The Super Bowl is a big chance for Houston to show itself off to the world, and that apparently comes with a need for big signs.

Enormous banners and signs signaling the start of Super Bowl events have sprouted around Houston. Normally, such super-billboards wouldn’t be allowed because of Houston’s strict sign codes.

No, seriously. Houston has rather strict sign rules that have helped reduce the number of billboards in the city and helped reign in – but not eliminate – many of the problem spots of distracting and scene-stealing signs. Much of the success of the regulations has come from agencies like Scenic Houston that have pressed the city to enforce the rules, and keep sign rules reasonable.

While a four-story Whataburger on the side of the downtown Westin can’t happen, Super Bowl LI ads can appear just about anywhere. Everybody, including the city and Scenic Houston, give a pass to some major events.

“Events like the Super Bowl, Final Four – maybe someday, the Olympics!! – are a really big deal and Scenic Houston is proud that Houston will host,” Scenic Houston president Anne Culver wrote in an email. “Part of the trappings of being Host City is to fly the colors.”

Houston’s sign rules have an exception to “nationally competitively bid events” such as a Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game or even a Republican National Convention. Many of those events would only come to Houston unless they can make a splash, requiring the city to carve out the exception to land them, city officials said.

"Scenic Houston sees these exceptions as reasonable and acceptable," Culver said.

The signs do have restrictions subject to certain locations and the period during which they can be hung and when they must be removed.