# Sign Regulations in Ardmore, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ardmore, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/ardmore
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OK/Ardmore/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH34GESCFE_TIT36SI)

## At a glance

Ardmore, Oklahoma regulates 15 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Off-Premises Sign (Billboard, Interstate/Highway)s in the Commercial Corridor District (CC), Downtown Commercial District (CD), Light Industrial District (IL), Heavy Industrial District (IH), Agricultural District (AG) zoning district are capped at I-35 OD: 90 ft; Other: 35 ft; Per code tall and Interstate/I-35 OD: 900 sq ft per lot; Other highway: max 300 sq ft per face, with a 10 ft from all property lines, 25 ft if residential adjacency setback (Sec. Sec. 710.F.5, 710.F.5.a-b-c). Most commercial signs in Ardmore require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single Family Districts | 4 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Multi-Family Districts | 4 | 35 ft or roofline/parapet, whichever is less | 32 sq ft | — |
| Office District (O) | 5 | 35 ft | 400 sq ft per sign (general limit); with no freestanding sign, max 100 sq ft total | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (CN), Public Facilities and Institutions District (PFI) | 5 | 35 ft | 400 sq ft per sign (general limit); max 100 sq ft if no freestanding sign | — |
| Commercial Corridor District (CC), Downtown Commercial District (CD), Light Industrial District (IL), Heavy Industrial District (IH), Agricultural District (AG) | 6 | 35 ft | 600 sq ft per sign; 800 sq ft total (per lot, not I-35 OD); AG: same | — |
| I-35 Overlay District | 3 | 90 ft | 900 sq ft per lot (freestanding); single sign installation max 900 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Historic District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 35 ft or roofline/parapet, whichever less. | 400 sq ft per sign; 100 sq ft (nonres. w/ no freestanding); 32 sq ft (multi-fam w/ no freestanding). | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Office District (O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 50 sq ft (unless approved by CUP) | — | — | See 710.F.2 for # signs by frontage | On-premises. | — | Sec. 710.F.1.b.(i), F.3, F.5.c |
| Wall Sign (Building-Mounted Signage) | 35 ft or roofline/parapet, whichever is less | 400 sq ft per sign (general limit); with no freestanding sign, max 100 sq ft total | — | — | 2 per building facade/max per tenant | On primary facade; see 710.G & G.2 | — | Sec. 710.G, G.1, G.2 |
| Freestanding Off-Premises Directional Sign | 10 ft | 12 sq ft per lot | — | 5 ft from property lines (25 ft if residential adjacency) | — | Minimum 5 ft from property lines; min 25 ft setback when adjoining residential | — | Sec. 710.F.5.c |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate/Construction) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Not in public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 710.B.3.a |
| Temporary Sign (Political) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 6 ft from pavement/curb; not in clear sight triangle. | — | Not in public right-of-way; 6 feet back of curb or pavement; not in clear sight triangle. | — | Sec. 710.B.3.b |

### Neighborhood Commercial District (CN), Public Facilities and Institutions District (PFI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 100 sq ft (unless approved by CUP) | — | — | See 710.F.2 for signage by street frontage | On-premises. | — | Sec. 710.F.1.b.(ii), F.3 |
| Wall Sign (Building-Mounted Signage) | 35 ft or roofline/parapet, whichever is less | 400 sq ft per sign (general limit); max 100 sq ft if no freestanding sign | — | — | 2 per building facade | Primary facade; other facade with eligible frontage | — | Sec. 710.G, G.1-G.2 |
| Freestanding Off-Premises Directional Sign | 10 ft | 12 sq ft per lot | — | 5 ft from property lines (25 ft if residential adjacency) | — | Minimum 5 ft from all property lines; 25 ft from property lines if adjacent residential district | — | Sec. 710.F.5.c |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate/Construction) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Not in public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 710.B.3.a |
| Temporary Sign (Political) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 6 ft from pavement/curb; not in clear sight triangle. | — | Not in public right-of-way; 6 feet back of curb or pavement; not in clear sight triangle. | — | Sec. 710.B.3.b |

### Commercial Corridor District (CC), Downtown Commercial District (CD), Light Industrial District (IL), Heavy Industrial District (IH), Agricultural District (AG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 600 sq ft per sign; 800 sq ft total (per lot, not I-35 OD); AG: same | — | — | See table: 0-199ft: 1; 200-599: 2; 600-899: 3; 900+: 4 (Sec. 710.F.2) | On-premises. | — | Sec. 710.F.1.b.(iii), F.3, F.6, F.2, F.6.c |
| Wall Sign (Building-Mounted Signage) | 35 ft or roofline/parapet, whichever is less | 400 sq ft per sign (max total: per code); 100 sq ft if no freestanding sign | — | — | 2 per building facade or per tenant space as per 710.G.2.c | Primary facade; see G.1-2 for secondary. | — | Sec. 710.G, G.2 |
| Freestanding Off-Premises Sign (Billboard, Interstate/Highway) | I-35 OD: 90 ft; Other: 35 ft; Per code | Interstate/I-35 OD: 900 sq ft per lot; Other highway: max 300 sq ft per face | — | 10 ft from all property lines, 25 ft if residential adjacency | See 1500 ft (I-35) or 1000 ft (other highways) separation rule | I-35 Overlay or adjacent to state/federal highways only (CC, IL, IH, AG permitted) | — | Sec. 710.F.5, 710.F.5.a-b-c |
| Freestanding Off-Premises Directional Sign (Local Street) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft per lot | — | 5 ft from all property lines; 25 ft if residential adjacency | — | At least 5 ft from property lines; 25 ft from property lines if adjacent to residential | — | Sec. 710.F.5.c |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate/Construction) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Not in public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 710.B.3.a |
| Temporary Sign (Political) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 6 ft from pavement/curb; not in clear sight triangle. | — | Not in public right-of-way; 6 feet back of curb or pavement; not in clear sight triangle. | — | Sec. 710.B.3.b |

## Prohibited signs in Ardmore

- Building mounted signs that extend beyond the silhouette of the building, except as permitted for projecting signs.
- Signs that emit sound.
- Signs that are structurally unsafe or pose a safety or health hazard.
- Signs that mimic emergency vehicle lights.
- Signs that rotate more than 6 times per minute.
- Swinging signs.
- Electronic message boards that change copy more than 6 times per minute (excepting time and temperature messages).
- Signs that are located wholly or partially within the public right-of-way or any clear sight triangle.
- Any on-site sign attached to an off-site sign installation or any off-site sign attached to an on-site sign installation.
- No new portable signs shall be permitted within the City limits.
- Signs and their support structures shall not interfere with surface or underground utilities and related facilities.
- Signs and their support structures shall not interfere with natural or artificial drainage.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ardmore

- Signs in the nature of cornerstones, commemorative tablets and historical signs which are attached to, or carved into, the building.
- Non-illuminated identification signs with noncommercial messages which indicate addresses, building entrances and exits, traffic and pedestrian directional signs and other similar signs for the convenience of the public, provided such signs do not exceed 4 square feet.
- Temporary non-illuminated real estate and construction signs pertaining to the site on which they are placed, not exceeding 32 square feet and placed out of any public right-of-way.
- Non-illuminated political signs not exceeding 32 square feet, meeting removal times and placement criteria.
- Civic event signs posted to advertise a civic event sponsored by a public agency, school, church, civic-fraternal organization, or similar non-commercial organization, with review by the Building Official.
- Flags, pennants or banners of a division of government or civic, religious, educational, or philanthropic organizations, including the promotion of an event or special interest.
- Permanent signs on vending machines indicating the contents of such devices and permanent signs attached to telephone booths, not exceeding 12 square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An integrated sign system design shall be required for all nonresidential development. These systems shall be reviewed by the Planning Director for materials, colors, shapes, sizes, compatibility with architecture and unity of design for all development.
- New individual signs and changes to existing individual signs shall be reviewed for conformance with such sign systems.
- Signs in the Downtown Historic District are subject to approval by the Historic Preservation Board.

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

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