Commissioners amend zoning code to allow rooftop signs in CBD and add farmers-market rules

The Tulsa County Planning Commission approved an amendment to the zoning code that (1) allows rooftop signs by right within the Central Business District (CBD) and (2) adds a defined farmers-market use and rules for where and how markets may operate.

Austin, a county planning staff member, said the rooftop-sign change responds to requests from downtown property owners and city council members; currently rooftop signs are allowed by right only inside the Downtown Entertainment (Blue Dome) District or by special exception through the Board of Adjustment. The amendment would allow static rooftop signs as part of a property’s sign budget within the CBD but would continue to prohibit dynamic or changing display screens (digital/LED billboards) on rooftop signs.

The second component adds a farmers-market definition to the zoning code, clarifies where farmers markets are allowed by right and where a special exception is still required, and permits certain accessory markets (for example, on church or park property or for apartment/condo uses) to operate on private property for up to two days per week without a special-exception approval. Austin said the change does not alter special-event or street-closure permitting; street closures for public markets or events would still require the city’s special-event process and council approval where applicable.

Resident Sally Hughes, who said she has lived in Tulsa for 65 years, spoke in opposition to allowing rooftop signs downtown, citing concern for preserving the visual integrity of historic Art Deco buildings and warning of precedent in other cities where rooftop signage later drew controversy.

Commissioners discussed the distinction between wall signage (already allowed to the parapet in many downtown buildings) and rooftop signage; staff said rooftop signs would be subject to sign-budget limitations and could not include moving or changing digital displays. The amendment also clarifies that private-property farmers markets for institutions such as parks, churches or residential complexes would not require repetitive council approvals for routine, limited markets.

Commissioner Craddock moved to approve item 7 as staff recommended; Commissioner Whitlock seconded. The commission voted in favor and the code amendment was approved.

The change allows rooftop signs (static only) within the CBD as part of a property’s sign budget and establishes a farmers-market definition and limited by-right allowances for private-property markets; street closures and large public events remain subject to special-event permitting.