# Sign Regulations in Astoria, Oregon

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Astoria, Oregon, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Astoria, Oregon (OR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/oregon/astoria
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-09
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://astoria.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=development#name=ARTICLE_8_SIGN_REGULATIONS)

## At a glance

Astoria, Oregon regulates 23 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Portable Sign (non-exempt)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft if exempt tall, 8 sq ft per side exempt; larger signs count against total site area allowance., and 2 ft if exempt wide (Sec. 8.080.L). Most commercial signs in Astoria require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | Freestanding/monument: 42 inches; Wall: 8 ft; Projecting: 10 ft | Monument: 30 sq ft per side; Projecting: 15 sq ft per side | — |
| C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) | 4 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| C-2 (Tourist Commercial), C-3 (General Commercial), S-1 (Marine Industrial Shorelands), S-2 (General Development Shorelands), A-1 (Aquatic One Development), A-2 (Aquatic Two Development), A-2A (Aquatic Two A Development), LS (Local Service), HR (Hospitality/Recreation), CA (Education/Research/Health Care Campus), HC (Health Care), AH-HC (Attached Housing - Health Care), FA (Family Activity), GI (General Industrial) | 6 | 24 ft | 100 sq ft (32 sq ft on site without building) | — |
| R-1 (Low Density Residential), R-2 (Medium Density Residential), R-3 (High Density Residential), CR (Compact Residential), AH-MP (Attached Housing - Mill Pond for residential uses), PD (Planned Development) | 5 | 6 ft for freestanding/monument | 24 sq ft | — |
| A-3 (Aquatic Conservation), A-4 (Aquatic Natural), S-5 (Natural Shorelands), IN (Institutional), LR (Land Reserve) | 2 | Monument: 10 ft if pre-2004 freestanding allowed | Monument: 30 sq ft/side; Projecting: 15 sq ft/side | — |
| C-4 (Central Commercial), S-2A (Tourist Oriented Shoreland), MH (Maritime Heritage), AH-MP (Attached Housing - Mill Pond for commercial uses) | 9 | 18 ft | 64 sq ft (100 sq ft S-2A Zone areas outside Downtown 6th-16th) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 12 sq ft per frontage (permanent); see zone regulation if zone allows more. | — | — | Permanent wall signage of a maximum of twelve (12) square feet per frontage shall be calculated as one sign. | Attached to building wall. | — | 8.080.A |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | 12 sq ft per frontage (included in wall sign area) | — | — | One per frontage | Window | — | 8.080.G |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted at right angle to facade, 8 ft above grade minimum unless at corner | — | 8.080.C |
| Marquee, Canopy or Awning Sign | Pedestrian sign max face height 9 inches. | — | — | — | — | Attached to face of marquee, canopy, or awning. | — | 8.080.B |
| Directional Sign | Freestanding/monument: 42 inches; Wall: 8 ft; Projecting: 10 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 8.080.H |
| Portable Sign (non-exempt) | 4 ft if exempt | 8 sq ft per side exempt; larger signs count against total site area allowance. | 2 ft if exempt | — | One per business/site | On site, not within street ROW unless exempt under 8.040/5.060. | — | 8.080.L |
| Temporary Sign | Lawn sign: 40 inches | Lawn signs: 9 sq ft, Banners: 24 sq ft, Open/Coming soon: 24 sq ft, Construction: 32 sq ft | — | — | One per business/site | — | — | 8.080.K |
| Changeable Text Sign | Monument: 10 ft if pre-2004 freestanding allowed | Monument: 30 sq ft per side; Projecting: 15 sq ft per side | — | — | One per business/use | Allowed as wall, monument, or projecting sign in conformance with 8.080(M) | — | 8.080.M |

### C-2 (Tourist Commercial), C-3 (General Commercial), S-1 (Marine Industrial Shorelands), S-2 (General Development Shorelands), A-1 (Aquatic One Development), A-2 (Aquatic Two Development), A-2A (Aquatic Two A Development), LS (Local Service), HR (Hospitality/Recreation), CA (Education/Research/Health Care Campus), HC (Health Care), AH-HC (Attached Housing - Health Care), FA (Family Activity), GI (General Industrial)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 24 ft | 100 sq ft (32 sq ft on site without building) | — | — | One per site | Per site | — | 8.150.B |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 100 sq ft (32 sq ft on site without building) | — | — | One per site up to 200 ft frontage; two for >200 ft | Per site, up to 2 if frontage exceeds 200 ft | — | 8.150.H |
| Wall, Roof Mounted, or Projecting Sign | — | 100 sq ft per sign | — | — | Two per building frontage | Attached to building | — | 8.150.C |
| Temporary Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per site | — | — | 8.150.E |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft if exempt | 8 sq ft per side exempt; larger signs count against total sign area | 2 ft if exempt | — | — | — | — | 8.150.F |
| Changeable Text Sign (C-3, S-2 only) | Monument: 10 ft (if pre-2004 freestanding allowed) | Monument: 30 sq ft/side; Projecting: 15 sq ft/side | — | — | One per business/use | Wall, monument, or projecting sign only. | — | 8.150.G and 8.080.M |

### C-4 (Central Commercial), S-2A (Tourist Oriented Shoreland), MH (Maritime Heritage), AH-MP (Attached Housing - Mill Pond for commercial uses)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 18 ft | 32 sq ft (100 sq ft S-2A Zone areas outside Downtown 6th-16th) | — | — | One per site | Per site w/100+ ft street frontage. | — | 8.180.C |
| Wall Sign | — | 64 sq ft (100 sq ft S-2A Zone areas outside Downtown 6th-16th) | — | — | One per frontage for each business/use/site and one for group occupying shared space | Per building frontage | — | 8.180.D |
| Roof Mounted Sign | — | 32 sq ft (100 sq ft S-2A Outside Downtown) | — | — | — | On building roof (restrictions, see below) | — | 8.180.D.3 |
| Marquee, Canopy or Awning Sign | Ped sign below marquee: 9 inches face height. | Counts toward total sign area. | — | — | — | Valance/skirt only | — | 8.180.E |
| Projecting Sign | — | 15 sq ft (100 sq ft S-2A Zone areas outside Downtown 6th-16th) | — | — | One per frontage | Per frontage. Min clearance 8 ft from sidewalk. | — | 8.180.F, 8.080.C |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft (100 sq ft S-2A Zone areas outside Downtown 6th-16th) | — | — | One per site up to 200 ft, two for >200 ft | Per site (one for ≤200ft frontage; two for >200ft) | — | 8.180.I |
| Portable Sign | 4 ft if exempt | 8 sq ft per side exempt; larger signs count toward total allowance | 2 ft if exempt | — | — | — | — | 8.180.G |
| Changeable Text Sign (C-4, S-2A only) | Monument: 10 ft (if pre-2004 freestanding allowed) | Monument: 30 sq ft/side; Projecting: 15 sq ft/side | — | — | One per business/use | Wall, monument, or projecting sign only | — | 8.180.J, 8.080.M |

## Prohibited signs in Astoria

- Strobe lights and signs containing strobe lights are prohibited.
- Spot lights and beacons are prohibited, except for special community wide events by permit.
- Signs which flash, revolve, rotate, swing, undulate, or otherwise attract attention through the movement or flashing of parts, including inflatable signs, large balloons, flags, pennants, animation sign on vehicles, billboard vehicles, or similar devices are prohibited, except for barber poles (up to 4’), changeable text signs, time and temperature signs, and non-animation signs on vehicles used for other purposes.
- Abandoned or deteriorated signs are prohibited.
- Public address systems or sound devices for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Backlit awning signage is prohibited in certain specified downtown/Gateway areas.
- Unofficial signs imitating or resembling an official traffic sign or signal, or attempting to direct the movement of traffic, or hiding official traffic signs are prohibited.
- Animation signs are prohibited.
- Changeable text signs on vacant lots are prohibited.
- Off-premise changeable text signs are prohibited.
- Signs may not be installed on portions of structures exempt from building height, such as elevator shafts or rooftop equipment enclosures.
- Signs may not be located within a vision clearance area except as specified by dimensional limits for supports.
- Signs or sign supporting structures may not be located so as to detract from a motorist's view of traffic or traffic signs.
- Signs must be designed and located to prevent glare or direct light onto adjacent public roadways and surrounding property.
- Temporary signs may not be permanently attached to the ground, buildings, or other structures.
- Directional signs may not include flashing lights, changeable text, moving or rotating parts, or electronic message centers.
- Portable signs (not exempt) must not be located within a street right-of-way and must not be electric or internally illuminated.
- Signs must be kept in good repair and maintenance and free from excessive rust, corrosion, peeling paint, or deterioration.

## Signs exempt from permit in Astoria

- Building plaques, cornerstones, or similar building identification integral and normal to a building.
- House and building numbers (maximum 4 sq ft and 12-inch high numbers).
- Decorative banners in residential zones not exceeding 6 sq ft.
- Official informational signs, traffic signs, kiosks, signals, notices, decorative and event banners.
- Historical markers erected or maintained by public authority or recognized historical organizations.
- Historical signs, and reproductions of historic signs.
- Wall sign for an approved home occupation not exceeding 1 sq ft.
- Directional signs not exceeding 4 sq ft each.
- Flags of local, state, or national origin.
- Signs located within a building, except window signs.
- Informational signs such as hours of operation, accepted cards, and similar, not exceeding 1 sq ft for groups of related signage; open and closed signs not exceeding 1.5 sq ft.
- Signs (not exceeding 24 sq ft) in residential zones identifying public and semi-public uses.
- One short-term real estate sign per street frontage on premises for sale/lease/rent, not exceeding 6 sq ft, provided it is removed within 14 days after the transaction.
- Political signs on private property, if removed within 14 days after the election.
- Signs on buildings in aquatic zones not visible from a public street or right-of-way, and not exceeding 32 sq ft.
- Signs affixed to the face of individual gas pumps at gasoline service stations.
- Portable signs located within a street right-of-way per City Code Section 5.060.
- Short term signs in the nature of decorations incidental to holidays.
- Portable signs within a street right-of-way that comply with City Code Section 5.060.
- Temporary portable signs for community-wide events or festivals (e.g., Scandinavian Festival, Regatta).
- Electronic signs displaying only time and temperature are exempt from changeable text sign regulations.
- Temporary banner style signs and lawn signs do not require a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for the erection of any new sign or the structural alteration/modification of an existing sign, except for signs exempted under Section 8.040.
- Sign permit applications must include a scale drawing with dimensions, location, structural elements, size/location of all other signs on the property, and a site plan indicating building/site frontage.
- All signs in historic districts, or in conjunction with historic buildings or sites, must be approved through the Historic Landmarks Code review process (Sections 6.050 and 6.090).
- All changeable text signs must be reviewed as a Miscellaneous Review permit by the Astoria Planning Commission per Article 9, or by the Historic Landmarks Commission for historic properties. Applications require additional supporting documentation.
- Certain wall graphics must be evaluated by the Planning Commission on a case-by-case basis. Wall graphics on historic structures/sites or in historic districts require Historic Landmarks Commission review.
- Temporary banner style signs and lawn signs do not require a sign permit; all other temporary or short-term signs affixed to a building or site require a permit.
- Variances to sign regulations may be approved by the Astoria Planning Commission or administratively, following the procedures and criteria described in Section 8.110.
- Signs must conform to both the general regulations and requirements for the applicable specific zone regulations.
- Through-the-block signage and exceptions to sign frontage allocation may require application choice and possible relinquishment of signage rights on other frontages, unless a variance is granted.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Astoria — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Astoria+OR&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-astoria

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