# Sign Regulations in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/broken-arrow
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OK/Broken_Arrow/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_SUPPLEMENT_BNEORSQOVDI_CHB5DEST_DIVB5.6SI)

## At a glance

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma regulates 72 sign types across 32 zoning districts. Directory Sign (freestanding)s in the CN zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and Up to 100 sq ft, with a 0 ft minimum (subject to sight distance) setback (Sec. Table 5-1-5-3 (Directory - freestanding)). Most commercial signs in Broken Arrow require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (32 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AG | 4 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| RS | 4 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| RS-C | 4 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| RS-P | 4 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| RMD | 4 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| RMF | 4 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| RMH | 4 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| CM | 13 | 20 ft | Up to 250 sq ft (but not more than 1 sq ft per linear foot of frontage; minimum standard of 35 sq ft also applies) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 20 ft typical; up to 30 ft with increased setback; special highway allowances per formula | Up to 200 sq ft (min 32 sq ft on arterial frontage rule above) | — |
| DM | 11 | Freestanding signs: base max 20 ft; may increase up to 30 ft by adding 2 ft of setback beyond ultimate ROW for each 1 ft of added height; special highway adjacency can allow up to 35 ft per Sec. 5-1-5.G.5. | 100 sq ft total per street-facing facade | — |
| DF | 11 | Freestanding 20 ft standard; may increase to 30 ft with additional setback; highway adjacency can allow up to 35 ft within 100 ft of highway ROW (see Sec. 5-1-5.G.5). | 150 sq ft total per street-facing facade | — |
| ON | 16 | 20 ft (additional height over adjacent drive aisle requires 20 ft clearance if sign edge is within 1 ft of aisle bottom edge). | Up to 250 sq ft | — |
| CN | 17 | 20 ft (8 ft min clearance; 20 ft vehicular clearance if within 1 ft of drive aisle edge) | Up to 250 sq ft | — |
| CG | 17 | 20 ft (8 ft min clearance; 20 ft clearance if within 1 ft of drive aisle edge) | Up to 250 sq ft | — |
| CH | 17 | 20 ft (8 ft min clearance; 20 ft clearance if within 1 ft of drive aisle edge) | Up to 250 sq ft | — |
| IL | 15 | 35 ft | 750 sq ft | — |
| IH | 15 | 35 ft | 750 sq ft | — |
| Planned unit development (PUD) | 6 | Default 20 ft; may increase up to 30 ft if additional setback from ultimate ROW is provided at 1 ft of extra height for every 2 ft of additional setback. Along limited access highways/turnpikes within 100 ft of ROW: up to 35 ft (25 ft if only minimum 10 ft setback). | Subject to formula above and underlying sign type caps (e.g., directory monument max 100 sq ft; pylon/pole sign face up to 250 sq ft). | — |
| FD | 4 | Default 20 ft; may increase up to 30 ft if additional setback from ultimate ROW is provided at 1 ft of extra height for every 2 ft of additional setback. Along limited access highways/turnpikes within 100 ft of ROW: up to 35 ft (25 ft if only minimum 10 ft setback). | Subject to formula above and underlying sign type caps (e.g., directory monument max 100 sq ft; pylon/pole sign face up to 250 sq ft). | — |
| Downtown residential overlay district (DROD) | 11 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Highway design overlay district (HDOD) | 5 | Default 20 ft; up to 30 ft with additional setback; along limited-access highway, up to 35 ft (25 ft if at minimum 10 ft setback). | Subject to formula and specific sign-type caps (e.g., directory monument up to 100 sq ft). | — |
| New Orleans Square overlay district (NOSOD) | 5 | Default 20 ft; up to 30 ft with added setback; up to 35 ft along limited-access highway if within 100 ft of ROW (25 ft if minimum 10 ft setback). | Subject to formula and sign-type caps (e.g., multi-tenant directory monument up to 100 sq ft). | — |
| Neighborhood Transition 2 (NT2) | 4 | Default 20 ft (nonresidential); subdivision entry 6 ft. | 40 sq ft | — |
| Urban Neighborhood 3+ (UN3+) | 4 | Default 20 ft (nonresidential); subdivision entry 6 ft. | 40 sq ft | — |
| Urban General 3+ (UG3+) | 4 | Default 20 ft (nonresidential); 6 ft for subdivision entry. | 40 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural (AG) | 4 | 15 ft | Up to 40 sq ft per sign (per frontage as formula above) | — |
| Single-family residential (RS) | 4 | 15 ft | Up to 40 sq ft per sign (per frontage as formula above) | — |
| Single-family residential - Compact (RS-C) | 4 | 15 ft | Up to 40 sq ft per sign (per frontage as formula above) | — |
| Single-family residential - Preservation (RS-P) | 4 | 15 ft | Up to 40 sq ft per sign (per frontage as formula above) | — |
| Residential medium density (RMD) | 4 | 15 ft | Up to 40 sq ft per sign (per frontage as formula above) | — |

_2 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 32 zones)

### CN

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | Up to 4 ft sign depth on marquee | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street-facing facade | On marquee | — | Table 5-1-5-2 (Marquee Sign) |
| Wall Sign | Not above eave or parapet | Up to 3 sq ft/lf and ≤10% of wall area | — | — | 1 per occupancy | On front building wall; cannot cover windows. | — | Table 5-1-5-2 (Wall Sign - ON/CN/CG row); Sec. 5-1-5.G.2.b |
| Access Sign (Freestanding) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Keep out of intersection sight triangles. | 1 per tenant/occupant | Freestanding; not in sight triangles. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Access Sign) |
| Directory Sign (freestanding) | 10 ft | Up to 100 sq ft | — | 0 ft minimum (subject to sight distance) | 1 per property (multi-tenant) | At grade with base flush to ground at frontage. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Directory - freestanding) |
| Menu Board | 8 ft | 35 sq ft per menu board | — | N/A for edge of pavement/property line within site | Up to 2 per drive aisle | At drive-through lanes on-site. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Menu Board - CN/CG/CH); Other standards note under Menu Board |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per establishment | Freestanding monument at frontage. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Monument - ON/CN/CG/CH) |
| Pylon or Pole Sign | 20 ft (8 ft min clearance; 20 ft vehicular clearance if within 1 ft of drive aisle edge) | Up to 250 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line/edge of pavement | 1 per public street frontage | Freestanding pole/pylon at frontage. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Pylon/Pole - CN row) |
| Digital Sign (LED message on any permitted sign) | Per host sign limit | Per host sign limit | — | Per host sign | 1 per business/entity | On a permitted sign structure. | — | Sec. 5-1-5.G.2.b |

### CG

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | Up to 4 ft sign depth | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street-facing facade | On marquee | — | Table 5-1-5-2 (Marquee Sign - CM/DF/ON/CN/CG/CH row) |
| Wall Sign | Not above eave or parapet | Up to 3 sq ft/lf and ≤10% wall area | — | — | 1 per occupancy | On front building wall; cannot cover windows. | — | Table 5-1-5-2 (Wall Sign - ON/CN/CG row); Sec. 5-1-5.G.2.b |
| Access Sign (Freestanding) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Keep out of intersection sight triangles. | 1 per tenant/occupant | Freestanding; outside sight triangles. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Access Sign) |
| Directory Sign (freestanding) | 10 ft | Up to 100 sq ft | — | 0 ft min if sight distance maintained | 1 per property (multi-tenant) | At grade (flush to ground) at frontage. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Directory - freestanding) |
| Menu Board | 8 ft | 35 sq ft | — | N/A (on-site) | Max 2 per drive aisle | At drive-through lanes | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Menu Board - CN/CG/CH); Menu Board note |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per establishment | Freestanding monument | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Monument - ON/CN/CG/CH) |
| Pylon or Pole Sign | 20 ft (8 ft min clearance; 20 ft clearance if within 1 ft of drive aisle edge) | Up to 250 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line/edge of pavement | 1 per public street frontage | Freestanding pole/pylon | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Pylon/Pole - CG row) |
| Digital Sign (LED message on any permitted sign) | Per host sign | Per host sign | — | Per host sign | 1 per business/entity | On permitted sign structures. | — | Sec. 5-1-5.G.2.b |

### CH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | Up to 4 ft sign depth | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street-facing facade | On marquee | — | Table 5-1-5-2 (Marquee Sign) |
| Wall Sign | Not above eave or parapet | Up to 30% of applicable wall area | — | — | Up to 4 per site | On wall; cannot cover windows. | — | Table 5-1-5-2 (Wall Sign - CH/IL/IH row); Sec. 5-1-5.G.2.b |
| Access Sign (Freestanding) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Outside intersection sight triangles | 1 per tenant/occupant | Freestanding; outside sight triangles. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Access Sign) |
| Directory Sign (freestanding) | 10 ft | Up to 100 sq ft | — | 0 ft minimum (keep sight distance) | 1 per property (multi-tenant) | At grade (flush to ground) at frontage. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Directory - freestanding) |
| Menu Board | 8 ft | 35 sq ft | — | N/A (on-site) | Max 2 per drive aisle | At drive-through lanes | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Menu Board - CN/CG/CH); Menu Board note |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per establishment | Freestanding monument | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Monument - ON/CN/CG/CH) |
| Pylon or Pole Sign | 20 ft (8 ft min clearance; 20 ft clearance if within 1 ft of drive aisle edge) | Up to 250 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum | 1 per public street frontage | Freestanding pole/pylon at frontage. | — | Table 5-1-5-3 (Pylon/Pole - CH row) |
| Digital Sign (LED message on any permitted sign) | Per host sign | Per host sign | — | Per host sign | 1 per business/entity | On permitted wall or ground sign. | — | Sec. 5-1-5.G.2.b |

## Prohibited signs in Broken Arrow

- Signs located in the public right-of-way, except signs required by a governmental authority or allowed by a street use license (applies to streets, alleys, medians, and parkways; commercial vehicles/trailers lawfully operated or parked are not considered signs)
- Signs with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights within 50 feet of any street right-of-way, except permitted electronic message displays
- Signs with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights within 1,000 feet of any street intersection (as measured at street centerline intersection), except permitted electronic message displays
- Pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, balloons or other gas-filled objects, and tube signs, except where expressly permitted in this chapter
- Signs that resemble an official traffic sign or signal or that bear words such as Stop, Yield, Go Slow, Caution, Danger, Warning, or similar words
- Signs whose size, location, movement, coloring, or illumination could be confused with or construed as a traffic-control device or emergency/road equipment lighting, or that hide traffic or street signs/signals/devices from view
- Any sign that obstructs a window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, or opening required for light, air, ingress, or egress, or that hides traffic or street signs/signals/devices
- Portable signs are prohibited except A-frame signs where expressly permitted; parking an advertising vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way or public property is prohibited (vehicles on private property visible from the right-of-way must be used regularly each business week for the advertised business)
- Signs that cause direct glare into or upon any residential building or premises (other than the premises to which the sign is attached)
- Signs that emit sound, odor, or visible matter that distracts persons in the public right-of-way
- Prohibited sign materials for all signs: paper and cloth not suitable for exterior use (except quality weather-resistant cloth for awnings); unsealed wood subject to moisture deterioration; plywood or particle board; letters/symbols/numbers attached with adhesive backing
- Prohibited materials for permanent signs: nylon‑reinforced vinyl (banner material), corrugated plastic, polystyrene, and substantially similar materials
- No sign may project into or over a public right-of-way (with limited exceptions for projecting signs in DM/DF and DROD Area 6 subject to clearance and extent limits)
- Animated, flashing, intermittent, graphic or moving signs are prohibited citywide
- Off‑premises signs are prohibited, except as allowed under Integrated Development Identification (IDI); no new billboards are permitted (pre‑existing billboards may be maintained/updated)
- No sign containing facsimiles of traffic control devices shall be located within 100 feet of the intersection of two or more public streets; no revolving red or blue lights are allowed; illuminated signs may not exceed 70 foot‑candles at two feet from the light source
- Abandoned signs (signs that display no message for more than 90 days) are prohibited

## Signs exempt from permit in Broken Arrow

- Existing signs lawfully permitted under prior regulations may continue and receive ordinary maintenance unless use is discontinued for 6 months or damage exceeds 50% of value
- Temporary signs up to 6 sq. ft. in residential zones and up to 32 sq. ft. in agricultural, office, commercial, and industrial zones
- Temporary construction signs along arterial frontages for properties with planned or active construction, limited to 0.5 sq. ft. per linear foot of arterial frontage (minimum 32 sq. ft., maximum 200 sq. ft.), located on the property of the construction
- One nameplate sign attached to a building wall, not exceeding 4 sq. ft.
- Signs not visible from a public street
- Tablet signs built into a wall or structure for inscriptions, memorials, or similar historic/dedicatory purposes
- Warning, directive, or instructional signs erected by any unit of government or franchised utility
- Public utility or construction warning/hazard signs (e.g., indicating underground cables, gas lines)
- Legal notices required by law
- Small window signs covering no more than 25% of a window
- Interior signs (signs inside a building primarily visible from inside, or more than 15 inches from the window; and private interior warning/directive/instructional signs up to 3 sq. ft., including entrance/exit/restroom signs)
- Manufacturer labels or commodity labels
- Manufacturer identification on accessory equipment/structures up to 15 square inches per item (e.g., satellite dishes, air conditioners, fence components)
- Street address numbers painted on curbs
- Directional signs less than 4 sq. ft.
- Loading signs less than 4 sq. ft.
- Free speech signs by individuals on their own residential lot or hand‑carried while exercising First Amendment rights, provided they do not block public ways or sight triangles; if on the lot, the sign must be attached to the dwelling or placed in the yard, not exceed 6 sq. ft., and not exceed 2 ft. in height
- Governmental signs placed by any governmental entity
- Fuel island signs: signs on fuel pumps; signs on canopy columns with permanent brackets up to 3 sq. ft.; signs placed on pallets of displayed product at canopy columns or on the entry sidewalk at the storefront
- Flags displayed on a flagpole

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

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