# Sign Regulations in Muskogee, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Muskogee, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/muskogee
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ok/muskogee/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH90ZO_ART16SI)

## At a glance

Muskogee, Oklahoma regulates 17 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Projection Signs in the Central Business District (CBD) zoning district are capped at No sign may extend above second story or exceed 30 ft, whichever is less, unless an integral part of the building. tall and 150 sq ft, with a At least 8 ft above sidewalk if overhanging sidewalk. setback (Sec. 90-16-08(A)-(G)). Most commercial signs in Muskogee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts | 7 | 20 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3), Highway Commercial District, Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2), P Districts | 9 | 50 ft (60 ft if abutting a freeway 10+ ft above grade) | 675 sq ft per side, max 2 sides | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 3 | No sign may extend above second story or exceed 30 ft, whichever is less, unless an integral part of the building. | 150 sq ft | — |

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

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per zoning lot (+1 if multiple accesses) | On the zoning lot; location must not create a traffic hazard. | — | 90-16-06(B)(1), 90-16-05 |
| Instructional Sign | — | — | — | — | Limited to what is reasonably necessary | — | — | 90-16-06(B)(1), 90-16-05 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq ft (single family); 18 sq ft (multiple-family dwellings) | — | At least 12 ft from curb or edge of the street. | One per lot | On the lot being sold/rented; not closer than 12 ft from curb or edge of street. | — | 90-16-05(H), 90-16-06(A)(1) |
| Construction Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | One per construction site | On the zoning lot which is a construction site. | — | 90-16-05(B) |
| Subdivision Ground Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | Cannot encroach into right-of-way | One per subdivision as approved | As approved in the final plat; shall not encroach into the right-of-way. | — | 90-16-06(A)(2) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft | — | — | — | — | Attached to principal building wall. | — | 90-16-06(B)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 7 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90-16-06(B)(2) |

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3), Highway Commercial District, Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2), P Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | No limit | On building wall. | — | 90-16-07(B), 90-16-07(D) |
| Ground Sign (Individual Business) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per tract ownership; an additional for dual street frontage | — | — | 90-16-07(E)(1) |
| Ground Sign - Shopping Center (Multiple Tenant) | 30 ft | 300 sq ft (where tenant signs located on one sign); 150 sq ft for additional sign | — | — | One; +1 if frontage >600 ft with 300 ft separation | — | — | 90-16-07(E)(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Attached) | — | 18 sq ft per sign | — | — | Maximum two per business | Attached to building structure. | — | 90-16-07(A)(2)(b), 90-16-07(A)(2)(v)-(viii) |
| Temporary Sign (Additional - On Premises) | — | 18 sq ft per sign | — | Not less than 12 ft from curb/edge of street. | 1 minimum, or 1 per 50 ft frontage, max 4 per business | On private property, not less than 12 ft from curb or edge of street. | — | 90-16-07(A)(2)(d) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (CBD only) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side | — | At least 2 ft from curb, leave min 5 ft unobstructed sidewalk access. | — | Public right-of-way adjacent to business, but must allow 5 ft of sidewalk access, minimum of 2 ft from curb. | — | 90-16-07(A)(2)(e) |
| Off-premises/Noncommercial Sign | 50 ft (60 ft if abutting a freeway 10+ ft above grade) | 675 sq ft per side, max 2 sides | — | Not closer than 25 ft to ROW (or per Major Street Plan), 600 ft from other off-premises/noncommercial sign on same side, 100 ft from line perpendicular to ROW from sign on opposite side, 150 ft from parks/residential districts unless otherwise specified. | — | C-3, I-1, I-2, P Districts, Highway Commercial District, meeting setback and proximity standards. | — | 90-16-07(F) |
| Digital Sign | Per type and zone | Must comply with all sign area requirements for type and zone | — | — | — | C-2, C-3, I-1, I-2, P Districts, or lots abutting Highway Commercial; with CBD/C-1 allowed only upon Board approval. | — | 90-16-07(G) |

### Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No sign may extend above second story or exceed 30 ft, whichever is less, unless an integral part of the building. | 150 sq ft | — | — | One per façade/side | On façade of building facing street. One wall or projection sign per façade per business. | — | 90-16-08(A)-(G) |
| Projection Sign | No sign may extend above second story or exceed 30 ft, whichever is less, unless an integral part of the building. | 150 sq ft | — | At least 8 ft above sidewalk if overhanging sidewalk. | One per façade/side | May project up to 5 ft into ROW. Above sidewalk, must be at least 8 ft above. | — | 90-16-08(A)-(G) |
| Landmark/Historical Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90-16-08(E) |

## Prohibited signs in Muskogee

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move, convert, or place any sign in the city without first obtaining a sign permit, unless otherwise exempted.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained unless it is in compliance with the regulations of this article and the city code.
- Signs must be constructed of durable materials, be maintained in good condition, and not be permitted to become dilapidated.
- Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary, shielded light sources directed solely at the sign, or internal to it, without causing glare for motorists, pedestrians, or neighboring premises, and not producing more than one foot-candle of illumination four feet from the sign.
- Any sign which advertises an activity, business, product, or service which has ceased operation, existence, or production, or which no longer carries a message, for a period of a year must be removed at the end of the year.
- All signs must comply with all applicable State laws and with the building code, electrical code, and other applicable city codes. In the event of a conflict, the more restrictive provision prevails.
- Signs which display either constantly or in sequence, by electronically or electrically controlled changes in the same lamp bank, must have the copy display remain constant for at least two-second intervals between changes.
- No sign shall occupy a parking space required under the minimum standards of the chapter.
- Wall signs shall cover no more than 25 percent of the wall area on any one side of the structure.
- Flashing signs are prohibited: No sign shall display lights resembling flashing lights customarily used in traffic signals or in police, fire, ambulance, or rescue vehicles; nor shall any signs use the words, slogans, dimensional shape and size, or colors of governmental traffic signs.
- Illegally-affixed signs are prohibited: No signs painted or attached to natural features (such as trees or rocks), telephone poles, utility poles, or fence posts.
- Obscene signs are prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct ingress or egress, including doors, windows, or fire escapes, are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited unless otherwise provided.
- Signs placed or painted on parked vehicles or trailers where the primary purpose is to advertise a product or service, or direct the public to a business or activity, are prohibited, except for vehicles used in the normal course of business not primarily for display of signs.
- Portable signs are prohibited, including those not lawfully in place prior to May 14, 2007.
- No signs, except traffic signs and signals and informational signs erected by a public agency, are permitted within any street or public right-of-way, unless otherwise provided.
- Signs which obstruct the view of motor vehicle operators entering a public roadway from any parking area, service drive, private driveway, alley, or other thoroughfare are prohibited.
- Signs that use words, phrases, symbols, or characters in a manner that misleads, interferes with, or confuses traffic are prohibited.
- Temporary signs are prohibited unless otherwise provided.
- A sign attached to or painted on a vehicle or trailer that is parked on public or private property for primary purpose of advertising is prohibited, unless: (a) the primary purpose of such vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs; (b) the vehicle/trailer is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed, and actively used in business to which the signs relate.

## Signs exempt from permit in Muskogee

- Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions located on the institution's premises and less than eighteen (18) square feet in area.
- One construction sign per construction site, not more than eighteen (18) square feet in a Residential District and not more than thirty-six (36) square feet in a Commercial, Industrial, and CBD District.
- Directory signs no more than six (6) square feet in surface area.
- Flags, emblems, and insignia of political, civic, philanthropic, religious, educational organizations and the United States flag or State flags displayed for noncommercial purposes.
- Plaques or tablets denoting names of buildings and date of erection, or names/dates cut into any masonry surface.
- Holiday decorations displayed in connection with civic, patriotic, or religious holidays.
- Temporary signs advertising political candidates or parties, or signs advertising support or opposition to any public issue, subject to time, removal, and setback restrictions.
- One real estate sign per lot: in Residential Districts, up to eight (8) square feet (eighteen (18) square feet for multiple-family dwellings); in Commercial Districts, up to thirty-six (36) square feet per street frontage, subject to setback restrictions.
- Temporary signs advertising special events, subject to time, removal, and setback restrictions, and with property owner permission.
- Traffic and other signs erected and maintained by the city or other governmental agency, legal notices, and all other similar signs required by law.
- Utility signs showing location of public telephones and signs by utilities to show the location of underground facilities.
- Warning signs (e.g., "no trespassing," "beware of dog"), not more than two (2) square feet each, and limited to one sign per every 2,500 square feet per lot.
- Window signs: the article does not regulate window signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless exempted by Section 90-16-05.
- A new sign permit is required if there is a change in sign user, owner, or property owner and the sign is to be altered or relocated.
- A building permit is required for the erection, alteration, or reconstruction of any sign unless exempt (Section 90-16-02.B.1).
- No permit is required for a change of copy, repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance, provided the sign is not modified.
- Mural exhibits require a Site Plan Permit that is reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission; appeals of disapproval go to the City Council (Section 90-16-09.D and E).
- A sandwich board sign in the CBD right-of-way requires a sign permit and proof of continuous liability insurance; permit is valid for one year with annual renewal.
- Temporary signs in commercial districts require a sign permit.
- City may require submission of certain information (area, design, illumination, location, other signs nearby, etc.) to determine conformity with the regulations as part of the permit process (Section 90-16-11.B.3).

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

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