# Sign Regulations in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/oklahoma-city
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/oklahomacity-ok-sr/doc-viewer.aspx#secid--1)

## At a glance

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma regulates 83 sign types across 22 zoning districts. Wall Sign – Single- & Two-Family Residential (R)s in the AA Agricultural District (AA); RA2 Single-Family Two-Acre Rural Residential District (RA2); RA Single-Family One-Acre Rural Residential District (RA); R-1 Single-Family Residential District (R-1); R-1ZL Single-Family Residential Zero Lot Line District (R-1ZL); R-2 Medium-Low Density Residential District (R-2); R-3 Medium Density Residential District (R-3); R-3M Medium Density Multiple-Family Residential District (R-3M); R-4M Medium-High Density Multiple-Family Residential District (R-4M); R-4 General Residential District (R-4); R-MH-1 Manufactured (Mobile) Home Subdivision District (R-MH-1); R-MH-2 Manufactured (Mobile) Home Park District (R-MH-2); NC Neighborhood Conservation District – Tracts 1, 2 and 3 (NC Tracts 1, 2, 3) zoning district are capped at Less than height of surface to which sign is attached (code "S"). tall, 4 sf total wall sign area per building., and Not wider than the surface to which it is affixed (§59-16108.B.4). wide, with a Property line setback "Z" (as principal building setback) in Table 59-16108.1. setback (Sec. §59-16106.C.1; §59-16108.A; Table 59-16108.1 (R – Single- & Two-Family Residential column); §59-16108.B.3–5.). Most commercial signs in Oklahoma City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (22 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AA Agricultural District (AA); RA2 Single-Family Two-Acre Rural Residential District (RA2); RA Single-Family One-Acre Rural Residential District (RA); R-1 Single-Family Residential District (R-1); R-1ZL Single-Family Residential Zero Lot Line District (R-1ZL); R-2 Medium-Low Density Residential District (R-2); R-3 Medium Density Residential District (R-3); R-3M Medium Density Multiple-Family Residential District (R-3M); R-4M Medium-High Density Multiple-Family Residential District (R-4M); R-4 General Residential District (R-4); R-MH-1 Manufactured (Mobile) Home Subdivision District (R-MH-1); R-MH-2 Manufactured (Mobile) Home Park District (R-MH-2); NC Neighborhood Conservation District – Tracts 1, 2 and 3 (NC Tracts 1, 2, 3) | 14 | If used as roof sign: maximum 30' from roof surface to top of balloon and must not exceed maximum allowed building height from grade in the zoning district. | 300 sf max per sign. | — |
| O-1 Limited Office District (O-1); O-2 General Office District (O-2) – parcels <12,000 sf (C-Low); RC Rural Commercial District (RC); NB Neighborhood Business District (NB); C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1); C-CBD Central Business District (C-CBD); NC Neighborhood Conservation District – Tract 4 (NC Tract 4) | 11 | 35' flagpole height max. | 300 sf per sign. | — |
| C-2 Shopping Center District (C-2); C-3 Community Commercial District (C-3); C-4 General Commercial District (C-4); C-HC Highway Commercial District (C-HC); TP Technology Park District (TP); I-1 Light Industrial District (I-1); I-2 Moderate Industrial District (I-2); I-3 Heavy Industrial District (I-3) | 14 | 35' pole height. | 300 sf. | — |
| C-CBD Central Business District (C-CBD); Downtown Business District (DBD); Downtown Design District 1 (DTD-1); Downtown Design District 2 (DTD-2) | 11 | 35' | Within wall sign allocation; no special numeric cap for C-CBD apart from wall sign max; BC frame 200 sf, water tower 100 sf if historic evidence. Roof signs only on structures >7 stories. | — |
| Bricktown Core Development District (BC) | 11 | 35' | Frame sign: 200 sf; water tower signs: 100 sf each (two faces allowed on same tower). | — |
| Historic Preservation District (HP); Historic Landmark District (HL) | 1 | — | See R projecting sign: 60 sf above first floor, 12 sf between 8' and first floor. | — |
| Stockyards City Development District (SYD); Stockyards City Transitional District (SYT); Scenic River Overlay Design District (SRODD); Urban Design District (UD) | 1 | — | Existing EMD signs prior to July 1, 2009 limited to 350 sf, with exceptions for SYD, SYT, SRODD, UD, DBD, BC at discretion of design review authority; Regatta District SRODD river crossings limited to certain unspecified sf in notes. | — |
| NC Neighborhood Conservation District – Tracts 1, 2 and 3 (NC Tracts 1, 2, 3); NC Neighborhood Conservation District – Tract 4 (NC Tract 4) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Sign District – Residential & Low Intensity (R Sign District) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Sign District – Commercial (C Sign District) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Sign District – Heavy Commercial and Industrial (I Sign District) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Sign District – Bricktown Core (BC Sign District) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | Up to 50' above grade for billboards on divided, limited-access roads with ≥4 lanes (or 30' above road grade if adjacent to elevated roadway); 35' above grade for other billboards; minimum 6' clearance from bottom of display surface to ground; conditional-use billboards limited to 20' height in C-3, DBD, I-1. | 672 sf per face (plus 20% for cutouts/extensions) for standard billboards; conditional-use billboards in C-3, DBD, I-1 limited to 200 sf. | — |
| Scenic River Overlay Design District (SRODD) | 1 | — | For new EMDs, underlying sign district (C or I) size limits apply (see Table 59-16105.3). Existing EMD signs legally installed prior to July 1, 2009 within SRODD may be up to 350 sf of the total allowable sign area (Table 59-16105.3 notes). EMDs affixed to river crossings in the Regatta District are limited to a specified sf (value truncated in excerpt) in the notes, but must not exceed those special limits. | — |
| Urban Design District (UD) | 1 | — | Existing EMD signs that obtained permits before July 1, 2009 within UD may be up to 350 sf of total allowable sign area (§59-16105.3 notes). New EMDs follow R/C/I/BC district size caps (Level 1/2/3) in Table 59-16105.3. | — |
| Neighborhood Conservation District (NC) – General (in addition to explicit NC Tracts already treated) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Stockyards City Development District (SYD); Stockyards City Transitional District (SYT) | 2 | 4' 8" above grade. | 8 sf per side (Table 59-16107.3, Sandwich Board Standards). | — |
| Downtown Business District (DBD) | 2 | 20' max height in DBD for conditional-use billboards (§59-16111.L.2.b.2). | 200 sf maximum area per billboard face in DBD under conditional use standards (§59-16111.L.2.b.1). | — |
| Downtown Design District 1 (DTD-1); Downtown Design District 2 (DTD-2) | 1 | — | Underlying C sign district EMD size caps apply (see Table 59-16105.3). DTD-1 “Cottage District” prohibits new EMD signs entirely (§59-16105.B.4.b.1); existing EMDs treated as nonconforming and may continue only if they meet operational standards (§59-16115.C). | — |
| Commercial Sign District – Residential & Low Intensity (R Sign District) – Additional Clarification for AA, RA2, RA | 1 | 10' for side-entry monuments; 6' for median monument. | Each side of entry street: 64 sf; median sign: 40 sf (Table 59-16107.4). | — |
| I-1 Light Industrial District (I-1); I-2 Moderate Industrial District (I-2); I-3 Heavy Industrial District (I-3) – Additional Balloon/Roof Sign Interaction | 1 | Roof signs: no explicit extra height, but must respect building height limits; balloon roof signs: max 30' above roof surface and not exceeding allowed building height from grade (§59-16109.A.2.b.2). | Roof signs: within wall sign allocation (no separate numeric cap, but typical wall sign cap 10% of wall area up to 400 sf). Balloon roof signs: if setback from ROW < balloon height, combined display area of balloon and attached signs not to exceed max attached sign area for district (§59-16109.A.2.b.1). | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 22 zones)

### AA Agricultural District (AA); RA2 Single-Family Two-Acre Rural Residential District (RA2); RA Single-Family One-Acre Rural Residential District (RA); R-1 Single-Family Residential District (R-1); R-1ZL Single-Family Residential Zero Lot Line District (R-1ZL); R-2 Medium-Low Density Residential District (R-2); R-3 Medium Density Residential District (R-3); R-3M Medium Density Multiple-Family Residential District (R-3M); R-4M Medium-High Density Multiple-Family Residential District (R-4M); R-4 General Residential District (R-4); R-MH-1 Manufactured (Mobile) Home Subdivision District (R-MH-1); R-MH-2 Manufactured (Mobile) Home Park District (R-MH-2); NC Neighborhood Conservation District – Tracts 1, 2 and 3 (NC Tracts 1, 2, 3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding) – R Sign District – Nonresidential & MF | By street type: 5' neighborhood; 6' main; 8' connector; 8' downtown; 8' industrial; 12' minor arterial; 12' major arterial; 12' highway. | Nonresidential: 1 sf per 2 lf of frontage (both <100' and >100'), up to street-type caps (15 sf neighborhood; 25 sf main; 35 sf connector; 35 sf downtown; 20 sf industrial; 65 sf minor arterial; 100 sf major arterial; 100 sf highway). MF: 5–12 units: 8 sf; 13–29 units: 24 sf; ≥30 units: 1 sf per 2 lf of frontage, up to 100 sf. | — | Must comply with building/zoning setbacks for structures; no specific numeric setback in table beyond sight triangle and parking prohibitions. Highway-abutting note does not alter setback. | Max 1 ground sign per lot; in R sign district column: "Number (max.): 1"; MF: one per street frontage in lieu of attached sign. | Freestanding on lot in R districts and NC Tracts 1–3. One ground sign per lot; MF: one per street frontage in lieu of attached sign. Must observe sight triangles (59-12300) and cannot be in required parking spaces (59-16103.F, H). | — | §59-16106.C.1 (R sign district definition); §59-16107.A; Table 59-16107.1 (Ground Sign Standards – R column); §59-16103.F–H; §59-16105; §59-16107.A.2 (MF allowances). |
| Pole Sign (Freestanding) – R Sign District – Nonresidential & MF | By street type: 5' neighborhood; 6' main; 7' connector; 7' downtown; 7' industrial; 11' minor arterial; 11' major arterial; 11' highway. | Nonresidential: 0.9 sf per 2 lf of frontage (both <100' and >100'), up to street-type caps (14 sf neighborhood; 23 sf main; 32 sf connector; 32 sf downtown; 18 sf industrial; 60 sf minor arterial; 90 sf major arterial; 90 sf highway). MF: 5–12 units: 7 sf; 13–29 units: 22 sf; ≥30 units: 0.9 sf per 2 lf of frontage, up to 90 sf. | — | No explicit numeric setback beyond general building setback and sight-distance requirements; must clear required sight triangles (§59-16103.F). | Max 1 pole sign per lot in R sign district (Table 59-16107.2: "Number (max.): 1"); MF: effectively one per street frontage in lieu of attached sign via §59-16107.A.2. | Freestanding pole sign on lot. One pole sign per lot; MF: permitted one per street frontage in lieu of attached sign. Must comply with sight triangles and parking space prohibitions. | — | §59-16106.C.1; §59-16107.A; Table 59-16107.2 (Pole Sign Standards – R column); §59-16107.A.2; §59-16103.F–H; §59-16105. |
| Subdivision Entry Monument Sign – Each Side of Entry Street | 10' for each monument sign on each side of the entry street. | 64 sf per sign face on each side of entry street. | — | Minimum setback: none (Table 59-16107.4), subject to other Code provisions (e.g., sight triangle, ROW rules). | Max 3 monument signs per entry street (one on each side plus one in median). | At subdivision or residential development entries (≥5 acres) within R sign district (agricultural, residential, mobile home, NC Tracts 1–3). One sign on each side of the entry street; optional median sign. | — | §59-16107.C; Table 59-16107.4 (Standards for Subdivision Entry Signs – R). |
| Subdivision Entry Monument Sign – Median | 6' for median monument sign. | 40 sf per median sign. | — | Minimum setback: none, but functionally constrained by median geometry and traffic safety requirements. | Included in "3 monument signs" per entry street (one median, one each side). | In the median of an entry street serving a subdivision or residential development ≥5 acres in R sign district. | — | §59-16107.C; Table 59-16107.4 (Median standards). |
| Wall Sign – Single- & Two-Family Residential (R) | Less than height of surface to which sign is attached (code "S"). | 4 sf total wall sign area per building. | Not wider than the surface to which it is affixed (§59-16108.B.4). | Property line setback "Z" (as principal building setback) in Table 59-16108.1. | Not expressly numbered; practical limit is 4 sf of total wall sign area per building. | Attached flat to building wall of single- or two-family residence in R districts and NC Tracts 1–3, within building setbacks. | — | §59-16106.C.1; §59-16108.A; Table 59-16108.1 (R – Single- & Two-Family Residential column); §59-16108.B.3–5. |
| Wall Sign – All Other Uses in R (Nonresidential, MF, Mobile Home Park) | Less than height of surface to which sign is attached ("S"). | General: 10% of wall area up to 250 sf per wall. MF: 5–12 units: 8 sf; 13–29 units: 24 sf; ≥30 units: 1 sf per 2 lf frontage up to 100 sf (applies if MF uses wall sign instead of ground sign). | Cannot be wider than the surface to which it is affixed (§59-16108.B.4). | Property line setback "Z" – same as principal building setback per zoning district or master sign plan. | No explicit count; regulated by total wall area percentage and allocation rules across walls. | On building walls of nonresidential, MF, and mobile home park uses located in R districts and NC Tracts 1–3, within principal building setbacks. | — | §59-16106.C.1; §59-16108.A.1–2; Table 59-16108.1 (R – All Other Uses column); §59-16105; §59-16108.B.2–5. |
| Awning/Canopy/Over-Canopy/Under-Canopy/Marquee Sign – R (Nonresidential Uses) | Sign height limited to height of surface to which sign is attached ("S"); marquee signs may project above structure in other districts, but in R column, marquee over height is "S" as well. | 60 sf per tenant/occupant (Table 59-16108.3 – R column). | — | Property line setback "Z" – must conform to principal building setbacks or encroachment rules if over ROW. | Max 1 per tenant/occupant with own ground floor entryway or storefront (Table 59-16108.3). | Attached to awnings, canopies, marquees, or under-canopy elements on nonresidential buildings in R districts (NR only). One sign per each tenant/occupant with ground floor entryway/storefront. | — | §59-16106.C.1; §59-16108.C; Table 59-16108.3 (R column – NR); §59-16108.C.1. |
| Detached Canopy Sign – R (Nonresidential Uses) | Less than height of canopy fascia to which sign is attached ("S"). | 10% of canopy fascia up to 20 sf per fascia sign. | — | Property line setback "Z"; must respect zoning setbacks and sight triangle requirements. | 1 sign per canopy fascia, with max 1 fascia allowed to carry signage in R. | On fascia of detached canopy structure serving a nonresidential use (e.g., fuel canopies) in R districts. | — | §59-16106.C.1; §59-16108.C.2; Table 59-16108.4 (R column). |

### O-1 Limited Office District (O-1); O-2 General Office District (O-2) – parcels <12,000 sf (C-Low); RC Rural Commercial District (RC); NB Neighborhood Business District (NB); C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1); C-CBD Central Business District (C-CBD); NC Neighborhood Conservation District – Tract 4 (NC Tract 4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign – C-Low Sign District | By street type: 8' neighborhood; 8' main; 8' connector; 12' downtown; 12' industrial; 15' minor arterial; 15' major arterial; 20' highway. | 1 sf per 2 lf of frontage up to: 25 sf neighborhood; 30 sf main; 50 sf connector; 50 sf downtown; 30 sf industrial; 100 sf minor arterial; 100 sf major arterial; 100 sf highway. MF ground signs also allowed 8–100 sf per §59-16107.A.2 (for MF uses where applicable). | — | No special numeric setback beyond sight triangle and zoning setbacks. | 1 ground sign per lot (Table 59-16107.1). | Freestanding on lots in C-Low districts (O-1, C-1, RC, NB, C-CBD, O-2 NR on <12,000 sf parcels, NC Tract 4). | — | §59-16106.C.2; §59-16107.A; Table 59-16107.1 (C-Low column). |
| Pole Sign – C-Low Sign District | By street type: 7' neighborhood; 7' main; 7' connector; 11' downtown; 11' industrial; 14' minor arterial; 14' major arterial; 18' highway. | 0.9 sf per 2 lf of frontage, up to: 23 sf neighborhood; 27 sf main; 45 sf connector; 45 sf downtown; 27 sf industrial; 90 sf minor arterial; 90 sf major arterial; 90 sf highway. | — | General zoning setbacks and sight triangles; no additional numeric setback in table. | 1 per lot (Table 59-16107.2). | Freestanding pole signs in C-Low districts. | — | §59-16106.C.2; §59-16107.A; Table 59-16107.2 (C-Low column). |
| Wall Sign – C-Low | Less than height of surface to which sign is attached ("S"). | 5% of wall area up to 400 sf per wall; MF wall signs 8–100 sf range for MF buildings where applicable. | No wall sign wider than surface to which affixed. | Setback "Z" – same as building. | Regulated by wall area, not explicit count. | On walls of buildings in O-1, C-1, RC, NB, C-CBD, and O-2 NR (<12,000 sf parcels) and NC Tract 4. | — | §59-16106.C.2; §59-16108.A–B; Table 59-16108.1 (C-Low column). |
| Awning/Canopy/Over-/Under-Canopy/Marquee Sign – C (O-1, O-2, RC, NB, C-1, C-CBD, DBD, DTD-1, DTD-2, NC Tract 4) | Awning/canopy signs: height limited by surface ("S"). Marquee signs may extend up to 6' above structure in C (Table 59-16108.3). | 150 sf per sign (C column). | — | Property line setback "Z"; projection up to 10' from building wall allowed (§59-16108.C.1). | 1 per tenant/occupant with own ground floor entry/storefront. | On awnings, canopies, over or under canopy, or marquees of C-labeled buildings in C-Low/C-High commercial districts, including O-1, O-2, RC, NB, C-1, C-CBD, DBD, DTD-1, DTD-2, NC Tract 4. | — | §59-16106.C.2; §59-16108.C; Table 59-16108.3 (C column). |
| Detached Canopy Sign – C (O-1, O-2, RC, NB, C-1, C-CBD, DBD, DTD-1, DTD-2, NC Tract 4) | Height less than canopy fascia height ("S"). | 10% of canopy fascia up to 40 sf. | — | "Z" – principal building setbacks. | 1 per fascia, up to 2 fascia per canopy. | On detached canopy fascia (e.g., gas stations, covered entries) in C districts. | — | §59-16106.C.2; §59-16108.C.2; Table 59-16108.4 (C column). |
| Flag on Pole – C | 35' flagpole height max. | 60 sf per flag. | — | 5' from all property lines; 10' pole-to-pole and pole-to-sign spacing. | Max 3 flags per lot. | On private lots in C districts (O-1, O-2, RC, NB, C-1, DBD, DTD-1, DTD-2, NC Tract 4). | — | §59-16106.C.2; §59-16109.C; Table 59-16109.1 (C column). |
| Incidental Signs – C | 8' max height. | Cumulative: 85 sf per lot. Individual sign: 20 sf max. | — | No specific numeric setback; sign must respect sight triangles and zoning setbacks; 10' spacing between freestanding incidental signs. | Max 9 per lot. | On lots in C districts; freestanding or wall-mounted. Must avoid sight triangles and ROW unless allowed by §59-16113. | — | §59-16106.C.2; §59-16110.A; Table 59-16110.1 (C column). |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign – C (Commercial Subdivisions) | 16'. | 300 sf per sign. | — | Behind all platted setback lines. | Multiple allowed if separated ≥400'; no explicit total cap. | In commercial or mixed-use subdivisions within C sign district, behind all platted setback lines. | — | §59-16110.A.5–6; Table 59-16110.2. |

### C-2 Shopping Center District (C-2); C-3 Community Commercial District (C-3); C-4 General Commercial District (C-4); C-HC Highway Commercial District (C-HC); TP Technology Park District (TP); I-1 Light Industrial District (I-1); I-2 Moderate Industrial District (I-2); I-3 Heavy Industrial District (I-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign – C-High & I-Low (C-2, C-3, I-1) | 8' neighborhood; 9' main; 10' connector; 12' downtown; 20' industrial; 20' minor arterial; 20' major arterial; 40' highway. | Street-type caps: 40 sf neighborhood; 50 sf main; 75 sf connector; 75 sf downtown; 50 sf industrial; 150 sf minor arterial; 150 sf major arterial; 200 sf highway. MF ground signs also allowed 8–100 sf range for MF uses. | — | No explicit numeric setback beyond sight triangles and zoning/building setbacks. | 1 + 1 per 200 lf beyond 200 lf of frontage (Table 59-16107.1). | Freestanding on lots in C-2, C-3, I-1. | — | §59-16106.C.3; §59-16107.A; Table 59-16107.1 (C-High & I-Low column); §59-16107.A.3; §59-16105; §59-16114.B.2. |
| Ground Sign – I-High (C-4, C-HC, TP, I-2, I-3) | 8' neighborhood; 10' main; 12' connector; 14' downtown; 20' industrial; 20' minor arterial; 25' major arterial; 50' highway. | Caps: 40 sf neighborhood; 60 sf main; 85 sf connector; 85 sf downtown; 55 sf industrial; 170 sf minor arterial; 200 sf major arterial; 300 sf highway. Highway-abutting uses allowed 200 sf regardless of frontage up to max; in I-High highway cap is 300 sf. | — | No explicit numeric beyond general; EMD >50 sf have extra setbacks from curb and residential uses per Table 59-16105.3. | 1 + 1 per 200 lf beyond 200 lf (Table 59-16107.1). | Freestanding in C-4, C-HC, TP, I-2, I-3. | — | §59-16106.C.3; §59-16107.A; Table 59-16107.1 (I-High column); §59-16107.A.3; §59-16105; §59-16114.B.2. |
| Pole Sign – C-High & I-Low (C-2, C-3, I-1) | 7' neighborhood; 8' main; 9' connector; 11' downtown; 18' industrial; 18' minor arterial; 18' major arterial; 36' highway. | Caps: 36 sf neighborhood; 45 sf main; 70 sf connector; 70 sf downtown; 45 sf industrial; 135 sf minor arterial; 135 sf major arterial; 180 sf highway. | — | No explicit; must still meet zoning and sight triangle rules; EMD >50 sf have extra setbacks per Table 59-16105.3. | 1 + 1 per 200 lf beyond 200 lf (Table 59-16107.2). | Freestanding pole signs in C-2, C-3, I-1. | — | §59-16106.C.3; §59-16107.A; Table 59-16107.2 (C-High & I-Low column). |
| Pole Sign – I-High (C-4, C-HC, TP, I-2, I-3) | 7' neighborhood; 9' main; 11' connector; 13' downtown; 18' industrial; 18' minor arterial; 22' major arterial; 45' highway. | Caps: 36 sf neighborhood; 55 sf main; 80 sf connector; 80 sf downtown; 50 sf industrial; 155 sf minor arterial; 180 sf major arterial; 270 sf highway. | — | General; EMD >50 sf have extra setbacks from residential property lines (300') and curb (50') per Table 59-16105.3. | 1 + 1 per 200 lf beyond 200 lf. | Freestanding pole signs in C-4, C-HC, TP, I-2, I-3. | — | §59-16106.C.3; §59-16107.A; Table 59-16107.2 (I-High column). |
| Wall Sign – I (C-2, C-3, C-4, C-HC, TP, I-1, I-2, I-3) | 6' max sign height for wall signs in I column (Table 59-16108.1). | 10% of wall area up to 400 sf per wall; MF 8–100 sf range where MF uses exist in these zones. | Not wider than wall surface. | Setback "Z" – same as building. | Limited by wall area percentage; no explicit count limit. | On walls of buildings in I sign district zones (C-2, C-3, C-4, C-HC, TP, I-1, I-2, I-3). | — | §59-16106.C.3; §59-16108.A–B; Table 59-16108.1 (I column). |
| Awning/Canopy/Over-/Under-Canopy/Marquee Sign – I | Awning/canopy signs: "S"; marquee signs may extend 6' above structure. | 150 sf per sign (I column). | — | "Z"; projection into ROW subject to building code encroachment. | 1 per tenant/occupant with own ground floor entry. | On awnings/canopies/marquees of buildings in C-2, C-3, C-4, C-HC, TP, I-1, I-2, I-3. | — | §59-16106.C.3; §59-16108.C; Table 59-16108.3 (I column). |
| Detached Canopy Signs – I | "S" (below canopy fascia height). | 10% / 40 sf limit. | — | "Z". | 1 per fascia, up to 2 fascia per canopy. | On detached canopies in I sign districts (C-2, C-3, C-4, C-HC, TP, I-1, I-2, I-3). | — | §59-16106.C.3; §59-16108.C.2; Table 59-16108.4 (I column). |
| Flag on Pole – I | 35' pole height. | 60 sf per flag. | — | 5' from property lines (front and side/rear); 10' between poles and signs. | Max 3 flags per lot. | On lots in I sign districts and C-CBD (I column includes C-CBD). | — | §59-16106.C.3; §59-16109.C; Table 59-16109.1 (I column). |

## Prohibited signs in Oklahoma City

- It is unlawful for any person to erect, operate, or otherwise use any sign that is prohibited by this Article (§59-16102.A.2).
- It is unlawful for any person to erect, operate, or otherwise use any sign at a time, place, or manner that is prohibited by this Article (§59-16102.A.3).
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, placed, or replaced unless it conforms to this Article and all other applicable ordinances of the City (§59-16103.A).
- If a parcel is occupied by a use or structure which does not conform to the use regulations of the applicable zoning district, no sign shall be erected on that parcel until the property is brought into compliance (§59-16103.C).
- No sign shall encroach on sight distance triangles required by the Code for traffic and pedestrian safety (§59-16103.F).
- Signs shall not obstruct any fire escape, stairway, or standpipe; be attached to or supported by a fire escape or stairway; interfere with a human exit through any emergency opening; obstruct an exterior door or required exit of any building; obstruct any legally required light or ventilation; or obstruct the pedestrian public way (§59-16103.G).
- Signs shall not occupy a required parking space (§59-16103.H).
- Supergraphics are prohibited except in the Bricktown Core Development District (BC) and Downtown Business District (DBD) and then only subject to the regulations and guidelines of the respective design districts (§59-16103.I).
- No sign or part of a sign shall move (§59-16103.J), except as specifically allowed for Electronic Message Displays under EMD operational standards.
- No sign shall emit any sound level that violates Chapter 34 of the Municipal Code (§59-16103.K).
- No strobe or high-intensity intermittent lights are permitted except where required on structures for aircraft warning lights (§59-16103.L).
- Any sign not specifically permitted by this Article is prohibited (§59-16104.A).
- Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited except as expressly allowed in §59-16113 (Signs in Right-of-Way or Public Property) (§59-16104.B).
- A-frame, sandwich, springer, and swinger signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed in the Bricktown Core Development District (BC), Downtown Business District (DBD), Stockyards City Development District (SYD), and Urban Design (UD) districts and then subject to the regulations and guidelines of those districts (§59-16104.C).
- Portable signs are declared a public nuisance and are prohibited (§59-16104.D).
- Attention-getting devices are prohibited except where specifically allowed by this Article (§59-16104.E).
- Projection image signs are prohibited outside the Bricktown Core Development (BC) and Downtown Design (DBD, DTD-1, DTD-2) districts (§59-16105.A.7.a implicitly, since they are limited to those districts).
- Flashing or intermittent lighting is prohibited on signs, other than permitted electronic message displays (§59-16105.A.4).
- EMD Level 2 and Level 3 displays are not allowed in zoning districts or sign types where Tables 59-16105.3 and 59-16107/16108/16110 indicate they are not permitted (general prohibition by matrix).
- EMD signs are prohibited within DTD-1 in the area known as the Cottage District and within 100 feet of the river in the SRODD (except certain river-crossing signs) (§59-16105.B.4.b).
- No freestanding sign shall be placed on or over a public street, public median, public alley, or other public right-of-way except as specifically permitted in §59-16113.B or other sections of the Article (§59-16113.A.1).
- The painting, scattering, posting, or spreading of any sign on any public right-of-way or public property is prohibited, including posting on any light pole or utility pole or device, except where specifically allowed by this Article (§59-16113.A.3).
- No balloon, regardless of size, shall be located in the street right-of-way, nor allowed, when tethered to a site, to drift into the street right-of-way or utility wires (§59-16109.A.4).
- Signs painted or affixed to trucks or semitrailers are prohibited unless those vehicles are parked in a defined storage area as permitted by Chapter 59 (§59-16109.D.2).
- No portable, A-frame, sandwich, swinger, or similar sign shall be mounted on a vehicle (§59-16109.D.3).
- Temporary signs in public rights-of-way are prohibited unless they comply with the permit, size, location, and timing requirements of §59-16113.B; any temporary sign without a current sticker is deemed unlawfully posted (§59-16113.B.1–3,7).
- Billboards may not use Level 2 or Level 3 electronic message displays; only Level 1 EMD is allowed (§59-16111.J).
- Billboards may not have flashing or intermittent lighting (§59-16111.I).
- No billboard may be placed on the roof or walls of a building, though they may be constructed over a roof with specified clearance (§59-16111.F.4).
- No billboard is permitted within designated Scenic Corridors, including the Downtown Scenic Highway Area (§59-16111.K.5).
- No billboard may be constructed, erected, placed, or replaced closer than the specified distances to residentially zoned property, detached single- or two-family dwellings, or HP/HL zoning districts (§59-16111.H).
- Any sign erected without a permit where a permit is required is subject to immediate removal (§59-16115.A.5).
- Snipe signs (signs illegally attached to utility poles or public signs) are prohibited by definition and enforcement provisions (§59-16116.B combined with definition of Snipe Sign).
- Any sign situated in the right-of-way of a public street (unless authorized), in a required sight triangle, unanchored, or severely damaged is declared a public nuisance and may be immediately impounded (§59-16116.B.1–2).

## Signs exempt from permit in Oklahoma City

- Indoor signs not visible from any point outside the structure are exempt from this Article, although they still require applicable building and electrical permits (§59-16102.B.1).
- Vehicle signs (signs affixed to a vehicle) are exempt from this Article except as specifically regulated in §59-16109.D (§59-16102.B.2).
- Any sign required by state or federal law is exempt from this Article (§59-16102.B.3).
- This Article does not supersede a PUD or SPUD design statement that was validly approved prior to the effective date of this Section (§59-16102.B.4).
- Signs on tablets not exceeding 20 square feet, when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material, are exempt from the wall-sign regulations (§59-16108.B.2).
- Ghost signs in the BC district may be restored or replaced within the limits of the existing sign subject to a Certificate of Approval and do not require a sign permit; they are not counted toward maximum wall sign area (§59-16108.B.6.b–c).
- Certain small wall signs, cornerstones, and tablets as described in §59-16108.B.2 are exempt from the general wall sign standards.
- Incidental signs, within the dimensional limits of Table 59-16110.1, do not require a sign permit (§59-16110.A.1).
- Temporary subdivision signs that meet the standards in Table 59-16110.2 do not require a permit (§59-16110.A.4–B and Table 59-16110.2, item 2).
- Murals do not require a sign permit unless they are mechanically attached, contain electrical components, or have three-dimensional elements (§59-16112.E.1.a).
- Murals painted directly on a wall that do not meet any of the triggers in §59-16112.E.1.a are exempt from sign permit requirements (though still subject to any design/historic review where applicable).
- Certain signs in design, zoning overlay, or historic districts may be governed by those district regulations instead of this Article where there is a conflict, effectively exempting them from conflicting provisions of the Sign Code (§59-16102.E).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign within a PUD or SPUD is subject to the requirements of this Article and any applicable approved master sign plan; a PUD or SPUD may not be used to make sign standards less restrictive (§59-16102.D.1).
- The master sign plan for a PUD or SPUD must comply with the number, area, height, and design requirements for the applicable sign district and may include modifications permitted by §59-16114 (§59-16102.D.2).
- All applicable provisions of this Article (including the sign district standards in effect when the master site plan is approved) apply to any master sign plan for a PUD or SPUD to the extent not inconsistent with the approved plan (§59-16102.D.3).
- A master sign plan is required for: (1) any development or redevelopment of at least 5 acres; (2) any PUD or SPUD; or (3) any other applicant who voluntarily elects to file one as part of a sign permit application (§59-16114.B.1.a).
- The master sign plan requirement does not apply to minor subdivisions in the Residential (R) sign districts (§59-16114.B.1.b).
- Master sign plan incentives: for non-residential or mixed-use projects with multiple individual buildings on individual lots, buildings without a street-facing wall sign may receive ground signs if included on an approved master sign plan and if the ground sign does not exceed 70% of the height and 15% of the area of the street-facing façade (§59-16114.B.2.a).
- Under a master sign plan, the maximum height of ground signs may be increased by 10%, and the maximum area of any individual ground sign may be increased by 15%; if multiple ground signs are consolidated into one, its area may be increased by up to an additional 350 square feet (§59-16114.B.2.b).
- Under a master sign plan, the maximum cumulative sign area for all ground signs in the project may be increased by 15%, with no more than an additional 50 square feet assigned to any individual sign (§59-16114.B.2.b.3).
- Under a master sign plan, the maximum cumulative sign area for wall and projecting signs may be increased by 10%, with no more than an additional 40 square feet assigned to any individual sign (§59-16114.B.2.c).
- A master sign plan must comply with all applicable requirements of the Article, integrate signs into a unified development concept, and ensure consistent mounting and coordination with building architecture (§59-16114.B.4).
- A master sign plan must be submitted as part of the sign permit application unless requested as part of a PUD/SPUD approval; even when approved with a PUD/SPUD, individual sign permits are still required for signs under the plan (§59-16114.B.5.a).
- Master sign plan submittals must include an overall sign program (design, lighting, color, materials, construction), a written statement with scaled graphics detailing size, location, and type of each sign, a site plan and elevations for freestanding signs, standards for attached signs, and signatures of all property owners subject to the plan (§59-16114.B.5.b–c).
- Where a zoning district standard references “Z” for setbacks or similar, it may be controlled by an applicable sign master plan rather than the base zoning standard (§59-16107.4 and other tables’ rules of interpretation).
- Applicants may seek a hardship variance from the Board of Adjustment or, alternatively, pursue a master sign plan to modify certain standards; Table 59-16114.14 summarizes how variances and master sign plans can be used to modify sign standards (§59-16114.C and Table 59-16114.14).

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

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