Sign Regulations in Broken Arrow, OK: What Residents Actually Need to Know
If you live in Broken Arrow or are thinking about moving there, sign regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Broken Arrow has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of sign regulations, and some of them might surprise you.
Freeway-Facing Signs
Broken Arrow limits billboards near freeways to one per property with a 1,500-foot separation between billboards on the same side of a highway, and allows new ones only for government entities.
Key details: Billboards allowed: 1 per property, govt-placed only. Highway separation: 1,500 ft. between billboards. Max size/height: 750 sq. ft., 35 ft.. New private billboards: not permitted.
Violating any zoning sign standard is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 10 days in jail, with each day a separate violation (Sec. 8-1-3.C).
This is one of the stricter rules in Broken Arrow's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Digital Billboards
Broken Arrow caps digital and LED sign brightness at 300 NITs at night and 5,000 NITs by day, bans flashing or moving messages, and requires an eight-second minimum dwell time.
Key details: Night brightness cap: 300 NITs (sunset to sunrise). Day brightness cap: 5,000 NITs. Minimum dwell time: 8 seconds per message. Digital signs per business: one, wall or ground.
Exceeding the brightness cap or running a malfunctioning digital sign without its default freeze mode is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 10 days in jail per day of violation (Sec. 8-1-3.C).
Window Signs
Broken Arrow exempts painted or posted window signs from permitting only while they cover no more than 25 percent of the window's surface area, per the Zoning Ordinance's sign standards.
Key details: Exempt coverage cap: 25% of window. Over cap requires: sign permit. Permit authority: Zoning Ordinance § 6-3-3.7. Applies in: Broken Arrow city limits.
Displaying window signage without a permit once coverage exceeds 25 percent, or violating any other sign standard, is a misdemeanor under Zoning Ordinance Section 8-2-3, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or ten days jail.
Political Signs
Broken Arrow allows temporary election signs but confines them to private property, banning placement in any public right-of-way.
Key details: Where allowed: Private property only. Right-of-way: Prohibited citywide. Typical material life: Built to last 30+ days. Governing instrument: Zoning Ordinance, Ord. No. 3877 (2025).
Placing an election/political sign in the public right-of-way violates § 5-1-4's right-of-way sign ban; removal and code enforcement action can follow.
The rules around political signs in Broken Arrow lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
The Bottom Line
Broken Arrow's sign regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Broken Arrow is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Broken Arrow can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.