# Sign Regulations in Spencer, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Spencer, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/spencer
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OK/Spencer/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=GENERAL_PROVISIONS_CH32SIAD)

## At a glance

Spencer, Oklahoma regulates 20 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Name Plate / Use Signs in the Areas properly zoned for multiple family dwellings or manufactured homes zoning district are capped at 12 feet or height of nearest building, whichever is less tall and 40 square feet (one side only for double face sign), with a Minimum 15 foot setback from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 32-20(b)). Most commercial signs in Spencer require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential area | 2 | — | 10 square feet | — |
| Areas properly zoned for multiple family dwellings or manufactured homes | 2 | 12 feet or height of nearest building, whichever is less | 40 square feet (one side only for double face sign) | — |
| Business district | 11 | 30 feet above street level or adjoining ground level if above street | 750 square feet per wall sign | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 16 square feet | — |

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

### Areas properly zoned for multiple family dwellings or manufactured homes

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate / Use Sign | 12 feet or height of nearest building, whichever is less | 40 square feet (one side only for double face sign) | — | Minimum 15 foot setback from property line | 1 per property/structure | On property/structure; not within 15 feet of any property line, not on or over a street right-of-way | — | Sec. 32-20(b) |
| Name Plate | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to main or accessory building | — | Sec. 32-20(b) and by allowance from Sec. 32-20(a) |

### Business district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 30 feet above street level or adjoining ground level if above street | 200 square feet (see also max 200 sq ft for accessory signs Sec. 32-24) | — | Must comply with building setback line, not nearer the street than property line | — | Placed upon ground, not attached to buildings; must comply with building setback line and not nearer the street than the property line | — | Sec. 32-32; Sec. 32-24 |
| Wall Sign | — | 750 square feet per wall sign | — | — | — | Attached to exterior wall (front, rear, or side); not above top or end of wall | — | Sec. 32-33 |
| Accessory Sign | — | 200 square feet | — | Setback: same as main building | 1 per business | On premises of business; may extend over sidewalk within listed constraints | — | Sec. 32-24 |
| Projecting Sign - Horizontal | — | 50 square feet per side | — | — | — | Attached to building, extending beyond face, at least 10 feet above sidewalk, not beyond property line | — | Sec. 32-35 |
| Roof Sign | 20 feet above roof level or fire wall | 750 square feet | — | — | — | On roof; face at least 5 feet from outside wall; base at least 5 feet above roof level | — | Sec. 32-34 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 100 square feet (no temp sign of combustible material can exceed 4 feet in one dimension); if over 60 sq ft must be rigid / framed | Combustible temp sign: max 4 feet in width or height per dimension | — | — | Shall not extend into or over any street, alley, sidewalk, or public thoroughfare; not over wall openings | — | Sec. 32-36 |
| Canopy | — | — | No width limitation, but must comply with codes and cannot extend beyond 2 feet inside curb line. | Cannot extend beyond property line or interfere with 25-foot sight triangle at intersection | — | Attached to building or supported by ground/sidewalk | — | Sec. 32-38 |
| Street Clock | — | — | — | Not more than 20 inches from outer edge of curb. 20 ft from intersection. | 1 per business/location | On sidewalk or exterior of building (with permission), attached per wall/projecting sign rules depending on installation | — | Sec. 32-39 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Exempt) | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On premises advertised for sale, rental, or lease | — | Sec. 32-15(1) |
| Professional Name Plate (Exempt) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On commercial, institutional building, or dwelling | — | Sec. 32-15(2), (5) |
| Bulletin Board (Exempt) | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | On premises of public, charitable, or religious institution | — | Sec. 32-15(3) |
| Architect/Contractor Sign (Exempt) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | On property under construction | — | Sec. 32-15(4) |
| Memorial/Tablet/Building Name or Date (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | Cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or incombustible materials, displayed on the building | — | Sec. 32-15(6) |
| Municipal/Traffic/Legal/Non-Advertising Temporary Sign (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | As authorized/approved by city council | — | Sec. 32-15(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Spencer

- It is unlawful to erect, alter or re-locate any sign or advertising structure without first obtaining a permit from the city clerk.
- It is unlawful to commence the erection of any sign or advertising structure without obtaining a permit; fees are tripled if work commences without a permit.
- It is unlawful for any person to maintain a sign which is dangerous to the safety, health or peace of the public.
- Every sign must display the date of erection, name of the erector, and voltage of electrical apparatus, if any, in a conspicuous place.
- Any sign not designed and constructed to withstand at least 40 pounds per square foot of wind pressure is prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, re-located, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape; no sign may be attached to a stand-pipe or fire escape.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected at street intersections so as to obstruct vision or interfere with, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign or device.
- No sign or advertising structure shall create electrical interference with airport communications, create glare or otherwise endanger aircraft operations.
- No bills, cards, notices, signs, or advertising of any kind may be posted on telephone poles, electric light poles, or official street signs.
- No sign, billboard, bulletin board, or similar device may be erected, constructed, established, maintained, or permitted in or over any street, right-of-way, alley, sidewalk, or any part thereof, except as provided by city code.
- No sign board, billboard, or bulletin board may be erected, constructed, established, maintained, or permitted in a residential area, except as specifically permitted.
- No sign, sign board, bulletin board, billboard, or advertising device shall exceed 200 square feet in size.
- It is unlawful and a nuisance to erect, construct, or permit to exist any sign or advertising device that obstructs the view of any street or alley intersection.
- All signs constructed within 5 feet of a street line must have smooth surfaces with no protruding nails, tacks, or wires (with certain exceptions for electrical devices).
- It is unlawful to maintain any sign extending over public property and illuminated by more than 30 footcandles per square foot.
- It is unlawful to display obscene, indecent, or immoral matter on any sign or advertising structure.
- It is unlawful to install any type of swinging sign.
- All temporary and permanent signs must comply with city building and zoning regulations.
- No V-shaped signs (two single face signs erected without a roof or ceiling) are permitted.
- No awning or canopy shall have advertising except name of owner and business, industry, or pursuit in a space not exceeding eight inches in height.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign on, over, or across any street, alley, or public property except as specifically authorized.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained that is unsafe, insecure, or a menace to the public.
- No person, except a licensed sign contractor, may engage in sign erection, manufacturing, altering, repairing, servicing, or removal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Spencer

- Real estate signs not exceeding eight square feet in area that advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which they are located.
- Professional name plates not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Bulletin boards not over eight square feet in area for public, charitable, or religious institutions when located on the premises.
- Signs denoting the architect, engineer, or contractor on work under construction, not exceeding sixteen square feet in area.
- Occupational signs denoting only the name and profession of an occupant in a commercial building, institutional building, or dwelling, not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger, and temporary, emergency, or non-advertising signs as may be approved by city council.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan, sign plan, or variance committee processes are described or required in this ordinance text.
- Permit application requires submission of blueprints or drawings and other data, but no reference is made to a comprehensive or master sign 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 4 zoning districts in Spencer — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Spencer+OK&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-spencer

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