (collected under Revenue Object 3770) in lieu of civil penalties.

Before erecting the sign.

Amended by S.B. 288, 68th Leg., R.S.

Amended by S.B. 518, 72nd Leg., R.S.

Amended by H.B. 467, 73rd Leg., R.S.

Revenue from interstate signs previously deposited to GR Account - Texas Highway Beautification (0071). S.B. 1420, 82nd Leg., R.S. abolished account and changed deposit to State Highway Fund (0006), effective 9-1-11. 

Amended by H.B. 412, 80th Leg., R.S.

S.B. 1420, 82nd Leg., R.S. standardized the Department's regulation of outdoor advertising signs on rural roads and interstates. Changed the deposit of rural sign revenue to Fund 0006.

This revenue object now includes revenue from licenses and permits for signs on rural roads, previously under Revenue Object 3053 - Outdoor Signs on Rural Roads.

"Commercial" added to description by S.B. 2006, 85th Leg., R.S.