Sign Requirements

Alcohol retailers and businesses that sell to ultimate consumers are required by law to display certain signs on their licensed premises. The signs you might need depend on your license or permit status.

Be sure to review the criteria for each sign and contact your local TABC office with questions.

If you’re applying for a new license or permit, you may have to post a sign at your businesses location to notify the public of your intent to sell alcohol. Whether you need a sign depends on if your location has been licensed or permitted for on-premises sales in the two years before our first review of your application. You can research your proposed address on our Public Inquiry System to check if a sign will need to be posted. 

If you’re required to post it, your outdoor sign needs to be visible to the public for 60 days before TABC issues your license or permit. Not displaying this sign could delay the application process. You can download, print and assemble the 60-Day Sign below.

In general, retailers like convenience stores, grocery stores, package stores and authorized upper tier members will post the signs below. Download them here:

• Human Trafficking Sign: Download English/Spanish (11 x 8.5 inches). 
• Consumption Warning Sign: Download English or Spanish (24 x 15 inches, dark blue ink). 
• Complaint Sign: Download English only (8.5 x 3.5 inches, black ink). 
• (Optional for package stores) 21 To Enter Sign: Download English only.

In general, retailers such as bars, restaurants and authorized upper tier members should post the following signs:

• Red Handgun Warning Sign, if your business is required to post one, as outlined under the section below (14 x 8.5 inches). 
  • Download English or Spanish.
• Health Risks Warning Sign: Download English/Spanish red and black ink (8.5 x 11 inches) or English/Spanish black ink (8.5 x 11 inches). 
• Human Trafficking Sign: Download English/Spanish (11 x 8.5 inches). 
• Complaint Sign: Download English only (8.5 x 3.5 inches, black ink). 

Alcoholic beverage retailers that derive 51% or more of its income from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption must post the red sign. The red sign has 51% in large red letters superimposed over a warning that says possession of a handgun on the premises is unlawful. The sign is displayed by establishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption but without a Food and Beverage Certificate (FB) and whose alcohol sales constitute more than 50% of gross receipts.

Blue signs are no longer required under state law.  

TABC encourages people to educate themselves on the issues involving alcohol-related birth defects. The holder of a license or permit authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption is required to display signs warning of the dangers associated with drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy. 

The Health Risks Warning Sign must be:

• Posted at each egress of all public restrooms on the licensed premises.
• Placed at a level where the sign can be easily seen by persons exiting the restroom.
• At least 8 1/2 x 11 inches in size.