# Sign Regulations in Owasso, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Owasso, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/owasso
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-18
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cityofowasso.com/DocumentCenter/View/2378/Owasso-Zoning-Code-PDF?bidId=#page=137)

## At a glance

Owasso, Oklahoma regulates 44 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Pylon/Poles in the CS (Commercial Shopping), IL (Industrial Light, Research and Development) zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 100 sq ft base; up to 150 sq ft with frontage-based increase; separate provision allows 100 sq ft multi-tenant sign area, with a No encroachment into ROW; no extension beyond property line; must not obstruct traffic view; vertical clearance 8 ft over sidewalk/15 ft over drive. setback (Sec. Table 18.4 - Sign Requirements for the CS and IL Districts (Pylon/Pole)). Most commercial signs in Owasso require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AG (Agriculture), RE (Residential Estate), RS-1 (Residential Single-Family Low Density), RS-2 (Residential Single-Family Medium Density), RS-3 (Residential Single-Family High Density) | 3 | Top of sign not higher than 10 ft above ground level when affixed to a building | 100 sq ft cumulative sign area per property | — |
| RD (Residential Duplex), RNX (Residential Neighborhood Mixed), RM (Residential Multi-Family), RMH (Residential Mobile Home Park) | 3 | — | 100 sq ft cumulative sign area per property | — |
| O (Office) | 8 | 20 ft | Up to 150 sq ft under 10% rule; up to 450 sq ft with setback-based increase | — |
| CS (Commercial Shopping), IL (Industrial Light, Research and Development) | 9 | 20 ft | Up to 150 sq ft under 10% rule; up to 450 sq ft with setback-based increase | — |
| CG (Commercial General), IM (Industrial Moderate) | 9 | 20 ft | Up to 150 sq ft under 10% rule; up to 450 sq ft with setback-based increases | — |
| IH (Industrial Heavy) | 9 | 20 ft | Up to 150 sq ft under 10% rule; up to 450 sq ft with setback bonuses | — |
| US-169 Overlay District | 4 | 25 ft or less (pole signs over 25 ft prohibited) | — | — |
| Residential Districts (general) | 5 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts (general) | 3 | — | 32 sq ft (per face) | — |
| Industrial Districts (general) | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Any Zoning District (general) | 14 | — | Banners: 40 sq ft max; other non-profit signs no specific size given beyond other Code restrictions | — |
| Downtown Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 3 sq ft per linear ft of street frontage (overall site cap under USP) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### CS (Commercial Shopping), IL (Industrial Light, Research and Development)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Area Marker | — | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 25 ft from ROW; not in public right-of-way; must not obstruct traffic view. | Maximum 1 | Freestanding; must be setback at least twenty-five (25) feet from ROW; not within public right-of-way; must not obstruct view of traffic. | — | Table 18.4 - Sign Requirements for the CS and IL Districts (Area Marker) |
| Awning/Canopy | Minimum clearance: 8 ft above public sidewalk; 15 ft above public drive or alley | — | — | Vertical clearance 8 ft over sidewalk; 15 ft over drive/alley. | — | Projecting from building over public sidewalk, drive, or alley; must be suspended from building and not resting upon sidewalk. | — | Table 18.4 - Sign Requirements for the CS and IL Districts (Awnings/Canopy); 18.3.14 |
| Bulletin | — | 12 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line; not in public right-of-way; must not obstruct traffic view. | Maximum 1 | Must be setback at least ten (10) feet from the property line; not within public right-of-way. | — | Table 18.4 - Sign Requirements for the CS and IL Districts (Bulletin) |
| Business | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Maximum 1 | Attached to building. | — | Table 18.4 - Sign Requirements for the CS and IL Districts (Business); 18.3.7 |
| Pylon/Pole | 20 ft | 100 sq ft base; up to 150 sq ft with frontage-based increase; separate provision allows 100 sq ft multi-tenant sign area | — | No encroachment into ROW; no extension beyond property line; must not obstruct traffic view; vertical clearance 8 ft over sidewalk/15 ft over drive. | Maximum 1 per lot; +1 additional for eligible shopping centers | Freestanding on lot; not in public right-of-way; no portion may extend beyond property line; shall not obstruct view of traffic. Shopping centers on tracts/lots bound by two or more public streets may have one additional ground/pole/surface sign (max 50 sq ft) at secondary entrance facing different public street. | — | Table 18.4 - Sign Requirements for the CS and IL Districts (Pylon/Pole) |
| Ground/Monument | 8 ft for sign structure; separate restriction: no such sign shall exceed 36 inches above road level within sight triangle or similar constrained locations | For multi-tenant sign: 100 sq ft. Overall: up to 150 sq ft with frontage-based increases. | — | Not in sight triangle; not in public ROW; no portion beyond property line; height ≤36 in above road level where visibility standard applies. | Maximum 1 per lot; +1 additional for eligible shopping centers | Freestanding ground/monument sign on lot; not in public right-of-way; not in sight triangle; must not extend beyond property line. Shopping centers on tracts/lots bound by two or more public streets allowed one additional ground/pole/surface sign (50 sq ft max) at secondary entrance facing a different public street. | — | Table 18.4 (continued) - Sign Requirements for the CS and IL Districts (Ground/Monument) |
| Marquee | Bottom of marquee at least 8 ft above sidewalk and 15 ft above drive/alley | — | — | Vertical clearance 8 ft over sidewalk; 15 ft over drive/alley. | Maximum 1 | Suspended from building over sidewalk/drive/alley; not resting on sidewalk. | — | Table 18.4 (continued) - Sign Requirements for the CS and IL Districts (Marquee) |
| Projecting | — | 3 sq ft | — | At least 2 ft back from front edge of canopy/marquee; minimum 8 ft vertical clearance over sidewalk; may not intrude into public ROW beyond parameters set for canopy/marquee. | Maximum 1 | Permitted beneath a canopy or marquee, erected over a public sidewalk, hung at right angle from building. Sign shall not extend beyond a point within 2 ft of front edge of canopy or marquee. | — | Table 18.4 (continued) - Sign Requirements for the CS and IL Districts (Projecting) |

### CG (Commercial General), IM (Industrial Moderate)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Area Marker | — | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 25 ft from ROW; not in public right-of-way; must not obstruct traffic view. | Maximum 1 | Freestanding; at least 25 ft from ROW; not within public right-of-way; must not obstruct view of traffic. | — | Table 18.5 - Sign Requirements for the CG and IM Districts (Area Marker) |
| Awning/Canopy | Min 8 ft above sidewalk; 15 ft above drive/alley | — | — | Vertical clearance 8 ft over sidewalk; 15 ft over drive/alley. | — | Suspended from building over sidewalk/drive/alley; cannot rest on sidewalk. | — | Table 18.5 - Sign Requirements for the CG and IM Districts (Awnings/Canopy); 18.3.14 |
| Bulletin | — | 12 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line; not in public right-of-way; must not obstruct traffic view. | Maximum 1 | At least 10 ft from property line; not in public right-of-way. | — | Table 18.5 - Sign Requirements for the CG and IM Districts (Bulletin) |
| Business | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Maximum 1 | Attached to building. | — | Table 18.5 - Sign Requirements for the CG and IM Districts (Business); 18.3.7 |
| Pylon/Pole | 20 ft | 100 sq ft base; up to 150 sq ft with frontage adjustment; plus separate 100 sq ft cap for multi-tenant sign | — | No encroachment into ROW; no extension beyond property line; must not obstruct traffic view; 8 ft/15 ft vertical clearance. | Maximum 1 per lot; +1 additional for eligible shopping centers | Freestanding on lot; not in public right-of-way; no portion beyond property line; must not obstruct traffic view. Shopping centers on tracts/lots bound by two or more public streets allowed one additional ground/pole/surface sign (50 sq ft max) at secondary entrance facing different public street. | — | Table 18.5 - Sign Requirements for the CG and IM Districts (Pylon/Pole) |
| Ground/Monument | 8 ft; additional condition: may not exceed 36 inches above road level in visibility-constrained locations | Up to 100 sq ft for multi-tenant sign; overall potential up to 150 sq ft with frontage increases (by analogy to CS/IL language, though not repeated explicitly) | — | Not in sight triangle; not in ROW; no portion beyond property line; height ≤36 in above road in sight triangle context. | Maximum 1 per lot; +1 additional for eligible shopping centers | Ground/monument sign on lot; not within public right-of-way; not in sight triangle; may not extend beyond property line. Shopping centers on tracts/lots bound by two or more streets allowed one additional ground/pole/surface sign (50 sq ft max) at secondary entrance facing different public street. | — | Table 18.5 (continued) - Sign Requirements for the CG and IM Districts (Ground/Monument) |
| Marquee | Bottom at least 8 ft above sidewalk, 15 ft above drive/alley | — | — | Vertical clearance 8 ft sidewalk; 15 ft drive/alley. | Maximum 1 | Suspended from building over sidewalk/drive/alley; must not rest on sidewalk. | — | Table 18.5 (continued) - Sign Requirements for the CG and IM Districts (Marquee) |
| Projecting | — | 3 sq ft | — | At least 2 ft from front edge of canopy/marquee; min 8 ft vertical clearance above sidewalk. | Maximum 1 | Beneath canopy or marquee, over public sidewalk, hung at right angle from building; not extending beyond within 2 ft of front edge of canopy/marquee. | — | Table 18.5 (continued) - Sign Requirements for the CG and IM Districts (Projecting) |

### IH (Industrial Heavy)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Area Marker | — | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 25 ft from ROW; not in ROW; must not obstruct traffic view. | Maximum 1 | Freestanding; at least 25 ft from ROW; not in public right-of-way; must not obstruct view of traffic. | — | Table 18.6 - Sign Requirements for the IH District (Area Marker) |
| Awning/Canopy | Min 8 ft over sidewalk; 15 ft over drive/alley | — | — | Vertical clearance 8 ft sidewalk; 15 ft drive/alley. | — | Suspended from building over sidewalk/drive/alley; not resting on sidewalk. | — | Table 18.6 - Sign Requirements for the IH District (Awnings/Canopy); 18.3.14 |
| Bulletin | — | 12 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from property line; not in ROW; must not obstruct traffic view. | Maximum 1 | At least 10 ft from property line; not in ROW. | — | Table 18.6 - Sign Requirements for the IH District (Bulletin) |
| Business | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Maximum 1 | Attached to building. | — | Table 18.6 - Sign Requirements for the IH District (Business); 18.3.7 |
| Pylon/Pole | 20 ft | 100 sq ft base; up to 150 sq ft possible; multi-tenant sign cap 100 sq ft | — | Not in ROW; no portion beyond property line; not in sight triangle; height ≤36 in above road level in visibility-critical areas; 8 ft/15 ft vertical clearance. | Maximum 1 per lot; +1 additional for eligible shopping centers | Freestanding on lot; not in public ROW; not beyond property line; not in sight triangle or more than 36 in above road level where that standard applies (IH table explicitly adds this to pylon). Shopping centers on tracts/lots bound by two or more public streets: one additional ground/pole/surface sign (50 sq ft max) at secondary entrance facing different public street. | — | Table 18.6 - Sign Requirements for the IH District (Pylon/Pole) |
| Ground/Monument | 8 ft; also may not exceed 36 in above road level in visibility-constrained locations | Up to 100 sq ft for multi-tenant sign; frontage-based increases inferred similar to CS/IL & CG/IM with 150 sq ft cap (not restated but consistent). | — | Not in sight triangle; not in ROW; no portion beyond property line; height ≤36 in above road level where applicable. | Maximum 1 per lot; +1 additional for eligible shopping centers | Ground/monument sign on lot; not in public ROW; not in sight triangle; no portion beyond property line. Shopping centers on tracts/lots bound by two or more public streets allowed one additional ground/pole/surface sign (max 50 sq ft) at secondary entrance facing different street. | — | Table 18.6 (continued) - Sign Requirements for the IH District (Ground/Monument) |
| Marquee | Bottom at least 8 ft above sidewalk, 15 ft above drive/alley | 3 sq ft | — | Vertical clearance 8 ft sidewalk; 15 ft drive/alley. | Maximum 1 | Suspended from building over sidewalk/drive/alley; not resting on sidewalk. | — | Table 18.6 (continued) - Sign Requirements for the IH District (Marquee) |
| Projecting | — | — | — | At least 2 ft from front edge of canopy/marquee; min 8 ft vertical clearance above sidewalk. | Maximum 1 | Beneath canopy or marquee, erected over public sidewalk, hung at right angle from building; cannot extend beyond within 2 ft of front edge of canopy/marquee. | — | Table 18.6 (continued) - Sign Requirements for the IH District (Projecting) |

## Prohibited signs in Owasso

- No sign shall extend into, above, or be placed in or on any portion of a public street, avenue, or alley, or be painted, pasted, posted, printed, or nailed to or on any curb, sidewalk, tree, light pole in a public right-of-way, utility pole, hydrant, or bridge, or otherwise displayed within public property or public right‑of‑way lines of any street, avenue, or alley, except legal notices, identification, informational, or directional signs erected by a government agency in compliance with their regulations, or where otherwise allowed by an overlay district.
- No sign shall be constructed so as to obstruct any fire escape, fire department connection, required exit, window, or door opening intended for ingress or egress, or be placed to interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- No sign shall be constructed in a manner that interferes with any surface or underground utility structure, or with natural or artificial drainage or surface or underground water.
- No sign shall be constructed or displayed that is deemed hazardous, a danger, a traffic hazard, an impediment to rescue personnel in an emergency, or a public nuisance.
- Any sign not specifically permitted in a zoning district, including temporary signs, is prohibited in that zoning district.
- Portable, snipe, mobile, vehicular, or freestanding banner signs (unless approved elsewhere in the Code) are prohibited within city limits.
- Signs painted on any vehicle or trailer that is regularly parked on any street or private property for the purpose of displaying, demonstrating, advertising, or attracting attention are prohibited; a common business logo on a regularly used company vehicle is not a violation.
- Billboards are prohibited within city limits.
- Gooseneck reflectors and lights are prohibited on pole signs.
- Spotlights and searchlights designed to shine into the sky to draw attention to a place or business are prohibited unless specifically approved by the Community Development Director or designee.
- Digital signs not meeting the stated requirements (static images only, minimum 8‑second delay, no full video, not in residential districts, not directed toward adjacent residential districts within 500 feet) are prohibited, and no such digital sign is allowed in any residential district.
- No moving or flashing signs are permitted in any district.
- No sign is permitted that emits audible sound, vapor, smoke, odor particles, or gaseous matter.
- No placards, leaflets, handbills, or similar signs may be placed on the exterior wall or window of any building, attached to utility poles or other public property, or placed on vehicles in any district.
- No corporate or commercial flag may exceed 35 feet in height and/or 15 square feet in area, and each business entity is limited to one corporate or commercial flag.
- All works of art used as signs or containing sign elements are subject to approval by the Community Development Director or designee.
- Off‑premises advertising signs are unlawful in every zoning district.
- Roof signs are unlawful in every zoning district, except as allowed in the Downtown Overlay District, and must comply with building code where allowed.
- Street banners, pennants, ribbons, balloons, inflatables, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or similar attention‑attracting devices, illuminated or non‑illuminated, are prohibited when used to attract attention to clients, customers, or the public, except when allowed for a special event by the Community Development Director or designee.
- Feather flags or banner flags are prohibited in every zoning district.
- No person may display obscene, indecent, or immoral matter on any sign or advertising structure as determined by the Community Development Director or designee.
- No sign may use the words “stop”, “go”, “slow”, “danger”, or similar terms that could reasonably be confused with traffic signs.
- No sign may, by its color or nature, be confused with or obstruct sight of traffic signs or traffic signals, or otherwise create a hazard to the safe and efficient operation of vehicles or endanger the safety of any person.
- No sign may be located in the required sight triangle where that restriction is stated in the sign requirement tables.
- No sign or any portion of a sign, including structural components, may extend beyond the property line where that restriction is stated in the sign requirement tables.
- No sign may be constructed or located so that it obstructs the view of traffic or is within the public right‑of‑way where such language appears in the sign requirement tables.
- No marquee may display advertising matter other than goods and services offered for sale on the premises or public service messages of a community‑wide interest.
- All signs must be designed and constructed according to the City Building Code; non‑compliant construction is prohibited.
- Temporary signs that became non‑conforming at adoption of the Code must be removed within 90 days; maintaining such temporary non‑conforming signs past that deadline is prohibited.
- Permanent non‑conforming signs may not be moved, altered, or enlarged except to bring them into conformity with the Code.
- Permanent non‑conforming signs that are damaged or partially destroyed beyond 50% of replacement cost may not be replaced or reconstructed except in conformance with the Code.
- It is unlawful to construct, erect, or maintain any roof sign, off‑premises advertising sign, or other prohibited sign type listed in Section 18.4.2 in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to construct, structurally alter, rebuild, enlarge, extend, relocate, attach to, or support by a building or structure any sign without a required sign permit unless the sign is specifically exempted.
- It is unlawful to change, modify, alter, or otherwise deviate from the terms or conditions of an approved sign permit.
- All signs must be maintained in good working order; torn or tattered temporary signs and lighted signs with non‑working bulbs or fixtures are not allowed to remain in that condition and must be repaired or removed.
- All signs and their surroundings must be maintained in a clean, sanitary, inoffensive condition, free of obnoxious substances, rubbish, and weeds; failure to maintain to this standard is not allowed.
- Digital signage that causes a nuisance is subject to code enforcement and may not be maintained in such a nuisance condition.

## Signs exempt from permit in Owasso

- Signs in connection with a non‑profit, community or neighborhood center, public facility, place of worship, or educational institution are exempt from the sign permit fee (but must meet stated restrictions and obtain approval and site plan as required).
- Signs used for non‑profit, community, neighborhood, public facility, place of worship, or educational institution events that qualify under 18.3.1 are exempt from the sign permit fee for each allowed 30‑day period, subject to the listed conditions.
- Grand opening signs do not require a separate sign permit beyond what is implied in 18.3.2, provided they are displayed no more than 14 days, there is only one per business within 30 days of opening, and they comply with safety and any approvals by the Community Development Director or designee.
- Temporary signs at City or school sports fields do not require a sign permit and are not required to follow the other provisions of the sign code.
- Signs for sport user groups under contract with the City to operate youth sports leagues on City‑owned property do not require a sign permit.
- One real estate sign per lot, up to 8 square feet in residential zones or 32 square feet in commercial/industrial zones, double‑faced and advertising only the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which it is located, does not require a sign permit.
- One directional or open house sign up to 2 square feet on the property of the premises for sale, plus one open house sign at the subdivision entrance announcing address and time/date, does not require a sign permit.
- One non‑illuminated, non‑activated nameplate or occupational business sign up to 2 square feet attached flat against a building, giving only the name, address, and occupation of the tenant or owner, does not require a sign permit.
- An official flag of the United States, the State of Oklahoma, or a Native American Tribe, made of cloth or cloth‑like material and designed to be flown from a pole, does not require a sign permit (this exemption does not apply to banner‑type or decorative flag‑like signs).
- Non‑illuminated, non‑reflective memorial signs or signs bearing the building name and date of erection, up to 12 square feet and carved into, embossed on, or permanently embedded in non‑combustible materials as architectural detail, do not require a sign permit.
- Legal notices and identification, informational, or directional signs constructed by government agencies or in compliance with their regulations do not require a sign permit.
- Political signs up to 16 square feet do not require a sign permit, provided they are not placed in or on public right‑of‑way and not on private property without permission of the owner or occupant.
- Garage sale signs do not require a sign permit; up to two signs not exceeding 4 square feet each may be used, with distance and removal restrictions as stated.
- Signs attached to gasoline pumps or similar dispensing/servicing devices and required regulatory signs integral to service station operations do not require a sign permit; price signs up to 20 square feet are permitted under this exemption.
- Non‑illuminated vinyl or plastic lettering affixed to an awning or canopy that conforms to the awning/canopy sign provisions does not require a sign permit.
- Contractor signs up to 16 square feet in residential districts and 32 square feet in other districts, one per lot, placed on the lot under construction and removed within 7 days after construction is complete, do not require a sign permit.
- Window signs that are posted on windows and are not designed to be read from off the property do not require a sign permit; flashing window signs are not permitted.
- Banners attached to private, non‑utility light poles on private property (light pole banners and bracket signs) up to 8 square feet each, with a maximum of two per pole and on no more than 50% of poles, do not require a sign permit; no such signs are allowed on utility poles in the public right‑of‑way.
- Any sign deemed by the Community Development Director or designee to be of public or community‑wide interest does not require a sign permit.
- Banners or signs displaying information from the City of Owasso (including character, event, or parade banners) do not require a sign permit.
- Sandwich board (A‑frame) signs on the sidewalk immediately in front of a business in commercial districts, displayed only during business hours, not on public sidewalk or right‑of‑way and not interrupting pedestrian activity, do not require a sign permit.
- Signs that are shrink‑wrapped on personal vehicles (vehicle wrap signs) do not require a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Unified Sign Plan (USP) is an application requesting approval of a comprehensive sign permit establishing the size, location, and design of signage on property being developed as a unit, and is used to provide flexibility where sign criteria are tailored to a specific development and may vary from standard code provisions.
- All Unified Sign Plans must include the location, size, height, construction material, color, type of illumination, and orientation of all proposed signs on the subject site.
- All Unified Sign Plans must be reviewed by the Owasso Planning Commission and must conform to all conditions imposed by the Commission before any sign permit is issued based on the plan.
- Unified Sign Plans must include all signage within the perimeter of the subject site, whether or not any particular sign exceeds standard code provisions.
- Unified Sign Plans may not propose total sign area greater than 3 square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage of the subject property.
- Unified Sign Plans may not include any sign type that is otherwise prohibited by the sign code.
- National or international franchises may receive reasonable consideration for standard logos and lettering styles integral to franchise identity within a Unified Sign Plan, but only within the bounds of sound zoning practice and the general purpose and intent of the Unified Sign Plan.
- If a permit is requested for signs in different categories (for one or more businesses), the full permit cost for each category applies unless a Unified Sign Plan is submitted, implying that submission of a USP can consolidate permitting and fees.
- New multi‑tenant developments in the US‑169 Overlay District are encouraged to use the Unified Sign Permit (USP) process.
- A Unified Sign Plan functions as a master sign plan for a development: approval of the USP is a prerequisite to issuance of individual sign permits for signs covered by that plan.

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

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