Sign Regulations in Aurora, Oregon
Aurora, Oregon has specific sign regulations covering 13 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Neighborhood Identification Sign, Freestanding Sign (Conditional Use), Wall Sign (Conditional Use). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Aurora, Oregon
Sample Sign Requirements in Aurora
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 5 ft above grade | 8 sq ft per sign | — |
| Freestanding Sign (Conditional Use) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | Not within 10 ft of any property line |
| Wall Sign (Conditional Use) | — | 4 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for AuroraFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
13
- Neighborhood Identification Sign
- Freestanding Sign (Conditional Use)
- Wall Sign (Conditional Use)
- Right-Angle Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Aurora
Other Cities in Oregon
Frequently Asked Questions
In Aurora, monument signs are limited to 5 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Aurora, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Aurora, regulated sign types include Neighborhood Identification Sign, Freestanding Sign (Conditional Use), Wall Sign (Conditional Use), Right-Angle Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Aurora, monument signs typically require a Not within 10 ft of any property line setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Aurora are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Aurora has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Aurora, Oregon Sign Rules at a Glance
Aurora, Oregon regulates 13 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Conditional Use)s in the Historic Residential Overlay zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 4 sq ft, with a Not within 10 ft of any property line setback (Sec. 17.24.090(B)). Most commercial signs in Aurora require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Aurora, Oregon
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Aurora (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Residential Overlay | 3 | 5 ft above grade | 8 sq ft per sign | — |
| Historic Commercial Overlay | 9 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Aurora
Historic Residential Overlay
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 5 ft above grade | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per entry point | At each entry point to developments with more than eight lots or dwelling units | — | Unlock | 17.24.090(A) |
| Freestanding Sign (Conditional Use) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Not within 10 ft of any property line | One per conditional use | Mounted in a planter or landscaped area | — | Unlock | 17.24.090(B) |
| Wall Sign (Conditional Use) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per conditional use | Attached to the building | — | Unlock | 17.24.090(B) |
Historic Commercial Overlay
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right-Angle Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign (10 sq ft for sign identifying 4+ businesses) | — | Min 2 ft from curb/edge of pavement if projecting over right-of-way | No more than 1 per 17 ft of street frontage | Attached to the wall surface or hung from the underside of a marquee or balcony; must be below second story sill or roofline/eave/parapet of single-story building. | — | Unlock | 17.24.100(A) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 wall sign per 17 ft of building street frontage | Attached and parallel to building façade (no more than 6 inches from wall); shall not extend above eave or ridgeline. | — | Unlock | 17.24.100(B) |
| Wall Sign (Former Residential Use) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 17 ft of frontage | Attached to commercial buildings originally built as houses; placed sensitively to the architecture. | — | Unlock | 17.24.100(B)(4) |
| Parapet Sign | 2 ft (vertical dimension max) | — | — | At least 1 ft from building edge | No more than 1 per building | Above lintels of upper-story windows, on parapet wall extending above roof edge | — | Unlock | 17.24.100(C) |
| Window and Door Sign | — | — | — | — | No more than 2 per building frontage | First and second story windows and/or doors facing outward | — | Unlock | 17.24.100(D) |
| Balcony or Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | Attached/fixed to the fascia of a balcony or marquee, parallel to the street/façade; centered in middle of fascia. | — | Unlock | 17.24.100(E) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | No more than 1 per parcel | Within parcel boundaries; especially appropriate for commercial buildings originally built as houses. | — | Unlock | 17.24.100(F) |
| Sandwich Board/A-Board Sign | 4 ft (vertical) | — | 3 ft | — | 1 per business; possible additional with multiple frontages | On the ground, near business, must not obstruct walkways, must maintain 36 in walkway clearance; location must be approved. | — | Unlock | 17.24.100(G) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign (General) | — | — | — | — | — | See individual zone/location requirements | — | Unlock | 17.24.070 |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Aurora are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Aurora
- All signs and the stanchion (in the case of free-standing signs) must be constructed of wood or metal unless other materials are expressly permitted elsewhere in the chapter; all other materials, including Corex and plastic (except permitted plastic sandwich boards), are prohibited.
- Signs with highly stylized, round or curvilinear edges are prohibited.
- Fluorescent colors are not allowed on signs.
- Cartoon images, either line drawn or silhouette, of live or inanimate objects are prohibited on signs.
- Internal illumination, fluorescent and/or internal neon lighting for signs is not allowed; only subdued external and indirect incandescent, compact fluorescent or LED lighting is allowed.
- No sign shall contain any flashing lights, blinking or moving letters, characters or other elements, nor shall it be rotating or otherwise movable.
- Paper signs are not allowed on the exterior of any building or attached to any sign, except as provided in the exemptions.
- Signs, including those with lights or illuminations, which flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity, vary in color, or use intermittent electrical pulsations are prohibited.
- Advertising murals and bench signs are prohibited, except for donation name plates.
- Signs displaying the symbol, slogan or trademark of brands may not exceed one square foot in area and are limited to one per storefront.
- Vending machines are prohibited outdoors.
- Any unofficial sign which purports to be, is in imitation of, or resembles an official traffic light or a portion thereof, or which hides from view any official traffic sign or signal, is prohibited.
- No sign or portion thereof shall be so placed as to obstruct any fire escape, standpipe or human exit from a window located above the first floor of a building; obstruct any door or exit from a building; or obstruct any required light or ventilation.
- No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, except for citywide use of light pole banners when approved by the Historic Review Board and as otherwise permitted by the utility company.
- Except as specifically exempted, reader board signs are prohibited.
- No paper signs of any kind shall be placed upon sandwich board signs. Sandwich boards are not to be used for posters or to display promotional materials, except for special community events.
- Signs should not interfere with traffic safety or otherwise endanger public safety.
- Signs on buildings should not dominate or obscure the architecture of the building.
Exempt Signs in Aurora
- Memorial tablets, cornerstones or similar plaques, such as National Register listing, not exceeding six square feet.
- Small non-illuminated informational signs such as 'open/closed' signs (including one three-foot by five-foot flag or banner per storefront entrance), credit card signs, rating or professional association signs, and signs of a similar nature (limited to one of each type and no more than four total per business or parcel, area not exceeding three square feet with logos no larger than one square foot). Historic Review Board approved colors and lettering styles must be utilized.
- A sign identifying the name of the occupant or owner, not larger than one square foot, not illuminated, and either attached to the structure or located within the front yard setback.
- Donation nameplates located on benches.
- One interior LED sign per business, not exceeding three square feet in area, and limited to two colors. Flashing or other changes in illumination are prohibited.
- Flags of national, state, or local government, and flags of U.S. historical significance (no more than two flags per storefront, each flag not to exceed three feet by five feet).
- Temporary signs not exceeding four square feet provided the signs are located on private property and are erected not more than thirty days prior to and removed within seven days following an election in Oregon.
- Non-illuminated signs not exceeding four square feet provided the signs are located on private property while the property is listed for sale, lease or rent, or under construction or remodeling, provided such sign is removed within fifteen days after the sale, lease, rental of the property or the completion of any construction or remodeling.
- A sign located on private property for a consecutive period not exceeding 90 days following the issuance of a new city business permit/license for a business located on the property.
- Signs within or on a commercial property, provided the signs do not obscure more than twenty percent of any individual window glazing and no more than ten percent of the total primary façade area, provided the signs are erected not more than fifteen days prior to a sale or other special event and removed within one day of completion of the sale or event.
- Businesses that are changing location may place one sign not exceeding one square foot, located inside a window facing outward, erected not more than sixty days prior to moving and removed within sixty days after moving.
- Signs not exceeding two square feet, erected not more than three days prior to a garage sale or event at a residential property, removed upon completion of the sale. Limited to three times per year per property. Signs may be placed in the city right-of-way if self-supporting and placed no closer than four feet from the street or on other private property with owner's permission. Not to be affixed to public signs or utility poles or in a city park. Must display the name, address, and telephone number of the person placing the sign.
- Temporary banners, pennants, signs and flags for no more than thirty days before a civic or other community event and removed within two days after the event.
- Construction, maintenance, or identification signs placed by state or federal governments, or other public agencies for the direction of traffic, and designed to fulfill requirements of state and federal funding agencies.
- Temporary paper signs that serve as notice of a public meeting when removed promptly after the meeting.
- One town identification sign at each entry to town located on major roadways, not exceeding twenty square feet.
- Security monitoring signs with company logo, limited to twelve square inches when located on a window or two square feet when free-standing.
- Chalk board signs; white boards with felt pens are prohibited.
- Signs within a building, so long as they are not readily visible from outside the building.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Aurora
- Application must be made to both the Historic Review Board and a city building official before constructing, erecting, placing, painting, carving, or otherwise exposing any sign in the historic commercial overlay or the historic residential overlay. Approval from the Historic Review Board is required before a structure or sign permit can be issued by the City.
- All signs in the historic commercial overlay require approval by the Historic Review Board.
- No person shall place on, or apply to, the surface of any building, any painted sign, or erect, construct, place or install any other sign, unless a sign permit has been issued by the city.
- All departures from signage plans for which an approval has been issued shall be approved in advance by the Historic Review Board.
- Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing on forms provided by the city and must include a drawing indicating colors, lettering, symbols, logos, materials, size, area, and an elevation and plot plan showing location, method of illumination, and similar information.
Source: municode municipal code