Sign Regulations in Overland Park, Kansas
Overland Park, Kansas has specific sign regulations covering 81 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Incidental Sign (Detached), Permanent Display for Temporary Messages, Monument Sign - Option 1 (in lieu of wall signs on 1 facade). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: October 23, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Overland Park, Kansas
Sample Sign Requirements in Overland Park
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Measurement and Design Standards | — | — | ≥10 ft from any property line or curb line of a private drive (unless specifically stated otherwise). |
| Projecting Sign - Option 1 (in lieu of one wall sign) | — | Per wall sign allowance of the applicable district | — |
| Under Canopy Sign | — | 9 s.f. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Overland ParkFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
81
- Incidental Sign (Detached)
- Permanent Display for Temporary Messages
- Monument Sign - Option 1 (in lieu of wall signs on 1 facade)
- Wall Sign (per business)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Overland Park
City Website1 permit application link available
Other Cities in Kansas
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Overland Park vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Overland Park, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Overland Park, regulated sign types include Incidental Sign (Detached), Permanent Display for Temporary Messages, Monument Sign - Option 1 (in lieu of wall signs on 1 facade), Wall Sign (per business), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Overland Park vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Overland Park are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Overland Park has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Overland Park, Kansas Sign Rules at a Glance
Overland Park, Kansas regulates 81 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Monument Sign - Generals in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Per zoning district unless otherwise specified tall and Per zoning district unless otherwise specified, with a ≥10 ft from property line or private drive curb (18.440.050.B) setback (Sec. 18.440.060.B (Detached Signs Table) and 18.440.060.B.1.a). Most commercial signs in Overland Park require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Overland Park, Kansas
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Overland Park (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 23 | 10 ft | 32 s.f. | — |
| Agricultural District (A); Residential Estates District (RE); Single-Family Residential District (R-1, RP-1); Small-Lot Single-Family Residential District (R-1A, RP-1A); Planned Single-Family Infill Residential District (RP-1N); Two-Family Residential District (R-2, RP-2); Garden Apartment District (R-3, RP-3); Planned Cluster Housing District (RP-4); Apartment House District (RP-5); Planned High-Rise Apartment District (RP-6); Planned Residential Neighborhood District (PRN); Mobile Home Park District (MHP) | 11 | 6 ft | 50 s.f. | — |
| Office Building District (C-O, CP-O) | 14 | 12 ft | 50 s.f. | — |
| Restricted Business District (C-1, CP-1) | 12 | 12 ft | 50 s.f. | — |
| General Business District (C-2, CP-2); Commercial District (C-3, CP-3); Industrial Park District (M-1, MP-1); General Industrial District (M-2, MP-2); Business Park District (BP) | 17 | 30 ft (sign area height), 35 ft (overall structure), subject to roadway centerline measurement rules | 300 s.f. | — |
| Planned Mixed Use District (MXD) | 12 | Per 18.440.060 (e.g., Kiosk 10 ft; Parking Area 5 ft; Point-of-Activity 8 ft). | 50 s.f. | — |
| Planned Mixed Use District (Detached and Townhouse/Small Apartment Frontages) | 4 | Stake: 6 ft; Ground Banner: 5 ft | 50 s.f. | — |
| Downtown Form District (DFD) | 11 | Per 18.440.060. | 50 s.f. | — |
| Downtown Form District (Detached and Townhouse/Small Apartment Frontages) | 1 | Stake: 6 ft; Ground Banner: 5 ft | Stake: 9 s.f. total (or 9 s.f. single); Ground Banner: 24 s.f.; Wall Banner: 24 s.f. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Overland Park(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign - General | Per zoning district unless otherwise specified | Per zoning district unless otherwise specified | — | ≥10 ft from property line or private drive curb (18.440.050.B) | Per zoning district | Freestanding; not in paved parking stalls; protected from lawn maintenance; in designated landscape/hardscape area. | — | Unlock | 18.440.060.B (Detached Signs Table) and 18.440.060.B.1.a |
| Parking Area Sign | 5 ft | 4 s.f. | — | — | 1 per development entry and at key internal intersections | At development entry and key parking area intersections; includes drive-through entries. | — | Unlock | 18.440.060.B (Detached Signs Table) |
| Internal Subdivision Monument Sign | 5 ft | 6 s.f. | — | — | 1 per entry to each unique internal subdivision phase | Internal to subdivision at entries to unique phases. | — | Unlock | 18.440.060.B (Detached Signs Table) |
| Kiosk | 10 ft | 20 s.f. | — | — | As approved by Planning Commission | As approved by Planning Commission per City regulations. | — | Unlock | 18.440.060.B (Detached Signs Table) |
| Point-of-Activity Sign | 8 ft | 32 s.f. | — | — | 2 per customer interaction point | At each customer interaction point (e.g., menu board, ATM, gas pump). | — | Unlock | 18.440.060.B (Point-of-Activity Sign Row) |
| Public/Semi-Public Facilities - Monument Sign - Option 1 (in lieu of wall signs) | 5 ft (see height bonus note) | 32 s.f. (<10 acres); 50 s.f. (>10 acres) | — | ≥10 ft; height bonus for additional setback | Up to 2 | Development frontage(s). | — | Unlock | 18.440.070.A and notes |
| Public/Semi-Public Facilities - Permanent Display for Temporary Messages | 5 ft | 24 s.f. (<10 acres); 32 s.f. (>10 acres) | — | — | 1 per frontage; max 2 frontages | 1 per development frontage; max 2 frontages. | — | Unlock | 18.440.070.A |
| Public/Semi-Public Facilities - Incidental Sign (Detached) | 5 ft | 20 s.f. | — | — | 1 per development | Per development. | — | Unlock | 18.440.070.A |
Office Building District (C-O, CP-O)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Per building) | — | 5% of facade area | — | — | 2 per facade; max 3 facades | On building facades. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.B.1 (C-O and CP-O Table) |
| Monument Sign - Option 1 (in lieu of wall signs on 1 facade) | 5 ft (see height bonus) | 50 s.f. | — | ≥10 ft from ROW/private street curb; height bonus for additional setback | 1 per building | On site, freestanding. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.B.1 (C-O and CP-O Table, Note 1) |
| Permanent Display for Temporary Messages | 5 ft | 32 s.f. | — | — | 1 per development | Per development. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.B.1 |
| Incidental Sign (Detached) | 5 ft | 20 s.f. | — | — | 1 per building | Per building. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.B.1 |
| Other Allowed Sign Types (C-O/CP-O): Under Canopy; Parking Area; Point-of-Activity | Parking Area: 5 ft; Point-of-Activity: 8 ft; Under Canopy: 7-ft clearance required | Under Canopy: 9 s.f.; Parking Area: 4 s.f.; Point-of-Activity: 32 s.f. | — | — | Per sign type limits in 18.440.060 | Per sign type placement standards. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.B (Other Allowed Sign Types reference) and 18.440.060 |
| Temporary Signs (Commercial/Office in this zone) - Stake Sign | 6 ft | 32 s.f. total for all stake signs | — | — | Up to 3 per lot/development | On lot/development (not in ROW). | — | Unlock | 18.440.130.C (Temporary Signs - Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural) |
| Temporary Banner - Ground-Mounted (Commercial/Office) | 5 ft | 32 s.f. | — | — | Up to 3 per development (in lieu of stake signs) | On development property. | — | Unlock | 18.440.130.C |
| Temporary Feather Sign (Commercial/Office) | 12 ft | 32 s.f. | — | — | Up to 3 per development | On development property. | — | Unlock | 18.440.130.C (Feather Sign row) |
General Business District (C-2, CP-2); Commercial District (C-3, CP-3); Industrial Park District (M-1, MP-1); General Industrial District (M-2, MP-2); Business Park District (BP)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign - Option 1 (in lieu of wall signs on 1 facade) | 10 ft (see height bonus) | 50 s.f. | — | ≥10 ft; bonus height with greater setback | 1 | On site; freestanding. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.D (Table) and Notes 2–3 |
| Permanent Display for Temporary Messages | 5 ft | 32 s.f. | — | — | 1 per development | Per development or per street frontage (varies by table version; use per development unless shopping center standards supersede). | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.D (Table) |
| Incidental Sign (Detached) | 5 ft | 20 s.f. | — | — | 1 per building | Per building. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.D (Table) |
| Other Allowed Sign Types: Painted Wall; Projecting; Under Canopy; Detached Canopy; Parking Area; Point-of-Activity | Parking Area: 5 ft; Point-of-Activity: 8 ft; Under Canopy: 7-ft clearance; Detached Canopy: n/a height | Painted Wall: 10 s.f.; Under Canopy: 9 s.f.; Detached Canopy: up to 20 s.f. or 10% fascia; Parking Area: 4 s.f.; Point-of-Activity: 32 s.f. | — | — | Per sign type limits | Per sign type placement. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.D (Other Allowed Sign Types) and 18.440.060 |
| Development Entry Monument Sign | 10 ft (<150,000 s.f. development); 20 ft (≥150,000 s.f.) | 50 s.f. (<150,000 s.f. development); 100 s.f. (≥150,000 s.f.) | — | — | 1 (<400,000 s.f.); 2 (>400,000 s.f., max 1/frontage) | At development entries in office, commercial, and industrial districts. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.E (Development Entry Monument Signs) |
| Highway Monument Sign | 30 ft (sign area height), 35 ft (overall structure), subject to roadway centerline measurement rules | 300 s.f. | — | Per general sign setbacks; SUP digital displays must also meet 18.440.050.B | 1 (150,000–399,999 s.f.); 2 (>400,000 s.f.) with 500-ft separation | Along highway frontage (I-35, I-435, I-635, U.S. 69) where development has ≥200 ft of highway frontage. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.F |
| Expanded Sign Package - Development Entry Monument Sign | 10 ft | 50 s.f. | — | — | 1 per development entry | 1 per development entry. | — | Unlock | 18.440.090.G |
| Temporary Signs (Commercial/Industrial/Agricultural) - Stake Sign | 6 ft | 32 s.f. total for all stake signs | — | — | Up to 3 per lot/development | On lot/development (not in ROW). | — | Unlock | 18.440.130.C |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Overland Park — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Overland Park — start freeProhibited Signs in Overland Park
- Off-site commercial signs are prohibited citywide unless specifically allowed (e.g., billboards by Special Use Permit, certain off-site signs at sports venues, limited off-site temporary signs per 18.440.130.G).
- Attention-attracting devices (e.g., pennants, streamers, searchlights, air/gas-filled balloons/figures) are prohibited unless allowed by a Special Event Permit.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Directly illuminated signs are prohibited unless approved by the Planning Commission or City Council as architectural lighting for a building.
- Digital displays are prohibited unless allowed for specific sign types (point-of-activity, kiosk, detached canopy) or approved by Special Use Permit or Special Event Permit.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited except where specifically allowed in the Mixed Use District and Downtown Form District standards.
- Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited (except government signs).
- Abandoned or obsolete signs are prohibited.
- Signs containing false or misleading statements are prohibited and subject to liability.
- Signs posing traffic, pedestrian or other hazards are prohibited.
- Signs that are illegal under federal, state, or local law are prohibited.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- Illuminated signs shall not use rotating beams or flashing beacon lights.
- Illuminated signs shall not blink, flash, or display intermittent lighting sequences or simulate motion.
- Signs shall not be illuminated by flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, and shall not consist of a projected static image.
- Except as provided in MXD/DFD, sign or building illumination sources must be concealed from ground-level view.
- Where digital displays are allowed, they must be static (no movement, flashing, or scrolling), hold for at least 1 minute, transition in 2 seconds or less, and be turned off if malfunctioning.
- No sign may obstruct sight distance triangles or otherwise interfere with safe views at intersections or driveways.
- No sign may be erected such that its location, color, size, shape, nature or message creates a hazard or is confused with traffic signals or governmental signs.
- Vehicles may not be parked so they function primarily as signs (movable billboards).
- Vehicles may not traverse the right-of-way carrying or displaying signs primarily for advertising.
- Temporary signs may not be placed on right-of-way, parks, or other public property unless installed by or with permission of the City.
Exempt Signs in Overland Park
- Government signs (e.g., legal notices, public identification/informational signs, traffic/directional/regulatory/utility warning signs) are allowed without a permit.
- Flags are allowed without a permit subject to quantity and height limits by property type (e.g., 2 flags/1 pole for one- and two-family dwellings; 3 flags/3 poles for nonresidential/other residential uses; flag size and pole height limits apply).
- Incidental noncommercial signs in residential districts up to 4 square feet are allowed without a permit.
- Incidental non-illuminated signs in commercial districts oriented to on-site individuals up to 4 square feet (or letters up to 6 inches) are allowed without a permit.
- A-frame sign immediately outside a business entry is allowed without a permit (1 per business up to 6 square feet; portable; displayed only during business hours; cannot obstruct accessibility; not allowed in right-of-way).
- Machine/equipment signs customarily on or incorporated into machinery/equipment up to 5 square feet aggregate are allowed without a permit.
- Window signs: non-illuminated temporary interior window signs are allowed without a permit; interior illuminated window signs (e.g., small neon/digital ≤10 square feet within 4 feet of a window) are allowed without a permit if non-flashing and meeting illumination limits.
- Construction trailer signs (painted/permanently ascribed onto actively used construction trailers) are allowed without a permit.
- Artworks (murals or other art installations) are reviewed as part of building design or under the Public Art Master Plan and do not require a sign permit.
- Repairs, routine maintenance, or repainting of conforming or allowed nonconforming signs do not require a permit.
- Vehicle signs do not require a sign permit but must comply with vehicle sign regulations.
- Non-illuminated temporary signs on private property do not require a permit, subject to temporary sign regulations.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Overland Park
- Mixed Use District (MXD): A sign package is required and must be approved by the Planning Commission as part of a final development plan application.
- Sports venues: The Planning Commission must approve a sign package; a site plan must show locations and approximate heights of all potential signs (scoreboard/fencing), and conditions on illumination/digital display apply.
- Expanded sign package: Developments in office/commercial districts with multiple buildings/tenants may apply to the Planning Commission for an expanded sign package with a unified design theme and exceptional materials; PC may stipulate design/maintenance standards.
- Light pole banners: One sign permit covers all banners in a development, and a site plan identifying all proposed banner locations must be submitted with the permit; replacements do not require a new permit if size/number/locations do not change.
- Kiosks: Must be approved by the Planning Commission per City regulations; digital display is allowed subject to digital display standards.
- Parking garages (MXD and DFD): The Planning Commission may grant exceptions to allow wall signs to be mounted on parking garages when a business facade is totally obscured, subject to specific conditions.
- Directly illuminated signs: May be approved by the Planning Commission or City Council as architectural lighting; otherwise prohibited.
- Special Use Permits: Billboards require a Special Use Permit; digital displays on highway monument signs or building facades require a Special Use Permit (PC recommendation and Governing Body approval) and must meet spacing, setback, illumination, appearance, movement/transition, and concurrency standards.
- Deviations: The Planning Commission may grant deviations to size, color, location, illumination, and number of signs based on unique treatments, special conditions, or hardship, using content-neutral criteria.
- Special Use final development plan applications must include detailed sign package materials (drawings, maps, text, locations; maximum sizes; construction details; colors; fonts; mounting methods).
- Final development plan approvals may treat certain internally illuminated/backlit panels, fabrics, or similar materials as architectural elements (if approved by the Planning Commission or Governing Body), otherwise they count toward sign area.
Source: other municipal code