# Sign Regulations in Midwest City, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Midwest City, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/midwest-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OK/Midwest_City/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CO_CH9BUBURE_ARTVIISIRE)

## At a glance

Midwest City, Oklahoma regulates 26 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Multifamily zoning districts, Office zoning districts, Commercial zoning districts, Industrial zoning districts zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 200 sq ft per face, with a Not within right-of-way; not nearer than property line setback (Sec. Sec. 9-386). Most commercial signs in Midwest City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zoning districts, Mobile home zoning districts | 9 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Multifamily zoning districts, Office zoning districts, Commercial zoning districts, Industrial zoning districts | 16 | 20 ft | 500 sq ft | — |
| Civic center area | 8 | Up to 20 ft | Up to 200 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 4 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential zoning districts, Mobile home zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per immediate entrance | At each immediate entrance to the subdivision | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(13) |
| Construction Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage | Per frontage during period of construction | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(10) |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonarterial Street) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage | Per frontage and only for sale or lease of the property | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(11) |
| Real Estate Sign (Arterial Street) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage | Per frontage and only for sale or lease of the property | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(11) |
| Political Sign (Nonarterial Street) | — | 8 sq ft | — | No setback required on nonarterial; 12 ft on arterial | One per street frontage per candidate/issue | On parcel with setback as detailed in ordinance | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(16),(17), Sec. 9-393 |
| Political Sign (Arterial Street) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 12 ft from curb | One per street frontage per candidate/issue | On parcel with at least 12 ft setback from curb | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(16),(17), Sec. 9-393 |
| Subdivision Construction Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage | Per frontage of the subdivision | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(12) |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On the building | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(21) |

### Multifamily zoning districts, Office zoning districts, Commercial zoning districts, Industrial zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 200 sq ft per face | — | Not within right-of-way; not nearer than property line | One per frontage, one per 600 ft | Not within 2 ft of building/structure; not within right-of-way | — | Sec. 9-386 |
| Roof Sign | 20 ft above roof | 500 sq ft or 75% of building front | — | — | — | On roof of building | — | Sec. 9-389 |
| Projecting Sign (Horizontal) | — | 50 sq ft per side | — | No over setback line | — | At least 8 ft above sidewalk, not more than 2 ft from wall | — | Sec. 9-390(d)(1),(f) |
| Projecting Sign (Vertical) | — | 100 sq ft per side | — | No over setback line | — | At least 8 ft above sidewalk, not more than 2 ft from wall | — | Sec. 9-390(d)(2),(f) |
| Commercial Temporary Sign | 3 ft | 16 sq ft | 2 ft in any dimension | — | — | — | — | Sec. 9-391(a),(g) |
| Construction Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage | Per frontage during construction | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(10) |
| Political Sign (Nonarterial Street) | — | 8 sq ft | — | No setback required on nonarterial; 12 ft on arterial | One per street frontage per candidate/issue | On parcel | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(16),(17), 9-393 |
| Political Sign (Arterial Street) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 12 ft from curb | One per street frontage per candidate/issue | At least 12 ft from curb | — | Sec. 9-384(h)(16),(17), 9-393 |

### Civic center area

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 9-385(z)(1)b |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On property within the district | — | Sec. 9-385(z)(1)a |
| Bulletin Board Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On institution premises in Civic Center Area | — | Sec. 9-385(z)(1)c |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On property where construction occurs in the Civic Center Area | — | Sec. 9-385(z)(1)d |
| Occupational Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On commercial building, institutional building, or residence | — | Sec. 9-385(z)(1)e |
| Memorial Sign/Building Name Plaque | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 9-385(z)(1)f |
| Storefront/Primary Use Sign (within 200 ft of Civic Center) | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | Within 200 ft of Civic Center area | — | Sec. 9-385(z)(3)b,c |
| Signs beyond 200 ft from Civic Center | Up to 20 ft | Up to 200 sq ft | — | — | — | From 200 ft to 800 ft from Civic Center property line | — | Sec. 9-385(z)(3)d |

## Prohibited signs in Midwest City

- No sign shall be maintained at any location where, by reason of its position, size, shape or color, it may interfere with the view of or be confused with any traffic control signs or signals, or where it may mislead or confuse traffic.
- Signs and their supporting structures shall not interfere with above ground and underground facilities and conduits for water, sewer, gas, electricity, communications, nor interfere with surface or subsurface drainage.
- No permanent sign shall be installed, erected or maintained that is on or a part of which is on, over or extended across any public right-of-way, alley, utility or drainage easement, or any vehicular driveway, except as specifically provided for existing buildings.
- No sign, except public service signs, shall be permitted to be located on publicly-owned property except within city athletic complexes and in conformity with established policies.
- No sign shall obstruct any entrance or exit.
- No sign shall be constructed of or contain glass or plastic below eight feet in height in athletic complexes.
- No sign may be attached to a tree or placed on public property. Only public service signs may be attached to utility poles.
- No sign shall occupy a required parking space.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected at street intersections so as to obstruct vision or to be confused with or interfere with authorized traffic signs/signals/devices.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained to obstruct a fire escape, window, door or opening used as a means of egress, nor attached to a standpipe, nor interfere with required ventilation.
- No sign shall be located within a sight triangle; except one pole or column is allowed within certain height and width restrictions.
- No political sign shall exceed thirty-two square feet in display surface area.
- No sign shall be placed or erected in violation of city zoning ordinances.
- No permanent sign, except subdivision identification signs, shall be allowed, installed, erected, or maintained on property zoned R-1-D, R-1-A, R-2, R-MH-1, or R-MH-2 unless subject to a special use permit or owned/operated by a political subdivision.
- Permanent off-premises advertising signs are allowed only in industrial zoning districts.
- No sign shall be maintained in a deteriorated or hazardous condition.
- No sign shall be constructed without meeting wind loading, construction, and material standards.
- The following types of signs are prohibited: 'A' frame signs; swinging signs (except residential property); flashing signs; portable signs.
- No sign shall display obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.
- No sign shall be placed or erected on utility poles or in the public right-of-way (unless permitted public service signs).
- Balloons shall not be used as commercial temporary signs.
- No sign shall be erected, placed or maintained in such manner as to create a traffic hazard.

## Signs exempt from permit in Midwest City

- Signs mounted inside buildings not visible to pedestrians or motorists beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are located or from any public right-of-way, parking area or public outdoor area.
- Window displays, including neon signs, if such signs are prewired and/or prefabricated.
- Street addresses and/or nameplates not exceeding a total of fifty square feet in display surface area.
- Memorial signs or names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material and not exceeding six square feet.
- Scoreboards not exceeding fifty square feet in athletic facilities.
- Nonilluminated bulletin board signs for public institutions or nonprofits located on their premises and not more than twenty square feet.
- Directional signs not exceeding four square feet, for the convenience of the public (entrances, parking, restrooms, handicapped spaces, etc.).
- Public use or public service signs (traffic control, street name, community/public utility info, safety, danger, public duty).
- Regulatory property use signs (No Trespassing, etc.) not more than four square feet.
- One construction sign per frontage, not more than fifty square feet (multifamily, mobile home, office, commercial, industrial) or eight square feet (other residential).
- One real estate sign per frontage advertising the sale/lease/rental, not more than eight square feet (nonarterial) or thirty-two square feet (arterial).
- One subdivision construction sign per frontage advertising the entire subdivision and not more than fifty square feet.
- One subdivision identification sign per immediate entrance, containing only the subdivision's name, indirectly illuminated and not more than thirty-two square feet.
- No more than two on-premises and two off-premises garage or estate sale signs, removed within 24 hours of sale completion.
- Decorations customary and incidental to holidays.
- No more than one political sign per street frontage per land parcel per candidate/issue, if placed no closer than twelve feet to the curb on arterial streets and removed within three days after election, and not more than eight square feet (nonarterial) or thirty-two square feet (arterial).
- Political signs with the same size and removal requirements as above for residentially-zoned versus other parcels.
- Menu signs at drive-through/drive-in restaurants, and attached signs on commercial property, if properly maintained, encased, two square feet or less, and not readable from the right-of-way.
- Changing the advertising copy or message on an existing changeable copy sign.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance/repair if not involving structural changes.
- Professional nameplates not exceeding two square feet.
- Searchlights for special events, located on the premises of the event.
- Noncommercial temporary signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit must include plans to scale showing the sign elevation, height, overall dimensions, colors, materials, illumination, wiring specifications, stress sheets/calculations, a site plan showing location and dimensions of all existing and proposed signs on the site, a building facade outline/photo showing existing/proposed sign locations, and other required info.
- A site plan indicating all existing and proposed sign locations, heights, and dimensions must be submitted with the sign permit application.
- A permit for each new sign, and for changes in location, sign type, electrification, or size, is required.
- Permanent signs (except for those specifically exempted) require a permit and approval prior to display, erection, rebuilding, expansion, or relocation.
- Appeals of administrative decisions about signs may be made to the city council within ten days, with notice to the applicant and abutting property owners, and a hearing is held.

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

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