Sign Regulations in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater, Oklahoma has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Monument Sign, Electronic Message Center Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Stillwater, Oklahoma
Sample Sign Requirements in Stillwater
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Sign | — | 21 square feet | — |
| Subdivision Sign | — | 40 square feet | — |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | — | 40% of total sign area (for electronic portion) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for StillwaterFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
24
- Wall Sign
- Monument Sign
- Electronic Message Center Sign
- Pole Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
10
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Stillwater
Other Cities in Oklahoma
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Stillwater vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Stillwater, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Stillwater, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Monument Sign, Electronic Message Center Sign, Pole Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Stillwater vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Stillwater are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Stillwater has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Stillwater, Oklahoma Sign Rules at a Glance
Stillwater, Oklahoma regulates 24 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Nameplate Signs in the RSL Large Lot Single-Family Residential District, RSS Small Lot Single-Family Residential District, RT Two-Family Residential District zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 2 square feet, with a 10 feet from all property lines setback (Sec. Sec. 23-195(a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), (d), (f)). Most commercial signs in Stillwater require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Stillwater, Oklahoma
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Stillwater (10 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 40 square feet | — |
| RSL Large Lot Single-Family Residential District, RSS Small Lot Single-Family Residential District, RT Two-Family Residential District | 8 | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| RM Multifamily Residential District (RM) | 11 | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| O Office District (O) | 5 | 25 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| CS Commercial Shopping District (CS) | 7 | 30 feet | 220 square feet | — |
| CB Commercial Business District (CB) | 6 | — | 200 square feet | — |
| CG Commercial General District (CG) | 6 | 35 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| IL Light Industrial District (IL), IG General Industrial District (IG) | 4 | 35 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| A Agriculture District (A), P Public District (P) | 4 | 50 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| U District (U) | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Stillwater(sample of 3 of 10 zones)
RSL Large Lot Single-Family Residential District, RSS Small Lot Single-Family Residential District, RT Two-Family Residential District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nameplate Sign | 10 feet | 2 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-195(a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), (d), (f) |
| Building Sign | 10 feet | 3 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-195(a)(2), (b)(1), (c)(2), (d), (f) |
| Real Estate Sign | 10 feet | 6 square feet per face | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per firm | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-195(a)(3), (b)(2), (c)(3), (d), (f) |
| Construction Sign | 10 feet | 6 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per firm | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-195(a)(4), (b)(2), (c)(4), (d), (f) |
| Bulletin Board Sign for Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions | 10 feet | — | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-195(a)(5), (b)(1), (d), (f) |
| Home Occupation Sign | 10 feet | 2 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-195(a)(6), (b)(3), (c)(5), (d), (f) |
| Subdivision Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per entrance | Entrance of subdivision | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-195(a)(7), (b)(4), (c)(6), (d), (f) |
| Development Sign | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per development | Within development/development boundary/final plat | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-195(a)(8), (b)(5), (c)(7), (d), (f) |
RM Multifamily Residential District (RM)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nameplate Sign | 10 feet | 2 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-196(a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), (d), (f) |
| Building Sign | 10 feet | 3 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-196(a)(2), (b)(1), (c)(2), (d), (f) |
| Real Estate Sign | 10 feet | 6 square feet per face | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per firm | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-196(a)(3), (b)(4), (c)(5), (d), (f) |
| Construction Sign | 10 feet | 6 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per firm | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-196(a)(4), (b)(4), (c)(6), (d), (f) |
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | 48 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per parcel or per frontage for corners | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-196(a)(6), (b)(2)(3), (c)(4), (d), (f) |
| Wall Sign | 10 feet | 25 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-196(a)(7), (b)(2), (c)(3), (d), (f) |
| Subdivision Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per entrance | At subdivision entrance | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-196(a)(10), (d) |
| Development Sign | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — | 10 feet from all property lines | 1 per development | Within development/development boundary/final plat | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-196(c)(9), (d) |
CS Commercial Shopping District (CS)
| 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 | 30 feet | 220 square feet | — | 10 feet | 1 per parcel per street frontage | One per parcel per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-198(c)(1), (d)(1), (e), (g) |
| Pole Sign | 30 feet | 200 square feet | — | 10 feet | 1 per parcel per street frontage | One per parcel per street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-198(c)(1), (d)(1), (e), (g) |
| Wall Sign | 30 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 per side or per business | One per side of structure. If multiple businesses share wall, one per business. | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-198(c)(2)a, (d)(1), (e), (g) |
| Wall Sign (Rear Wall) | 30 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | — | Rear wall facing public right-of-way | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-198(d)(2), (e), (g) |
| Gasoline Island Canopy Sign - Canopy Fascia | Below canopy | — | — | — | Maximum 2 per canopy fascia | On canopy fascia | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-198(c)(3)a, (d)(3)a |
| Gasoline Island Canopy Sign - Spanner Boards/Sign Boards | Below canopy | 50 square feet (total per canopy, double-faced) | — | — | — | On or between canopy support poles below canopy | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-198(c)(3)b, (d)(3)b |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | 30 feet | — | — | 10 feet | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 23-198(b), (e), (g); 23-186(m) |
PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in Stillwater — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 10 zones for Stillwater — start freeProhibited Signs in Stillwater
- No sign shall block any required driveway.
- No sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole whether on public or private property.
- No sign shall be maintained at any location where by reason of its position, size, shape, lighting, or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any traffic control signs, signal or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- No temporary ground sign shall be located or placed within the boundaries of any state-owned right-of-way.
- No temporary ground sign shall be located or placed on any city-owned property.
- No temporary ground sign shall be located or placed within the boundaries of any city-owned right-of-way, unless the temporary sign is placed by the owner of the property underlying such right-of-way and provided said sign is not prohibited by any other provision of this Code or constitutes a traffic hazard. The foregoing exception shall not authorize the placement of a temporary sign on such city-owned right-of-way without the permission of the property owner.
- No person shall erect or maintain, on any premises, any sign in violation of the provisions of this article.
- Signs must be constructed in accordance with applicable building and electrical codes.
- Signs shall be shaded wherever necessary to avoid casting bright light upon property located in any residential district or park.
- Nuisance signs (those that constitute a traffic or safety hazard or are temporary ground signs located or placed in violation of sign placement rules) are public nuisances and may be removed by the city without notice.
- No sign shall project over a public right-of-way.
- No sign permit shall be issued unless the sign complies with the regulations of this article.
Exempt Signs in Stillwater
- Official flags or emblems of a governmental entity permanently displayed on city-owned property or a political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization, permanently displayed on other publicly controlled or private property.
- Traffic signs or similar regulatory devices, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings, and other instructional or regulatory signs having to do with health, safety, hazard, or parking.
- Memorial signs and tablets displayed on private property.
- Address numerals and other signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation, provided that the content and size of the signs do not exceed the requirements of such law, order, rule or regulation.
- Small permanent signs, not exceeding five square feet each in area, displayed on private property for the convenience of the public, limited to signs to identify entrance and exit drives, parking areas, one-way drives, restrooms, freight entrances, accepted credit cards, self-serve pumps, automatic teller machines, teller or drive-up windows, and similar informational signs, provided no more than 30 percent of the surface area is devoted to a business name or logo, and provided it is located in a manner so as not to cause a traffic hazard.
- Scoreboards and signs in athletic stadiums/ballfields.
- Political or campaign signs, unless such sign is constructed as a temporary ground sign as defined in section 23-185.
- Holiday lights, signs and decorations, provided such are on display on a temporary basis during the appropriate season.
- All signs located in the U district, not located on a public right-of-way.
- Exterior menu signs for drive-through and drive-in restaurants.
- Changing of the advertising copy or message on an existing approved changeable copy sign, electronic graphic display sign, electronic changeable copy sign or directory sign: changing the face of an existing approved permanent sign, provided there are no alterations to the structure or gross surface area of the sign; painting, repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance; repair of a sign, provided there are no alterations to the structure or gross surface area of the sign.
- A sign located on the interior of a building, provided it is not visible from a public or private street.
- Nameplate signs not exceeding two square feet in gross surface area accessory to a single-family or two-family dwelling.
- Building signs not exceeding three square feet in gross surface area and are permanently attached to the building.
- Real estate or construction signs in all districts, provided the signs are located outside of the boundaries of any public right-of-way on the lot or parcel that is being offered for lease or sale or that is being built upon. No more than one sign per seller shall be allowed. Such signs shall be removed upon the lease or sale of the property, or the completion of construction, whichever is applicable.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Stillwater
- There is no mention of a sign master plan requirement, required sign plan, or required variance meeting for signs in the provided ordinance text.
- Permit requirements for signs are set forth in Sec. 23-203; a permit is required before most signs (except those specifically exempted) can be erected, altered, or expanded.
- Certain sign types (e.g., electronic message center signs in the O zoning district or in CS, CB, CG districts adjacent to residential) require a specific use permit rather than a general permit, but there is no reference to a master sign plan or sign plan submittal for multi-tenant or commercial centers.
Source: municode municipal code