# Sign Regulations in Olathe, Kansas

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Olathe, Kansas, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Olathe, Kansas (KS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kansas/olathe
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-12
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://olathe.municipal.codes/UDO/18.50.190)

## At a glance

Olathe, Kansas regulates 50 sign types across 17 zoning districts. Subdivision Entry Marker (Monument Sign)s in the AG (Agricultural) zoning district are capped at Per Monument Sign standards tall and Per Monument Sign standards, with a Minimum 10 ft unless increased per D.1.f setback (Sec. 18.50.190 F.2 (Subdivision Entry Markers); D.1 (Monument Signs standards)). Most commercial signs in Olathe require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (17 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 30 ft overall height | 200 sq ft/face; max two faces | — |
| AG (Agricultural) | 7 | Up to 15 ft (standard maximum at increased setbacks) | Up to 65 sq ft/face (standard maximum at increased setbacks) | — |
| R-1 (Single-Family); R-2 (Two-Family) | 9 | Up to 15 ft | Up to 65 sq ft/face | — |
| R-3 (Low-Density Multifamily); R-4 (Medium-Density Multifamily) | 7 | Up to 15 ft | Up to 65 sq ft/face | — |
| Neighborhood (N) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Neighborhood (N) (Mixed Residential Area) | 5 | Per Monument Sign standards | Single-family/two-family dwelling: 1 sq ft; Townhouse/condo/multifamily building: total of 8 sq ft for up to two signs; Commercial building: total of 12 sq ft for up to two signs | — |
| Neighborhood (N) (Center Area, Civic Uses or Civic Spaces) | 5 | Bottom clearance ≥8 ft above finished grade | Up to 5% of street-facing elevation area or 30 sq ft, whichever is less (per elevation) | — |
| Neighborhood (N) (Supportive Uses) | 6 | 10 ft (if not located on canopy supports) | 18 sq ft/face; two faces permitted per sign | — |
| Transit Oriented Development (TOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Development (PD); Planned Redevelopment (PR) | 1 | — | — | — |
| O (Office); C-1 (Commercial Neighborhood); BP (Business Park) | 7 | Standard max 15 ft; enhanced up to 21 ft (>5 acres with increased setback); up to 25–30 ft (>20 acres with GB approval) | Standard max 65 sq ft/face; enhanced up to 95 sq ft/face (>5 acres with increased setback); up to 100–150 sq ft/face (>20 acres with GB approval) | — |
| C-2 (Community Center); C-3 (Regional Center); C-4 (Commercial Corridor) | 13 | Up to 15–21 ft (with setbacks & >5 acres); up to 25–30 ft (>20 acres with GB approval) | 162 sq ft/face; max two faces | — |
| D (Downtown) | 8 | Sign copy height ≤8 inches | Height of letters ≤200% of vertical dimension of marquee or ≤30 inches (whichever less); width ≤ two-thirds of marquee width or ≤20 ft (whichever less) | — |
| D (Downtown) (Downtown Core) | 5 | Must not extend more than 5 ft above top of roof line or nearest parapet wall (whichever greater) | ≤25% of total glass area of the window | — |
| D (Downtown) (Downtown Santa Fe Corridor) | 1 | — | ≤25% of total glass area of the window | — |
| M-1 (Light Industrial); M-2 (Heavy Industrial); MP-3 | 5 | Up to 15–21 ft (with setbacks & >5 acres); up to 25–30 ft (>20 acres with GB approval) | Up to 65–95 sq ft/face (with setbacks & >5 acres); up to 100–150 sq ft/face (>20 acres with GB approval) | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 17 zones)

### AG (Agricultural)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Public or Semi-Public Building) | — | Up to 10% of wall area or 100 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per building | On wall of public or semi-public building. | — | 18.50.190 F.1.b (Wall Signs—Public or Semi-Public Buildings) |
| Wall Sign (Legal Nonconforming Business) | — | Up to 10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per building | On wall of legal nonconforming business. | — | 18.50.190 F.1.c (Wall Signs—Legal Nonconforming Business) |
| Subdivision Entry Marker (Monument Sign) | Per Monument Sign standards | Per Monument Sign standards | — | Minimum 10 ft unless increased per D.1.f | 1 per subdivision entry | Subdivision entry. | — | 18.50.190 F.2 (Subdivision Entry Markers); D.1 (Monument Signs standards) |
| Monument Sign (Nonresidential Building) | Up to 15 ft (standard maximum at increased setbacks) | Up to 65 sq ft/face (standard maximum at increased setbacks) | — | Minimum 10 ft; increased setbacks allow larger size | 1 per nonresidential building | On site of nonresidential building. | — | 18.50.190 F.3.a (Monument Signs—Nonresidential); D.1.b–i (Monument Sign standards) |
| Changeable Copy Sign (In Lieu of Monument Sign for Specified Uses) | Per Monument Sign standards | Per Monument Sign standards | — | Per Monument Sign standards | 1 (in lieu of permitted monument sign) | On site of specified nonresidential uses in residential districts. | — | 18.50.190 F.4 (Changeable Copy Signs) |
| Temporary Yard Sign (AG, R-1, R-2) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft/face; max two faces | — | — | Max 2 | On the property. | — | 18.50.190 O.2.a (Temporary Signs in AG, R-1, R-2) |
| Garage Sale Sign (Temporary) | — | 4 sq ft per sign; max two faces | — | — | — | At site of garage/sample/yard sale. | — | 18.50.190 O.2.a(2) (Garage Sale Signs) |

### R-1 (Single-Family); R-2 (Two-Family)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Residential Structure) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On residential structure. | — | 18.50.190 F.1.a (Wall Signs—Residential Structures in R-1 & R-2) |
| Wall Sign (Public or Semi-Public Building) | — | Up to 10% of wall area or 100 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per building | On wall of public or semi-public building. | — | 18.50.190 F.1.b |
| Wall Sign (Legal Nonconforming Business) | — | Up to 10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per building | On wall of legal nonconforming business. | — | 18.50.190 F.1.c |
| Subdivision Entry Marker (Monument Sign) | Per Monument Sign standards | Per Monument Sign standards | — | Minimum 10 ft; increased setbacks allow larger size per D.1.f | 1 per subdivision entry | Subdivision entry. | — | 18.50.190 F.2; D.1 |
| Monument Sign (Nonresidential Building) | Up to 15 ft | Up to 65 sq ft/face | — | Minimum 10 ft; outside sight distance triangles | 1 per nonresidential building | On site of permitted nonresidential use. | — | 18.50.190 F.3.a; D.1.b–i |
| Changeable Copy Sign (In Lieu of Monument Sign for Specified Uses) | Per Monument Sign standards | Per Monument Sign standards | — | Per Monument Sign standards | 1 (in lieu of monument sign) | On site of specified nonresidential uses. | — | 18.50.190 F.4 |
| Temporary Yard Sign (R-1/R-2) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft/face; max two faces | — | — | Max 2 | On property. | — | 18.50.190 O.2.a(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Single-Family & Two-Family Districts) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft/face; max two faces | — | — | Max 3 per lot | On property offered for sale, rental, or lease. | — | 18.50.190 E.4.a; O.6.a (Real Estate Signs) |

### C-2 (Community Center); C-3 (Regional Center); C-4 (Commercial Corridor)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Up to 10% of wall area | — | — | Freestanding: up to 3; multitenant: 1 per tenant (+1 for corner tenants) | On exterior walls common to interior business space. | — | 18.50.190 I.1.a–b; P.8 |
| Projecting Sign (In Lieu of Wall Sign) | — | 12 sq ft per face; max 2 faces | — | — | 1 (in lieu of 1 wall sign) | Projecting from building façade. | — | 18.50.190 I.3 (Same as H.3) |
| Monument Sign | Up to 15–21 ft (with setbacks & >5 acres); up to 25–30 ft (>20 acres with GB approval) | Up to 65–95 sq ft/face (with setbacks & >5 acres); up to 100–150 sq ft/face (>20 acres with GB approval) | — | Minimum 10 ft; increased setbacks allow size increases; larger signs ≥15 ft setback and outside sight triangles/easements | 1 per building/complex; 2 if >5 acres with additional frontage | One monument sign per freestanding building housing one tenant or per complex; second monument sign permitted on additional street frontage for properties >5 acres. | — | 18.50.190 I.2 (Same as H.2); D.1.b–i |
| Additional Sign (Monument/Wall/Projecting) | Same as monument sign limits | Same as monument sign limits | — | Same as monument sign | 1 additional sign | On site per monument criteria. | — | 18.50.190 I.7 (Same as H.6) |
| Drive-Through Restaurant Menu Board (Per Lane) | Menu board: 6 ft; Preview board: 6 ft | Menu board: 32 sq ft total surface area; Preview board: 15 sq ft total surface area | — | Preview board must be ≥15 ft away from menu board | 1 menu board per lane; 1 preview board per lane; alternatively, order station menu boards | Along sides or rear of building, adjacent to drive-through lanes. | — | 18.50.190 I.9.a–c |
| Automatic Car Wash Service Board | 5 ft | 20 sq ft/face; max two faces | — | — | 1 | On site of automatic car wash (conveyor type >50 ft). | — | 18.50.190 I.10 |
| Convenience Stores with Gasoline Sales / Gas Station Price/Service Signs | 10 ft (if not located on canopy supports) | 18 sq ft/face; two faces permitted | — | — | Up to 2 double-faced signs | Mounted on canopy supports or elsewhere on site (but not closer than canopy if on ground). | — | 18.50.190 I.12 |
| Theater Attraction Panel (Movie/Performing Arts Theater) | 15 ft from average grade | 162 sq ft/face; max two faces | — | Minimum 30 ft from street right-of-way | — | On theater site; minimum 30 ft from street right-of-way. | — | 18.50.190 I.13.a–e |

## Prohibited signs in Olathe

- Any sign or advertising structure not specifically permitted by these regulations (catch‑all prohibition).
- Signs that create traffic hazards or detract from visibility of traffic control devices; flashing or revolving lights prohibited; signs whose glare or illumination constitutes a traffic hazard are prohibited; electronic/video screen signs are not permitted.
- Private signs on public right‑of‑way or on public/government property (unless erected by the governmental entity for public purposes).
- Signs that obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or door opening intended for ingress/egress.
- Signs on the rear of a building, except limited cases (rear exit door ID; rear wall designed as a front façade per code; Downtown exceptions).
- A‑frame signs prohibited (except allowed in the Downtown Core under specific standards).
- Attention‑attracting devices are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited and must be removed.
- Off‑site signs are prohibited (except billboards or where specifically allowed).
- Portable signs are prohibited (excluding real estate signs).
- Roof signs are prohibited (except in the Downtown Core under specific standards).
- Snipe signs are prohibited (except certain utility warning signs).
- Temporary signs are prohibited except as permitted under the temporary sign section.
- Vehicular signs are prohibited unless the vehicle is moved at least once every 72 hours (i.e., not parked for display).
- Yard signs are prohibited except as permitted temporary signs.
- Painted wall signs (painted directly on a building surface) are prohibited (except in the Downtown Core; painted window signs in commercial zones may be part of a permitted wall sign).
- Directly illuminated signs are prohibited except to the extent specifically authorized in the chapter.
- Barrel‑type awning signs are prohibited.
- Standard residential aluminum awnings (as signage) are prohibited.
- Exposed neon and fluorescent tubes on signs are not permitted; signs must not change colors rapidly, intermittently, or flash or create distracting effects.

## Signs exempt from permit in Olathe

- Sign maintenance does not require a permit (normal care, repainting with same colors, repairing copy/logo without changing depicted elements).
- Altering permitted changeable copy does not require a permit.
- Signs not readily visible from public or private street right‑of‑way do not require a permit unless visible from an adjoining lot zoned or used for residential purposes.
- Governmental signs (traffic control signs and public notices, including changeable copy for government facilities) are permitted in all districts and do not require a permit.
- Traffic control signs on private property that conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices are permitted in all districts and do not require a permit.
- Signs mounted on interior building surfaces (e.g., inside windows and doors) are permitted in all districts and do not require a permit (subject to any specific exceptions noted elsewhere).
- Directional signs up to 4 square feet per face (two faces permitted; 4 feet max height if freestanding) are permitted in all districts and do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs are permitted in all districts and do not require a permit, subject to district‑specific size/number/height limits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Private Sign Criteria (master sign plan) required for hotels, motor hotels, shopping centers, business parks, office parks, and industrial parks; must be approved by the Planning Commission and/or Governing Body (typically with planned district zoning); binding on all purchasers/lessees; final development plans/building permits will not be approved and no sign permits issued until the criteria are approved; signs must conform to the approved criteria.
- Community Information Signs must be part of an overall signage plan for a master planned community (covering directional, traffic control, identification, entry markers, monument signs, etc.); a sign permit is required for these signs.
- In planned/mixed‑use districts (e.g., PD, PR, N, TOD), sign standards and regulations may be established or modified as part of rezoning and development plan approvals.
- Special use permits: for SUP uses, all wall and detached signs must be approved by the Planning Commission (unless private sign criteria for the development have already been approved); review considers use, building height, surrounding land uses/zoning, highway relationship, and site topography.
- Exceptions/Deviations to sign regulations may only be granted by the Planning Commission (by the Governing Body in the Original Town Overlay) or at the time of rezoning as part of the preliminary development plan; deviation requests may address size, location, illumination, or number; criteria include intent, safety, visual clutter, site constraints, lighting impacts, and promotion of high‑quality signage; appeals available.
- Additional Sign (beyond standard allowances) in O, C‑1, BP and in C‑2/C‑3/C‑4: one additional monument, wall, or projecting sign may be permitted for a complex or freestanding business subject to Planning Commission and Governing Body approval (same size/height/setback as monument signs).
- Sign permit denials may be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals within 30 days; BZA must make a final decision within 45 days unless a continuance is requested.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 17 zoning districts in Olathe — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Olathe+KS&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-olathe

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