North Plains City Zoning Code

SIGN STANDARDS

§ 155.405 DEFINITIONS.

For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ABANDONED SIGN. A sign that no longer correctly identifies, exhorts or advertises any person, business, lessor, owner, product or activity conducted or available on the premises where such sign is located on property that is vacant and unoccupied for a period of 180 days or more; or any sign which pertains to any occupant, business or event unrelated to the present occupant or use; or any sign in ill repair for more than 30 days, except real estate signs advertising a property for rent, lease or sale, provided that such property is, in fact, still for rent, lease or sale.

(1) A sign is no longer in use. Discontinuance of sign use may be shown by cessation of use of the premises where thesign is located; and/or

(2) A sign has been damaged, in excess of 50% of the value of the sign, and repairs and restoration are not started within 90 days of the date the sign was damaged, or are not diligently pursued, once started.

AIR BLOWN SIGN. A sign that is intended to be inflated by air or gas.

ATTENTION FLAG. A pole-supported sign made of fabric, vinyl, or other similar non-rigid material, where one side of the sign is more than three times as long as the other side. Also known as FLUTTER, FEATHER, TEARDROP, or BLADE.

AWNING. A shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building constructed of rigid or non-rigid materials on a supporting framework.

AWNING SIGN. A sign affixed or applied to the exterior facing surface or surfaces of an awning or a sign hanging from the supports of an awning; provided that, the clearance below the sign shall be at least eight feet.

BUILDING FRONTAGE, PRIMARY. The portion of a building face most closely in alignment with an adjacent right-of-way. A gasoline service station may use the overhanging canopy as a substitute for building frontage when computing the allowable sign area. The longest side of the canopy shall be used to compute the allowable sign area.

BUILDING WALL, SIDE. The wall of a building most nearly perpendicular with a street abutting the building’s lot regardless of whether such is functionally the front, rear, end or side of the building.

CANOPY. A permanent roof-like structure projecting from a building and open on at least one side for the purpose of shielding a pedestrian walkway from the elements, or a free-standing roof-like structure supported by columns intended to shield a vehicular driveway or service area from the elements.

CANOPY SIGN. A sign, affixed or applied to, a canopy or eve, at any angle relative to the adjacent wall, the lowest portion of which is at least eight feet above the underlying grade.

CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A sign that is designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations can be changed, rearranged, or altered by manual, electric, electro-mechanical, electronic or optical means without altering the face or surface of the sign.

COPY. The graphic content of a sign surface in either permanent or removable letter, pictographic, symbolic or alphabetic form.

ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN. A permanent sign providing information in both a horizontal and vertical format, as opposed to linear, sign copy, on which copy is created through use of a pattern of lights in a dot matrix configuration, which may be changed intermittently. Video signs are not included in this definition. Electronic message signs permitted under this subchapter shall comply with the following standards.

(1) The rate of change for sign copy from one message to another message shall be no more frequent than every eight seconds and the actual copy change shall be accomplished in four seconds or less. Once changed, the copy shall remain static until the next change.

(2) Displays may travel horizontally or scroll vertically onto electronic message signs but must hold in a static position after completing the travel or scroll.

(3) Electronic message signs requiring more than four seconds to change from one copy to another shall be turned off during the change interval.

(4) Sign copy shall not appear to flash, undulate or pulse, or portray explosions, fireworks, flashes of lights or blinking of chasing lights. Copy shall not appear to move toward or away from the viewer, expand or contract, bounce, rotate, spin, twist or otherwise portray graphics or animation as it moves onto, is displayed on or leaves the sign face.

(5) No electronic message sign lamp may be illuminated to a degree of brightness that is greater than necessary for adequate visibility, in no case may the brightness exceed 8,000 nits or equivalent candelas during daylight hours, or 1,000 nits or equivalent candelas between dusk and dawn. Signs found to be too bright shall be adjusted or removed as directed by the Planning Manager or their designee.

FREE-STANDING SIGN. A sign supported by two or more uprights, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground, or a sign supported by any structure primarily for the display and support of the sign.

FRONTAGE. The full length of a parcel or property that abuts a dedicated public street, highway, or a city approved vehicular public access easement on which it borders.

FRONT WALL. The wall of a structure most parallel to the frontage of the property.

GRADE. The average level of the ground measured five feet from either end of the base of the sign, parallel to the sign face. For signs mounted on buildings, the grade is the average level of the sidewalk, alley or ground below the mounted sign measured five feet from either end of the sign face.

HEIGHT. The height of a sign is the vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign to the grade of the adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is greater.

MONUMENT SIGN. A sign that has an engineered footing and a solid supporting base that is generally made of stone, masonry or concrete.

MURAL. Any piece of hand-produced artwork painted, tiled, attached or applied directly on an exterior wail, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture. The following are not considered murals:

(1) Mechanically produced or computer-generated prints or images, including, but not limited to, digitally printed vinyl;

(2) Images containing electrical or mechanical components; or

(3) Changing image fresco, mosaic, graffiti and marouflage.

NAME PLATE. A non-electric on-premises identification sign giving only the name, address and or occupation of an occupant or group of occupants.

NON-CONFORMING SIGN. A sign which was erected legally, but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations.

PAN CHANEL SIGN. A sign not contained in a sign box, but rather the lettering and sign logos act as their own sign cabinet.

POLE SIGN. A sign supported by one upright or brace and not attached or incidentally attached to any building or structure and cannot be identified as a ground mounted sign with one exception as shown, being no wider than five feet. The sign area calculation of such a sign shall include the entire structure. This essentially allows for a greater height of a sign that would otherwise be defined as a ground mounted sign.

PORTABLE SIGN. A sign that is at all times movable by hand. A portable sign includes but is not limited to: sandwich boards; yard signs; A-frame signs; and flag signs.

PROJECTING SIGN. A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from such building. Maximum projection shall be three feet and maximum thickness shall be one foot. A PROJECTING SIGN shall not project above a roof line.

ROOF LINE. Eit her the eaves of the roof or the top of the parapet, at the exterior wall. (A mansard roof is below the top of a parapet and is considered a wall for sign purposes.)

ROOF SIGN. A sign con structed or maintained wholly upon or over the roof of any building with the principal support on the roof.

SIGN. Any writing, including letter, word or numeral; pictorial presentation, emblem, including device, symbol or trademark; flag, including banner or pennant; or any other device, figure or similar thing which is a structure or any part thereof, or is attached to, painted on or in any other manner represented on a building or structure or device; and is used to announce, direct attention to or advertise; and is visible from any public right-of-way.

SIGN AREA. The entire area made available by the sign structure for the purpose of displaying the message. For painted signs, only that portion of the door, wall or structure actually devoted to the message and associated symbols and background, if any, is included in the area. The sign area as defined shall be used in determining the allowable square footage of signs. For double faced signs, only one side of the sign shall be counted in the total maximum area. Where a sign is of a three-dimensional or round or irregular solid shape, the largest cross section shall be used as though it were a flat surface to determine sign area. The address of the site on which the sign sits does not count toward the sign area.

SNIPE SIGN. A small sign of any material, including, but not limited to, paper, cardboard, wood or metal, attached to any object and having no application to the premises where located (such as, garage sale signs).

TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign not permanently affixed to a structure on a property. These signs primarily include, but are not limited to, canvas, cloth, rigid plastic or paper, vinyl banners or posters hung on a building wall or on a permanent pole such as on a free-standing sign support. Paper signs may only be used for single day events. TEMPORARY SIGNS are regulated under § 155.412 of this chapter. TEMPORARY SIGNS do not include sandwich boards and flags, which are regulated as portable signs.

UNLAWFUL SIGN. A sign that was constructed or placed without the necessary permits, approvals of the city, or violates the sign code of the city.

WALL SIGN. A sign attached essentially parallel to and extending not more than eight inches from the wall of a building with no copy on the sides or edges. This definition includes signs painted directly on the wall of a building but exempts murals.

WAYFINDING SIGN. A sign that is generally within the right-of-way and not on private property that is erected with permission of (and generally by) the jurisdiction with authority over the right-of-way. Wayfinding encompasses all of the ways in which people orient themselves in physical space and navigate from place to place.

WINDOW SIGN. A sign which is temporarily or permanently painted, sandblasted, pasted, attached, written on or displayed behind the window-glass to which such signs relate and do not extend over the window frames, bars, mullions, transoms, sills, or lintels of the window in question.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.000) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024; Ord. 496, passed 11-4-2024; Ord. 500, passed 8-4-2025)

§ 155.406 STANDARDS AND PERMITS.

(A) Except as provided in this subchapter, a person shall not erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use or maintain any sign, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of the sign standards.

(B) Except as provided in this subchapter, a person shall not erect, construct or alter a sign, or permit the same to be done, unless a sign permit has been issued by the city. A sign permit for the construction and continued use of a sign is subject to the terms and conditions stated in the permit and to this subchapter.

(D) A sign shall not be constructed on a site that contains an unlawful sign.

(E) The sign standards are not intended to, and do not, restrict speech on the basis of its content, viewpoint or message. Any classification of signs in this subchapter that permits speech by reason of the type of sign, identity of the sign user or otherwise, shall permit any type of speech on the sign. No part of this subchapter shall be construed to favor commercial speech over non-commercial speech. To the extent any provision of this subchapter is ambiguous, the term shall be interpreted to not regulate on the basis of speech content, and the interpretation resulting in the least restriction of the content of the sign message shall prevail.

(F) Sign permits are not required for wayfinding signs erected by the jurisdiction with authority over the right-of-way in which the sign is placed.

(G) Compliance with this subchapter shall be reviewed by city staff prior to issuance or renewal of any business license on a property in the city.

(H) Murals are subject to review and approval by the city’s Mural Committee. If the Mural Committee is not active, city staff will review and approve the mural based on the Mural Committee’s standards.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.005) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024; Ord. 496, passed 11-4-2024)

§ 155.407 SIGNS EXEMPT FROM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.

The following are exempt from application and permit requirements of this section, but are subject to other applicable portions of this section and this code and may require building and electrical permits:

(A) Signs that are inside a building, except window signs, or signs that do not have a primary purpose of being legible from a public street or another property. Such signs include, but are not limited to, scoreboard signs, signs on the inside of ball field fences, signs within a stadium, and signs located within the site of a special event, such as a festival or carnival.

(B) Signs required by federal, state, county, or city law on private property, except signs regulated by ORS 646.930 (motor vehicle fuel prices; requirements for display), if the sign is no more than six square feet in area. Such signs include building addresses, handicap parking signs, designation of fire lanes, public hearing notices, and directional signs.

(D) Signs lawfully erected in the public right-of-way in accordance with applicable state and local laws and regulations, including public utility signs, traffic signs and traffic control devices.

(Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)

§ 155.408 SIGNS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES.

(A) Permitted signs.

(1) Signs which meet the following regulation are allowed in the R-2.5 Zone: one sign, not over nine square feet in area, at each entrance to an apartment, townhouse or condominium development;

(2) Signs that meet the following regulations are allowed in the R-2.5, R-5 and R-7.5 Zones: one nameplate, indirectly illuminated or not illuminated, not exceeding one and one-half square feet in area for each building. This type of sign does not require a permit;

(3) Changeable copy signs for institutional uses, not exceeding 20 square feet;

(4) One monument sign not exceeding 32 square feet for an institutional use. The sign shall be setback at least ten feet from the front property line. If the use also has a changeable copy sign, it shall be incorporated into the monument sign;

(5) One monument sign at each entry to a subdivision not exceeding 32 square feet for the name of a residential subdivision. The sign shall not violate the vision clearance requirements; and

(6) Licensed care facilities on a premises may have one sign not exceeding four square feet.

(B) Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited in all residential zones:

(1) Pole signs;

(2) Roof signs; and

(3) Murals.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.010) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)

§ 155.409 SIGNS IN COMMERCIAL ZONES.

(A) Permitted signs.

(1) Signs which meet the following regulations are allowed in the C-1 Zone:

(a) One awning or canopy sign not exceeding five square feet for each building occupancy;

(b) In cases where the main entrance to a business is from the front wall of a structure, one wall sign for each business affixed to the front wall of a structure with a maximum of one square foot of area for each lineal foot of building wall;

(c) In cases where the main entrance to a business is from the front wall of a structure, one wall sign for each business affixed to the side or rear wall of a building with a maximum of one-half square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of building wall;

(d) In cases where the main entrance to a business is from a side wall of a structure, one wall sign for each business affixed to the side wall of the building with a maximum of one square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of building wall;

(e) A sign is not allowed on the side or rear wall of a building if the wall is adjacent to, or across the street from, a residential zone;

(f) Window sign; provided that, not more than 25% of a window is included in a window sign;

(g) A mural meeting the definition under § 155.405 will be allowed with no maximum size;

(h) Projecting signs meeting the definition under § 155.405. Projecting signs shall be at least eight feet over the grade adjacent to the building. Projecting signs may project one foot if at least eight feet above grade and increase one foot of projection for each one foot of elevation over eight feet to a maximum projection of three feet;

(i) One monument sign meeting the definition under § 155.405 not exceeding 32 square feet; and

(j) One changeable copy sign incorporated into the allowable square footage of wall or monument sign for the property.

(2) Signs which meet the following regulations are allowed in the C-2 Zone:

(a) One awning or canopy sign not exceeding five square feet for each building occupancy;

(c) In cases where the main entrance to a business is from the front wall of a structure, one wall sign for each business affixed to a side or rear wall of a building with a maximum of one-half square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of building wall, except as provided in division (A)(2)(e) below;

(e) For properties adjacent to Highway 26, signage on the wall facing the highway is permitted of a size up to 25% of the wall area. Any properties containing pre-existing non- conforming signage shall be subject to the wall sign provisions of divisions (A)(2)(a) through (A)(2)(d) above;

(f) No sign shall be allowed on the side or rear wall of a building if the wall is adjacent to, or across the street from a residential zone;

(g) Window sign; provided that, not more than 25% of a window’s area is included in a window sign;

(h) One monument sign not exceeding 40 square feet and a maximum height of eight feet for each driveway, except that monument signs shall not be located adjacent to, or across from residential zones;

(i) For properties with greater than 200 feet of total street frontage, one monument sign for each street frontage with a maximum area of 50 square feet for each sign. Such sign shall not be in addition to the monument sign allowed in division (A)(2)(h) above;

(j) A mural meeting the definition under § 155.405 is allowed with no maximum size;

(k) Changeable copy signs incorporated into the allowable square footage of wall or monument signs for the property are permitted; and

(l) Roof signs.

1. A sign extending vertically from the roof of any building, not including a false mansard roof or other fascia. No signage, symbols, or logos shall be placed, painted, or made part of the roof.

2. In lieu of a wall sign, one roof sign may be permitted for a building, provided that it extends vertically from the roof no more than six feet above the roof line or 45 feet in maximum height for both the building and roof sign combined. A roof sign may not exceed 40 square feet in area. The supporting members of roof signs shall appear to be free of any extra bracing, angle iron, guy wires, etc. All supports shall appear to be an architectural and integral part of the building.

(B) Uniform sign plan. A development anticipating more than one business on the premises shall submit a uniform sign plan with the land use application for design review.

(1) The following signs are prohibited in the C-1 Zone:

(a) Pole signs; and

(b) Roof signs.

(2) The following signs are prohibited in the C-2 Zone:

(a) Pole sign; and

(b) Projecting signs.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.015) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)

§ 155.410 SIGNS IN NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY ZONES.

(A) Permitted signs. Signs located in the NC Zone:

(1) Signs located in the residential or institutional portions of the NC Zone shall comply with signs allowed in residential zones, per § 155.408;

(2) Signs located in the commercial or mixed-use portions of the NC Zone shall comply with signs allowed in the C-1 Zone, per § 155.409; and

(3) Signs in institutional areas shall comply with signs allowed in the M-1 Zone, per § 155.411.

(B) Uniform sign plan. A development anticipating more than one business on the premises shall submit a uniform sign plan with the land use application for design review.

(1) Pole signs; and

(2) Roof signs.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.020) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)

§ 155.411 SIGNS IN INSTITUTIONAL AND PUBLIC USE ZONES.

The following signs are permitted:

(A) One wall sign not exceeding 32 square feet shall be permitted on a maximum of two building elevations. Wall signs must be attached flat against the building face;

(B) One monument or free-standing sign per street frontage not exceeding 40 square feet and a maximum height of eight feet. The sign shall not violate the vision clearance requirements; and

(Prior Code, § 16.080.025) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024; Ord. 496, passed 11-4-2024; Ord. 500, passed 8-4-2025)

§ 155.412 SIGNS IN INDUSTRIAL ZONES.

(A) Permitted signs.

(1) Signs that meet the following regulations are allowed in the M-1 Zone:

(a) For each permitted or conditional use in an industrial zone, the maximum permitted sign area on a building shall not exceed 10% of the area of the building facade or tenant facade on which the sign is placed. Provided, however, in no case shall the maximum permitted signage exceed 150 square feet and in no case shall more than two wall signs be permitted per use;

(b) A sign is not allowed on the side or rear wall of a building if the wall is adjacent to, or across the street from a residential zone;

(c) One monument sign not exceeding 40 square feet and a maximum height of eight feet for each driveway, except that the monument sign is not allowed adjacent to, or across from a residential zone;

(d) In lieu of a monument sign as permitted in division (A)(1)(c) above, an industrial property may have one pole or free-standing sign subject to the following requirements: Pole/free-standing signs may not exceed 25 feet in height. Such signs may contain one square foot of sign area for each two lineal feet of street frontage, not to exceed a maximum area of 150 square feet (lineal feet x 0.5) = max sq. ft. The square footage for a double-sided sign will be measured for one side only;

(e) A mural meeting the definition under § 155.405 of this chapter is allowed with no maximum size; and

(f) Roof signs.

1. A sign extending vertically from the roof of any building, not including a false mansard roof or other fascia. No signage, symbols, or logos shall be placed, painted, or made part of the roof.

2. In lieu of a wall sign, one roof sign may be permitted for a building, provided that it extends vertically from the roof no more than six feet above the roof line or 80 feet in maximum height for both the building and roof sign combined. A roof sign may not exceed 40 square feet in area. The supporting members of roof signs shall appear to be free of any extra bracing, angle iron, guy wires, etc. All supports shall appear to be an architectural and integral part of the building.

(2) Signs complying with the following regulations are allowed in the M-2 Zone:

(b) A sign is not allowed on the side or rear wall of a building if the wall is adjacent to, or across the street from a residential zone;

(c) One monument sign not exceeding 40 square feet and a maximum height of eight feet for each driveway, except that the monument sign shall not be located adjacent to, or across from residential zones;

(d) In lieu of a monument sign as permitted in division (A)(2)(c) above, an industrial property may have one pole or freestanding sign subject to the following requirements: Pole/free--standing signs may not exceed 25 feet in height. Such signs may contain one square foot of sign area for each two lineal feet of street frontage, not to exceed a maximum area of 150 square feet (lineal feet x 0.5) = max sq. ft. The square footage for a double-sided sign will be measured for one side only;

(e) A mural meeting the definition under § 155.405 is allowed with no maximum size; and

(f) Roof signs.

1. A sign extending vertically from the roof of any building, not including a false mansard roof or other fascia. No signage, symbols, or logos shall be placed, painted, or made part of the roof.

(B) Uniform sign plan. A development anticipating more than one business on the premises shall submit a uniform sign plan with the land use application for design review.

(1) Signs prohibited in the M-1 Zone:

(a) Projecting signs; and

(b) Changeable copy sign, except gasoline price signs.

(2) Signs prohibited in the M-2 Zone:

(a) Projecting signs; and

(b) Changeable copy sign, except gasoline price signs.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.030) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)

§ 155.413 TEMPORARY SIGNS.

(A) General temporary sign provisions. Temporary signs may be erected and maintained only in compliance with the following provisions. They shall:

(1) Contain no moving parts within the sign face and shall not be lighted;

(2) Be affixed to a permanent structure or be free-standing and adequately anchored into the ground; and

(3) Be placed no higher than the building’s eave, top of wall or parapet.

(B) Permitted temporary signage. Temporary signage shall be allowed for each property as follows:

(1) All zones:

(a) Signs not exceeding six square feet in area during the period from six weeks prior to the current election cycle or the time the election is called, whichever is earlier, to five days after the election. No permit shall be required for such signs; and

(b) One temporary sign per frontage, not exceeding six square feet in area, during the time of construction, landscaping or remodeling of the property; provided that, the sign is removed within 30 days of the completion of any construction, landscaping or remodeling.

(2) Residential (R-7.5, R-5, R-2.5 and residential portions of the NC) zones (no permit shall be required for such signs):

(a) One temporary sign per frontage, not exceeding four square feet in area, per side, which is erected for a maximum of four consecutive days. A total of eight days in any calendar year is permitted. Such signs are typically used for garage sales;

(b) Two temporary signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area allowed per subdivision during the build-out of the residences in the subdivision. These types of signs are typically used for subdivision and model home identification;

(c) One temporary sign per frontage, not exceeding six square feet in area per side, during the time of sale, lease or rental of the lot or structure; provided that, the sign is removed within 30 days of the sale, lease or rental of the lot or structure; and

(d) Homeowner association or neighborhood meeting and/or announcements not exceeding four square feet.

(3) Commercial (C-1 and C-2), industrial (M-1 and M-2) and the commercial or industrial portions of the NC Zone:

(a) Up to two temporary signs not exceeding 100 square feet (such as banner signs) shall be erected for no more than 30 consecutive days and for no more than 60 total days per calendar year; and

(b) One temporary sign per frontage, not exceeding 32 square feet in area per side, during the time of sale, lease or rental of the lot or structure, provided that the sign is removed within 30 days of the sale, lease or rental of the lot or structure.

(4) Institutional (IPU) Zone:

(a) Up to two temporary signs not exceeding 100 square feet each (such as banner signs) shall be erected for no more than 90 days per calendar year; and

(b) One temporary sign per frontage, not exceeding 32 square feet in area per side, during the time of sale, lease or rental of the lot or structure; provided that, the sign is removed within 30 days of the sale, lease or rental of the lot or structure.

(C) Signs not requiring permit. Temporary signs up to a maximum of six square feet in area posted on Friday after 6:00 a.m. through Sunday at 6:00 p.m., and all day on Tuesday, do not require a permit (such as signage typically utilized to identify weekend events, sales, real estate open houses and the like).

(Prior Code, § 16.080.035) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)

§ 155.414 PORTABLE SIGNS.

Portable signs may be erected and maintained only in compliance with the following provisions.

(A) Portable signs shall be permitted in commercial (C-1 and C-2), industrial (M-1 and M-2) and institutional (IPU) zones and the non-residential portions of the Neighborhood Community (NC) Zones.

(B) Portable signs shall be professionally prepared, contain no moving parts within the sign face and shall not be lighted.

(C) Each property shall be permitted one portable sign for every 100 feet of frontage on a public right-of-way, not exceeding 12 square feet in area per sign face. A minimum 100-foot spacing between portable signs on the same property is required. Portable signs shall be located in one of three places:

(1) On the same private property as the business or institution to which the sign pertains;

(2) In the right-of-way directly adjacent to the property on which the business sits; provided, the right-of-way is under city jurisdiction and the property is zoned to permit portable signs; and

(3) On another private property within the city with permission of the property owner and within a zone that permits portable signs.

(D) Portable signs shall not be located within 20 feet of a property corner adjacent to two rights-of-way.

(E) Portable signs shall be removed at the close of the business day.

(F) Portable signs shall not block or impede ADA and pedestrian access on public or private walkways or sidewalks.

(G) An annual sticker permit is required from the city for each portable sign. Generally, this will be issued at time of business license renewal.

(H) The portable sign provisions do not apply to signage attached to the building wall or within the window of a business.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.040) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)

§ 155.415 ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL ZONES.

(A) Lighting exterior to the structures shall be shielded in such a manner as to confine emitted light within the boundary of the property from which it originated except lighting installed to illuminate the American Flag or Oregon State Flag may project into the air to properly illuminate the flag, however, such lighting shall not project onto adjacent property or into a public right-of-way.

(B) When a sign is removed or replaced, all brackets, poles and other structural elements that supported the sign and are not being used for the new sign shall also be removed. Affected building surfaces shall be restored to match the adjacent portion of the structure.

(C) (1) Signs and supporting hardware, including temporary signs and time/temperature signs shall be structurally safe, clean, free of visible defects and functioning properly at all times.

(2) Repairs to signs shall be equal to or better in quality of materials and design than the original sign.

(D) All signs shall be maintained at all times in a state of good repair, and no person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by him or her, any sign which is in a sagging, leaning, fallen, decayed, deteriorated or otherwise dilapidated or in an unsafe condition.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.045) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)

§ 155.416 ABANDONED SIGNS ENFORCEMENT.

(A) Abandoned SIGN as defined above in § 155.405.

(B) Determination of abandonment. When the Planning Manager finds, upon investigation, that a sign has been abandoned as defined in § 155.405, the Planning Manager shall follow the enforcement process in accordance with division (C) below.

(C) Right to remove. Upon receiving written notice from the Planning Manager of the abandoned sign, the property owner shall remove the abandoned sign within 60 days. If the abandoned sign is not removed as ordered, the abandoned sign may be removed by the municipality at the expense of the owner of the property upon which the sign is located. If the municipality is not reimbursed for the cost of removal within 30 days of such removal, the amount thereof shall be certified to the City Recorder for lien assessment against the property upon which such sign is located.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.050) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)

§ 155.417 NON-CONFORMING SIGNS.

(A) Non-conforming signs may continue to exist, subject to the following provisions.

(1) Any sign that was approved under previous regulations, or for which a variance was granted, shall either be removed or brought into compliance with this subchapter as a condition of approval of design review on the appurtenant property.

(2) Temporary and portable signs that are not in conformance with the provisions of this subchapter shall be regarded as non-conforming and shall be removed within 90 days of the effective date of this subchapter.

(3) No additions or enlargements may be made to a non-conforming sign, except those additions or enlargements that are required by law.

(4) A sign that is moved, replaced or structurally altered shall be brought into conformance with this section; except that:

(a) Non-conforming signs may be repaired and maintained and may have the sign copy changed. A sign may be removed from its sign structure for repair or maintenance if a permit is obtained under this section;

(b) Non-conforming signs may be structurally altered when the alteration is necessary for structural safety; and

(c) Non-conforming signs may be reconstructed if required to be moved for construction or repair of public works or public utilities and the sign reconstruction is completed within 90 days after the completion of the public works or public utility construction or repair.

(5) A non-conforming sign that is damaged shall not be repaired if the estimated expense to repair the sign exceeds 50% of the replacement cost of the sign as of the day before the sign was damaged. A damaged non-conforming sign that cannot be repaired shall be removed within 90 days of the date the sign was damaged. As used herein, NON-CONFORMING SIGN includes the sign structure, foundation and supports.

(6) Whenever a non-conforming sign is damaged and the estimated cost to repair the sign is 50% or less of its replacement value as of the day before the sign was damaged, it may be repaired and restored to the condition it was in before it was damaged and may continue to be used as a non-conforming sign; provided that, such repairs and restoration are started within 90 days of the date the sign was damaged and are diligently pursued thereafter.

(7) Whenever repair and/or restoration to a damaged non-conforming sign is not started within 90 days of the date the sign is damaged or is diligently pursued once started, the sign shall be deemed abandoned and shall be removed by the property owner.

(8) Abandoned signs shall not be permitted as non-conforming signs.

(9) No non-conforming sign shall be permitted to remain unless properly repaired and maintained as provided in this section. A sign maintained in violation of this provision shall be removed as provided in division (A)(1) above. Any non-conforming sign that is determined by the building official to be an unsafe sign shall be removed as provided by division (A)(5) above. Any non-conforming sign determined by the City Manager to be an abandoned sign shall be removed as provided in division (A)(7) above.

(B) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the maintenance of any sign or regular manual changes of sign copy on a sign.

(C) This section shall not require the removal or modification of a sign if the sign is in good condition and located on a historically significant structure or object as recognized in the Comprehensive Plan.

(D) Any non-conforming signs located at tax lots 1N312AB00400, 1N301DC06300 or 1N3120000200, that were approved under previous regulations, or for which a variance was granted, and which was installed prior to 4-1-2013 will be permitted until such time that all or a portion of the sign is removed or in poor repair, for any reason, including acts of God. Highway signs cannot be altered in physical dimensions.

(Prior Code, § 16.080.055) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019; Ord. 494, passed 5-20-2024)