Every sign erected, altered or relocated within the City of Waldport shall conform to the provisions of this Chapter. It does not regulate traffic and street signs erected and maintained by a road authority as defined in ORS 801.445, trespass signs posted in accordance with ORS 164.245 to 164.270, holiday decorations, temporary interior window signs, or the display of the national or state flag.

“A-Frame sign” means a freestanding sign which is ordinarily in the shape of an "A" or some variation thereof, which is readily moveable, and is not permanently attached to the ground or any structure.

“Banner sign” means a ground-mounted or building-mounted banner, pennant, flag or similar type of sign on fabric or similar material.

“Building sign” means a wall, projecting/hanging, window or roof sign.

"Freestanding sign" means a sign which is supported by a separate independent structure and is not attached to or supported by any other building or structure.

“Monument sign” means a ground-mounted sign supported from grade with a solid base that is at least 75% of the width of the sign. A monument sign can also be supported with multiple architectural-designed posts. Single posts are prohibited.

"Nonconforming sign" means a sign which was erected legally but which does not comply with currently applicable sign restrictions and regulations.

“Off-premises sign” means any sign used for the purpose of displaying, advertising, identifying or directing attention to a business, service, activity or place, including products offered for sale or sold on premises other than on the premises where such sign is displayed.

"Projecting sign" means a sign which is attached to the wall, overhang or awning of a building and which projects more than twelve (12) inches beyond the wall, overhang or awning of the building.

"Sign" means an identification, description, illustration, or device which is affixed to or represented, directly or indirectly, upon a building, structure or land, and which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution or business.

"Temporary sign" means any sign which is not permanently installed to or affixed to any sign structure or building, and is accessory to an event, election, government or institutional sponsored activity, lease, rental or sale of limited, fixed duration. A temporary sign does not include an A-Frame sign as identified above.

"Size" means the aggregate area of all sign display surfaces located on a single structure, but excluding posts and base that are without attached identification, description or illustration. Two surfaces parallel and back to back on the same structure, e.g. a projecting sign or 2-sided monument sign, shall be considered a single display surface.

"Wall sign" means a sign attached to or painted on a wall of a building with a display surface which projects no more than twelve (12) inches from the surface of the wall and not higher than the lowest roof edge above the building wall to which it is attached.

1. Except as herein provided, no sign shall be erected, replaced, altered or relocated without the business owner first obtaining a sign permit and the property owner (if different) granting permission for a sign permit, demonstrating that the sign is or will be in compliance with all provisions of this Chapter. A-Frame signs and Banner signs, as defined above, are exempt from sign permits.
2. Permits are issued for specific property only. Permits may transfer with ownership provided the signage is not altered or moved except to bring it into compliance with this section.
3. Fees for sign permits shall be established by resolution of the city council, and shall be paid prior to the sign being placed or altered.
4. Signs conforming to the current code that are damaged by acts of nature, vandalism or accident shall not be assessed a new sign permit fee when repaired to the pre-damaged condition. The owner of free-standing signs shall be required to obtain a building permit prior to repair.
5. A building permit shall be required for all free-standing signs as provided for in the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, which shall be issued prior to sign placement, construction, or alteration.

1. In the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones: one (1) accessory sign shall be allowed and shall be limited to the following sizes and restrictions:
   1. Only wall signs are allowed in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones.
   2. A sign not exceeding two (2) square feet in size accessory to a single-family dwelling or a home occupation, or six (6) square feet for a bed and breakfast inn.
   3. A sign not exceeding twenty-four (24) square feet in size accessory to any other permitted or conditional use in the zone.
   4. No moving or flashing signs, lit signs, roof signs, A-Frame signs, or banner signs shall be allowed in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones.
   5. No sign shall be placed within ten (10) feet of any government-installed sign within a street right-of-way (stop signs, traffic control sign, etc.)
2. In the R-4, D-D, C-1, C-2, M-P, I-P and P-F zones:
   1. General sign requirements:
      1. No sign shall be placed within ten (10) feet of any government-installed sign within a street right-of-way (stop signs, traffic control signs, etc.)
      2. External light illuminating from a sign shall be directed away from a residential use or zone and shall not be located so as to distract motorists.
      3. No sign shall be of such intensity or brilliance as to impair the vision of a motor vehicle driver or interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
      4. Where it can be demonstrated that directional signs are needed for directing or controlling vehicular access, or where such signs are required as a condition of approval for public safety, such signs may be permitted in addition to any other signs permitted by this section. Such signs shall be placed at each motor vehicle entrance or exit, shall not exceed nine (9) square feet in size and six (6) feet in height, and shall not restrict required sight distances or pedestrian and vehicular flow.
   2. Sign types:
      1. Building Signs. A maximum 20% of a building façade is allowed to have signs. A building façade is an exterior side of a building excluding the roof.
         1. Wall signs.
         2. Projecting signs. Projecting signs may extend over a sidewalk within the public right-of-way with a minimum clearance of 7.5 feet from the ground so as to not affect pedestrian traffic. Placement of projecting signs on Hwy 101 and Hwy 34 sidewalks are subject to agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation.
         3. Window signs.
         4. Roof signs. Roof signs shall not exceed 16 feet in height above the adjacent street grade or up to the peak of the roof, whichever is less restrictive. Roof signs painted directly on the roof surface, or on a surface attached flush to the roof surface, are prohibited.
      2. Permanent free-standing signs.
         1. No more than one free-standing sign is permitted per street frontage per property.
         2. Single pole signs are prohibited.
         3. Monument signs shall have a maximum 8 foot height, maximum 10 foot width, and maximum 50 square feet.
         4. Electrical service to free-standing signs shall be underground.
      3. A-Frame signs.
         1. No more than one A-Frame sign is permitted per business.
         2. A-Frame signs may be placed on private property.
         3. A-Frame signs may be placed within the right-of-way on a sidewalk, however a minimum four (4) feet of lateral clearance shall be maintained on a sidewalk. A-Frame signs may not impede pedestrian access or opening of vehicle doors. Placement of A-Frame signs on Hwy 101 and Hwy 34 sidewalks are subject to agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation.
         4. A-Frame signs shall be a maximum of eight (8) square feet with maximum dimensions of two (2) feet wide by four (4) feet tall.
         5. A-Frame signs shall be secured by means of attaching an interior weight so as not to be movable (pushed, pulled, blown, etc.)
         6. No objects shall be attached to A-Frame signs, e.g. balloons, banners, etc.
         7. A-Frame signs are only permitted during business hours and should be removed during periods of high winds.
      4. Banner signs.
         1. One banner sign is allowed per business.
         2. Banner signs shall not exceed 20 square feet.
         3. Ground-mounted banner signs may be placed on private property and not be mounted in or extend into public right-of-way. Banners attached to a building may extend over a sidewalk within the public right-of-way with a minimum clearance of 7.5 feet from the ground so as to not impede pedestrian access.
         4. No banner, other than the American flag, shall be placed in the flagpole holes along Hwy 101 or Hwy 34, and no banners shall be placed in the planters.
      5. Digital signs.
         1. One digital sign is allowed per business or institution. In addition, one digital ‘open’ sign is allowed per business.
         2. Digital signs may not be externally or internally illuminated by a flashing light or a light that varies in intensity.
         3. Digital signs must be equipped with a light sensor that automatically adjusts the intensity of the sign according to the amount of ambient light.
         4. Digital signs must be designed to either freeze the display in one static position, display a full black screen or turn off in the event of a malfunction.
         5. The change from one message to another message may not be more frequent than once every fifteen (15) seconds and the actual change process must be accomplished in two seconds or less.
         6. If attached to a building or displayed inside a building so as to be visible from outside, the digital sign shall be considered to be a building sign and included in the maximum 20% of a building façade that is allowed to have signs.
3. In the M-W zone, only signs in conjunction with an existing or approved activity are allowed, provided the sign is constructed such that it meets the requirements of Chapter 16.68, Flood Hazard Overlay Zone.

In addition to the allowances for signs provided by this section, temporary signs are allowed on private property with the following standards:

1. No more than one temporary sign is permitted per property. Temporary signs are not permitted in the public right-of-way.
2. Temporary signs shall be a maximum of eight (8) square feet.
3. Temporary signs are allowed for not more than ninety (90) consecutive days or for any period of time during which the property is for sale, lease or rent, or for an election or event.
4. Temporary signs shall be secured so as not to be movable (pushed, pulled, blown, etc.)
5. No objects shall be attached to temporary signs, e.g. balloons, banners, etc.

All signs, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe condition. All signs shall be maintained in a neat, clean and attractive condition.

A nonconforming sign or sign structure shall not be moved, structurally altered or enlarged in any manner unless such movement, alteration or enlargement would bring the sign into conformity with the requirements of this Chapter.

1. Any sign shall be removed when the associated business or event has been discontinued or completed, or when the sign is no longer properly repaired or maintained as required by this Chapter.
2. Abandoned non-conforming signs shall be removed in their entirety.

To provide for reasonable interpretation of this Chapter, and in certain instances where this Chapter will produce hardship, a business owner (with permission from the property owner, if different) may apply for a variance pursuant to Chapter 16.92 of this Code.