# Sign Regulations in Topeka, Kansas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Topeka, Kansas (KS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kansas/topeka
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://topeka.municipal.codes/TMC/18_Div2)

## At a glance

Topeka, Kansas regulates 63 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Freestanding Monument Signs in the C-2 zoning district are capped at 15 ft standard; up to 35 ft for qualifying highway signs (Note 2) and additional height for increased setback (Note 6, capped at 20 ft). tall and Local/collector: 80 sf; arterial: 80 sf (C‑2 column shows 80 for both local/collector & arterial, with highway exceptions). Minimum 40 sf., with a Base minimum 5 ft; 10 ft to access increased height/area; may be reduced administratively if needed for sight distance/parking. setback (Sec. TMC 18.10.130(h) (C‑2 column & Notes 1–2,4–7,11–12)). Most commercial signs in Topeka require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 16 ft. | Up to 300 sf on sides/rear not directly facing a street; if on front/side facing a street, must comply with wall sign size rules for that district. | — |
| R, M-1, M-1a, RR-1 | 9 | 4 ft max, whether within or beyond 30 ft of front property line. | 100 sf per sign (wall sign), with potential increase to 200 sf if facade is ≥300 ft from street ROW (in OI, C-1, D-2 only – not applicable here). | — |
| M-2, M-3, + Nonresidential uses in R, M-1, M-1a, OS-1 | 9 | 16 ft. | 100 sf per wall sign; up to 300 sf on facades ≥300 ft from facing street ROW (note: the 200/300 sf exception text mentions OI, C-1, D-2 and ‘all other districts’; M-2/M-3 fall in ‘all other’ so wall signs ≥300 ft from ROW may be up to 300 sf). | — |
| OI-1, OI-2, OI-3 | 10 | 16 ft | 100 sf per wall sign; up to 200 sf if facade ≥300 ft from facing street ROW in OI (per Note 2: 200 sf allowed in OI, C-1, D-2; 300 sf in all others). | — |
| C-1 | 9 | 16 ft | 100 sf per wall sign; facades ≥300 ft from ROW in C‑1 may have up to 200 sf per wall sign (Note 2). | — |
| C-2 | 10 | 35 ft max (some highway sign allowances permit up to 35 ft). | 200 sf per wall sign; facades ≥300 ft from ROW in C‑2 counted as ‘all other districts’ under Note 2, so may go to 300 sf (higher 300‑sf cap applies to all except OI, C‑1, D‑2). | — |
| C-3, C-4 | 10 | 55 ft | 250 sf per wall sign; wall signs on facades ≥300 ft from ROW in C‑3/4 can be up to 300 sf (Note 2, ‘all other districts’). | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 10 | 55 ft | 250 sf per wall sign; up to 300 sf for facades ≥300 ft from ROW (Note 2 ‘all other districts’). | — |
| U-1, MS-1 | 9 | 16 ft | 200 sf per sign; ≥300‑ft setbacks up to 300 sf (all‑other‑districts cap). | — |
| X-1, X-3 | 9 | 16 ft | 200 sf per sign; ≥300‑ft facades up to 300 sf (all‑other‑districts cap). | — |
| X-2 | 9 | 16 ft | 200 sf per sign; large setback facades up to 300 sf. | — |
| D-1, D-3 | 9 | 16 ft | 200 sf per sign; facades ≥300 ft from ROW up to 300 sf. | — |
| D-2 | 9 | 16 ft | 100 sf per sign; wall signs on facades ≥300 ft from ROW may be up to 200 sf (Note 2; D‑2 specifically mentioned). | — |
| RR | 1 | — | — | — |
| OS-1 (and OS by reference for nonresidential uses) | 1 | — | — | — |
| planned unit development districts | 4 | 7 ft | 30 sf | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sf per wall sign; facades ≥300 ft from ROW in C‑2 counted as ‘all other districts’ under Note 2, so may go to 300 sf (higher 300‑sf cap applies to all except OI, C‑1, D‑2). | — | — | No numeric limit; area‑based. | On exterior wall. | — | TMC 18.10.130(d) (C‑2 column); 18.10.160(a)(2),(5) |
| Awning / Canopy / Marquee Sign | — | 50 sf per awning/canopy sign; 100 sf per marquee sign in C‑2 (Awning/Canopy/Marquee table shows 50 sf for C‑2 awning/canopy, 50 sf for marquee but center sign exceptions may increase). | — | — | Unlimited, area‑limited. | On awning/canopy/marquee features. | — | TMC 18.10.130(e) (C‑2 column); 18.10.160 |
| Roof Sign | Roof sign must not exceed 3 ft above flat roof or peak; tall-building roof signs limited to ≤25% of building height or 30 ft. | 50 sf per roof sign typical; tall buildings may have 1 roof sign up to 300 sf (Note 2). | — | — | 1 per tenant/side. | On parapet/roof edge or pitched roof, not above peak. | — | TMC 18.10.130(f) (C‑2 column & notes) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 15 ft standard; up to 35 ft for qualifying highway signs (Note 2) and additional height for increased setback (Note 6, capped at 20 ft). | Local/collector: 80 sf; arterial: 80 sf (C‑2 column shows 80 for both local/collector & arterial, with highway exceptions). Minimum 40 sf. | — | Base minimum 5 ft; 10 ft to access increased height/area; may be reduced administratively if needed for sight distance/parking. | 1 per frontage + extra per 500 ft. | Monument style; highway signs may be on cladded columns. | — | TMC 18.10.130(h) (C‑2 column & Notes 1–2,4–7,11–12) |
| Freestanding Highway Sign (C-2 only) | 35 ft max (some highway sign allowances permit up to 35 ft). | 150 sf per sign. | — | As for freestanding signs: at least 5 ft from property line; 10‑ft+ setback allows extra height/area per Note 6. | Counts within freestanding sign limits per frontage. | Freestanding near highway‑serving parcels. | — | TMC 18.10.130(h) Note 2 |
| Freestanding Incidental Sign | 6 ft/8 ft (within/beyond 30 ft). | 6 sf/sign within 30 ft; 32 sf/sign beyond 30 ft. Aggregate incidental sign area per parcel: 150 sf in C‑2. | — | 0 ft; EMC component prohibited within 30 ft of front property line. | 2 per 300 ft, plus 1/each additional 300 ft. | 0‑ft front setback allowed; 25‑ft spacing from other signs within 30 ft of front line. | — | TMC 18.10.130(i) (C‑2 column & notes 2–3,5,7) |
| Yard Sign / Freestanding Banner (Temporary - C-2) | 6 ft | 32 sf | — | 0 ft | Max 2 with per‑200‑ft rule. | On private property at or behind property line. | — | TMC 18.10.170(f) (C‑2 column) |
| Feather Sign (Temporary - C-2) | 16 ft | 30 sf | — | 0 ft | 1–2 depending on frontage. | On private property, 0‑ft setback. | — | TMC 18.10.170(g) (C‑2 column) |

### C-3, C-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 250 sf per wall sign; wall signs on facades ≥300 ft from ROW in C‑3/4 can be up to 300 sf (Note 2, ‘all other districts’). | — | — | Unlimited; area‑limited. | On building wall. | — | TMC 18.10.130(d) (C‑3, C‑4 column); 18.10.160 |
| Awning / Canopy / Marquee Sign | — | 100 sf per sign. | — | — | Unlimited, area‑limited. | On awnings/canopies/marquees. | — | TMC 18.10.130(e) (C‑3, C‑4 column) |
| Roof Sign | ≤3 ft above flat roof or below peak; tall building roof sign height ≤25% of building height or 30 ft. | 100 sf per roof sign; 300 sf for tall buildings per Note 2. | — | — | 1 per tenant/side. | On parapet/roof surfaces. | — | TMC 18.10.130(f) (C‑3, C‑4 column & notes) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 25 ft standard; for highway/excess setback allowances, up to 30 ft (Note 7) or 55 ft for highway signs (Note 3). | Local/collector: 120 sf; arterial: 120 sf. Minimum 50 sf per Note 4 for C‑3/C‑4. | — | 1‑ft minimum in I‑1/I‑2; in C‑3/C‑4 table indicates 5 ft; but Note 7 uses 10‑ft threshold for bonuses; Director may reduce base setback. | 1 per frontage + extras per 500 ft arterial/collector. | Monument; highway‑oriented may be on pole or pylon without covers above 35 ft. | — | TMC 18.10.130(h) (C‑3, C‑4 column & Notes 1,3–4,7,10–11) |
| Freestanding Highway Sign (C-3, C-4) | 55 ft | 250 sf | — | At least 5 ft from property line; 10‑ft+ for setback bonuses. | Counts as freestanding sign for frontage limits. | Near interchanges or on/off ramps per radius limits. | — | TMC 18.10.130(h) Note 3 |
| Freestanding Incidental Sign | 6/8 ft (within/beyond 30 ft). | 6/32 sf (within/beyond 30 ft). Aggregate incidental area: 150 sf. | — | 0 ft; EMC excluded within 30 ft from front line. | 2 per 300 ft +1 per extra 300 ft. | 0‑ft minimum front setback; 25‑ft spacing within 30 ft front line. | — | TMC 18.10.130(i) (C‑3, C‑4 column & notes) |
| Yard Sign / Freestanding Banner (Temporary - C-3, C-4) | 6 ft | 32 sf | — | 0 ft | Up to 2. | On private property at or behind property line. | — | TMC 18.10.170(f) (C‑3, C‑4 column) |
| Feather Sign (Temporary - C-3, C-4) | 16 ft | 30 sf | — | 0 ft | 1–2. | On private property, 0‑ft setback. | — | TMC 18.10.170(g) (C‑3, C‑4 column) |

### I-1, I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 250 sf per wall sign; up to 300 sf for facades ≥300 ft from ROW (Note 2 ‘all other districts’). | — | — | Unlimited; area‑limited. | On wall. | — | TMC 18.10.130(d) (I‑1, I‑2 column); 18.10.160 |
| Awning / Canopy / Marquee Sign | — | 100 sf per sign. | — | — | Area‑limited. | On awnings/canopies/marquees. | — | TMC 18.10.130(e) (I‑1, I‑2 column) |
| Roof Sign | ≤3 ft above flat roof or below peak; tall building formula as above. | 100 sf per roof sign; 300 sf for tall buildings. | — | — | 1 per tenant/side. | On roof/parapet. | — | TMC 18.10.130(f) (I‑1, I‑2 column) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 25 ft standard; with setback allowances up to 30 ft; highway allowances up to 55 ft. | Local/collector: 120 sf; arterial: 120 sf; minimum 50 sf. | — | Minimum 1 ft from property line (table); 10‑ft+ for height/area bonuses. | 1 per frontage + extras per 500 ft. | Monument; highway signs may be on poles/pylons without cladding above 35 ft. | — | TMC 18.10.130(h) (I‑1, I‑2 column & Notes 3–4,7,11) |
| Freestanding Highway Sign (I-1, I-2) | 55 ft | 250 sf | — | At least 1 ft; 10‑ft+ for bonuses. | Within freestanding sign allowances. | Near interchanges/ramps within allowed radius. | — | TMC 18.10.130(h) Note 3 |
| Freestanding Incidental Sign | 6 ft/8 ft (within/beyond 30 ft). | 6 sf/32 sf split; aggregate incidental area: 150 sf. | — | 0 ft; EMC prohibited within 30 ft front line. | 2 per 300 ft +1 per extra 300 ft. | 0‑ft front setback; 25‑ft spacing within 30 ft of front line. | — | TMC 18.10.130(i) (I‑1, I‑2 column & notes) |
| Yard Sign / Freestanding Banner (Temporary - I-1, I-2) | 6 ft | 32 sf | — | 0 ft | Up to 2. | Private property; 0‑ft setback. | — | TMC 18.10.170(f) (I‑1, I‑2 column) |
| Feather Sign (Temporary - I-1, I-2) | 16 ft | 30 sf | — | 0 ft | 1–2. | Private property; 0‑ft setback. | — | TMC 18.10.170(g) (I‑1, I‑2 column) |

## Prohibited signs in Topeka

- It is unlawful for any person to erect, operate, or otherwise use any sign that is prohibited by Chapter 18.10.
- It is unlawful for any person to erect, operate, or otherwise use any sign at a time, place, or manner that is prohibited by Chapter 18.10.
- Any sign type not included under the sign types permitted in Chapter 18.10 is prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited, except where specifically permitted in Chapter 18.10; only refacing or installation of a pole cover is allowed on a legally nonconforming pole sign.
- Any sign located in a public right-of-way or in a public or private utility easement is prohibited, except signs required or expressly permitted by governmental authority, and except projecting signs and portable pedestrian signs as allowed by TMC 18.10.130.
- Any sign is prohibited that, by reason of size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal, or device, or the light of an emergency vehicle.
- Any sign is prohibited that obscures the view of any traffic or street sign, signal, or device.
- Portable message center signs are prohibited, except when incorporated into a portable pedestrian sign as allowed under incidental sign standards in TMC 18.10.130 and except where permitted as a temporary sign under TMC 18.10.170 (and in any case are completely prohibited in all districts after October 1, 2020).
- Any sign containing flashing, strobing, or chasing lights is prohibited.
- Any sign that does not conform to the sight distance triangle regulations in TMC 12.20.020 or any applicable clear zone standard is prohibited.
- Off‑premises signs are prohibited, except where specifically allowed in TMC 18.10.180.
- Signs deemed unsafe because of illegibility or unreadability resulting from copy size, background contrast, font thickness, letter spacing, color, lighting, or similar factors are prohibited.
- No sign or sign structure may be placed on or over a public right‑of‑way except as expressly permitted in Chapter 18.10.
- No sign may be erected that is connected to or obstructs any portion of a fire escape or any windows or doors leading to a fire escape.
- No sign may obstruct any opening to such an extent that required light or ventilation under the building code is reduced below minimum standards.
- No sign that obstructs the view is allowed within the sight distance triangle of a street intersection.
- Any sign posted on or affixed to public buildings, public bridges, sidewalks, crosswalks, curbs, public rights‑of‑way, paved portions of streets or highways, median strips, street or traffic or railroad signs or signals, utility poles, fire hydrants, trees on public property (including within the right‑of‑way), public parks, or otherwise in a manner that causes a reduction in intersection sight distance, creates a hazard to life or safety, obstructs vision at road or railroad intersections, or obstructs any authorized traffic control device is prohibited and subject to immediate removal.
- Any sign overhanging or extending into a public right‑of‑way that is an electronic message center (EMC) is prohibited.
- Any EMC included in a portable sign is prohibited.
- Temporary signs and banners are prohibited in the public right‑of‑way and on accessory structures, including poles outside the right‑of‑way, unless otherwise expressly allowed by Chapter 18.10.
- After October 1, 2020, portable message center signs are prohibited in all zoning districts and for all uses.
- An EMC may not include flashing, strobing, blinking, fluttering, spinning, rotating, bouncing, animation, scrolling text, or chasing effects, except limited animation/scrolling/frame effects for certain EMCs in C‑2, C‑3, C‑4, or C‑5 districts not within 125 feet of a residential or open‑space district.
- An EMC may not include any audio message, tones, or music.
- Billboard EMCs may not display flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, including animated or scrolling advertising.
- Signs may not contain illumination that creates a negative effect on residential uses in direct line‑of‑sight of the sign.
- Feather signs are prohibited in R, M‑1, M‑1a, RR‑1, and OS‑1 districts.
- All signs must be securely built, constructed, erected, and maintained; unsafe or structurally compromised signs are prohibited and must be repaired or removed.
- Abandoned signs that have been on a property longer than the allowed time without removal or covering, or nonconforming abandoned signs beyond the specified duration, are not permitted to remain and must be removed.
- Nonconforming signs may not be altered in a way that augments the nonconforming condition, nor may illumination be added, except as specifically allowed in the nonconforming sign provisions.

## Signs exempt from permit in Topeka

- Signs not visible from a public street, highway, road, sidewalk, bicycle or pedestrian path, or similar public way are exempt from Chapter 18.10, unless the sign is visible from the property line of an adjoining lot or parcel.
- Signs intended to be read only from inside the property and having copy of a size not readable from outside the property are exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- Signs located entirely within the interior of a building or structure are exempt from Chapter 18.10, except as otherwise provided for window signs.
- Signs associated with the temporary use of a building or site, including while buildings or sites are undergoing construction, are exempt from Chapter 18.10 for the duration of the temporary use.
- Any public notice or warning posted or required by valid and applicable Federal, State, or local law, regulation, or ordinance, including street addresses, is exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- Signs integrated into or on a coin‑operated machine, vending machine, or gasoline pump that is used for its intended purpose are exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- Decorative flags are exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- Government flags are exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- Fuel pump and fuel pump topper signs are exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- Pennant streamers are exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- A sign carried by a person is exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- A sign affixed to an operable vehicle is exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- Address numbers and other nonilluminated incidental wall signs are exempt from Chapter 18.10.
- No sign permit is required for maintenance (care and minor repair that does not enlarge or materially alter any face or display portion of a sign).
- Maintenance, repainting, or posting of a legally established nonconforming billboard is allowed without a new sign permit.
- No sign permit is required for window signs.
- No sign permit is required for temporary signs except temporary balloon signs exceeding 12 cubic feet (those larger balloon signs do require a permit).
- Temporary signs and banners that are internal to a site and not intended to be visible from passing vehicles in the public right‑of‑way are exempt from the temporary sign and banner regulations of TMC 18.10.170.
- Temporary signs and banners on property that has not yet established a principal building or land use (such as during a construction event) are exempt from the standards of Chapter 18.10 until a principal building or land use is established; vacant land not transitioning or under construction is not exempt.
- Original art displays (as defined) are not treated as signs and therefore are effectively exempt from sign regulations.
- Decorative pole banners that: (1) are mounted on a pole serving another functional purpose (e.g., street lighting in the right‑of‑way); (2) contain no commercial message, advertising, or other elements of a 'sign' as defined; and (3) are allowed by the City in the right‑of‑way, are exempt from the maximum number, dimension, and location requirements of TMC 18.10.130.
- Historic signs (as defined) whose alteration or relocation is approved by the Topeka Landmarks Commission are exempt from Chapter 18.10 except for the maintenance requirements in TMC 18.10.090.
- Nonilluminated incidental freestanding signs do not require sign permits.
- Portable pedestrian signs placed on sidewalks in the public right‑of‑way adjacent to buildings set back five feet or less from the street are allowed without additional location/number restrictions if a five‑foot clear pedestrian path is maintained, ADA is met, and the signs are removed during non‑business hours (they still must comply with incidental‑sign standards, but their placement in the right‑of‑way is exempted from typical setback restrictions).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any sign (including structure or sign surface) to be erected, installed, altered, relocated, rebuilt, or refaced requires a sign permit from the Planning and Development Director, unless specifically exempted (e.g., maintenance, most temporary signs, window signs, nonilluminated incidental freestanding signs).
- Permits for installing or altering signs are issued only to licensed sign hangers or to the property owner who carries at least $500,000 in public liability insurance.
- Any person seeking a sign permit for a sign that does not meet the dimensional and design standards of Chapter 18.10 may request a variance pursuant to Chapter 2.220 TMC (Board of Zoning Appeals).
- The Planning and Development Director is authorized to interpret and execute the regulations of Chapter 18.10; any person aggrieved by a decision regarding administration of this chapter may appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals under Chapter 2.45 TMC.
- Design documents for sign structures must be prepared, sealed, signed, and dated by a structural engineer and submitted with the sign permit application when required by the building code.
- All signs for which a permit is required are subject to inspection by the Building Official; signs containing electrical wiring must comply with the City’s electrical code.
- Master sign plans are required for on‑premises signs in retail centers, industrial parks, and office or institutional complexes of four acres or more that have five or more establishments or three or more buildings, in OI‑2, OI‑3, C‑2, U‑1, MS‑1, C‑3, C‑4, I‑1, I‑2, and planned unit development districts.
- An owner or applicant for a qualifying development must submit and obtain approval of a master sign plan establishing standards for all exterior signs in the development.
- All new planned unit development (PUD) applications that meet the master sign plan applicability criteria and are submitted on or after October 1, 2019, must include a master sign plan.
- A master sign plan may be approved concurrently with approval of a planned unit development, conditional use permit, or site plan.
- When a master sign plan is submitted as part of a new PUD, a major PUD amendment, or a new conditional use permit, the Planning Commission may approve variances to the Chapter 18.10 standards as part of that review.
- All other master sign plans that meet the purpose and standards of TMC 18.10.140 may be approved administratively by the Planning and Development Director.
- A master sign plan application must include, at minimum, a site plan showing the location, number, dimensional standards, and design standards for all freestanding signs, and must either include standards for attached signs or reference the applicable attached‑sign standards in TMC 18.10.130, 18.10.150, and 18.10.160.
- A master sign plan becomes effective only if all owners of the real property subject to the plan authorize it by signature on the application or the plan itself.
- Under a master sign plan, each development is allowed one freestanding center sign (for multiple uses/tenants) plus additional freestanding signs based on street frontage and multiple frontages, subject to spacing and dimensional standards in TMC 18.10.140.
- Master sign plans may authorize exceptions to maximum height and area for freestanding center signs in retail centers and office/industrial parks as provided in TMC 18.10.130 Note 10 and TMC 18.10.140.
- The Planning and Development Director may restrict the number and area of freestanding incidental signs and the number of attached signs per establishment below the maxima in TMC 18.10.130 when approving a master sign plan.
- For freestanding signs under a master sign plan, there must be at least 50 feet of spacing between all freestanding signs (other than incidental signs).
- Freestanding signs located along a single street frontage ordinarily must be spaced a minimum of 250 feet apart, except where a master sign plan allows otherwise.
- For incidental signs that qualify under a master sign plan or otherwise meet the intent and goals of the sign regulations, the Planning and Development Director may approve up to 20 percent changes to dimensional standards.
- Existing nonconforming signs within an area subject to a master sign plan may continue unless altered or replaced, in which case the nonconforming sign provisions of TMC 18.10.110 apply.
- Centers and parks governed by a master sign plan must design center signs and supporting columns in accordance with the special dimensional and design rules for center and secondary signs in TMC 18.10.140 (e.g., center‑sign height/area caps by district, column cladding for tall signs, and limits on secondary sign height/area and placement).

## 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 16 zoning districts in Topeka — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Topeka+KS&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-topeka

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