# Sign Regulations in Bartlesville, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bartlesville, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/bartlesville
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cityofbartlesville.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Updated-Zoning-Regulations-All-Amendments-through-2024.pdf#page=95)

## At a glance

Bartlesville, Oklahoma regulates 41 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Sandwich Board / A-frame Sign (C-4 only; within public ROW)s in the Non-Residential Districts (O, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, IP, M-1, M-2, M-3) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall, 6 sq ft per side, and 3 ft wide, with a ≥2 ft from curb; maintain ≥5 ft unencumbered walkway setback (Sec. Section 7.11.6.G.2.c(1)-(6)). Most commercial signs in Bartlesville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts (RA, RE, RS-12, RS-10, RS-7, RS-5, RM-3, RM-1.5, RM-.75, RT-3, RT-4) | 7 | 12 ft | Up to 96 sq ft | — |
| Non-Residential Districts (O, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, IP, M-1, M-2, M-3) | 27 | 30 ft | Max per sign face: 200 sq ft | — |
| Billboard-Allowed Districts (C-5, C-6, C-7, M-2, M-3) | 1 | 40 ft (or up to 20 ft above elevated roadbed edge of pavement, or 40 ft, whichever is greater) | 300 sq ft per face; cut-outs/extensions allowed up to 15% (≤45 sq ft) in addition to 300 sq ft | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | CSP total site sign area shall not exceed 3 sq ft of signage per linear foot of street frontage of the subject property | — |
| Highway 75 Overlay District (HY75-0) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Downtown Redevelopment District | 1 | Per 7.11.6.C Table 2 unless more restrictive in Downtown | Per 7.11.6.B Table 1 unless more restrictive in Downtown | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs (Permit and Construction Requirements) | — | — | — | — | — | All zoning districts; applies citywide | — | Section 7.11.7.E (Sign Construction and Structural Standards; Sign Maintenance Standards); Section 7.11.7.E.3 (Sign Permit and Fees) |
| Off-Premise Special Event Sign (Temporary, Noncommercial) | — | — | — | — | Up to 4 off-premise special event signs per event | Off-premise on private property, with consent of the property owner | — | Section 7.11.9.A(1)-(2) |
| Measurement Standards (Area, Height, Frontage) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 7.11.4.A–C |

### Residential Districts (RA, RE, RS-12, RS-10, RS-7, RS-5, RM-3, RM-1.5, RM-.75, RT-3, RT-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Residential Development Entrance) | 8 ft (sign); any associated wall not to exceed 4 ft high | 32 sq ft (per sign) | — | Outside required sight triangle (see 7.11.3 Sight Triangle definitions) | One per major entrance | At each major entrance to the residential development; on private property; may be within a platted public ROW median only if signage easement is recorded and HOA assumes maintenance | — | Section 7.11.5.A.1(a)-(f) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign (Institutional Use in Residential District) | 8 ft (sign); wall ≤4 ft if used | 32 sq ft (per sign) unless further limited by EMC share where used | — | Outside required sight triangle | One per major entrance | On site of institutional use within a residential zoning district | — | Section 7.11.5.A.1(e), 7.11.5.A.1(g) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) (Institutional Only) | — | ≤16 sq ft or ≤50% of sign area (whichever is less) for the EMC portion | — | — | — | Only on institutional uses permitted by right within residential districts | — | Section 7.11.5.A.2(a)-(c) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Residential districts | — | Section 7.11.5.A.3 |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 sq ft (no permit); larger temporary allowances not specified for residential real estate beyond this exemption | — | — | One on-premise; plus one Open House sign on day of event | On the property for sale or rent; small signs (≤3 sq ft) may be within public ROW if sight distance not impaired | — | Section 7.11.2.C.9; 7.11.2.C.5 (ROW size limit reference) |
| Construction/Project Development Sign (Temporary) | 12 ft | Up to 96 sq ft | — | — | One per major street frontage | Along each major street frontage of the subdivision under development | — | Section 7.11.5.B.2; 7.11.2.C.10 |
| Special Event Sign (Temporary, Noncommercial) | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the same zoning lot as the event | — | Section 7.11.5.B.3 |

### Non-Residential Districts (O, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7, IP, M-1, M-2, M-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Principal Arterial) | 30 ft | Max per sign face: 200 sq ft | — | Outside sight triangle; ≥100 ft from any RE/RS/RM/RT lot boundary | No maximum number, subject to area, height, spacing limits | On-premise; not in or over public right-of-way; not within sight triangle | — | Section 7.11.6.B Table 1 (Principal Arterial); 7.11.6.C Table 2; 7.11.6.D.1(a)-(h); 7.11.4 |
| Freestanding Sign (Major Arterial) | 25 ft | Max per sign face: 175 sq ft | — | As above | No maximum (subject to limits) | On-premise | — | Section 7.11.6.B Table 1 (Major Arterial); 7.11.6.C Table 2; 7.11.6.D.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Minor Arterial) | 20 ft | Max per sign face: 150 sq ft | — | As above | No maximum (subject to limits) | On-premise | — | Section 7.11.6.B Table 1 (Minor Arterial); 7.11.6.C Table 2; 7.11.6.D.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Major Collector) | 15 ft | Max per sign face: 125 sq ft | — | As above | No maximum (subject to limits) | On-premise | — | Section 7.11.6.B Table 1 (Major Collector); 7.11.6.C Table 2; 7.11.6.D.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Minor Collector or Local Street) | 10 ft | Max per sign face: 100 sq ft | — | As above | No maximum (subject to limits) | On-premise | — | Section 7.11.6.B Table 1 (Minor Collector/Local); 7.11.6.C Table 2; 7.11.6.D.1 |
| Wall Sign (Attached) | — | Limited by overall attached sign area allowances per frontage; per-sign max by street class (see applicable Attached Sign type) | Length ≤80% of tenant space length (or building frontage for single-tenant buildings) | — | Multiple allowed subject to total area limits | On building wall | — | Section 7.11.6.D.2.f(5) |
| Menu Board (On-Premise, Not Counted Toward Max) | Drive-through boards: ≤8 ft; Drive-in stall boards: ≤6 ft | Drive-through: Up to 2 boards with combined total 72 sq ft; Drive-in stalls: 1 per stall, 9 sq ft each | — | — | Drive-through: Max 2; Drive-in stalls: 1 per stall | On site of uses with drive-through or drive-in stalls | — | Section 7.11.6.E.1 |
| Sandwich Board / A-frame Sign (C-4 only; within public ROW) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | 3 ft | ≥2 ft from curb; maintain ≥5 ft unencumbered walkway | Max 1 per business; in multiple-business properties, not more than 2 per property | Public right-of-way; only permitted in C-4 district | — | Section 7.11.6.G.2.c(1)-(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Bartlesville

- Abandoned signs (as defined in Section 7.11.3).
- Snipe signs and any signs located on trees, utility poles, public benches, public property, or within any public right-of-way unless explicitly permitted; snipe signs are deemed abandoned property and may be removed by any person.
- Human signs when located on public right-of-way or public property.
- Signs with animation or visible moving parts, oscillating/changing lights, or other apparent movement not expressly permitted by these regulations.
- Portable signs (as defined in Section 7.11.3).
- Animated, moving, flashing, or rotating signs; three-dimensional objects (e.g., vehicles, animals, instruments, figures); propellers, wind-powered or similar devices; inflatable signs or irregular inflatable objects; tethered balloons larger than 12 inches in diameter; air-dancers; streamers; searchlights; strobe lights; and clearly similar features, except where specifically exempt, or permitted as temporary signs or electronic message centers as regulated.
- Signs or portions of signs with electronic full-motion video displays (e.g., television screens, plasma/digital/LED screens, video boards, holographic displays, tri-vision technology).
- Signs placed in the bed/deck of a truck or trailer, or on a vehicle positioned in an unexpected location when the apparent primary purpose is to attract attention or advertise.
- Signs located on a fence unless otherwise permitted as a permanent or temporary sign by this Section.
- Signs containing words or symbols resembling highway traffic control or direction signals that could cause confusion.
- Use of merchandise, equipment, products, vehicles, or other items not available for purchase as attention-getting devices or for identification/advertising purposes.
- Any sign erected upon a roof, parapet, or roof-mounted equipment structure that extends above the roof/parapet/equipment structure.
- Signs configured to resemble warning/danger signals; revolving beams or beacons resembling emergency vehicle lights; or signs made to resemble traffic control signs or other similar attention-getting devices that raise the same safety concerns.
- Signs constructed of materials not specifically manufactured for signage, including corrugated plastic, fabric/cloth/canvas, foam board, paper/cardboard/poster board, thin-gauge aluminum less than 1/8 inch, engineered wood products (e.g., plywood, chipboard, particle board, MDF, OSB) or similar products, unless approved by the Community Development Director.
- Throwing, dropping, placing, or distributing handbills or other advertising matter on sidewalks, streets, alleys, or other public places.
- Throwing or placing circulars, handbills, samples, stickers, placards, posters, or other advertising matter in or on any motor vehicle.
- Any person, business, or organization advertised or identified on prohibited signs is presumed to have permitted their placement absent evidence to the contrary.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bartlesville

- Public purpose/safety signs and any notice or warning required by federal, state, or local law/regulation.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of a building, or works of art, that do not include a commercial message.
- Insignia of governmental or nonprofit organizations when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as advertising.
- Religious and other holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, displayed only during the appropriate time of year.
- Flags of the United States, the State of Oklahoma, and any other flag adopted or sanctioned by the Bartlesville City Council or Washington County Board of Commissioners, flown in accordance with federal protocol.
- Historic Landmark Signs (as defined in Section 7.11.3).
- Building and street address markers.
- Noncommercial tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary, and remembrances of persons or events, and memorials/cornerstones, provided they are not located in the public right-of-way.
- The name, date of erection, and use of a building when built into its walls.
- Permit not required: On-premise signs not visible from public streets (must still comply with applicable codes).
- Permit not required: On-premise perforated or mesh window graphics with 50% opacity or less.
- Permit not required: Non-regulated on-premise signs or signs ≤3 sq ft per sign (≤6 sq ft total) in residential districts.
- Permit not required: Signs on vehicles/equipment if: primary purpose is not display; sign is magnetic/decal/painted integral part without breaking silhouette; vehicle is operable, registered, and used in daily business; not used primarily as static display/advertising/storage/shelter; and if inactive >48 hours, not parked to display signs to the public (construction projects and on-premise rental/lease fleets excepted).
- Permit not required: Political signs, provided removal within 3 days after the election; signs ≤3 sq ft may be in the public right-of-way if sight visibility is not impaired; larger signs must be on private property with owner approval; candidates/organizations are responsible for compliance.
- Permit not required: Residential nameplates/address signs (no advertising) ≤2 sq ft; one per street front per residential use.
- Permit not required: Non-residential street address/nameplate signs (wall-mounted, no advertising) ≤6 sq ft.
- Permit not required: Changing copy on a legal sign; normal maintenance without structural changes; changing interchangeable letters on designed signs (permit required if sign area increases).
- Permit not required: Temporary, non-illuminated real estate signs ≤6 sq ft on the property for sale/rent; remove within 10 days after sale; one “Open House” sign on the property on the day of the open house; directional signs on private property with consent in-city for the day of the open house (≤8 hours); directional signs outside city limits allowed during sale but removed within 10 days after sale.
- Permit not required: Temporary, non-illuminated construction signs ≤40 sq ft on the construction site, displayed only during actual construction (larger sizes may be permitted elsewhere in the code).
- Permit not required: Temporary, non-illuminated on-premise “help wanted/now hiring” signs ≤6 sq ft, displayed ≤3 months with a 1-month gap between signs.
- Permit not required: Barber poles (animated or not) affixed to the business wall, ≤36 inches tall and ≤10 inches wide, located to avoid pedestrian hazards.
- Permit not required: Balloon signs ≤12 inches diameter tethered at a fixed location, maximum height 12 feet, displayed no more than 2 days per week.
- Permit not required: Temporary seasonal banners on parking lot light standards on private non-residential property that do not refer to a specific business, product, or sale.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Comprehensive Sign Plan (CSP) may be considered for non-residential developments with three or more separate tenant spaces that share the same parcel/structure or use common access and parking facilities; it establishes size, location, and design of all signage on the site and may vary from standard provisions while promoting cohesive, scaled, and integrated signage.
- A Comprehensive Sign Plan (CSP) is required for Planned Unit Development (PUD) applications that involve an existing or new non-residential development of three or more separate tenant spaces (shared parcel/structure or common access/parking).
- Sites zoned PUD must submit a Comprehensive Sign Plan (CSP) as part of the PUD approval process.
- All CSPs are reviewed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC) and must conform to MAPC-imposed conditions prior to issuance of a sign permit.
- CSPs may allow elements that exceed otherwise permitted height, area, and/or number of signs if MAPC finds unique site conditions, unique development characteristics, or special design features integrated with building architecture.
- CSPs must include the location, size, height, construction material, color, type of illumination, and orientation of all proposed signs and must cover all signage within the site boundaries.
- CSPs cannot propose total sign area exceeding 3 square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage for the subject property and cannot include any prohibited signs.
- Only one EMC or CCS is allowed per street frontage unless additional EMCs/CCSs are specifically approved by the MAPC as part of a CSP.
- Variances or modifications from sign standards may be approved only as part of a CSP per Section 7.11.6.F.
- Fee schedule includes a “Consolidate Sign Plan” (Comprehensive Sign Plan) fee of $100.00.

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

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