# Sign Regulations in Wichita, Kansas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wichita, Kansas (KS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kansas/wichita
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-06
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/KS/Wichita/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT24BISI)

## At a glance

Wichita, Kansas regulates 27 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Political Signs in the LC Limited Commercial District zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall and 8 square feet, with a ≥8 linear feet to side property line setback (Sec. Sec. 24.04.190(10)). Most commercial signs in Wichita require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 30 feet max; 10 feet min at lowest | 200 square feet | — |
| SF-5, SF-10, TF-3 | 15 | 20 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| MF-18, MF-29, B Residential | 18 | 20 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| U University District | 20 | 30 feet max; 10 feet min at lowest | 200 square feet | — |
| NO Neighborhood Office, GO General Office, NR Neighborhood Retail | 20 | 30 feet max; 10 feet min at lowest | 200 square feet | — |
| G Manufactured Home District | 18 | 30 feet max; 10 feet min at lowest | 200 square feet | — |
| LC Limited Commercial District | 22 | 45 feet on roof; 25 feet on ground | 400 square feet individual | — |
| GC General Commercial, LI Limited Industrial | 23 | 45 feet on roof; 25 feet on ground | 825 square feet | — |
| CBD Central Business District | 21 | 45 feet on roof; 25 feet on ground | 400 square feet individual | — |
| GI General Industrial | 23 | 45 feet on roof; 25 feet on ground | 825 square feet | — |
| OW Office/Warehouse, IP Industrial Park Districts | 21 | 30 feet max; 10 feet min at lowest | 200 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### LC Limited Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Subdivision Marker | Limited by location and design | Limited by location and design | — | — | As needed | on private property | — | Sec. 24.04.190(2) |
| Development/Construction Marketing Sign | 20 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | Up to 2 +1 per 40 acres; up to 2 off-site | at or near entrances to tract sections; off-site on vacant lot 500 ft to 1 mile from project | — | Sec. 24.04.190(6) |
| Political Sign | 5 feet | 8 square feet | — | ≥8 linear feet to side property line | 1 per 15 ft frontage | on private property with permission | — | Sec. 24.04.190(10) |
| Pennant Sign | 30 feet max; 10 feet min at lowest | 24 square feet per pennant; total 24 sq ft per pole | — | ≥50 ft separation; ≥50 ft to res if applicable | As specified per pole | attached to permanent pole/post; ≥50 ft horizontal separation; ≥50 ft setback if adj res on undesignated street | — | Sec. 24.04.190(16) |
| On-Site Ground or Pole Sign | 25 feet (up to 35 if unused signs) | 100 sq ft (1 sign on art/exp), 50 (coll), 25 (undes) | — | ≥15 ft or 1/3 frontage to adjacent; 150 ft between | 1 + every 150 ft frontage | Not over ROW; ≥1/3 frontage or 15 ft to adjacent; 150 ft sep between signs | — | Sec. 24.04.195(1); Sec. 24.04.221 |
| Off-Site Sign | 30 feet | 300 square feet on arterial; 825 otherwise | — | Building setbacks; ≥660 ft to rivers/parks; ≥150 ft frontage min | 1 per 500 ft in GC/LI/GI; 1-2 in LC based on zoning length | In LC, GC, LI, GI; ≥300 ft sep same direction; ≥300 ft to res (150 if screened) | — | Sec. 24.04.195(3); Sec. 24.04.222 |
| Portable Sign | 10 feet | 60 square feet | — | Per ground/pole regs | 1 per business | Per ground/pole spacing; from ROW and driveways | — | Sec. 24.04.195(4) |
| Balloon Sign | 45 feet on roof; 25 feet on ground | 160 square feet | — | ≥100 ft to res; ≥500 ft heli; ≥ height+10 ft power lines | 1 | ≥100 ft to SF/TF districts; ≥500 ft to heli pads | — | Sec. 24.04.195(5); Sec. 24.04.235 |

### GC General Commercial, LI Limited Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Subdivision Marker | Limited by location and design | Limited by location and design | — | — | As needed | on private property | — | Sec. 24.04.190(2) |
| Development/Construction Marketing Sign | 20 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | Up to 2 +1 per 40 acres; up to 2 off-site | at or near entrances to tract sections; off-site on vacant lot 500 ft to 1 mile from project | — | Sec. 24.04.190(6) |
| Political Sign | 5 feet | 8 square feet | — | ≥8 linear feet to side property line | 1 per 15 ft frontage | on private property with permission | — | Sec. 24.04.190(10) |
| Portable Sign (Institution) | — | 60 square feet per side | — | ≥150 ft from other signs; from ROW and driveways | 1 | on zoning lot ≥150 ft from other ground/portable signs | — | Sec. 24.04.190(13) |
| Pennant Sign | 30 feet max; 10 feet min at lowest | 24 square feet per pennant; total 24 sq ft per pole | — | ≥50 ft separation; ≥50 ft to res if applicable | As specified per pole | attached to permanent pole/post; ≥50 ft horizontal separation; ≥50 ft setback if adj res on undesignated street | — | Sec. 24.04.190(16) |
| On-Site Ground or Pole Sign | 25 feet (up to 35 if unused signs) | 100 sq ft (1 sign on art/exp), 50 (coll), 25 (undes) | — | ≥15 ft or 1/3 frontage to adjacent; 150 ft between | 1 + every 150 ft frontage | Not over ROW; ≥1/3 frontage or 15 ft to adjacent; 150 ft sep between signs | — | Sec. 24.04.196(1); Sec. 24.04.221 |
| Off-Site Sign | 30 feet | 825 square feet | — | Building setbacks; ≥660 ft to rivers/parks; ≥150 ft frontage min | 5 per mile in GC/LI; 8 in GI | In LC, GC, LI, GI; ≥300 ft sep same direction; ≥300 ft to res (150 if screened) | — | Sec. 24.04.196(2); Sec. 24.04.222 |
| Balloon Sign | 45 feet on roof; 25 feet on ground | 160 square feet | — | ≥100 ft to res; ≥500 ft heli; ≥ height+10 ft power lines | 1 | ≥100 ft to SF/TF districts; ≥500 ft to heli pads | — | Sec. 24.04.196(6); Sec. 24.04.235 |

### GI General Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Subdivision Marker | Limited by location and design | Limited by location and design | — | — | As needed | on private property | — | Sec. 24.04.190(2) |
| Development/Construction Marketing Sign | 20 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | Up to 2 +1 per 40 acres; up to 2 off-site | at or near entrances to tract sections; off-site on vacant lot 500 ft to 1 mile from project | — | Sec. 24.04.190(6) |
| Political Sign | 5 feet | 8 square feet | — | ≥8 linear feet to side property line | 1 per 15 ft frontage | on private property with permission | — | Sec. 24.04.190(10) |
| Portable Sign (Institution) | — | 60 square feet per side | — | ≥150 ft from other signs; from ROW and driveways | 1 | on zoning lot ≥150 ft from other ground/portable signs | — | Sec. 24.04.190(13) |
| Pennant Sign | 30 feet max; 10 feet min at lowest | 24 square feet per pennant; total 24 sq ft per pole | — | ≥50 ft separation; ≥50 ft to res if applicable | As specified per pole | attached to permanent pole/post; ≥50 ft horizontal separation; ≥50 ft setback if adj res on undesignated street | — | Sec. 24.04.190(16) |
| On-Site Ground or Pole Sign | 25 feet (up to 35 if unused signs) | 100 sq ft (1 sign on art/exp), 50 (coll), 25 (undes) | — | ≥15 ft or 1/3 frontage to adjacent; 150 ft between | 1 + every 150 ft frontage | Not over ROW; ≥1/3 frontage or 15 ft to adjacent; 150 ft sep between signs | — | Sec. 24.04.198(1); Sec. 24.04.221 |
| Off-Site Sign | 30 feet | 825 square feet | — | Building setbacks; ≥660 ft to rivers/parks; ≥150 ft frontage min | 8 per mile | In LC, GC, LI, GI; ≥300 ft sep same direction; ≥300 ft to res (150 if screened) | — | Sec. 24.04.198(2); Sec. 24.04.222 |
| Balloon Sign | 45 feet on roof; 25 feet on ground | 160 square feet | — | ≥100 ft to res; ≥500 ft heli; ≥ height+10 ft power lines | 1 | ≥100 ft to SF/TF districts; ≥500 ft to heli pads | — | Sec. 24.04.198(6); Sec. 24.04.235 |

## Prohibited signs in Wichita

- No sign shall obstruct windows, doors, exits, entrances, fire escapes, or transoms.
- No sign shall interfere with public safety, convenience, or Fire Department operations.
- No sign shall be suspended or constructed across any street or alley except as provided.
- No sign shall be supported by public property; projections over public Right-of-Way limited to specific conditions (e.g., Projecting Signs on buildings within 8 feet of ROW, minimum heights specified).
- No sign shall interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic or obstruct traffic signals/devices.
- No Off-Site Sign within 50 feet of a residential structure.
- No Off-Site Sign closer than 660 feet to Big Arkansas or Little Arkansas Rivers, parks, or recreation areas (exceptions for athletic facilities).
- No Off-Site Sign closer than 660 feet to State Highway K-96 between I-135 and east City limits.
- No Ground Sign exceeding 3 feet in height within driveway sight triangles (25 feet along property line, 6 feet behind property line).
- No signs, notices, posters, or devices posted on lampposts, utility poles, or traffic control devices in public Right-of-Way except Official Signs or utility Temporary Signs.
- No Flashing Signs, Rotating Signs, Moving Signs, animated signs, or signs creating illusion of movement in Residential, NO, GO, NR, OW, or IP Districts (Sec. 24.04.220(q)).
- No Roof Signs except by variance in certain districts (e.g., GC, LI, GI, CBD).
- Abandoned signs are prohibited and must be removed within 30 days of notice.
- No signs on public property or in Right-of-Way except authorized ones; unauthorized Temporary Signs declared nuisance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wichita

- Flags, symbols, or emblems displayed by owner on private property.
- Official Signs as defined.
- Address numbers not exceeding 3 square feet.
- Window Displays and On-Site Signs in or on windows.
- Signs integral to vending machines, dispensing equipment, merchandise displays (not on public ROW).
- Traffic control devices compliant with Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Temporary Decorations or displays on private property.
- Signs on trucks, buses, trailers, or vehicles not primarily for sign display.
- Scoreboard structures in Athletic Stadiums not visible from residences or public streets.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Alternative or additional sign requirements may be established by Planned Unit Development (PUD), Community Unit Plan (CUP), or Zoning Overlay District per Sec. 24.04.220(v).
- Special review approval required for new or enlarged Off-Site Billboard Signs closer to residential zones than 300 feet, involving public hearing by MAPC and possible City Council action per Sec. 24.04.225.
- Variances from sign regulations may be granted by Board of Zoning Appeals for unnecessary hardship, following UZC procedures per Sec. 24.04.250.
- Sign Code Adjustments (e.g., height, size, spacing increases up to specified percentages) approved by Planning Director with Zoning Administrator concurrence per Sec. 24.04.251; appeals to Board of Zoning Appeals or PUD/CUP/PO amendments as applicable.
- Directory Signs for planned unit developments, master plan developments, shopping centers require compliance with on-site sign regulations.

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

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