# Sign Regulations in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Nichols Hills, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/nichols-hills
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OK/Nichols_Hills/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH50ZO_ARTIIDIRE_DIV10SIRE)

## At a glance

Nichols Hills, Oklahoma regulates 31 sign types across 11 zoning districts. For Sale or Rent Sign (Temporary)s in the E-1 Estate District, E-2 Urban Estate District, R-1-75 Single-Family Residential District, R-1-60 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Two-Family Residential District, R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District zoning district are capped at 44 inches tall and 5 sq ft, with a Min. 10 feet from curb/edge of street setback (Sec. Sec. 50-329(a)(3)a, (b)-(e), Sec. 50-330). Most commercial signs in Nichols Hills require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| E-1 Estate District, E-2 Urban Estate District, R-1-75 Single-Family Residential District, R-1-60 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Two-Family Residential District, R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District | 9 | 44 inches | 5 sq ft | — |
| R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District, U-4 Church District, C-1 Office District, C-2 Retail Business District | 1 | — | — | — |
| U-4 Church District | 1 | 6 feet (ground sign only) | 24 sq ft | — |
| C-1 Office District | 3 | 6 feet | 6 sq ft | — |
| C-2 Retail Business District | 2 | 6 ft (Ground Sign) | 40 sq ft (Ground Sign) | — |
| South Plaza Commercial Sign District | 7 | 30 ft above grade level | 700 sq ft | — |
| North Plaza Commercial Sign District | 6 | 25 ft | 175 sq ft per side | — |
| ABC-O Alcoholic Beverage Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| PUD Planned Unit Development District | 1 | — | — | — |
| TC Town Center Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### E-1 Estate District, E-2 Urban Estate District, R-1-75 Single-Family Residential District, R-1-60 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Two-Family Residential District, R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Political Sign (Temporary) | 44 inches | 5 sq ft | — | Min. 10 feet from curb/edge of street | — | Must be wholly on private property by/with owner's permission, set back at least 10 feet from curb line or street edge | — | Sec. 50-329(a)(1), (b)-(d), Sec. 50-330 |
| Public Issue Sign (Temporary) | 44 inches | 5 sq ft | — | Min. 10 feet from curb/edge of street | — | Wholly on private property, set back at least 10 feet from curb or street edge | — | Sec. 50-329(a)(2), (b)-(d), Sec. 50-330 |
| For Sale or Rent Sign (Temporary) | 44 inches | 5 sq ft | — | Min. 10 feet from curb/edge of street | 1 per property | Wholly on private property, set back at least 10 feet from curb or street edge | — | Sec. 50-329(a)(3)a, (b)-(e), Sec. 50-330 |
| Contractor Sign (Temporary) | 44 inches | 5 sq ft | — | Min. 10 feet from curb/edge of street | 1 per property | Wholly on private property, set back at least 10 feet from curb or street edge | — | Sec. 50-329(a)(3)b, (b)-(e), Sec. 50-330 |
| Family Event Sign (Temporary) | 44 inches | 5 sq ft | — | Min. 10 feet from curb/edge of street | — | On private property, must meet setback | — | Sec. 50-329(a)(3)c, (b)-(e), Sec. 50-330 |
| Temporary Holiday, Athletic or School Spirit Sign | 44 inches | 5 sq ft | — | Min. 10 feet from curb/edge of street | — | On private property, must meet setback | — | Sec. 50-329(a)(3)d, (b)-(e), Sec. 50-330 |
| Open House Sign (Temporary) | 44 inches | 5 sq ft | — | Min. 10 feet from curb/edge of street | 1 per property | On private property only where open house is held, not on other properties or ROW, must meet setback | — | Sec. 50-329(a)(4), (b)-(e), Sec. 50-330 |
| Garage Sale Sign (Temporary) | 44 inches | 5 sq ft | — | Min. 10 feet from curb/edge of street | 1 per property | On property, not in ROW, must meet setback | — | Sec. 50-329(a)(5), (b)-(e), Sec. 50-330 |

### South Plaza Commercial Sign District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not exceeding surface attached to | 445 sq ft | Not exceeding surface attached to | — | 1 per lineal foot of street frontage | On building wall, must comply with extension/clearance rules | — | Sec. 50-336(1)a-f |
| Roof Sign | Not above highest point of roof | 445 sq ft | Not exceeding width of surface attached to | — | 1 per lineal foot of street frontage | — | — | Sec. 50-336(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20-50 ft (based on frontage: 0-100ft: 20ft, 101-200ft: 30ft, 201-300ft: 40ft; above 300ft: 1ft per 40ft of frontage to max 50ft) | 700 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lineal foot of street frontage | NW 63rd St (Western Ave to 150 ft east of Grand Blvd), Western Ave (63rd to Avondale Dr) | — | Sec. 50-336(3) |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft | 128 sq ft per side | — | — | 4 Avondale Dr, 4 NW 63rd, 1 Western Ave | Plaza area streets as listed (see text) | — | Sec. 50-336(4) |
| Parapet Sign | 30 ft above grade level | 700 sq ft | — | — | — | Buildings fronting on NW 63rd St, from 250 to 450 ft west of NW 63rd and Western Ave intersection | — | Sec. 50-336(5) |
| Identification Name Plate Sign (Retail) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 50-336(6)a.1 |
| Identification Name Plate Sign (Non-retail) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 50-336(6)a.2 |

### North Plaza Commercial Sign District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 175 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | Western Ave between 150 and 185 ft south of NE corner of North Plaza Commercial Sign District | — | Sec. 50-337(1) |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft | 128 sq ft per side per sign | — | — | 2 | North side of Avondale Dr, within district, not closer than 150 ft to NW corner | — | Sec. 50-337(2) |
| Identification Name Plate Sign (Retail/Food Service) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 50-337(3)a.1 |
| Identification Name Plate Sign (Non-retail/Non-food) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 50-337(3)a.2 |
| Wall Sign (Retail/Restaurant First Floor) | Not above wall mounted | 50 sq ft (retail/restaurant); 70 sq ft (shopping center id) | — | — | 2 (shopping center); retail/restaurant: 1 per elevation | Facade of business or shopping center within district (retail/restaurant first floor or shopping center) | — | Sec. 50-337(4) |
| Walkway Sign | — | 5 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Installed immediately below ceiling of canopy, perpendicular to storefront | — | Sec. 50-337(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Nichols Hills

- Signs that are visible from the street or public way are prohibited in estate and residential zoning districts, except as expressly allowed.
- No billboard, signboard, portable sign, inflatable sign, flashing sign, trailer-mounted sign, flag sign, banners, or streamers shall be permitted in U-4 Church, C-1 Office, and C-2 Retail Business Districts.
- No sign, except those placed by the City, shall be located on public property or on or extending over street right-of-way, including utility poles and sidewalks.
- Signs painted onto or fastened to trees in public places are prohibited.
- In the U-4 Church District, electronic message display signs, internally illuminated signs, neon signs, and animated, dissolving, fading, scrolling, or traveling signs are prohibited.
- In all districts where Accessory Signs are allowed, it is a violation to install or use a sign in any way not consistent with the applicable Sign Permit or to violate the terms of the sign permit.
- Abandoned accessory signs must be removed or brought into compliance within ten days after notice.
- At the time of business termination, all accessory signs must be removed from public view within 30 days, unless the panel is immediately replaced by a blank if a new business is imminent.
- Accessory signs that are damaged, unsafe, or dilapidated must be repaired or removed by the owner within ten days after notice.
- All freestanding signs shall only be permitted where they will not interfere with traffic sight lines as determined by the City.
- Roof signs are generally prohibited except in certain commercial districts with specific allowances.
- No sign may be installed or maintained in a manner that constitutes a nuisance or violates any provision of the sign code.
- Accessory signs may not be used, installed, or maintained in a manner that is prohibited by Division 10; a sign maintained in such a manner is declared a nuisance.
- Graffiti on an accessory sign must be removed within ten days.

## Signs exempt from permit in Nichols Hills

- Flags, pennants, or insignia of any nation, association of nations, state, city, or other political unit are not considered 'signs' and are exempt.
- House number signs (maximum two per property) are allowed in all estate and residential districts.
- Political signs related to elections and signs expressing a view or opinion on a public issue are allowed in all estate and residential districts without a sign permit.
- Temporary signs for family events, holidays, athletic or school spirit, garage sales, and contractor identification (subject to removal and area limits) are allowed in estate and residential districts.
- In residential districts, one 'for sale' or 'for rent' sign, one contractor sign, one 'open house' sign (only during specified times), and one 'garage sale' sign (only on sale days) are allowed without a sign permit.
- Accessory signs in R-3, U-4, C-1, and C-2 require a sign permit (conditional use); other specific sign types are not regulated (see above for exemptions).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Accessory signs are a conditional use allowed in certain districts (R-3, U-4, C-1, C-2) and require a sign permit (which is a conditional use permit) issued by the City pursuant to Division 2, Article IV.
- Applicants for accessory signs in commercial and higher density residential districts may have their application referred to the Planning Commission and City Council for public hearings before a permit is granted.
- In some districts and circumstances, the Code Official is authorized to impose conditions on issuance of sign permits, including to address health, safety, aesthetics, and compliance with neighboring uses.
- Master sign plans are not mentioned by name but sign plans and sign permitting are generally required for all non-exempt signs in applicable districts.
- No sign permit is required in estate and residential districts for signs that are expressly exempted (political, public issue, house number, for sale/rent, open house, contractor, family event, garage sale, holiday, or school spirit signs), so long as area, quantity, height, and duration limits are met.

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

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