Sign Regulations in Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shawnee, Oklahoma has specific sign regulations covering 21 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Monument Sign, General Incidental Sign, Flag. Height restrictions apply. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Shawnee, Oklahoma
Sample Sign Requirements in Shawnee
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 8 ft (16 ft if adjacent to elevated roadway) | 100 sq ft (for >200 ft street frontage), 75 sq ft (151-200 ft), 75 sq ft (101-150 ft), 50 sq ft (≤100 ft) | 5 ft from front and adjacent property lines |
| Subdivision Entry Sign | 14 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| General Incidental Sign | 4 ft | 6-20 sf per sign (based on lot size) | 5 ft from front and adjacent property lines |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for ShawneePartial Coverage
Sign Types Covered
21
- Monument Sign
- General Incidental Sign
- Flag
- General Temporary Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Shawnee
Other Cities in Oklahoma
Frequently Asked Questions
In Shawnee, monument signs are limited to 8 ft (16 ft if adjacent to elevated roadway). Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Shawnee, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Shawnee, regulated sign types include Monument Sign, General Incidental Sign, Flag, General Temporary Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Shawnee, monument signs typically require a 5 ft from front and adjacent property lines setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Shawnee are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Shawnee has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Shawnee, Oklahoma Sign Rules at a Glance
Shawnee, Oklahoma regulates 21 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Local Commercial (C-1) zoning district are capped at 20 ft (40 ft if adjacent to elevated roadway) tall and 400 sf (>200 ft), 200 sf (151-200 ft), 150 sf (101-150 ft), 100 sf (51-100 ft), 50 sf (≤50 ft), with a 5 ft front/adjacent, 100 ft from ground sign setback (Sec. Sec. 22-216. Table IV.10: Monument Sign Standards (C-1)).
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Shawnee, Oklahoma
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Shawnee (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transitional Agriculture (TA) | 5 | Flagpole no taller than district max building height (35 ft in TA) | 250 sq ft | — |
| Low-Density Residential (R-1), Medium-Density Residential (R-2), High-Density Residential (R-3) | 6 | Flagpole no taller than district max building height (35 ft R-1, 40 ft R-2, 50 ft R-3) | 250 sq ft | — |
| Local Commercial (C-1) | 10 | Building height limit or less (35 ft) | 400 sf (>200 ft), 200 sf (151-200 ft), 150 sf (101-150 ft), 100 sf (51-100 ft), 50 sf (≤50 ft) | — |
| Regional Commercial (C-2), Light Industrial (I-1), Heavy Industrial (I-2), Twin Lakes (TL-Commercial) | 10 | 100 ft (I-1/I-2/max district height) | 400 sf (>200 ft), 200 sf (151-200 ft), 150 sf (101-150 ft), 100 sf (51-100 ft), 50 sf (≤50 ft) | — |
| Twin Lakes (TL-Residential) | 5 | 35 ft | 150 sf | — |
| Mixed Use (MU), Downtown (DT), Downtown (DT-C), Downtown (DT-E), Downtown (DT-T) | 14 | DT: 100 sf (area), 45-60 ft (max bldg h.) | MU: up to 150 sf; DT: up to 100 sf | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Shawnee(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
Local Commercial (C-1)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 20 ft (40 ft if adjacent to elevated roadway) | 400 sf (>200 ft), 200 sf (151-200 ft), 150 sf (101-150 ft), 100 sf (51-100 ft), 50 sf (≤50 ft) | — | 5 ft front/adjacent, 100 ft from ground sign | 1 per lot per street frontage | 5 ft from front property line, 5 ft from adjacent property lines, 100 ft from another ground sign | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.10: Monument Sign Standards (C-1) |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft (40 ft if adjacent to elevated roadway) | 400 sf (>200 ft), 200 sf (151-200 ft), 150 sf (101-150 ft), 100 sf (51-100 ft), 50 sf (≤50 ft) | — | 5 ft from front/adjacent, 100 ft from another ground sign | 1 per lot per street frontage | 5 ft from front property line, 5 ft from adjacent, 100 ft from another ground sign. Only on lots fronting I-40/US 177/US 270, and within 100 ft of right-of-way. Must be viewed from highway. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.11: Pole Sign Standards (C-1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 25-150 sf depending on storefront width (see table) | — | — | No maximum, subject to cumulative area | Affixed flush to wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.13: Wall Sign Standards (C-1) |
| Attached Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 25-150 sf depending on storefront width (see table) | — | — | 1 per storefront | Affixed to awning/canopy | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.14: Attached Awning/Canopy Sign Standards (C-1) |
| General Incidental Sign | 6 ft | 6-50 sf per sign (see lot size) | — | 5 ft from property lines | No maximum, subject to area | 5 ft from front and adjacent property lines, 10 ft from other signs | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.22: General Incidental Sign Standards (C-1) |
| Flag | Building height limit or less (35 ft) | 100 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines | No maximum, subject to area | 5 ft from property lines | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.23: Flag Standards (C-1) |
| General Temporary Sign | 8 ft | 50 sf per sign | — | 10 ft from property lines | 4 per lot | 10 ft from property lines | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.26: General Temporary Sign Standards (C-1) |
| Sidewalk Sign (Sandwich Board Sign) | 3 ft | 6 sf | 3 ft | — | 1 per storefront | On sidewalk, with minimum 5 ft clearance, not in planter beds | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.27: Sidewalk Sign Standards (C-1) |
Regional Commercial (C-2), Light Industrial (I-1), Heavy Industrial (I-2), Twin Lakes (TL-Commercial)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 20 ft (40 ft if adjacent to elevated roadway) | 400 sf (>200 ft), 200 sf (151-200 ft), 150 sf (101-150 ft), 100 sf (51-100 ft), 50 sf (≤50 ft) | — | 5 ft from property lines, 100 ft from other ground sign | 1 per lot per street frontage | 5 ft from front property line, 5 ft from adjacent, 100 ft from another ground sign | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.10: Monument Sign Standards (C-2, I-1, I-2, TL-C) |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft (40 ft if adjacent to elevated roadway) | same as Monument Sign | — | 10 ft front/adjacent (I-1/I-2); 5 ft (C-2); 100 ft from another ground sign | 1 per lot per street frontage | 10 ft from front property line (I-1/I-2); 5 ft (C-2); 100 ft from another ground sign; see specific requirements | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.11: Pole Sign Standards (C-2, I-1, I-2, TL-C) |
| Wall Sign | — | 25-150 sf depending on storefront width (see table) | — | — | No maximum, subject to cumulative area | Affixed flush to wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.13: Wall Sign Standards (C-2, I-1, I-2, TL-C) |
| Attached Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 25-150 sf depending on storefront width (see table) | — | — | 1 per storefront | Affixed to awning/canopy | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.14: Attached Awning/Canopy Sign Standards (C-2, I-1, I-2, TL-C) |
| General Incidental Sign | 6 ft | 6-50 sf per sign (see lot size) | — | 5-10 ft from property lines | No maximum, subject to area | 5-10 ft from property lines | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.22: General Incidental Sign Standards (C-2, I-1, I-2, TL-C) |
| Flag | 100 ft (I-1/I-2/max district height) | 100 sf | — | 5-10 ft from property lines | No maximum, subject to total area | 5 ft from property lines; 10 ft (DT/C-2, I-1, I-2, TL-C) | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.23: Flag Standards (C-2, I-1, I-2, TL-C) |
| General Temporary Sign | 8 ft | 50 sf per sign | — | 10 ft from property lines | 4 per lot | 10 ft from property lines | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.26: General Temporary Sign Standards (C-2, I-1, I-2, TL-C) |
| Sidewalk Sign (Sandwich Board Sign) | 3 ft | 6 sf | 3 ft | — | 1 per storefront | On sidewalk, with minimum 5 ft clearance, not in planter beds | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.27: Sidewalk Sign Standards (C-2, I-1, I-2, TL-C) |
Mixed Use (MU), Downtown (DT), Downtown (DT-C), Downtown (DT-E), Downtown (DT-T)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | MU: 12 ft (24 ft if adjacent to elevated roadway), DT: 10 ft (20 ft if adjacent to elevated roadway) | MU: up to 150 sf; DT: up to 100 sf | — | MU: 5 ft front/adjacent; DT: 10 ft front, 5 ft adjacent | 1 per lot per street frontage | 5 ft (MU), 10 ft (DT) from front property line; 5 ft from adjacent property lines; 50/100 ft from other ground signs | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.10: Monument Sign Standards (MU, DT) |
| Wall Sign | — | 25-100 sf depending on storefront width (see table) | — | — | No maximum, subject to cumulative area | Affixed flush to wall | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.13: Wall Sign Standards (MU, DT) |
| Attached Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 25-100 sf depending on storefront width | — | — | 1 per storefront | Affixed to awning/canopy | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.14: Attached Awning/Canopy Sign Standards (MU, DT) |
| Roof Sign / Skyline Sign | 10 ft above roofline | MU: 150 sf; DT: 125 sf; height: 10 ft above roof | — | — | Up to 3 per building (MU), up to 3 per building (DT); see table | On roof or above highest floor of buildings ≥35 ft | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.19, IV.20: Roof/ Skyline Sign Standards (MU, DT) |
| General Incidental Sign | 4 ft (DT); 6 ft (MU) | 20 sf per sign | — | 5-10 ft from property lines | No maximum, subject to area | 5 ft from front/adjacent property lines (MU), 10 ft (DT); 10 ft from other signs | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.22: General Incidental Sign Standards (MU, DT) |
| Flag | DT: 100 sf (area), 45-60 ft (max bldg h.) | 100 sf per lot | — | 5-10 ft from property lines | No maximum, subject to total area | 5 ft (MU)/10 ft (DT) from front property lines; 5 ft from adjacent | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.23: Flag Standards (MU, DT) |
| General Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 25 sf per sign | — | 10 ft from property lines | 2 per lot | 10 ft from property lines | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.26: General Temporary Sign Standards (MU, DT) |
| Sidewalk Sign (Sandwich Board Sign) | 3 ft | 6 sf | 3 ft | — | 1 per storefront | On sidewalk, 5 ft clearance | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-216. Table IV.27: Sidewalk Sign Standards (MU, DT) |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Shawnee — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for Shawnee — start freeProhibited Signs in Shawnee
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Moving and flashing signs, including those that flash, revolve, rotate, swing, undulate, or otherwise attract attention through movement or flashing of lights, LEDs, or other parts, or through the impression of movement or flashing are prohibited (with exceptions for noncommercial messages and signs within fully enclosed buildings not observable from the exterior).
- Signs that can be confused with or construed as traffic-control devices or that obstruct views of traffic or street signs/signals/intersections are prohibited.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles, trailers, or equipment parked so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to direct people to another property are prohibited.
- No person shall attach any sign, paper or other material to, or paint, stencil, or write anything on, or mark on any sidewalk, curb, gutter, street utility pole, tree, public building, or structure unless authorized.
- No person shall erect or allow to be erected any sign in, on, or over public rights-of-way and easements, railroad right-of-way, or designated fire lanes unless specifically exempted or permitted.
- Signs on a lot without a permanent or primary structure are prohibited, unless related to construction.
- No person shall hold, display, or wear a sign unless on private property and not in the right-of-way.
- Searchlights are prohibited.
- Signs in disrepair to the extent that the cost of repair would exceed 50 percent of the value of a similar new sign and signs in danger of falling or otherwise unsafe.
- Signs that display multidimensional projections of diffracted light are prohibited.
- Signs located on or interfering with use of public sidewalks, required off-street parking areas, or vehicle maneuvering areas unless specifically regulated.
- Any unauthorized sign on or attached to a public streetlight, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, traffic-control device, street sign, or other public structure or building, or any sign located in/on/over/within a public street, sidewalk, alley, easement, or right-of-way.
- Illuminated signs that are illuminated in a manner, to such intensity, or without shielding, as to constitute a hazard to the operation of motor vehicles or substantially interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of property.
- Signs located on private property without property owner consent.
- Signs that use a revolving beam or beacon resembling an emergency vehicle, or are located or illuminated in such a way as to obscure/interfere with official traffic signs/signals/devices, or as to prevent any traveler on any street from obtaining a clear view of approaching vehicles for at least 250 feet along the street.
- All signs not expressly allowed, exempted, or permitted under this section.
- Temporary signs may not be illuminated.
- Temporary signs may not include electronic message centers.
- No person shall erect, operate, display, or use any sign that this section prohibits, or at a time, place, or manner that this section prohibits.
Exempt Signs in Shawnee
- Signs and signals properly authorized by law; signs authorized by statute or state agency, and other traffic signals, public warnings, or legal notices required by government.
- Nonconforming signs as defined in division 7, except that each such sign must be permitted as a nonconforming sign under division 7 procedures.
- Existing billboards, provided each such sign is permitted as a nonconforming sign (under division 7 procedures).
- Signs required by governmental bodies or agencies for a public purpose by law, statute, or ordinance; this includes any signs the city commission decides by ordinance or resolution to erect.
- Signs on vehicles, trailers, or equipment that are incidental to their primary use and not left in one place for more than 72 hours without being moved, provided the vehicle, trailer, or equipment is in good mechanical repair.
- Signs erected by the city that direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
- Address numerals and other similar information required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule or regulation.
- Signs contained within a walled, fenced, or secured property or area.
- Signs that are interior facing and not visible from public right-of-way.
- Signs erected by governmental bodies or agencies serving the public, less than 32 square feet in area.
- Decorations, lights, pennants, and similar devices on public property with city permission and supervision.
- Seasonal lights and decorations customarily displayed during federally, state, local, or tribal recognized holidays.
- Burglar/security alarms and signs that are less than four square feet in area.
- Signs in plaza or public space structures located in the city's right-of-way, installed and maintained by the city or a city-authorized contractor.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Shawnee
- A sign permit is required to construct, alter, or relocate any sign within Shawnee unless otherwise specified.
- An outdoor lighting plan is required whenever outdoor lighting is to be installed, or whenever site plan review is required.
- Each application for a site plan, building permit, or certificate of occupancy shall include information as to the location and dimensions of parking and the means of ingress and egress, sufficient to determine the requirements of this UDC are met, which may include sign location for site compliance.
- A unified development sign modification may be used for any master planned development more than five acres where the plan proposes a large lot and smaller out parcels (lots) (§22-216.P). The modification allows for increased ground sign area for certain parcels per the section's standards.
- Signage is a required and regulated element on site plans and master plan approvals; all signs must comply with the UDC and with any approved site plan, conditional use, or development plan.
- All monument, pole, and subdivision entry signs require a permit, as do most permanent attached signs (see sign tables for specific requirements).
- Signage in Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) may be established as part of the PUD ordinance and must be documented as a development standard if different from the code.
- All required signage—including ground, wall, and incidental signs—must be shown on and conform to the approved site plan or development plan prior to approval.
- Changes from approved sign allocations, size, or locations in a previously approved site plan or development plan will require an amended plan or separate review/variance as required.
Source: municode municipal code