Sign Permit Application (.pdf)
Sign Ordinance Summary
This handout is intended to provide basic information regarding signs in the City of Shawnee. The City requires a sign permit prior to the installation of any signage, and restrictions apply. Additional information may be obtained from SMC 5.64 (the Sign Ordinance) and the Planning Department.
Monument Signs
- One monument sign per street frontage is allowed for shopping centers and freestanding buildings that are not in shopping centers.
- Monument signs may be up to 7 feet in height, and the sign face may be up to 50 square feet in area. At least 50% of the sign base must be enclosed.
- The outer edge of a monument sign may be placed on the property line. Landscaping extending a minimum of 3 feet on all sides of the sign base must be placed around monument signs, and the signs must be within a yard area, or within a curbed landscaped area in the parking lot.
- A phone number or web site address may be displayed on a monument sign, provided it is subordinate to the name of the business.
- A site plan of the entire lot is required.
- The permit fee for a monument sign is $75.
- The permit fee for a tenant panel in a shopping center monument sign is $25.
Wall Signs
- Each business is allowed one wall sign for each street frontage.
- Wall signs in shopping centers must conform to the approved unified sign scheme for the center as a whole. This may include placement of the sign within a sign band and adherence to prescribed colors.
- A wall sign may not exceed 7% of the area of the store facade on which it is placed. Signs on free-standing canopies may cover up to 10% of the canopy face. Sign copy area within a sign band may not exceed 5% of the signable area.
- A wall sign must be located flat against the wall of the building, not to extend more than 18 inches from the wall.
- Dimensioned or scaleable building elevation drawings are required.
- The permit fee for a wall sign is $75. The permit fee for a sign placed in a sign band is $25.
Window Signs
- Signs may be placed on the inside of a window provided they do not include flashing or blinking lights or cover more than 50% of the area of the window in which they are placed.
- No permit or fee is required for interior window signs.
Temporary Signs
- Permits are required for temporary signs.
- Permits may be obtained for four non-consecutive 15 day periods per calendar year.
- Temporary banners must be mounted on the building facade.
- Maximum size for temporary signs is 32 square feet.
- A grand opening sign permit may be obtained upon opening a new business, this one time permit is valid for a 30 day period.
- Hot or cold air balloons, pennants, and flags are temporary signs, and must meet certain criteria. (Such as being attached to the building)
- The permit fee for each temporary sign is $25.
- A-frame signs, freestanding signs, and any other type of portable signs are NOT allowed outside of the building. Banners and pennants are NOT allowed in the yard or on fences.
Prohibited Signs (by ordinance)
- Signs for home-based businesses
- Portable signs
- Off-site advertising (including billboards)
- Pole or pylon signs
- Signs with changeable copy (except for theater marquees and gasoline price signs)
- Signs with moving parts or flashing or moving lights
Permit fees may be doubled for signs displayed prior to receipt of a permit.
Signs must be removed within 180 days of business relocation or closure.