# Sign Regulations in Tulsa, Oklahoma

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tulsa, Oklahoma (OK)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oklahoma/tulsa
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OK/Tulsa/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT1AIAI_CH5AICOBUEXSIPO)

## At a glance

Tulsa, Oklahoma regulates 50 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Drive-through Sign (Primary)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 36 sq ft, with a 50 ft from residential districts setback (Sec. Section 60.030.B.2). Most commercial signs in Tulsa require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 25 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| R, AG, AG-R | 6 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Office Zoning Districts (O, OH) | 5 | O: 20 ft or height of principal building, whichever less; OH: 30 ft | O: up to 150 sq ft, OH: up to 225 sq ft | — |
| SR Zoning Districts (SR) | 6 | 30 ft | 32 sq ft (dynamic display) | — |
| Mixed-use Zoning Districts (MX), Commercial Zoning Districts (CG, CH, CBD, CO, CS), Industrial Zoning Districts (IL, IM, IH) | 11 | 50 ft (60 ft if freeway is >10 ft above grade or 20 ft above freeway centerline, whichever greater) | 672 sq ft (individual), see Table 60-3 for aggregate area | — |
| Downtown Entertainment District | 1 | May not extend more than 25 ft above point of roof attachment | 500 sq ft | — |
| Route 66 Overlay | 1 | May not extend more than 25 ft above point of roof attachment | 500 sq ft | — |
| Corridor Zoning Districts | 1 | 50 ft (60 ft if adjacent freeway is elevated >10 ft, or 20 ft above freeway centerline, whichever greater) | 672 sq ft | — |
| IMX District | 9 | 50 ft above nearest curb | 300 sq ft OR 5% of wall area (lesser) | — |
| PK (Parking) Zoning District | 1 | — | Up to 150 sq ft | — |
| MPD District | 4 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Driveway Sign (Primary Entrance/Exit) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per vehicle entrance/exit | Within 10 ft of driveway and street right-of-way | — | Section 60.030.A.1 |
| Driveway Sign (Internal Site) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Within 10 ft of an internal site driveway or drive aisle | — | Section 60.030.A.2 |
| Drive-through Sign (Primary) | 8 ft | 36 sq ft | — | 50 ft from residential districts | Up to 2 per lot | Within 10 ft of drive-through lane | — | Section 60.030.B.2 |
| Drive-through Sign (Secondary) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 50 ft from residential districts | 1 per lot | Within 10 ft of drive-through lane | — | Section 60.030.B.2 |
| Real Estate Sign (Minor Street Frontage) | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Section 60.030.E.1, Table 60-1 |
| Real Estate Sign (All Other Street Frontages, R/AG/AG-R/O/SR) | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Section 60.030.E.1, Table 60-1 |
| Real Estate Sign (All Other Street Frontages, All Other Districts) | 25 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Section 60.030.E.1, Table 60-1 |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft | 32 - 400 sq ft, see formula | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Section 60.030.E.2 |

### Mixed-use Zoning Districts (MX), Commercial Zoning Districts (CG, CH, CBD, CO, CS), Industrial Zoning Districts (IL, IM, IH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign (Minor Streets) | 20 ft or height of principal building (whichever less) | Up to 150 sq ft (see formula) | — | — | 1 per lot | Minor streets, 1 per lot | — | Section 60.080.B.2, C.3.a, D.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Minor Streets) | 20 ft or height of principal building (whichever less) | Up to 150 sq ft (see formula) | — | — | 1 per lot | Minor streets, 1 per lot | — | Section 60.080.B.3, C.3.a, D.1 |
| Projecting Sign (Major Streets, Not within Freeway Sign Corridor: Multiple Signs) | 25 ft (up to 40 ft with setback, up to 50 ft abutting freeway) | 500 sq ft (individual sign), aggregate area per sign budget | — | If over 25 ft height, set back 1 ft per extra ft above 25; if abuts freeway, up to 50 ft height allowed | See Table 60-2: CG, CH, CBD: 1/100 ft; CO, CS, MX, IL: 1/150 ft; IM, IH: 1/200 ft | Major street frontages | — | Section 60.080.B.2, C.3.b, Table 60-3, D.2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Major Streets, Not within Freeway Sign Corridor: Multiple Signs) | 25 ft (up to 40 ft with setback, up to 50 ft abutting freeway) | 500 sq ft (individual sign), aggregate area per sign budget | — | If over 25 ft height, set back 1 ft per extra ft above 25; if abuts freeway, up to 50 ft height allowed | See Table 60-2: CG, CH, CBD: 1/100 ft; CO, CS, MX, IL: 1/150 ft; IM, IH: 1/200 ft | Major street frontages | — | Section 60.080.B.3, C.3.b, Table 60-3, D.2 |
| Off-premise Outdoor Advertising Sign (Major Streets, Freeway Sign Corridor, Commercial/Industrial Only) | 50 ft (60 ft if freeway is >10 ft above grade or 20 ft above freeway centerline, whichever greater) | 672 sq ft (individual), see Table 60-3 for aggregate area | — | Generally 10 ft from freeway ROW; 1200 ft from other off-premise outdoor advertising signs (see separation criteria); 150 or 200 ft from residential depending on sign size | See Table 60-2 for per street frontage max | Major street frontage; must be oriented to freeway | — | Section 60.080.B.4, C, F, Table 60-2, Table 60-3 |
| Projecting Sign (Dynamic Display) | — | Max 48 sq ft for dynamic portion | — | — | 1 dynamic display sign per lot | One sign per lot may include a dynamic display (either wall, projecting, or freestanding) | — | Section 60.080.E |
| Freestanding Sign (Dynamic Display) | — | Max 48 sq ft for dynamic portion | — | — | 1 dynamic display sign per lot | One sign per lot may include a dynamic display (either wall, projecting, or freestanding) | — | Section 60.080.E |
| Roof Sign (Downtown Entertainment District, Route 66 Overlay) | May not extend more than 25 ft above point of roof attachment | 500 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business address | 1 per business address in Downtown Entertainment District and Route 66 Overlay | — | Section 60.080.B.5 |

### IMX District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Ground Floor) | 35 ft above nearest curb | 60 sq ft per individual sign (not projecting or ground), total all signs max 10% of street-facing façade area | — | — | Up to 3 per ground floor business establishment with street-facing façade | Directly above/adjacent to entrance or windows of subject establishment, within façade area; ground floor | — | Section 60.090.D.4, D.4.d, D.4.e(1) |
| Projecting Sign (Ground Floor) | 35 ft above nearest curb | 12 sq ft | — | — | Up to 1 projecting sign per street-facing façade | Directly above/adjacent to entrance or windows of establishment within street facing façade on ground floor | — | Section 60.090.D.4.c(4), D.4.d, D.4.e(1) |
| Wall Sign (Second/Third Floor) | 50 ft above nearest curb | 60 sq ft per individual sign (not projecting); total all signs max 10% of street-facing façade area | — | — | Up to 2 per 2nd/3rd floor business establishment with street-facing façade | Directly above/adjacent to entrance or windows of subject establishment, within façade area; 2nd/3rd floor | — | Section 60.090.D.4, D.4.d, D.4.e(2) |
| Projecting Sign (Second/Third Floor) | 50 ft above nearest curb | 12 sq ft | — | — | Up to 1 projecting sign per street-facing façade | Directly above/adjacent to entrance or windows of establishment within street facing façade on 2nd/3rd floor | — | Section 60.090.D.4.c(4), D.4.d, D.4.e(2) |
| Corner Location Sign (Additional) | — | — | — | — | One additional per business establishment on corner | One additional sign per business in ground/2nd/3rd floor, oriented to the second street. | — | Section 60.090.D.4.c(3) |
| Canopy/Marquee Sign | 35 ft for ground floor, 50 ft for upper floors | 60 sq ft | — | — | See overall sign count per business | Directly above/adjacent to entrance or windows within street-facing façade | — | Section 60.090.D.4, D.4.e(1-2) |
| Ground Sign | 5 ft | — | 18 ft length, 2 ft depth | — | 1 per building per street frontage, max 2 if fronts on 2+ streets | At street frontages; see requirements | — | Section 60.090.D.5 |
| Building Signature Sign | — | 300 sq ft OR 5% of wall area (lesser) | — | — | 1 per exterior wall | Each exterior wall, one per wall | — | Section 60.090.D.6 |

## Prohibited signs in Tulsa

- Signs for which no permit that is required under Title 51 of the Tulsa Revised Ordinances has been issued.
- Signs located in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance as provided in Title 24, Chapter 1 of the Tulsa Revised Ordinances.
- Search lights, strobe lights, rotating beacon lights, flashing lights that are visible from public right-of-way, except as otherwise expressly allowed or required by law.
- Signs located in or obstructing a required parking or loading space, or that otherwise obstruct vehicular or pedestrian access or circulation, or that pose any other hazard to motorized or nonmotorized travel.
- Signs located in or that project into the right-of-way or planned right-of-way of a public street, unless a special exception has been approved and a license or removal agreement is obtained as required.
- Signs that obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress.
- Signs that interfere with an opening required for ventilation, except where not in violation of building and fire prevention codes.
- Signs affixed directly to a tree, utility pole or traffic control device.
- Signs that obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or that may be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device.
- Sign displays with a brightness of such intensity or brilliance that they impair the vision or endanger the safety and welfare of any pedestrian, cyclist, or person operating a motor vehicle.
- Signs that violate the intersection sight distance regulations of Title 24 (§ 103.A) of the Tulsa Revised Ordinances.
- Roof signs, except as expressly allowed by Subsection 60.080B.5.
- Signs exceeding an illumination of seventy (70) foot-candles measured at a distance of two (2) feet.
- Signs attached to or painted on an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle (motorized or non-motorized) located in view of the right-of-way.
- Signs attached to or painted on a licensed motor vehicle if the sign (1) directs attention to a business, service, commodity, or activity offered or sold on the premises and (2) if the vehicle is parked closer to the street than the nearest building wall (except for vehicles parked for the purpose of immediate loading and unloading).

## Signs exempt from permit in Tulsa

- Driveway signs meeting location, size, and height limits are not counted as signs for purposes of determining the number or amount of signage on a lot.
- Drive-through signs in conjunction with drive-through uses, subject to location, number, size, height, setback, and orientation regulations.
- Nameplates in all zoning districts not exceeding two (2) square feet in area in residential districts or four (4) square feet in all other districts.
- Window signs for allowed nonresidential uses covering no more than twenty-five (25) percent of the window area.
- Real estate signs, construction signs, banners, promotional signs, campaign signs, and special event signs subject to their respective criteria and permit requirements.
- Signs erected and maintained pursuant to the discharge of governmental functions, or that are required by law, ordinance, or government regulation, or required to effectuate a legal right.
- Flags that do not contain a commercial message.
- Wall plaques and wall signs that are not illuminated and that do not exceed four (4) square feet in area.
- Signs that are not legible from any public right-of-way or from beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel.
- Signs within completely enclosed buildings, if primarily visible from inside the subject building.
- Labels and notices on equipment or structures not exceeding fifteen (15) square inches in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any person proposing to erect any sign requiring a sign permit must submit a sign permit application with detailed plans, including scaled drawings and a detailed site plan, and pay applicable fees before issuance.
- Off-premise business signs for multi-tenant developments require inclusion in a mandatory development plan (see Section 70.040). Approval is possible only when the subject development is covered by such a plan.
- Any waiver, modification, or variance to regulations on off-premise business signs or off-premise outdoor advertising signs is considered a use variance and is prohibited (see Subsection 70.130B.1).
- Signs in CO districts are subject to review as part of the development plan approval process (see Section 70.040).
- Special event signs require city council approval, and council-approved special event signs are not subject to the sign regulations of this chapter unless otherwise expressly stated at the time of approval.

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

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